Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek

Best Time for Annapurna base camp short trek

Annapurna base camp short trek is one of Nepal’s fascinating journeys that are not only well-known for the remarkably captivating Himalayan Views but also for the unique landscape of the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Therefore, spring (March to May) in Annapurna will be especially appropriate to watch the grand spectacle of the snowy peaks, and green hills painted with the red and pink blossoming rhododendrons. The temperature will be warmer often between 20-30 degrees. However, the night temperature can drop to 0 to -10 degrees when you get to the heights.

The other perfect time for our ABC short trek is autumn (September to November) especially because of the drier climate, warm sunny days, and the most steady climate. The weather may blow up, but it won’t be too cold. The days are sunny and the temperature is 10-15 degrees. However, the temperature gradually drops as you get higher, and the lowest temperature will be -5 to -10 degrees at night.

The winter season (December to February) can also be considered a favorable time when the morning could be gloomy but the rest of the day will be bright, clear, and sunny. However, the nights in the ABC and MBC can be pretty chilling.

We suggest you avoid the summer (June to August) as the route to the ABC short trek passes through thick forests, unlike the barren desert of the Everest Base Camp. The forest will become unbearable due to the outbreak of mosquitoes and leeches, and the flooded rivers will appear daunting to cross.

Elevation and Distance

The Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is a round route that spans to a total length of 115 km. The trail guides us to the highest elevation of 4130 m at the spectacular ABC situated 168 km far from Kathmandu.

Our adventure commences with a scenic flight to Pokhara, which is 142.5 km away by air. The historical Annapurna Base Camp is only 37.1 km far from Pokhara Airport.

However, our trekking adventure begins from Jhinu Danda which is 14.4 km from ABC and 166 km from Kathmandu. Each day, we will trek approximately 11 km on foot and our highest overnight resting spot will be the Annapurna Base Camp itself.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

During the Annapurna Base Camp trek 8 days, we will walk at a comfortable pace for approximately 4 to 6 hours each day for five consecutive days. Although, it may seem like a lot of walking in the 8 day journey, but the hiking days and duration have been deliberately scheduled to allow you enough time to adapt to the Annapurna Air.

Besides, the hiking route of the ABC short trek is relatively simple and very picturesque devoid of any steep ascents or walking over the glaciers and scree. All the walking therefore is easy and the easiest and shortest day will be on the second day as we travel from Jhinu Danda to Chhomrong village on foot for 3 hours only.

The longest walking duration is only 6 to 7 hours which falls on the third day of the Annapurna Base Camp short trek as we advance from Chhomrong Village to the Himalayan hotel.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The picture-perfect Annapurna Base Camp short trek is of low difficulty level that can be completed within a week’s journey. In fact, the ABC short trek presents Nepal’s best opportunity to experience the hilly landscape of the Himalayan on foot.

To complete this trekking adventure, you don’t need any serious hiking skills. There is no need for climbing with mountaineering equipment here, the paths have been laid out for a long time, and in difficult places, they are laid out with steps.

Unlike the Everest Base Camp trek, you will spend 7 days under the altitude of 3000 m except for day 4 when you will suddenly gain the altitude reaching an elevation of more than 4000 m at Annapurna base camp.

However, we have planned our route so that you can acclimatize to the altitude as much as possible, enjoying the beauty of Annapurna along the way.

Can a beginner do Annapurna base camp short trek?

The Annapurna base camp trek 8 days is a route that is ideal for the first acquaintance with Nepal and the Himalayas. With the increasing popularity of this route, road access has been increased and improved, allowing for a shorter trekking duration. Now it is possible to drive by jeep up to Jhinu Danda.

On the other hand, the well-maintained and modern lodges are also growing ensuring a comfortable stay throughout the journey. From separate bathrooms to wifi, everything is now available.

In addition, your luggage will be carried by our appointed porters and you will carry only a light backpack. As for the strenuous walk on day 7, the continuous walk, ascent, and descent will prepare your muscles such that by the time you make it up to the Fishtail Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp, you will be properly acclimatized and will feel quite cheerful.

Preparation and training

The ABC short trek is undoubtedly a simple hiking adventure but if you are out of your elements without conditioning your body, then it can lead to serious injuries and other health problems. You don’t have to be a super athlete or in the best shape but you should certainly have good health and endurance.

Some training can help you with the moderate hiking hours along the Nepalese mountain terrain. Such as walking, running, squats, jumps, push-ups, walking on a treadmill, or stationary bikes in gyms. All will help in increasing cardiovascular fitness.

Alternate routes

Our Annapurna Short Base Camp Trek route will lead you to the southern Annapurna Base Camp. There is also a newly discovered route that will take you to the equally stunning northern base camp of Annapurna.

Discovered in 2019 by the Annapurna Rural Municipality (ARM) group, this trail is less developed for modern tourism, with only a few tea houses along the way.

The route begins with travel to Pokhara, then the trail follows through Tatopani, Ghasa, Lete, and Thulo Bugin. After spending a night in a tent, you will cross the Thulo Bugin Pass at 4400 m and trek to Miristi Khola. After reaching the northern Annapurna Base Camp, you will trek back to Jungle Camp, Riverside Camp, and Lete before returning to Pokhara via Tatopani.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is much less likely to occur during our Annapurna base camp short trek 8 days compared to other trekking destinations. We will have a gradual increase in altitude along this route thus allowing our bodies to acclimate properly to the mountain air of Annapurna.

Starting from Kathmandu, we will fly to Pokhara and trek to lower-altitude villages. The highest altitude we will reach is 2920m at the Himalayan Hotel on day 3. the fourth day will be quite challenging and we will feel the altitude as we reach ABC via MBC.

Therefore, mild symptoms of altitude sickness such as weakness, fatigue, and mild headache may appear. Taking Diamox, a diuretic drug, can help alleviate these symptoms. If symptoms still exist, it is important to listen to your body and descend to a lower altitude. Once we descend back to Bamboo Village, our health will improve.

Transportation, Accommodation, Meal, and Drink

On all our trips, we focus on you and your needs and interests from start to finish. We do everything to ensure that you have the ultimate experience. Therefore, we have planned comfortable transportation, accommodations, meals, and drink arrangements throughout our Annapurna short base camp trek.

You will be received in TIA and taken to your 3-star hotel in Kathmandu in a private car. The same service will be there to take you to TIA from your hotel in Kathmandu. We will also look after your round flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu.

From Pokhara Airport, you will drive in a private car to Nayapul and to Jhinu in a jeep. The same service will also be offered as our trek comes to an end.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will sleep in a comfortable three-star hotel in a room with two beds. Breakfast will be offered as a complimentary service.

During the Annapurna trek, a comfortable panoramic lodge will be your sleeping place where you will eat your breakfast and dinner with fresh fruits. You will eat your lunch in the same standard lodge along the route.

The food choices available in the lodges are wide with the selection of typical Nepali food to Indian, Italian, Tibetan, and ethnic cuisines of Gurungs, and Magars.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi

NCELL providers have covered almost all villages of the Annapurna region which works better than the government mobile network of NTC. Inform our guide you need a SIM card and he will help you to acquire the card in Kathmandu or Pokhara. With 4G service, they are also able to provide fast mobile internet.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can use the WIFI for free. In the villages though, you have to pay $3 to $4 for the WIFI at the lodge.

All the lodges have sockets in their rooms where you can charge your gadgets but remember to bring the adapter for easy charging. However, this may cost you extra money about 2 to 3 dollars.

In the ABC though, it is unlikely that you will be able to charge your equipment because the only electricity here will be from solar panels and 12-volt bulbs. So it is wise if you bring your own power bank.

Permits

Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit are the necessary permits for our ABC short trek. They will be secured by our team as your representative in Nepal.