The day starts at the top of Chhomrong with views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre. Almost immediately the trail drops down the village staircase, past lodges, houses and terraced gardens, losing about 300 m to the suspension bridge over the Chhomrong Khola at roughly 1,860 m. Walking poles take much of the strain off knees here, and starting early means the steps are in shade and free of the porter traffic that builds after 8 am.
Across the bridge the climb begins. Stone steps and earth paths climb about 480 m through terraces and then forest to Lower Sinuwa and Upper Sinuwa (2,340 m), taking 1–1.5 hours for most people. From Sinuwa the trail turns into the gorge of the Modi Khola, and the landscape changes: no more villages, just bamboo, oak and rhododendron forest, waterfalls and a few lodges spaced a couple of hours apart.
On the return the same section works in reverse, and the final climb back up the Chhomrong staircase from the river, about 300 m, is the moment most trekkers remember with feeling. We plan it early in the day or split it with a night at Sinuwa. Almost everything in the sanctuary lodges, from rice to gas cylinders, comes up this staircase on porters' backs, which explains the menu prices higher up.
Good for
- Groups
- Solo
- First-timers
Questions travellers ask
How many steps are there in Chhomrong?
Nobody has an agreed count, but trekkers often quote figures in the thousands for the staircase between upper Chhomrong, the Chhomrong Khola bridge and Sinuwa. The descent to the river is about 300 m and the climb to Sinuwa about 480 m. Allow 2–2.5 hours for the whole section.
Is the Chhomrong staircase difficult?
It is steep but not technical. The difficulty is the steady height change, which tests knees going down and lungs going up. Walking poles, an early start and a slow, steady rhythm make it manageable for anyone fit enough for the ABC trek. Porters carry the main bags.
How long from Chhomrong to Annapurna Base Camp?
Most trekkers take two to three days from Chhomrong to Annapurna Base Camp: to Bamboo or Dovan on day one, Deurali on day two and the base camp on day three. The route climbs almost 2,000 m, so a steady pace helps the body adjust to altitude.
