Shortest Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Best Itinerary & Cost
Trip Overview
9 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the shortest and quickest trekking program to visit Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). On the 9-day trip, you do the trekking for only 5 days. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is one of the dream destinations of many hiking lovers. Annapurna Base Camp is the foothill of Annapurna I, the world’s tenth-highest mountain with a height of 8,091 m, however, along with Annapurna I, ABC offers the best views of Mt. Machhapuchchhre (6997 m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6434 meters), Annapurna South (7219 meters), Mt. Gangapurna (7454 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters) and many other beautiful peaks.
The Short Annapurna Base Camp trek is best for those people who have limited time and dream of being at the Annapurna Base Camp within a short time frame. The route of the short ABC trek also incorporates spectacular mountain landscapes, charming villages of Gurung and Magar communities, lush green forests of rhododendrons and bamboo trees, river basins, glaciers, natural hot springs, etc.
Short ABC trekking starts from Siwai and also ends at Siwai. To join with Short ABC trek. First of all, you take a 6-hour drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The next day, leaving Pokhara you take a three-hour drive to Siwai via Nayapul. From Pokhara to Nayapul you follow the blacktop road but from Nayapul to Siwai is an off-road drive however it is an exciting drive.
After reaching Matque, you start your hiking by following the trail that leads to Jhinu Danda. As you ascend to Jhinu Danda, you will cross over the Kimrong River and pass several farmlands of villages and scenic waterfalls. From Jhinu Danda it’s around 2 hours uphill walk to Chhomrong.
Chhomrong is considered the gateway of Annapurna Base Camp. It is also a large village of the Gurung people. In Chhomrong all the routes to Annapurna Base Camp joined each other. From Chhomrong, first of all, you walk downhill to the river, then crossing the bridge you trek up to Sinuwa. After that, the trail passes the forested area of pine, rhododendrons, and bamboo trees. Today your night halt will be at the place called Himalaya which is located below Huichuli Peak and the large overhanging Hinko Cave.
From the Himalayas, you hike up to Hinko Cave and then cross the old avalanche area to reach Deurali. From Deurali, you follow the trail along the Modi River to Machhapuchhre Base camp at an altitude of 3,700 m. Then you continue your trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. It’s a nearly one-and-a-half-hour walk from Machhapuchhare Base to Annapurna Base Camp. It’s very scenic hiking as it provides you with the best views of the surrounding peaks.
You spend a night at Annapurna Base Camp overlooking Annapurna I (8,091m) Annapurna South (7,219m), Gangapurna (7,455m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Machhapuchhre (6,790m), and other peaks named Tent Peak / Tharpu Chuli, and Fluted Peak or Singu Chuli.
After the visit to Annapurna Base Camp, you retrace your hiking following the previous trail spending one night at Bamboo. From Bamboo after 6 to 6:30 hours of hiking, you will reach Matque. From Matque you drive back to Pokhara following Kathmandu.
Shortest Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
| DAY | ITINERARY | HEIGHT | AVG WALK |
| 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. | 1400 m | |
| 2 | Drive to Pokhara. | 800 m | |
| 3 | Drive to Matque (3 to 3:30 hrs). Trek to Chommrong. |
2210 m | 2 hrs |
| 4 | Trek to the Himalaya. | 2900 m | 6 hrs |
| 5 | Trek to Annapurna Base Camp. | 4130 m | 6 hrs |
| 6 | Trek to Bamboo | 2310 m | 7 hrs |
| 7 | Trek to Matque. Drive to Pokhara (2:30 to 3 hrs) |
1395 m | 6 to 6:30 hrs |
| 8 | Drive back to Kathmandu. | 1400 m | |
| 9 | Departure from Kathmandu, Nepal. |
SHORTEST ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK COST
| Silver Package Price | Gold Package Price |
| USD 595 Per Person | USD 675 Per Person |
The Services includes in the above Packages:
| Services Name | Silver Price | Gold Price |
| Airport Transfers | By Car/ Van | By Car/ Van |
| 2-night Hotel in Kathmandu | Tourist Type Hotel | Tourist Type Hotel |
| 2-night Hotel in Pokhara | Tourist Type Hotel | Tourist Type Hotel |
| Meal in Kathmandu | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| Meal in Pokhara | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| Accommodation in Trekking | Mountain Lodge | Mountain Lodge |
| The meal in Trekking Time | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Experience Trekking Guide | Yes | Yes |
| Porter | No | Yes |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara/ Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive | By Tourist Bus | By Tourist Bus |
| Pokhara to Matque/ Matque to Pokhara Drive | By Jeep | By Jeep |
| Trekking Permit Fee (TIMS) | Yes | Yes |
| Annapurna Conservation Permit Fee (ACAP) | Yes | Yes |
| Trip Certificate | Yes | Yes |
| First Aid Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Trekking Map for Group | Yes | Yes |
| Meal, Salary, Accommodation, Insurance of Trekking Staff | Yes | Yes |
| Dinner with Cultural Show on the last night of the Trip in Kathmandu | Yes | Yes |
| Local Taxes | Yes | Yes |
The Services do not include in the above both Packages:
1. Nepal visa fee (USD 25 for 15 days/ USD 40 for 30 days period). You can get a Nepal visa on your arrival time at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
2. Airfare for your international flight.
3. Your travel insurance which includes evacuation.
4. Alcoholic beverages, hot and cold drinks, bottled water, boiled water, and dessert.
5. All kinds of personal expenses like phone calls, internet use, laundry, hot shower during trekking, etc.
6. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara “except farewell dinner in Kathmandu”.
7. In case of emergency, the cost of helicopter rescue/ evacuation.
8. Tips for Trekking Staff.
9. Any expenses arising due to unforeseen situations like personal sickness, natural calamities, political strikes, flight cancellation, etc.
10. Cost of any extra services you use which are not mentioned in the package price.
Notes:
I. Porter will be provided only in Gold Price. As usual, a porter will be provided based on 1 porter for 2 trekkers. 1 porter carries the baggage of two trekkers with a maximum total weight limit of 25 kg.
II. The above cost is on a per-person basis for a minimum group size of two persons.
III. If you are single and want to Solo Trek. We also organize the Annapurna Base Camp Trek for solo trekkers. For the solo trekker, we have a separate special price. Please contact us for the price of Solo Trekking.
Itinerary
Our tour officer will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu. He/She will be displaying play card with your name written in it outside the airport terminal. He will meet, greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to your respective hotel by our private tourist vehicle. At the hotel, he will assist you to check in and do a pre-trip meeting with you. You will be briefed about your overall program, introduced your guide and clear your questions/queries if any. During the meeting please clear the due balance and handover a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. Overnight at a hotel.
Our trekking guide will pick you up at the hotel at 6:15 am and escort you to the bus station. The bus to Pokhara leaves at around 7:00 am. This is 7 hrs scenic drives through mountain terrain. On the way, the bus stops for half an hour for lunch. Then drive continues till you reach Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful valley and gateway to Annapurna Trekking. Evening you enjoy strolling around Lakeside street market. Overnight at a hotel.
After breakfast, you will take around 3 to 3:30 hour drive to Matque via Nayapul and Birenthati. Reaching Matque, you start hiking following the trail towards Jhinu Danda. On the way, you will pass several farmlands of villagers with spectacular waterfalls. After crossing Kimrong River you ascend on a stone staircase to arrive Jhinu Danda. You will take lunch at the local restaurant of Jhinu Danda then continue hiking to Chhomrong village. Chhomrong is a picturesque village. It also offers views of Mt. Annapurna South, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Hiunchuli, and Mt. Annapurna III. At the mountain lodge of Chhomrong, you spend your night. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
After breakfast, first of all, you walk downhill to the Chhomrong River. Then crossing a short bridge you hike up to reach Sinuwa. You continue the climbing to Kuldi (2470m). From here you enter the upper Modi valley. Descend a long steep on a stone staircase to Bamboo (2310m). From Bamboo, you again climbs continuously through stands of bamboo and rhododendron forests and also passes avalanche chute to arrive at Dobhan. From Dovan with the sound of raging Modi River, you walk ahead through a forest trail and arrive at Himalaya. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
From Himalaya, you start hiking steeply up to the Hinko cave. Then crossing avalanche area of a rocky moraine, arrive at Deurali. Above Deurali the valley widens and becomes less steep and you can see the gates of the sanctuary. You follow the path that diverts to the east side of the valley and climbs through an unusual mix of bamboo and birch then arrive at Bagar. From Bagar you climb across more avalanche paths through a sparse birch forest. Cross a moraine and descend to a stream. Then following a stone staircase you arrive at Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m). From Machhapuchhare Base Camp the trail follows a stream then climbs to a few huts where shepherds graze their sheep during summer. Before long you can see the hotels of base camp and soon after you reach Annapurna Base Camp (4130m). Annapurna Base Camp is surrounded by mountains so it is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary. From here you will have superb views of Annapurna Himalayan range at 360-degree level. For viewpoint, you will walk to the west which is marked by prayer flag from here you get a spectacular view over the glacier. For a fine valley overview, you can also climb the southern slopes behind the mountain lodges. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
Today you wake up early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise over Annapurna and surrounding mountains. After breakfast retrace your steps to Bamboo following the previous trail passing through the places of Machhapuchare Base Camp, Hinko Cave, Himalaya Hotel, Dobhan, and Bamboo. Although it takes almost 7 hours of walking it is not difficult since it is downhill trekking with some uphill walking. Overnight at a mountain lodge.
From Bamboo, you trek to Sinuwa. After Sinuwa you step down to Chhomrong Khola, after crossing short suspension bridge you lead up to the top of Chhomrong village. After Chhomrong, you descend all the way to a scenic and lovely Jhinu village situated on a ridge top with views of surrounding landscapes and rolling green hills. Further, you descend on stone stairs to reach River Bridge. From you do a short walk to Siwai. From Siwai you drive back to Pokhara. Evening enjoys strolling around the lakeside street market in Pokhara. Overnight at a hotel.
After breakfast, you walk to the tourist bus station with a trekking guide. The bus leaves Pokhara at 7 A.M. You will reach Kathmandu around 2 pm. The rest of the day at leisure/ you can do some last minute souvenirs shopping for your family and friends. Evening you will be offered farewell dinner with Nepali cuisines and cultural dances at typical Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at a hotel.
The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Travel Tips
The best season and most favored time of Annapurna Base Camp Trekking (Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking) is autumns (From Mid September till November end) and spring (From the beginning of March until mid-May). During this period daytime is sunny and warm with outstanding views. At this time the temperature in the day is between 10 C to 30 C. The nights are often cold with the temperature between 5 C to -20 C. Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also possible but temperature during winter could be harsh for most people. Trekking in the summer season (June, July, Aug) will be affected by rain/monsoon but the Summer trek could be an advantage for a keen botanist.
All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:
| Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
| Multiple entries | 15 days | US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
| Multiple entries | 30 days | US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
| Multiple entries | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with a name card with your name written on it. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel. We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp does not require tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket or quilt. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in a local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).
In the case of Kathmandu and Pokhara, we offer you a tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.
In the trail of Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking, it’s commonly available of Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chowmein, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake, and another continental as well as Indian foods.
Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.
The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Annapurna Base Camp trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you with skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you in the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or crossbreeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.
Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in a local restaurant. Then continue walking for your destination. After lunch, it’s the only a couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At the free time, you may explore the surrounding village, doing a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for a well-earned sleep.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking is moderate trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but not compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.
At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness is don’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.
We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen in the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.
The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.
Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Master Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional).
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; Cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.
The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of the trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.
Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
Naturally Annapurna Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines for responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.
In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park, White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Ultra Flight, Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.
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- Run by local experts, guide & Sherpa.
- Focus on your needs.
- Good value for money.
- Real cared services.
- Government recognized company.
- Best reasonable rate.
