Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek

a) Best Time

For the best time of the 7-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you can plan to visit in the spring and autumn seasons for the following reasons:

Spring (March-May):At the time of this season, you can see beautiful rhododendron flowers blooming and lush green jungles. Similarly, the landscape of the Annapurna region will be very heavenly and panoramic.
You can see the nice views of the snow-capped Himalayans shining in the sun’s rays. And there is less snow on the trails, so we can walk easily on the trails without slipping or any difficulty.

Autumn or Fall (September to November): Another prime month for Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is the autumn season. This is the peak season for hiking. Numerous hikers from different parts of the world plan their trips during this season to get the best experience.

The weather will be clear and warm with no rain or snow. The surroundings will also be very beautiful and charming. If you are a photogenic person, then this time will offer you a lot of scenery that you will feel every place that you need to click photos and videos.

Likewise, the summer season showers with heavy rains and sometimes light rains, which makes each trail muddy and slippery, making hiking more challenging. In the same way, the winter season creates snowy trails. The temperature will be freezing too. So, it is not suggested to hike in these seasons.

b) Elevation and distance

Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek Package is a short trekking package that only lasts for 7 days. The hiking distance from Pokhara is about 101 kilometers to the Annapurna Base Camp. Similarly, you have to walk 32 kilometers total distance from Ghandruk to reach ABC. The trails are full of uphill and downhill sections, including rugged rocky trails.

The maximum elevation in this entire Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is at ABC with a high altitude of 4130 meters (13.550 feet). When you trek to Ghandruk on the second day, you will be at an altitude of 2,012 meters. Furthermore, the second highest point of this journey is at Machhapuchhre Base Camp, situated at an elevation of 3,700 meters.

Although most of the places in the itinerary are below 3000 meters, you must be careful and aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness. Your body will get adjusted while staying overnight at different teahouses for 5 days. So, you don’t need to fear regarding this concern, as we are always prepared in this case.

c) Difficulty and altitude sickness

Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is a medium-level difficulty hiking journey. You need to walk an average of 5 hours regularly in the steep, narrow, uphill, and downhill paths. Although you don’t need to have any climbing skills, you need to have strength and stamina to continue on your journey.

We’ll start this trekking journey from Nayapul and gradually climb through destinations like Ghandruk, Chhomrong, and Dovan, eventually leading to the Annapurna Base Camp. When you reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you’ll be over 3500 meters. So, at this level of height, sometimes even experienced trekkers might experience mild altitude sickness.

Since there are no acclimatization days on the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek itinerary, you will be reaching the ABC in just 4 days since you start to hike. Due to this reason also, you can feel dizziness, the urge to vomit, headaches, nausea, and so on. However, these symptoms can be prevented by coming to trek well-prepared and staying hydrated.

The best part is that you might not need an acclimatization day in this designed itinerary, as we ensure your health safety by monitoring your oxygen level daily with the oximeter and making sure you stay hydrated properly to complete this short trekking trip successfully. Nevertheless, you should also eat healthy foods and take care of yourself.

d) Maximum and minimum walk per day

On this 7-day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek itinerary, you begin walking from Nayapul to Ghandruk village. You are standardly trekking for about 5 hours daily. The minimum walk per day will be only 2 to 3 hours when you trek from Sinuwa or Bamboo to Siwai on the very last day of your journey.

Similarly, your maximum hike per day will be on the fifth day, in which you have to trek for 6 hours to reach the Annapurna Base Camp. This will be the more challenging day of this excursion than any other day, as you have to walk through narrow and rocky trails. So, like any other trekking journey, you should at least be in good health and fit to complete the trip.

e) Accommodation, Food and Drink

When you are in Pokhara for overnight, you are staying in the 3-star standard hotel. While trekking, you are staying in the basic teahouses in this Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek. You will be provided with wooden beds, blankets, pillows, and mattresses. Some of the teahouses have attached bathrooms, while others don’t.

You can see the gorgeous views from your teahouse windows too. Similarly, you will see the accommodations with very few facilities as you ascend higher on this thrilling journey. During the peak time of trekking, you may need to share the room with fellow hikers. And you’ll discover a diverse dish in this trek.

You can find menus such as Tibetan bread, French toast with jam, honey, eggs, pancakes, etc., along with tea and coffee in the breakfast. In the same way, you can find diverse menus of Nepalese traditional Dal, Bhat, Tarkari dishes, thukpa, macaroni, spaghetti, Sherpa stew, steaks, potato dishes, and many more in lunch and dinner.

We also provide periodic fresh fruits, which will be distributed for dessert every nightfall after supper. While trekking, we provide supplementary snacks such as energy bars, crackers, cookies, etc. Supplementary snacks and fresh fruits are both included in the package, so you don’t need to pay extra cash for them.

Meanwhile, drinks like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, local alcohol, and juices are available in the teahouses. However, you need to avoid non-vegetarian items, alcohol, smoking, chewing tobacco, etc. for your health’s sake while traveling.

f) Can beginner join this trip?

This Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is not only for experienced trekkers but also for people who are new to the trekking world. The route to the ABC is uncomplicated and doesn’t need any technical skills or gear for climbing. If you are in good shape, you will easily walk 5 hours regularly on the trek.

Nevertheless, if you have any chronic health issues, you need to call in your doctor first before planning any trip. Because you are going to higher altitudes that can severely affect you if you have any chronic illness. When trekking, make sure you drink enough water to keep your body hydrated all the time to avoid altitude sickness.

g) Preparation and fitness

Annapurna Base Camp Short Treks can be very challenging for people who have a passive lifestyle. You need to walk at least 5 to 6 hours for the first five days as soon as you begin your hiking journey. Although previous experience is not mandatory, you need to be fit so that you get free from altitude sickness.

So, we suggest you focus on cardiovascular workouts to boost your lung capacity, which will help you greatly when you are trekking to higher altitudes. Similarly, you can increase strength power by lifting small weights, doing planks, push-ups, squats, etc., and so on.

Cycling, jogging, and swimming daily will help you build stamina. You should prepare your body at least two or two months before your hiking trip so that you can have the finest trekking experience possible without breaking a sweat.

h) Permit

To trek to Annapurna Base Camp, two permits are required: For international nationals, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) costs approximately NPR 3000 (USD 26), whereas for SAARC citizens, it costs approximately NPR 1000 (USD 9). 2 passport-sized pictures and a copy of your passport are needed.

For incoming foreign nationals, the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card costs about NPR 2000 (USD 18), whereas for SAARC citizens, it costs about NPR 300 (USD 4). These are the same documents that are needed for the ACAP.

i) Transportation

Your Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek package will cover all the necessary transportation expenditures. You will travel in the comfy tourist bus when going to Pokhara from Kathmandu in a 7- to 8-hour drive, which is very comfortable and safe to travel.

Then, from Pokhara, you will be traveling via private vehicle to Nayapul, where your trekking journey starts. On the final day, you would be traveling in a local jeep from Siwai to your hotel lobby.

j) Travel Insurance

You must have travel insurance to go hiking in the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek. Your travel insurance can help you cover all of your medical bills, injuries, accidents, and emergency air evacuation in the event you get harmed or suffer from serious conditions.

You need to choose your insurance company, which covers policies for altitudes above 4,000 meters, flight cancellations, damaged personal items, and theft. You need to choose your company wisely and carefully so that there will be no problems when you claim your insurance coverage if any of the unfortunate events happen when trekking.

k) Extra Expenses

You have to pay a visa fee of USD 30 for a 15-day visa, which can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The trekking package does not include the extra accommodation and meals you will have to pay for in case the trek is delayed.

Moreover, soft drinks, tea, and alcohol will be charged separately. Extra costs may also be incurred because of government policy changes, strikes, and weather, as well as other unforeseen circumstances.

You will have to bear the personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, phone calls, Wi-Fi, and hot showers in the tea houses. Besides, any expenditure that is not mentioned in the “Price Include” section of your trek package will be your responsibility.