Traditional Gurung stone village on a forested ridge at golden hour

Chhomrong

The steep Gurung gateway village every Base Camp trek passes through.

About this place

Summary

A steep Gurung village at about 2,170 m that serves as the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Famous for its long stone staircase, close views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, and as the last sizeable village before the climb to Base Camp.

Why we picked it

It is the unavoidable gateway to the Sanctuary and the best place on the trail to confirm conditions before going high.

Good for

Sanctuary trekkers, photographers, and travelers who value good lodges and a decision-point village with big views.

Skip if

There is no skipping it on an ABC trek — but day-trippers without several days should not attempt to reach it.

Editorial guide

Chhomrong (around 2,170 m) clings to a hillside facing Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre, and it is the pivot of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek: every route to Annapurna Base Camp passes through it, both on the way up and on the way down.

Why go

It is a working Gurung village with some of the best lodges and bakeries on the trail, and a genuinely spectacular outlook. Because the trail in and out drops to the Chhomrong Khola and climbs back up an infamous flight of stone steps, the village marks a real psychological and physical threshold on the trek.

When to go

As with the rest of the Sanctuary route, autumn and spring are best. Most trekkers spend at least one night here, often two across the round trip.

Useful caveat

Chhomrong is where you confirm conditions higher up: lodge owners here have the most current word on snow, avalanche risk in the gorge, and whether the upper lodges are open. Treat it as your last reliable information point before committing to the climb to MBC and ABC.

Best for

gurung-cultureabc-gatewaymountain-viewslodgesdecision-point

Good in

SpringAutumn

Details

Entry fee: ACAP permit required
Permit: ACAP
Altitude: 2170 m

Appears in

Lists featuring this place

The Annapurna South massif glowing at sunrise above forested ridges

trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The classic Annapurna Sanctuary trek: roughly a week of teahouse walking up the Modi Khola gorge into a glacial amphitheatre at 4,130 m, ringed by Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, and a wall of Himalayan giants. The region's signature multi-day trek.

“It is the region's definitive trek — the most complete way to walk into the heart of the high Himalaya without technical climbing.”

7–10 days from KathmanduMedium8 stops

Editorial · reetu.fyiclassic · high-himalaya

Checked Jun 2026