Annapurna Base Camp (4130m/13550feet)
- 5 Days Trek/Hike
- Autumn
- Spring
- 4 Dinners
- 5 Lunchs
- 4 Breakfasts
- 4 nights in Lodge
Transport from Pokhara - Samrung (journey start) - Pokhara (trek end)
Overview
The 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal's most popular trekking spots. Alongside the Everest Base Camp trek, the Annapurna region mainly attracts people from all over the world, especially those enthusiasts of trekking in the Himalayas and those who love natural beauty.
This short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is primarily famous because it brings you closer to Mount Annapurna, which has a peak of 8091m. You will also see other fantastic mountain peaks like Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, and Fishtail.
During this trek, you will reach the Annapurna Sanctuary, also why it is called the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. The trails from low to high altitudes differ as you pass through sub-tropical forests, vibrant valleys, and snowy peak mountains.
The Annapurna Massif consists of six different types of peaks, some over 7000m and a few over 8000 m. But the ABC trek is not just about exploring the mountains and enjoying their views but also about indulging in the culture and tradition of the Gurungs who inhabit the region. During your journey, you will encounter several ancient temples, monasteries, and museums that reflect the significance of preserving their cultures.
Despite not being affected by Western culture, the people living in the area are friendly and welcome everyone who visits their place. The trail to the ABC Camp also takes you through Annapurna Conservation Area, where you might get to see or even interact with the endangered wildlife and plants.
During your ABC trek, you will pass through several remote but beautiful as you pass through Pokhara, Nayapal, Chhomrong, Deurali, and Sinuwa. Before reaching ABC, you will also explore the Machhapuchre Base Camp, from which you will see some of the best views of the mountains.
So, if you still have not decided whether to trek the Annapurna Base Camp, we hope our detailed guide on this 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek will convince you. Let's get into it.
Trip Highlights
- Experience the majestic views of some of Nepal's tallest mountains, such as Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, etc.
- Indulge in the city life of Pokhara and explore the lakeside area.
- Visit fantastic places and attractions like Samrong, Sinuwa, Bamboo, Deurali, ABC, etc.
- Experience one of the stunning views first from Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then from Annapurna Base Camp.
- Trek in dense forests of Bamboo and get the chance to see or meet wildlife till you reach Sinuwa.
5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Details
Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek Cost
As mentioned on the website, the 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek costs are included. However, if you opt for an additional service or remove some activities from your trekking, like side trekking, the cost will decrease. You can check trek inclusive and exclusive under the heading below to know which activities you must pay for and which are already included in the overall trek cost.
The average trek cost of the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is approximately $449 per person, but you will also receive the group discount with every additional trekker you bring along. So, if you want a budgeted ABC trek, you should trek with the groups.
Majestic Views During Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is famous for its calm trek around the beautiful Annapurna region and the chance to see majestic mountain views. The trek starts with a drive from Pokhara, and you can immediately see stunning mountain views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
The trail to the fantastic mountain trek is filled with flowers like rhododendrons, magnolias, and pine and pear forests. Throughout the trekking route, hikers will see famous Himalayan peaks such as Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Tent Peak, which stand tall against the blue sky.
The main attraction of the trek is reaching Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,130 meters (13,549 feet) and surrounded by towering peaks on all sides.
Best Time for the Trek
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is fun and challenging, but specific challenges decrease if you trek at the best time. Spring or Autumn is the best time for hiking the 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Spring
The spring season in Nepal starts in March and ends in May. Early March is somewhat chilly due to the post-winter season, but as the day progresses and reaches April, it becomes one of the best times for trekking the ABC trek. The blooming flowers on the trails make the hiking even more worthwhile. However, if you plan to Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Spring, you might have to book early for food and accommodation services. Since Spring is the peak season for trekking, the surge of trekkers in the region is vast, so the trails and teahouses are overcrowded.
Autumn
Just like Spring, Autumn is another fantastic season for trekking. Autumn season starts in Nepal from September to November. As September begins, the lower altitudes suffer from rainfall, but when October comes, the time for a trek becomes perfect. Some trekkers believe that trekking in October is even more impressive than the spring season, especially treks in the mountainous region. What makes trekking in the Autumn season is the brown and golden leaves reflect with the sun's reflection and make the views of the skies and mountains golden in color.
However, just like in the Spring season, book your hotels and teahouses in advance. Sometimes, crowds surge even more than in other seasons during autumn, so there is less availability and space in the teahouses. However, camp or tent trekking is equally fun and safe during autumn. Many trekkers often decide to sleep in a tent in the open meadow. Stargazing is also a natural activity they will participate in due to the clear views of the skies at night.
Winter and Monsoon season
One thing to make clear is that trekkers can successfully trek to Annapurna Base Camp in any season. However, the ideal trek season makes the trek more comfortable, and the less perfect season raises the difficulty factor and makes the trek more challenging.
Winter and Monsoon are the off-season in terms of trekking the ABC. Naturally, the winter season is very harsh and cold in the mountains. The constant snowfall in the mountains has a chance to block your path, and there is more chance of snowstorms and blizzards. The continuous heavy snowfall also increases the chance of avalanches.
However, expert trekkers still believe that some of the best views of mountains are visible in winter. Hence, the trekkers are motivated to trek in winter as well. Among all the seasons, the monsoon season might be the least ideal time for trekking. The continuous rainfall in the region makes the trekking trail wet and slippery. There are also problems of insect infestation and the chance of leeches sticking in your body, which might affect your health and hygiene.
The upper altitude of the ABC trek isn't as affected by rainfall, so if you can endure the challenges in the lower altitude, trekking in monsoon season is also possible in your 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Trek Difficulty
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is relatively easy in the Himalayas. Most healthy and reasonably fit travelers can complete it without problems, even without prior trekking experience.
However, since this trek reaches altitudes higher than 4,000 meters, one of the most common challenges is the risk of Altitude Sickness. Hence, it is essential to know the concept of acclimatization and not rush climbing high altitudes.
Drinking water and eating well are essential to helping your body adjust to higher elevations. Always listen to your guide, as they will ensure a safe and enjoyable trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
Some other common factors that make the trek difficult are rough terrain and rugged trails. Since this trek is only five days long, the duration may not cause a problem; however, you have to cover a long distance every day to trek for at least six to seven hours.
Hence, certain simple factors might affect the trekkers, who are mostly beginners, but the ABC trek is among the most leisurely treks in Nepal. So, if you prepare for your physical endurance and mostly know the concept of acclimatizing, Annapurna Base Camp might not be as hard for you.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Drive to Pokhara – Samrung 66 km or 3 hours, trek to Sinuwa (2360m, 6.3 km or 3-4 hours walk)
Day 02: Trek Sinuwa – Deurali (3200m, 11km or 6-7 hours walk)
Day 03: Trek Deurali – ABC (4130m, 6.8km or 5-6 hours walk)
Day 04: Trek ABC – Bamboo (2310m, 14km or 6-7 hours walk)
Day 05: Trek Bamboo – Syamrung 9.8km 5-6 hours and 66km or 3 hours’ drive back to Pokhara
Daily Itinerary
Day 01 Drive to Pokhara – Samrung 66 km or 3 hours, trek to Sinuwa (2360m, 6.3 km or 3-4 hours walk)
Drive to Pokhara – Samrung 66 km or 3 hours, trek to Sinuwa (2360m, 6.3 km or 3-4 hours walk)
2340m, Sinuwa 66km, 3-4 hours drive , 5.5km or 3 hours walk B, L, D Lodge
The first day of the short 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts with a drive from Pokhara to Samrung. The drive is about 66 km, and it will take about 3-4 hours to reach Samrung. After reaching Samrung, your trek starts, and today's overnight destination is Sinuwa. The trek from Samrung starts with crossing quite a few suspension bridges. Since it is the first day, you will be full of energy, and the picturesque surroundings of the villages will surely uplift your mood.
As you progress, you will also come across giant green meadows and occasionally see big yaks grazing in the field. The inhabitants of these areas are Gurung, who are mostly busy in their agriculture, and depending on the season you visit, you will see beautiful flowers, crops, and produce in the field. After trekking for an hour, you will reach today's destination in Sinuwa, following a small village in Chhomrong. Overnight stay in the teahouse at Sinuwa.
Sinuwa is in the Annapurna Conservation Area in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. It is about 2,340 meters above sea level. Green forests and beautiful landscapes surround the village. Many trekkers stop here on their way to Annapurna's base camp, one of the world's highest peaks.
Day 02 Trek Sinuwa – Deurali (3200m, 11km or 6-7 hours walk)
Trek Sinuwa – Deurali (3200m, 11km or 6-7 hours walk)
3200M, Deurali 11km or 6-7 hour walk B,L,D Lodge
Today's trek begins with a tasty breakfast in Sinuwa, followed by a 6-7 hour trek to reach our destination. As we progress, we will pass through dense forests, but only for a few hours; you will trek in the flatter land. The trek starts with descending the stone staircase. As we reach the Chomrong Khola river
But as you move forward, you will eventually reach the steep climb, testing your physical endurance. When we reach the other side of the steep ascents, we will see small villages like Dovan and Bamboo. We will keep moving forward till we reach the hill station named Himalaya, where you can take a little breather. After some hours of the trek, you'll reach Deurali, where you will stay overnight.
Day 03 Trek Deurali – Annapurna Base Camp (4130m, 6.8km or 5-6 hours walk)
Trek Deurali – Annapurna Base Camp (4130m, 6.8km or 5-6 hours walk)
4130m, ABC 6.8km or 5-6 Hrs walk B,L,D Lodge
The third day of this trek is essential, as you will reach the stunning Annapurna Base Camp today. However, a trekking day is 5-6 hours long ahead of us. We will first move forward from Deurali and start climbing altitude for about two hours to reach the fantastic Annapurna Sanctuary area. Since ABC is in the conservation area, we must first issue the entry permit, which won't take long unless the trail is overcrowded.
After about half an hour of trekking, we will reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp, from which you'll see some of the region's best mountain views. Machhapucchre Base Camp is about 3700m tall, so after a little tea break, we will move forward and start climbing the glacial terrain until we reach the altitude of 4,130 meters, which is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. First of all, the views from here are even more majestic, and there will be a sense of achievement among you and your crew. You will see lots of prayer flags shaking in the wind, showing that many more trekkers have followed the same path as you. You'll spend the day exploring the base camp and then stay the night in a nearby lodge.
Day 04 Trek ABC – Bamboo (2310m, 14km or 6-7 hours walk)
Trek ABC – Bamboo (2310m, 14km or 6-7 hours walk)
2310m 14km or 6-7 hours walk B,L,D Lodge
The early sunrise view from the Annapurna Base Camp is even more majestic than the last day. We will slowly enjoy our breakfast to appreciate the Annapurna Base Camp's amazing views fully. This will give us plenty of time to enjoy the 360-degree Himalayan scenery.
Now, it's time to move on and descend the altitude. We will return to Sinuwa or the Bamboo Village based on where you stayed. When you travel in reverse, the trail looks completely different, but you might notice some important or beautiful views you have seen earlier. After about 6-7 hours of trekking, you'll reach today's destination in Bamboo, where you will stay overnight.
Day 05 Trek Bamboo – Syamrung 9.8km 5-6 hours 66km and 3 hours’ drive back to Pokhara
Trek Bamboo – Syamrung 9.8km 5-6 hours 66km and 3 hours’ drive back to Pokhara
830m, Pokhara 9.8km 5-6 hours 66km and 3 hours drive back to Pokhara B, L own Hotel
The final day of the 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek is upon us. Today, we will continue to retrace our steps as you start trekking from Bamboo. Depending on the season you visit, the trail will be covered by rhododendrons oak trees as you reach today's destination. As we descend towards Chhomrong, we will descend to the amazing Jhinu Danda and enjoy the fantastic natural hot springs. After five days of the intense trek, this is the place to relax and rejuvenate, and your fatigue will melt away.
Now we will pack again and then start moving again. The trek of about 5-6 hours will take you about 5-6 hours to reach Syamrung. The distance from Bamboo to Syamrung is about 10 km, but you won't feel as tired as you have to descend most of the time. After arriving in Syamrung, we will rest for lunch or take a bus or jeep for an hour's drive back to Pokhara. Once you check in at your hotel, an amazing five-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek ends here. You can go to Kathmandu immediately or stay one more day and explore Pokhara Lakeside at night.
Whats Included?
- Pokhara- Syamrung-Pokhara by Jeep.
- All the Meals (4 Breakfast, 5 Lunch, and 4 Dinner) and 4-night Lodge accommodation during the trek.
- Trekking permit.
- One experienced and qualified English-speaking guide.
- Guide: food, lodge, transportation, salary, insurance, equipment, etc.
- First Aids Kit.
- Fingertip Pulse Oximeter (we use every day to check your oxygen level and pulse in your body to avoid high risk ).
- Himalaya Trip T-shirt.
- Local fresh fruit like Pomegranates and apple etc.
- 13% Government VAT and official charge.
Whats not Included?
- International airfare and visa fees ((15 Days US$30 and 30 Days US$50.
- Hotels and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (We arrange hotels if you ask).
- Kathmandu-Pokhara- Kathmandu by flight/tourist bus/private car (We can arrange it if you ask ).
- Porter costs USD 20 per day.
- All the drinks, such as tea, coffee, coke, beer, Drinking water, WiFi, and Hot shower, are included.
- Your travel insurance should include emergency rescue.
- Your trekking gear.
- Tips for your guide, etc.
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Essential Infos
Equipment and Gear
Trekking ABC might be easy to moderately complex; however, the trek might become arduous if you forget to pack some essential equipment and gear. Specific equipment must be loaded if you are trekking in less ideal seasons, but others are based on your preference.
- Spikes or Crampton in case of the Spring season.
- Gloves,
- Quick-drying towel,
- Sunglass,
- Torch (flashlight),
- A warm jacket,
- Sunscreen (SPF 20+),
- Backpack,
- Toilet Paper,
- Warm hat,
- Trekking boots,
- Sleeping bag (-10)
- Water bottle with filter, etc.
- 3-4 Pair Socks,
- 2-3 Trousers,
- 3-4 T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt,
- Thermal underwear,
- A Camera, a memory card, a battery charger, and a few working batteries.
Accommodation and Food
Foods
Food is essential during your trek to the ABC camp. It is necessary to eat healthy foods that contain delicious nutrients. Generally, during your trek, you will have your food in the teahouse where you will stay. You will have three meals daily: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will also have the chance to eat some delicious desserts.
Breakfast- Some menus are simple for breakfast, like eggs, potatoes, tibetian bread or chapatis, toast, porridge, hashbrowns, tea, coffee, etc.
Lunch- Some of the dishes for lunch you will eat are Mo: Mo or dumplings (local and delicious!), Fried Rice (savory and filling), Potato items, Spaghetti (a familiar comfort food)
Nepali Thali (a complete and flavorful local experience), Macaroni, French Fries (perfect for a side or snack), fried noodles (another stir-fried option), Pizza (a global favorite), Hot spicy tomato or Pickle.
Dinner- After an intense day of trekking, you will be craving a delicious dinner. Some menu items are similar to lunch, such as Momos, Thukpas, Pizzas, Burgers, Sherpa stew, Sandwiches, French Fries, Sherpa Stew Macaroni, and Spaghetti.
Desserts- After a delicious lunch or dinner, there are a few tasty dessert options. Some menus include rice pudding, Mars bar, apple pie, cakes, popcorn, and fruits like orange, banana, and apples.
Acclimatization
Acclimatization is a fundamental concept when considering high-altitude trekking. The risk of altitude sickness is so high during the ABC trek, mainly because you are trekking at an altitude higher than 4000m. The risk of altitude sickness starts from an altitude of 3000m. Proper acclimatization is one way to prevent or minimize the chance of altitude sickness. Acclimatization is getting used to the altitude and oxygen level, which are lower in the high altitude. The proper acclimatization process is to trek at a high altitude but at a lower altitude to sleep at night. In the 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the days for acclimatization have not been separated, which can increase the chance of altitude sickness.
Permit Requirements
To trek to Annapurna Base Camp, you need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card. The TIMS card is your first permit to enter and trek Nepal. The TIMS card records every trekker who has arrived and where they are trekking to. For the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you must issue the ACAP permit. The permit will enable you to enter the Conservation Area from where you must reach Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
You can get these permits in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or at the entry checkpoint in Birethanti. It's essential to follow the rules set by the authorities to protect the environment and show respect for local communities.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Traveling to Nepal is not as hard for trekkers visiting from all over the world. You don't need a visa to explore or trek around Nepal if you are from India or China. However, if you are a trekker from any other country, you need a visa, but it is straightforward to get on arrival.
After your Visa is issued, you must enter Nepal within six months of the date. Your stay starts the day you enter the country. The visa fee for foreign trekkers is about $40 for a 30-day tourist visa. Remember that you must also pay if you want to extend your 30-day stay visa.
Transportations
To start the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you can get to Samrung by taking a local bus or hiring a private car, jeep, or shared jeep. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to drive from Pokhara to Samrung. If you're coming from Kathmandu, you can either take a 6 to 7-hour drive or a 25 to 30-minute flight to Pokhara.
Flora and Fauna
You will trek through the Annapurna Conservation Area during your 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The Annapurna Conservation Area is known for being the home to flora and fauna biodiversity. The sanctuary is the home of several animals divided into 474 birds, 102 mammals, 22 amphibians, and 39 reptiles. Regarding floras, there are over 1,226 flowering plants and several species of rhododendron flowers.
Culture and Tradition
Annapurna Base Camp Trek might be a chance to adventure, meet new people, and learn new cultures and traditions. The people of Magar and Gurung have inhabited the southern region for a very long time. In the northern area of the Annapurna region, other ethnic groups, like the Thakali, Manange, and Loba people, mostly live there.
Each ethnic group has its culture, tradition, dialect, festivals, rituals, etc. If you trek in the ideal season of Autumn or Spring, you can witness some of the fantastic festivals, prayers, etc. People of all these ethnicities and cultures live happily and always welcome their guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can enjoy the short ABC trek of 5 to 7 days or a long trek of about 14 to 16 days. During the short trek, there won't be any days left for acclimatization, so you must be wary about altitude sickness.
The highest elevation of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is 4,130 meters.
You can prepare for your trek by doing regular cardio exercises like jogging, cycling, or swimming. Strengthen your leg muscles with weight exercises. Also, try shorter hikes to get used to walking for long periods.
Unlike the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the ABC Trek is suitable for beginners and is slightly more complicated than the base camp. If you trek during the ideal trekking season and hire a guide, your trek will be even more accessible.
Important Note
Available of the trip
We organise small group private trip. If you are 2 or more people in your group, you may book any dates.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance is need in case of any emergency. It is recommend to have. If you are doing short and low elevation trek, you can do normal insurance. But if you are doing high altitude or adventure trek, you should have emergency rescue.
Last Minute booking
Normally, trekkers plan the trip before 3-9 months. Some trekkers decide the trip in last minutes. It is also possible to book your trek at last minutes. For the Last minutes booking, you need to make a full payment.
Tipping
Tipping is highly expected. Our staffs try their best during the trip. After the trip, Tipping is expected. It is not fixed amount or percentage. We recommend the tipping according to their services.
Safety
When you are travelling, the safety is most important. For the safety of our clients, we trained our guide and porters. They are all register trekking / Tour / Climbing guide and experience porters.
Extra personal expenses
For the extra expenses, it is good to bring USD / Euro / Pound Sterling or ther currency. You may change to Nepali Rupees (NPR) at Tribhuwan International Airport or near your Hotel in Kathmandu. You will use only Nepali rupees during the trip.
Nepal visa
Accept few countries , you will get on arrival Nepal’s Visa at the Tribhuwan International Airport or Nepal board. I recommend to fill up Nepal Visa online form and bring it with you. It will be faster and easy for you and visa fee is recommended to bring cash US dollar. You can’t pay by using credit card.
Trip extension or Itinerary Disclaimer
We organize small group private trip. The trip extension is possible but you have to figure out when you booking the trip.
Group joing and Fixed departure
Most of the time, we have small group private trip. Group joining or fixed departure will be available only at the clients request.
Luggage store
You are not taking all the lugguage on the trek. You will take only necessary gears on the trek and rest of the gears, you will store at your Hotel in Kathmandu or Pokhara or in our office in Kathmandu. All the Hotels have free luggage store services. It is more convenient to store at your Hotel.
Responsible travel
- Ask permission to photograph people.
- Do not remove or purchase antiques, it is illegal.
- Avoid wearing revealing clothes and avoid outward displays of physical affection.
- Do not anything to disturb environment or wild animals.
Domestic flight
Normally, domestic flight is not on time. If you have international flight with domestic connection flight. It is always better to keep some gaps.
Trek Booking
For the Booking, we need passport copy, passport size photo by email or What's App and 20% deposit.
Why Himalaya Trip ?
- Fast response
- Small group private trek
- Safety is top priority
- Recommended on TripAdvisor
- Tailor made itinerary
- Seasonal package
- 200 plus trekkers take service every year
- 30-40% repeated customer
