Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

The short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is highly affordable compared to other high-altitude treks in Nepal. The standard package costs only USD 750 per person. 

The 10-day package includes all the essentials, including 3-star accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, teahouse accommodation in the trek, transportation, permit fees, meals, guide and porter costs, etc. If you have a large group, Nepal Gateway Trekking will provide a special discount of USD 60 to 120 per person, depending on your group size. 

The standard package includes road transportation to and from Pokhara on a tourist coach. For an extra USD 200, you can upgrade this option to private transportation. Additionally, you can upgrade the two-way transportation to commercial flights for more comfort, luxury, and efficiency for USD 200 to 250 per person.

In addition to the package cost, it is advisable to carry a minimum of USD 15 per day for personal expenses. These expenses include hot showers, snacks, extra tea/coffee, bottled water, cold drinks, etc. 

What permits are required for the Trek to Short Annapurna Base Camp?

To go on the trek to Short Annapurna Base Camp, you must obtain a Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS Card) and an Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP). 

During the trek, these permits will be checked and verified at the Tourist Checkpoints in Pothana and Chhomrong.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)

Since the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), you require the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) for this trek. This park entry permit fee contributes to environmental preservation, social and economic development, and tourism promotion with minimal negative impact within the conservation area.

Where can you get the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)?

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP) can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office in Kathmandu/Pokhara or the park entry gate at Pothana. It costs NPR 3,000/—for foreign travelers and NPR 1,000/—for SAARC nationals.

Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) 

The TIMS Card is a mandatory trekking permit for the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, introduced in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN. This permit was introduced to ensure the safety and security of trekkers, manage their flow, and control illegal trekking operations.

Where can you get the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS)?

The TIMS Card can be obtained from the offices of the Nepal Tourism Board or TAAN in Kathmandu or Pokhara. It costs NPR 2,000/—for foreign travelers and NPR 1,000/—for SAARC nationals.

Short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Difficulty

The short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is a moderately challenging high-altitude trek suitable for trekkers with little to no experience. It takes you from the heart of the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) to the southern base camp.

Although this trek doesn’t include any technical sections, a few steep uphills and downhills on uneven terrain can be harsh on your feet. Besides that, the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek demands 5 to 7 hours of walking with an average daily ascent of over 800 meters. However, it is achievable with a moderate fitness level.

In the 10-day itinerary, you’ll only spend one night above 3,500 meters at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700 meters). Although you’ll reach 4,130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp, you’ll spend less than an hour at that elevation. Hence, the risk of high altitude sickness is considerably less in the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You’ll have plenty of time to acclimate and adjust your body to the increasing elevation naturally.

However, if you do this trek in the winter, you’ll have extra setbacks. Unlike regular seasons, the weather tends to get extreme in the upper part of the trek, particularly above the Himalaya Hotel. Additionally, the regular route in the avalanche section above Deurali will be closed and diverted to the other side of the river. You should be extra cautious while crossing this section.

The short ABC Trekking is suitable for all levels and age groups, although prior high-altitude trekking experience is preferred.

Training for Short ABC Trek

Although the short Annapurna Base Camp trek is not strenuous, a moderate fitness level is recommended to make it comfortable and enjoyable. You must prepare and train properly to be fit enough to hike 5 to 7 hours regularly, carrying a decent-size backpack on rough terrain, adverse weather, and high altitude.

We highly recommend training at least 6 to 8 weeks before kickstarting your adventure. Here are a few pre-trek training tips to improve your fitness level for the 10-day Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek:

• One of the best ways to train for any trekking adventure is to go for conditioning hikes on the nearby trails. But before you find a trail and start hiking, it is advisable to start with slow and short walks. Add a 30-minute brisk walk to your daily training routine and start with short-distance walks. After a week or two, gradually increase the distance, intensity, and duration of the walks. As you improve, find a hiking route with similar terrain in your hometown and go for full-day hikes at least once a week with a weighted pack to replicate similar conditions.
• For the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, steady-state cardio or aerobic training is a must. You should engage in cardio exercises like jogging, swimming, rope jumping, rowing, and cycling at least three to four days a week. Cardio or aerobic workouts help improve cardiovascular fitness, lung capacity, breathing ability, and stamina while reducing joint stress.
• You should add a few exercises to strengthen your core and upper body muscles to improve your balance, strength, posture, and stability. A strong core and upper body can help you carry a decent-size backpack for a long period on uneven surfaces. Core exercises can also help you recover faster and prevent injuries during the trek.
• You should also strengthen your leg muscles for the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Strong leg muscles help support the weight of your backpack and allow you to walk through uneven surfaces with more agility, speed, and endurance.
• Although often neglected over strength and cardio exercises, adding regular stretching to your fitness regimen improves your body flexibility and joint mobility. A 30-minute daily stretching exercise also improves blood circulation, aids recovery, prevents injury, and builds mental endurance.
• Training does not necessarily mean lifting, running, or pushing yourself too hard. The secret to better results and performance is adequate rest and recovery. Having at least one rest day a week is crucial to letting your muscles and body recover and repair after regular exercise. Adequate rest helps improve overall performance, restore energy, and prevent burnout.

Best Time for Short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking 

Most people will say autumn and spring are the best seasons for the short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. It is not entirely wrong to be fair because the weather mostly stays dry, and the skies remain crystal clear during these seasons.

However, you do not have to limit yourself to these two seasons. In fact, the short Annapurna Base Camp is one of the best year-round treks in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Each season brings unique natural elements, making this one of the most popular adventure holidays among avid trekkers.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is by far the most popular season to trek the short Annapurna Base Camp. As the monsoon clouds leave their hold during this time of the year, the weather becomes moderate and dry, excellent for long-distance hikes.

As the sky remains clear and blue throughout the day, the mountains and arid landscapes display their full bloom of beauty in autumn. Hence, you can enjoy the mountain panorama from the Annapurna Base Camp at its absolute best.

Although autumn is the perfect season for trekking, the crowded trails can often be distracting for many. You’ll have to deal with a large number of trekkers along the route and teahouses during this time of the year. Due to the limited availability of teahouses along this route, the rooms are often occupied.

Spring (March to May)

The spring season is the most popular time to go trekking at Annapurna Base Camp after autumn. Autumn days usually begin nice and warm, while afternoons progressively bring harsh winds and cloud cover.

Spring is the best season to admire the region’s full spectrum of greenery and colorful flowers. During this time of the year, the trail reflects the vibrant hues of rhododendrons, magnolias, orchids, and other wildflowers.

Like Autumn, trekking in the spring involves somewhat crowded trails and teahouses.

Winter (December to February)

Winter brings harsh weather and extreme cold. While the daytime temperatures are often tolerable in the upper reaches of Annapurna Base Camp, they can drop below 20°C at night. Likewise, the sections above the Himalaya Hotel are usually covered in thick snow, bringing constant snowfalls, extreme cold, and harsh snowstorms.

Besides that, there’s a vast avalanche zone between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Generally, the regular trekking route to Annapurna Base Camp will be closed due to frequent avalanches in winter. Although the locals build an alternative route across the river, you must stay cautious while walking through this section.

However, the winter season is the perfect time to trek to Annapurna Base Case for avid trekkers willing to brave the cold. Since the trails are mostly empty during this time, wildlife often comes out on the trails in search of food and sunlight. Therefore, it is an ideal time to get unique wildlife sightings, including Himalayan Tahr, musk deers, langurs, etc.

Monsoon (June to August)

During monsoon season, traffic in the Annapurna Base Camp usually grinds to a halt, making it the least favorable season. However, this season brings new life to the surrounding landscapes, with blooming wildflowers and raging waterfalls down the hills of Annapurna.

Although a challenge, a few determined trekkers brave the adverse weather to experience the vibrant landscape and calmness of the Himalayas.

The monsoon season brings constant rainfall and thunderstorms, resulting in muddy, slippery, and waterlogged trails. The risk of landslides is also significantly higher during this time of the year. Besides, the mountain views are not great during the monsoon due to the constant cloud cover and heavy rain.

Acclimatization and Safety

The short Annapurna Base Camp hike involves walking in the high-altitude trails of the Himalayas for over a week. You’ll reach up to 4,130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp and stay overnight at 3,700 meters at Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

So, compared to other high-altitude treks in Nepal, the short Annapurna Base Camp hike possesses minimal risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Having said that, you must follow a few simple rules to acclimatize naturally and take necessary measures to prevent it. 

Things You Should Do to Acclimatize

• Walk slowly and let your body naturally adjust to the thin air.
• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 3 to 5 liters of fluid every day.
• Alcohol, cigarettes, and other stimulants are known to cause dehydration and fluctuate heart rate and blood pressure. So, avoid such stimulants at all costs throughout the trek.
• Although you’re likely to lose your appetite at high altitudes, you should eat adequately to provide enough nutrients and calories in your body.
• If you feel unwell or have any symptoms of acute mountain sickness, inform your trekking guide immediately so he can evaluate your health condition and take necessary action.

Accommodation during the Short Annapurna Base Camp Hike

You will be accommodated in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These hotels offer top-class facilities, including spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms, in-house restaurants, room service, and daily housekeeping service to ensure luxury and comfort.

You’ll stay in the local teahouses for overnight accommodation during the trek. Although one of Nepal’s most commercial trekking regions, most overnight stops (except Chhomrong) in the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek surprisingly have few teahouses. 

The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) monitors the teahouses in the Annapurna region. This organization has set limits on the number of teahouses along this specific route to reduce environmental impact in the conservation area. They also have strict requirements, including standard menus and fixed pricing.

The rooms in the teahouses are pretty cozy, with twin beds, foam mattresses, warm blankets, and comfortable pillows. However, they do not have heating facilities. On colder nights, ask for an extra blanket or use your sleeping bag to keep you warm. Additionally, the teahouses have a shared toilet and shower area.

Note: All accommodations (in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and during the trek) are provided on a twin-shared basis. We can arrange a single supplement upon request for an additional cost. However, due to limited rooms, the single supplement may not always be possible in the upper reaches of the trek.

Meals on Trekking to Short Annapurna Base Camp

During your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara, our standard package only includes breakfast at the hotel. 

On the trek, however, all meals are included in the package—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfasts and dinners are generally served at the teahouse where you spend the night, and lunches are served en route. These meals often include one hot drink such as tea, coffee, or hot juice.

The food menu in the short Annapurna Base Camp is quite similar to other treks in Nepal, with a combination of Nepali, Indian, and continental dishes. Dal Bhat and Momo are the favorite among the trekkers. Other local delicacies include chowmein, thukpa, fried rice, Tibetan bread, and chapati. Likewise, continental options include pasta, sandwiches, chop suey, pancakes, and macaroni.

The menu also includes a variety of beverages, including teas (milk, ginger, black, lemon, masala, etc.), hot juice, hot lemon, soft drinks, and instant coffee.

Note: If you wish to eat or drink anything besides these meals, you must pay for it yourself.

Drinking Water availability at Short ABC Trek

Tap and boiled water are available in the teahouses of Annapurna Base Camp. However, we do not recommend drinking tap water untreated or unfiltered. Untreated water can cause water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and vomiting, ruining your entire trip.

So, bring a water bottle with a straw filter to filter the tap water. Additionally, chlorine—or iodine-based water purifiers should be used to make the water safe to drink.

Although boiled water is considered safe, we recommend treating it with purification tablets or drops. Generally, teahouses charge a nominal fee for boiled water.

Bottled mineral water is banned in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek to minimize the plastic waste in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA).

Hot Shower facilities during Short Annapurna Base Camp Hiking

Hot showers are available in every village en route to the Annapurna Base Camp. Most teahouses in the lower reaches provide gas—or solar-powered hot showers.

However, running hot water is not available on the upper reaches of the trek. So, you’ll have to adjust with buckets of hot water for a quick shower. Hot showers cost USD 2 to 3 in the lower regions and up to USD 6 in the upper areas.

Mobile Network and Internet Connectivity

The lower reaches of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek have decent mobile network coverage for both NTC and Ncell. Although the coverage becomes weak and irregular in the forest area, it works well considering the region’s remoteness.

Beyond Deurali, however, mobile coverage is terrible and non-existent. Recently, NTC has expanded its 4G services at Deurali, MBC, and ABC to facilitate the trekkers. Hopefully, this will solve the connectivity and high-speed internet problem in the upper reaches of this trek.

You can expect 3G data coverage in most villages with decent mobile networks. However, do not expect reliable coverage as the mobile network at this elevation is heavily weather-dependent.

You can get WiFi service in almost every teahouse on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. While some lodges in the lower region may include WiFi service in the room price, you’ll have to pay a small charge of USD 2 to 5 per device in the upper area. However, due to the remoteness and lack of accessibility, the WiFi connection can often be poor and infrequent.

Electricity on Trek to Short Annapurna Base Camp

Electricity is available throughout the route of the trek to short Annapurna Base Camp. While most villages in the lower section are powered by hydroelectricity, a few in the upper section still rely on solar power. So, you can charge your phones and electronic devices without any problem.

The rooms do not have charging sockets. Instead, the teahouses have a shared charging station in the dining area. In the peak season, the charging stations are mostly packed, so charge your devices as soon as you reach the teahouse.

There will be a nominal cost to charge your electronic devices, which increases as you go higher on the trek. Additionally, we recommend carrying a high-capacity power bank for emergencies.

ATMs and Money Exchange

You must carry extra cash for personal expenses in the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. While a few teahouses and local shops in the lower region accept foreign currencies, most only accept Nepalese rupees (NPR). So, exchanging your foreign currency before heading to the mountains is advisable.

There are plenty of ATMs and money exchange centers in Kathmandu and Pokhara. We highly recommend you exchange your currency in Kathmandu for the best exchange rate. 

The same goes for ATMs. If you need to withdraw some cash, do so in the ATM lounges of Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Travel Insurance for Short ABC Trekking

Although the short ABC Trekking is regarded as moderate, it involves walking on high-altitude, uneven terrain for several days. Moreover, you’ll spend a night over 3,500 meters and reach up to 4,130 meters in the 10-day itinerary.

Hence, this trek holds a risk of acute mountain sickness, physical injuries, accidents, etc. Once you sign up for this trek with Nepal Gateway Trekking, you should get a travel insurance policy mandatorily.

Here are a few things you should consider while buying travel insurance for the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

• It covers an altitude of 4,500 meters so that you can reach up to 4,130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp.
• It covers the cost of emergency helicopter evacuation or ambulance to the nearest medical facility.
• It provides hospital and medical coverage for general treatment, physical injuries, and altitude sickness.
• It reimburses prepaid travel expenses and flight change fees in case of trip cancellation.
• It covers the cost of stolen or lost items during the trek.

Guide and Porter Information

At Nepal Gateway Trekking, we pride ourselves on ensuring that all our treks and expeditions are led by highly skilled guides and dedicated porters. We handpick all our guides and crew members for their extensive knowledge and experience in operating trips and expeditions in the high Himalayas.

For the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, we’ll provide an English-speaking guide who can share valuable insights about the region’s geography, history, culture, and wildlife.

Our guides are wilderness first-aid certified and trained to handle emergencies, including altitude sickness, accidents, etc. They’ll also provide proper guidance on pacing and hydration according to the elevation and terrain.

Additionally, we ensure that our guides and porters are treated fairly as an integral part of our team. They are paid above industry standards and are provided with proper gear.

Gratitude to the Trekking Crew

The trekking guide and the support crew are the unsung heroes who work effortlessly to make your short Annapurna Base Camp Trek successful. Here are a few ways to express your gratitude for their hard work and dedication:

• Tipping is not mandatory in Nepal. But it is an excellent way to express your appreciation for their valuable service and support their livelihood.
• Another way to show your appreciation is by offering gifts and donations. You can donate used clothes, accessories, hiking boots, etc., or buy new ones as gifts.
• You can invite them to dinner on your last day in Pokhara and celebrate the trek’s success together.
• Write positive reviews on platforms like Google Reviews or TripAdvisor so others can contact them in the future.