NepTrek

5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the shortest trek to the base camp of Mt. Annapurna. You’ll start this trek with a drive from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda and trek to the base camp for three days. On the 5th day, after trekking for five hours, you’ll take a jeep ride back to Pokhara. Being quick, scenic, and easy, the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek for five days has become popular recently. Moreover, the traditional hamlets, vantage points, close-up view of elegant mountains, ample tea houses, and accessibility make it Nepal’s most popular trekking destination.

Trekkers posing for a beautiful photograph at Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp landmark at the base camp (Image © NepTrek)

5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek- In a nutshell

  • A once-in-a-lifetime experience of overnight stay at a tea house in Annapurna Base Camp.
  • An awe-inspiring sunrise over Annapurna mountains and sunset over Machhapuchhre.
  • Close-up sight of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Himchuli, Khangsar Kang Roc Noir, etc.
  • Five wholesome adventurous days of trekking through serene forests, reverberated by chirps of Satyr Tragopan and cascading Modi River.
  • Shorter distance walks each day, with accommodation at the best tea house with utmost comfort.
  • Easy, safe, and altitude sickness-prone trek, best for beginner trekkers.

Five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

Here’s what we’ve set for the cost of five days Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek from Pokhara for 2024/2025 season.

Pax

 Cost Per Person (USD) Availability Want to Book?
1 490 Available

Inquire Us

2-3

 460 Available Inquire Us
3-5 440 Available

Inquire Us

5 and more

 420 Available Inquire Us

Why Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek?

Trekking for five days to Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara remains relevant in the 2024/25 season. The elegant Annapurna range is the focal of this trek. However, the trek through serener landscapes, traditional hamlets, and forests also makes it the best.

Here are some valid reasons that could answer your questions on why this trek in 2024.

Ideal trek to view elegant 7000 meters mountains

If you’re orophile, you must trek to Annapurna Base Camp. It’s a bowl-like place, a haven of mountains, embraced by mighty yet elegant Annapurna mountains. From the base camp, you’ll see five beautiful 7000 meters and one 8000 meters tall mountain.

What makes this five-day trek special is that you must put a step on the base camp to see these mountains. For three days, you’ll walk through the valley from where you’ll occasionally see Annapurna South, III, and Machhapuchhre. But the picturesque mountains unfold elegantly around the base camp.

Annapurna III, South, Gangapurna, Tare Kang, and Khangsar Kang are the five 7,000-meter tall mountains you’ll see from the base camp. The lowest of 7000 meters is Tare Kang at 7,069 meters, and the highest is Annapurna South at 7,555 meters. Annapurna I, an 8,091 meter, is the only 8000-meter tall mountain in the Annapurna range, which you’ll only see from the base camp.

Furthermore, Machhapuchhre is another beautiful mountain. The unique fish-tail-like summit makes it appealing. The best time to watch this mountain is during the evening. Also, the Annapurna panorama lights up golden during sunrise.

Moderate Trek Grade- Absolute for beginners

It’s an absolute trek for beginners looking forward to their first high-altitude trek experience.

Beginner trekkers often struggle to trek with longer itineraries and higher altitude destinations. However, the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek completes in just five days. Moreover, the base camp is just 4,130 meters, making it a low-altitude destination.

Furthermore, the trekking route is straightforward to trek. Apart from a few steeper ascends, the trek route offers safe and comfortable walking. Plus, it’s one of the most accessible treks. Also, the trekking route to the base camp is less rugged.

Due to these, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp for five days is best for novice trekkers. Also, those who plan strenuous treks like Everest Base Camp Trek often prepare themselves by trekking to the base camp of Annapurna.

Short Itinerary- Best for time bound trekkers

Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill for ten days is a complete Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. And it’s the best trekking in the region.

However, some trekkers who wish to complete the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek are time-bound. For them, a five-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp is the best option. They can complete the trek in five days from Pokhara. The walk through traditional hamlets, overnight at the base camp, and serene walk along the panoramic landscape make the trek amazing. Moreover, the surreal mountain panorama from the base camp tops the cherry on the cake.

5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

-  Breakfast at the tea house in Sinuwa and preparation to trek to Deurali.

-  You'll get a beautiful glimpse of Mt. Machhapuchhre till Dovan.

-  You'll hike along the stone-paved stairs, cross wooden bridges over mini streams, and stop at a beautiful waterfall for photographs.

-  You'll stop for lunch at a tea house in the Himalayas.

-  After lunch, you'll ascend for another two hours to Deurali.

-  Overnight accommodation at a tea house in Deurali.

-  You'll start your morning with a fantastic breakfast and hot drinks in Deurali.

-  The trek route trails along the shore of the glacier stream till Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

-  You'll see a beautiful glimpse of Mt. Machhapuchhre from the Machhapuchhre Base Camp area.

-  Now, the trek route gradually ascends to Annapurna Base Camp.

-  The beautiful mountain scenery appears, and you'll get an utter glimpse of Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Khangsar Kang, Himchuli, and more.

-  You'll have your lunch at a tea house in base camp.

-  The rest of the day will be a sightseeing day, where your trek guide will take you to stroll around the base camp premise.

-  In the evening, you'll see beautiful Mt. Machhapuchhre glittered in the setting sun's yellow colours.

-  Dinner and overnight accommodation at a tea house in base camp.

-  Wake up at 5:30 am to see the sunrise over the Annapurna mountain range.

-  Moreover, you'll start your morning with a luxury breakfast and prepare to descend to Bamboo.

-  The trek route to Bamboo is a downhill hike.

-  You'll stop for lunch at Dovan.

-  Meals and overnight accommodation at a tea house in Bamboo.

-  With early morning breakfast, you'll prepare to leave for Jhinu Danda.

-  Till Sinuwa, you'll trek along the ascending trail.

-  You'll cross the most arduous section of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, the ascend of Chhomrong.

-  Lunch stop at Chhomrong.

-  Cross a suspension bridge at Jhinu Danda and take a jeep ride to Pokhara.

-  Your 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek ends upon reaching the hotel in Pokhara you'll stay.

Essential Information

Meals and Accommodation

During the day’s trek, you’ll get four breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners. You’ll get a meal menu from which you can choose any meal for each course.

For accommodation on the trek, you’ll get a twin sharing room with/without an attached bathroom. The tea houses provide clean rooms with warm blankets, pillows, and mattresses. Upon request, we’ll help you find the best hotel in Pokhara.

Trek Permits

You’ll get the ACAP Permit upon paying the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost. The trek cost includes the trek permits and necessary government documentation fees.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is the permit you’ll need for this trek. It costs USD 30/NPR 3000.

Here’s what you’ll need to submit us for the trek permit:

  • Two passport-sized photos (recent)
  • Copy of valid passport’s bio page

Your trekking guide will process the trek permit in Kathmandu/Pokhara before starting.

Trek difficulty

Annapurna Base Camp five days trek is short, easy, and less demanding. A proper trekking route, short-distanced camps, and risk-free zones make it a straightforward trek. Hence, it’s popular among the novice trekkers.

Having said this, the trek still has some uphill sections that are quite long and tiring. Hence, at times, you’ll experience the tiredness. For example, the uphill of Chhomrong, Upper Sinuwa, and Himalaya-Deurali are the most tiring sections of the trek.

Thus, we recommend you work on physical fitness before joining the trek. With proper fitness, you’ll conquer ABC Trek with ease.

Travel Insurance

Annapurna Base Camp is at 4,130 meters. Hence, you must get and provide us with a valid copy of travel insurance with helicopter rescue coverage up to this altitude.

While trekking, you may get altitude sickness, landslides, or injuries. During such times, a helicopter is the only rapid way of evacuation from high altitude.

For quick evacuation, you’ll need a helicopter on time during emergencies. If you have travel insurance, it’ll be easy for us to send a helicopter to pick you up. Moreover, your insurance bears the helicopter rescue cost instead of paying out of pocket.

We recommend you buy travel insurance that covers the rescue of up to 4,130 meters altitude. If you don’t provide us the proof of insurance, we may exclude you from the group or cancel the trek.

Beautiful Mt. Machhapuchhre as seen Annapurna Base Camp
Beautiful Mt. Machhapuchhre as seen Annapurna Base Camp (Image: Redmaz Pham)

Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The beautiful Autumn and Spring days are the best time to trek at Annapurna Base Camp. These two times are ideal because of clear weather, mild temperature, and concise sightseeing.

March, April, and May are three Spring months where the weather remains spectacular. With zero rain, you’ll get unobstructed sightseeing and trekking. Also, the lower regions become beautiful with greenery and blossoming rhododendrons.

The temperature in these months averages 4-5˚C at the base camp area. However, as the month progresses, the temperature often rises to 7-8˚C. The lower regions remain warmer.

Annapurna Base Camp Weather and Temperature in October remain the best in a year. Undoubtedly, this mid-Autumn month is the best time for this trek. Hence, maximum trekkers plan their Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days this month.

Autumn months are ideal for ABC Trek because of the greenery everywhere. With monsoon rain fading and incoming Autumn, the outlook clears like never before. Also, the three months of rain from June to August remove the dust and pollutants. You’ll see paddy farmlands in lower region places like Chhomrong and Jhinu. Autumn is also a festive time in Nepal. Alongside trekking, you can also have the option of a cultural experience.

Option of Itinerary Customization

If you feel Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days short, you can also customize the itinerary. However, you should inform our trek manager if you want to customize the itinerary and make it longer.

The most popular is 10 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek among trekker who prefers longer itineraries. With this, you’ll first trek to Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, and Tadapani before joining ABC Trek Route at Chhomrong. Moreover, the longer itineraries in Annapurna Sanctuary take you through enriched Gurung hamlets. Also, doing so lets you experience culture, traditions, fantastic vantage points, elegant sunrise and sunsets, and beautiful landscapes.

Recently, new short trekking routes like Kori, Khopra, and Khumai Danda are more popular. And after completing Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days, you can opt for any of these treks. Almost every newly discovered trek takes you to the proximity of the Annapurna mountain range. And some are even enriched with beautiful landscapes with summer pasture lands blooming with wildflowers.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek FAQs

For a comprehensive FAQs, check out this blog.

Here, we’ve put the trek information in the form of FAQs, covering individual topics.

Trek Booking and Cancelation

Once you contact us, we'll send you our bank details. Using the details, you can send us the booking confirmation, which is 30% of the total trek cost.

You can pay the remaining payment after arriving in Nepal.

Note: Transferring the funds to Nepali banks is subject to service charges of up to 4% of the amount. It doesn't count as the confirmation fee.

You'll get a refund if:

-  50% booking confirmation fee if canceled a month before

-  25% booking confirmation fee if canceled a week before

-  no refunds if canceled a few days before the trek

-  must pay a complete fee if the trek on the day

-  no refunds if canceled the trek due to personal reasons, sickness, or injuries

Arrivals and Hotel Transfer

Since this trek starts from Pokhara, the cost doesn't include the airport to hotel transfer in Kathmandu. However, if you want a hotel transfer, you must pay an additional USD 30.

Usually, we advise our clients to take a private vehicle or Kathmandu to Pokhara flight after arriving in Kathmandu. You'll meet your trek guide at the hotel in Pokhara.

Upon request, we'll manage the private vehicle or flight ticket to Pokhara. You've to pay for either means of transfer.

Transportation

Based on the group size, you'll get a private or shared jeep from Pokhara to Jhinu and back to Pokhara. You'll get a two-way private jeep (Scorpio) if you're in a group of at least five trekkers. However, we'll provide a two-way shared jeep ride for trekkers who are less than five pax in a group.

Accommodation and Amenities

It depends on the time you plan Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Usually, the tea houses remain occupied to full capacity during April, May, October, and November. Hence, during these times, it's very unlikely to get a private room. Still, upon availability, you'll get one at an additional USD 10.

However, for the rest of the year, with fewer people trekking, you'll get a twin-sharing room with just you in it.

The necessity of a sleeping bag depends on the time you plan this trek. We'd recommend you bring a sleeping bag if planning this trek in March, November, or December. Also, the sleeping bag is a must if you want to trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Winter.

If you plan to rent it, we provide a sleeping bag in rent for USD 40 for the trek. It'll be clean, warm, and in a mint condition.

Yes. You'll get wifi and a hot shower (gas-heated) at all places on the trek and even at the base camp.

The tea houses charge Rs. 250-300 for wifi and Rs. 500 for hot shower.

Note: You must pay for wifi, hot shower, and electricity charging.

Trek Safety

All the trekking guides employed at NepTrek have at least 2-3 years of guiding experience. Over the years, our guides have guided many individuals and groups of trekkers. For this trek, we'll send a trek guide who's been to Annapurna Base Camp on multiple occasions.

We can't guarantee you won't get altitude sickness on this trek. However, we try our best to make your trek safe and complete this trek without getting altitude sickness. Based on our previous ABC trekking, none of our clients have gotten altitude sickness.

If you get altitude sickness during the trek, the first thing we do is assess the situation. Your trek guide decides whether to ascend to the base camp or return to a lower altitude and abort the trek.

If your symptoms are mild, we'll manage a horse ride to take you to a lower altitude safely. However, if your symptoms are severe, you'll get a helicopter rescue (covered by your travel insurance). In both cases, we won't take you further higher from the altitude you get altitude sickness.

Yes. You'll get safe drinking water at the tea houses.

You can buy bottled drinking water at every tea house, which is safe to drink. If you prefer an affordable price, you can refill the water bottle at the tea house at Rs.. 150 per liter.

However, if you prefer drinking water from the tap, we suggest you bring water purification tablets.

Yes. Rainy months (mid-July to August) are the best times for this trek. You may not get the best weather all day on the trek. But when the weather clears, usually in the morning, you'll get a surreal view of the mountains and the valley.

Moreover, there aren't active landslides or landslide-prone areas on the entire trek. Hence, you can trek without worrying about the landslide, even during the rainy day.

All you need is a rain poncho and bug-repellent cream.

Trekking Guide and Porter

Yes. All trekking guides in NepTrek Adventures are proficient in the English language (speaking & writing). With their fluent English conversation, you'll have an amazing time learning more about the region, people, and the beautiful mountains,

You won't get the trek porter if you want a private (solo) guided short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. For a trekking porter, you must pay an additional USD 80 (for five days).

However, you'll get a trekking porter if you're in a group of more than two trekkers.

Usually, we provide a trekking porter as 1:2 for two trekkers. The trek porter carries 20 kg in total. Hence, you can assign 10 kg at max. However, if your backpack weighs more, you must pay an additional USD 40 (for five days).

Yes. We prioritize our staff's health and safety during the trek. Thus, we insure our trekking guides and porters every year.

Tipping to the trek guide and porter at the end of the trek is a practiced culture in Nepal. Hence, we encourage you to tip at least 10% of the trek cost to the trek porter and guide.

Trek Difficulty and Physical Fitness

Yes. If you're less than 10 years old and more than 70, we advise you not to plan this trek. Also, if you're one of:

-  Pregnant women

-  Chronic health issues/heart issues

-  High blood pressure

Absolutely. Most of the trekkers who complete ABC Trek are novice trekkers. The easy trail, ample tea houses, short-distanced daily walk, and trek safety make it an absolute for beginners. Moreover, the base camp sits at 4,130 meters, making it an altitude sickness-free region to trek to.

If you're solo trekking with us, you can extend the trek itinerary for the number of days you desire. Our manager will give you the best cost for the additional days you want on the trek.

However, if you're trekking with the group, it'll be difficult for us to extend your itinerary. When you trek with the group, we assign fixed guides and porters. Hence, it'll be difficult for us to manage the trek guide for you for an extended itinerary.

There are ways to prepare yourself for this trek. We suggest you start the fitness exercises at least two months before joining the trek with us.

If you go to the gym, we suggest you continue it. Whenever possible, train more on cardio and endurance exercises like running and swimming.

Other recommended fitness training exercises include:

  • Few day-long hiking before joining the trek
  • Walking for 30 minutes at least a day for two months
  • Running, jogging

Key notes on 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek

  • This trek starts from Pokhara. Hence, you’ll meet your trek guide at the hotel in Pokhara. To get to Pokhara, you can either take a 7-hour bus drive or a 25-minute flight.
  • You’ll walk for 6 hours at least a day on uneven trails. Hence, decent fitness is a must for this trek.
  • You’ll get a trek porter to carry your backpack (if you’re trekking in a group of two or more). We provide a trekking porter, which is sharable among two trekkers. The combined weight of a bag a porter carries is 20 kg. Thus, we encourage you to pack your backpack under 10kg.
  • We do provide a duffle bag to pack your trekking gear and clothing. However, let us know if you wish to bring your own.
  • We suggest you carry a drinking water bottle, water purifying tablets, snacks, a camera, and other essential gadgets.
  • You’ll get breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily on the trek. However, you must pay for other services like additional meals, hot drinks, hot showers, hot drinking water, wifi, and electricity usage.
  • You must pay the expenses of your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, if you want us to book the hotels in these cities, upon request, we’ll sort them out for you.
  • You’re allowed to carry drones and aerial photography gear with permits. If authorities find you having drones without permits, they’ll seize your drone and return once you complete the trek. We’ll help you get drone permits if needed.
NepTrek
Author

We aspire to elevate your travel experience in Nepal with wholesome treks and tours. All our tours and trekking are operated by professional licensed trekking and tour guides with years of profound experience.

Related Posts

Write A Comment

Pin It