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Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 5 Days

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Trip Facts
  • Duration 6 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Group Size 2 to 20 pax
  • Max. Elevation 4130m
  • Start/End Nayapul or Siwi
  • Best Time Sep to Dec and Mar to May

Highlights

  • Complete Short Annapurna Base Camp in 5 Days.
  • Well-managed tea houses facilitate lodges with warm hospitality.
  • Route from Pokhara, Chomrong, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC, ABC, and back the same way. 
  • Explores typical Gurung culture and their traditions.
  • Mesmerizing views of Mt. Annapurna Fishtail and more peaks.
  • You will be near the huge Annapurna glacier.
  • Lush forestry, green views, and its scenic beauties
  • You can see wildlife, animals, and flora and fauna.
  • Crossing the longest and deepest suspension bridges.
  • You must walk for 6 to 7 hours every day.
  • Trailheads, ups and downs, gradual ups, and forestry walks
  • Trek starts and ends in Pokhara. 

Overview of Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Embark on the Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, a captivating 5-day adventure that takes you deep into the Annapurna Sanctuary. This trek offers a unique blend of rich cultural experiences, breathtaking natural beauty, and panoramic mountain views, all within a manageable timeframe.

The short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is complete in 5 days and offers a comprehensive trekking experience that combines cultural immersion, natural beauty, and majestic mountain views. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a first-time visitor, this trek provides an accessible yet enriching adventure into the heart of the Himalayas.

Cultural Heritage of the Gurung Community Village

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek provides an immersive cultural experience as you traverse through traditional Gurung villages such as Ghandruk and Chhomrong. The Gurung people, known for their hospitality and vibrant traditions, offer trekkers a glimpse into their unique lifestyle. Their stone-built homes, local museums, and cultural festivals enrich the trekking experience, making it not just a physical journey but also a cultural exploration.

Natural Beauty Along the Trek

As you ascend through the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the landscape transforms dramatically. Starting from the lush subtropical forests, the trail gradually leads you into alpine meadows, offering diverse flora and fauna. The rhododendron forests, bamboo groves, and cascading waterfalls create a serene environment, enhancing the trekking experience. The natural beauty of the region is a testament to the pristine wilderness of the Annapurna Sanctuary.

Panoramic Mountain Views from Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

One of the highlights of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the unparalleled mountain vistas. The trek offers close-up views of some of the world's most majestic peaks:

  1. Annapurna I (8,091 m)—The 10th highest mountain globally, towering above the base camp.
  2. Annapurna South (7,219 m)—A massive and imposing peak visible from the base camp.
  3. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail, 6,993 m)—A sacred mountain known for its unique fishtail shape.
  4. Annapurna II & III—prominent peaks that add to the grandeur of the Annapurna range.
  5. Himchuli (6441 m) is a short but beautiful vista from any angle.
  6. Famous climbing peak of Tent Peak (5663 m) in front of Base Camp.

These towering peaks provide a dramatic backdrop throughout the trek, making every step a visual delight.

Annapurna Base Camp and Its Glacier

Reaching Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) is the culmination of the trek. Nestled in a natural amphitheater surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the base camp offers an up-close view of the Annapurna Glacier. The glacier's massive icefalls and moraines are a testament to the region's dynamic geological activity. The serene environment, coupled with the towering mountains, creates a surreal atmosphere, making the Annapurna Base Camp Trek a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Why Choose the Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is designed for those who wish to experience the grandeur of the Annapurna region without committing to a longer trek. The 5-day itinerary ensures that trekkers can enjoy the highlights of the Annapurna Sanctuary, including cultural encounters, natural beauty, and mountain vistas, all within a short time frame. But, if you have time, make a plan for more than 12 days at Annapurna Base Camp with a visit to the amazing panorama viewpoint along Ghorepani Poonhill. 

Lodging and Food on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers comfortable and well-managed teahouse lodges along the trail. These lodges serve fresh, organic, and hygienic meals, including Nepali and international dishes. The rooms are clean and cozy with warm bedding. Trekkers can enjoy peaceful nights with local hospitality in every village.

Transportation Options for the Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

  1. From Pokhara to Nayapul till Siwi by Private taxi or jeep
  2. After the trek from Siwi/Jhinu danda to Pokhara: Return by local jeep or taxi
  3. If you require it, we can also arrange transport to Kathmandu and Pokhara by tourist bus or domestic flight, which is a 30-minute flight vs. a 7/8-hour drive.

Let us know your preference—we’ll organize everything for you.

Required of Trekking Permits

To enter the Annapurna region, you’ll need two permits because you are trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

  1. ACAP Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project): NPR 3,000
  2. TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System): NPR 2,000
  3. We’ll arrange it easily but need a passport copy and passport-size photos.

Cost of Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

A 5-day short Annapurna Base Camp trek costs US$ 375 per person, which is full board, including meals, accommodation, transportation, a guide, and a permit. But you need a minimum of 2 people in a group. If you are a single visitor, the price comes to a bit more.

Well, Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels and transportation are excluded; if you want to book it with us, the cost would be an extra $100 each. We arrange tourist-standard hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara for 2-2 nights, including deluxe rooms and continental breakfast.

Well, if you want to take a porter, price is $135 for everything included in the price, like lodging, food, accommodation, salary, insurance, etc.

Which services would you prefer? Let us know, and we will customize accordingly. Make a successful and satisfying trip with the best services.

How Difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a moderate-level trek. It reaches a height of 4,130 meters, so you need to walk slowly and stay hydrated. The trails are well-maintained, and people of all ages (including beginners) can complete them with proper preparation. No technical skills are required—just a good level of fitness.

Best time to visit Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The best time to visit Annapurna Base Camp Trek is possible almost year-round due to its easy accessibility. However, the country experiences four distinct seasons, each offering a different trekking experience, as described below:

Autumn and spring are considered the best times to visit Nepal. These seasons offer pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and excellent visibility, making them ideal for trekking across the country.

Monsoon (summer) brings heavy rainfall, which can obscure mountain views and make trails muddy and less enjoyable for trekking.

Winter is cold, with snowfall in higher elevations. Trails can be icy and slippery, and temperatures can drop significantly, especially in mountainous regions.

Trekking Gear Checklist
  1. Here’s a basic gear list for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
  2. Warm jacket (down/fleece)
  3. Thermal layers, trekking pants, gloves, woolen socks
  4. Good hiking boots & sandals
  5. Sleeping bag (negative-rated)
  6. Water bottles (2 liters), sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles
  7. Backpack (daypack), flashlight/headlamp, toiletries, towel
  8. Camera/charger, personal documents
Any personal medicines
We provide a first aid kit, but bring your essential medications with you.

Itinerary

Expand AllCollapse All

Annapurna Base Camp: A Short and Sweet 6-Day Trek If you have more days, we recommend doing Ghorepani Poon Hill for a few extra days. For further information, feel free.

You should be ready early in the morning. First, take a lovely breakfast at your hotel, then catch a private vehicle to Nayapul. It takes more than an hour to drive. Your beautiful trek will start from Nayapul, crossing the suspension bridge. Birethanti is next, after 20 minutes of walking. Here is the main entrance and permit check post; you must show your permit here. The guide carries your permit, and he reports at every checkpoint. Your beautiful trekking will continue along the Madi Riverside and through beautiful villages as well as nice terraces. You get to Syaulibazar, where you can have a nice lunch. After lunch, the trek will begin with an adventure, ascending upstairs before Ghandruk's gentle gradual descent. Day one: beautiful walking with open views

Ghandruk is a Gurung community village; it is a neat and clean village and a big village. They have a typical Gurung cultural Museum. You can visit there; your guide will take you there and explain it to you. You will see glorious mountain views from Ghandruk, including Mt. Annapurna South, Hiuchuli, Annapurna III, and Fishtail. You are staying in a nice lodge; they serve well with warm hospitality.

  • Comfortable Lodge
  • 5 hrs Walking
  • 1950m / 6398ft

Early in the morning, take a lovely breakfast with a mesmerizing view of the Annapurna ranges and Fishtails. Your trekking will start gradually, for 45 minutes, then descend until the Komrong River. You should walk up a hill to a nice hill in less than 2 hours, then another 45 minutes of gradual walking to Chhomrong village. It is also a Gurung Community village; you can take lunch here. Then, 30 minutes downward with nice stairs You cross the suspension bridge again, then again uphill to SInuwa. It is such a wonderful walk, upwards and downwards. Let’s say it takes approximately 6 to 7 hours to stay at a nice lodge here with a green forest view.

  • Nice Lodge
  • 6/7 hrs. Walking
  • 2360m / 7743ft

Usually, you must take a nice breakfast at the same lodge before starting your trekking. It is walking along lush forestry and passing many villages as lodges. Sinuwa to Bamboo takes 1 and a half hours; Bamboo to Dovan takes an hour; and Dovan to the Himalayas takes one and a half hours. You're going to take a nice lunch at Himalaya. It is a nice and cozy place, but they only have two lodges. After lunch, you need to walk another 2 hours to reach beautiful places in Deurali. It is some part ascending, some part descending, and gradual, gentle walking. You stay at a nice lodge in Deurali.

  • Nice Lodge
  • 7 hrs. Walking
  • 3200m / 10499ft

It is a touchy day, ascending almost a thousand meters in altitude. But we take you slowly, with enough rest. There is someplace to rest at MBC Machhapuchhre Base Camp; usually, we take a tea break here and then, at lunchtime, get to ABC. It is not steep uphill. Going roundly as slop uphill Our professional team, guides, and helpers assist you; they take good care and make it a success to bring base camp. It is more or less 5 hours of walking.

Annapurna Base Camp is a kind of bowl, surrounding high mountains and huge glaciers. Base camp is on the bottom, and you will see a splendid view of Mt. Annapurna I, which is the 10th highest in the world. And, you will see another mountain called Annapurna South (7219 m), a thrilling view of Mt. Fishtail (Machhapuchhre) (6993 m), and many more peaks. While you see those glorious mountain views, you will forget everything because of your tiredness and altitude sickness. You will be so delightful when you touch base. There is a well-managed tea house, and they serve nice food and comfortable beds.

  • Nice Lodge
  • 5 hrs. Walking
  • 4130m / 13550ft

Early morning is the best viewing time of the Himalayas. We recommend you get up early before the sun shines. You can’t see exact sunrises, but you will see the magical sun shining in the Mountains. You should walk 5 minutes to watch this amazing view. Take lots of photos in your own style. Take your lovely breakfast to base camp.

Then, start your trekking downhill as you jump; you will pass all villages from which you came upwards. As MBC, Deurali, Himalaya, Dovan, Bamboo, and Sinuwa. You can have lunch where you arrive at lunchtime in the Himalayas or Dovan. You are all the way downward until Bamboo, then half an hour ascending some stairs. Again, gradual walking till Sinuwa It is more or less 7 hours of walking. You get a nice lodge in Sinuwa.

  • Nice Lodge
  • 7 hrs. Walking
  • 2360m / 7743ft

Typically, you will eat breakfast at the same time as you begin your beautiful trekking. You are returning on the same trail: first downstairs for 35 minutes, then one and a half hours uphill till Chomrong Top, and again an hour and 20 minutes downhill to Jhinu Danda. Take lunch, then cross one of the longest and deepest suspension bridges, then catch a vehicle to return to Pokhara. It is two and a half hours of driving.

It is your last day with your guide and porters. If you like to have dinner together, celebrate with your guide and porters with a yummy dinner and drinks. Share your happiness with them by giving them good Tips. The guide and porter will return to Kathmandu early the next morning.

We provide excellent services; we make wonderful and successful trips. Feel free.

  • Hotel as you wish
  • 6 hrs. walking/ drive
  • 820m / 2690ft

Trip Map

Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 5 Days map

Cost Details

What's Included

  • Full board meals during treks, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
  • Accommodations: comfortable lodges during the trek
  • One English-speaking, well-trained trekking guide.
  • Guide all expenses like salary, lodging, food, transportation, insurance, etc.
  • Needed transportation is listed below.
  • Pokhara to Siwi or further by local taxi or jeep.
  • Jhinu to Pokhara, returning by local Jepp or taxi.
  • Needed permits as below-mentioned.
  • ACAP Annapurna Conservation Area Project
  • TIMS Trekking Information Management System
  • Tax and VAT where applicable
  • Seasonal fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
  • First-aid kit.

What's Excluded

  • Nepalese entry visa fee, which you can obtain easily at the airport.
  • Travel insurance, It's important if there is any emergency rescue or medical treatment.
  • Soft, hot, and alcoholic drinks (tea, coffee, mineral water, hot water, coke, Fanta, beer, spirits, etc.)
  • Hot water, a hot shower, a heater charge, a battery charge, phone calls, and laundry service
  • Emergency evacuation and medical equipment.
  • Hire equipment and other personal items (sleeping bag, down jacket, hiking boots, camera, toilet rolls, etc.).
  • In the case of natural calamities, i.e., political unrest, cancellation of flights due to weather, landslides, etc., the extra charge will be borne by the travelers themselves.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but if you need any help, we can book any categorized hotels.
  • Transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus, jeep car, or flight is also possible. If you need my help, I can book it.
  • Tips for Guides and Porters

Client Reviews

Write a review
  • Sandra
    SandraNetherlands,April 29, 2023
    TripAdvisor

    Amazing Experience

    Very good trekking with Jay Gurung! Most and the best services. Knows everything about the mountains and the surroudings. Absolutely fantstic guide. An absolute pleasure and privilege to hike with Jay indeed. I can highly recommend him!

     

  • L
    LeyaSingapore,July 25, 2017
    TripAdvisor

    5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trekking

    I heard about Jay from a friend who had hiked with him twice. I came to Kathmandu with only a few days to spare for hiking but Jay had meticulously helped me to customise the itinerary so that the hike would take 5 days instead of the usual 6 or 7 day hike. He was also flexible to accommodate any changes or suggestions. During the hike, there was no doubt that Jay was experienced and had an extensive knowledge of the area and the mountains, something that he was generous in sharing. I also learned some things about the Nepali culture and gained information regarding the areas and mountains in the trek. He felt more of a personal guide/tour guide rather than just a guide that you follow up into the mountains.

    My phone had gotten wet during the trek because of the rain, and once the trek had ended and we were back in Kathmandu, Jay was kind enough to take me on his motorbike to local phone repair centre. Unfortunately for me, my backpack was stolen during a volunteering placement in Kathmandu (this was a few weeks after the trek had ended) and Jay willingly came to the local police station to help me settle the report. He was more than just a company owner and a guide but such an amazing person as well.

    Would highly recommend Jay for a personal and memorable experience in Nepal!

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