5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trip Fact:
  • Duration 5 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • DestinationNepal
  • Max Altitude4,130 m
  • AccommodationTea House / Lodges
  • MealsAll Meals Inclusive
  • Trip Start/EndPokhara
  • Group Size1-35 pax
  • Best SeasonMarch to May and September to Nobember are best. However December, January and February are best for the clear mountain views, but very cold.

Book and experience the adventure of a lifetime with our 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, offering unforgettable Himalayan vistas

Opened for foreigners in 1977, it took no time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek to earn the spot as one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal. The mesmerising mountains, beautiful landscapes, vivid terrace farmlands, rhododendron forests, enriched ethnicity, modern amenities on tea houses, and comfortable hiking routes make five days Annapurna Base Camp a short and adventurous junket in the Himalayas.

For avid trekkers, Annapurna Conservation Area, one of the largest conservation areas in Nepal, offers countless trekking options. Almost every trekking route in this conservation area links each other, and the base camp of Annapurna-I is the most linked one.

Amidst numerous styles of Annapurna trekking, the Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days is the best fit for many reasons. It's the shortest possible short Annapurna Base Camp Trek that only takes five days to complete when started from Pokhara. The five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary follows the same itinerary from Jhinu or Chhomrong that route via Ghandruk and Ghorepani.

Five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to the base camp of Annapurna range at 4,130 metres, a base camp close to Annapurna South, almost closer than 2km distance. Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world, becomes completely visible from the base camp. The sunset over Machhapuchhre and the sunrise over the Annapurna range make the evening and morning time best at the base camp.

Every second you spend at the base camp viewing the awe-striking mountains makes you feel alive and happy. The short Five Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek delivers the magic of Annapurna, the breathtaking mountains and vibrant landscapes.

Moderate Trekking Route

Unlike other base camps in Nepal, Annapurna Base Camp is a low-altitude base camp of 8,000 metres peak, Annapurna I, at 4,130 metres. Due to this, trekkers experience less altitude sickness and many don't even realise it.

As you start hiking after driving from Pokhara to Jhinu, you'll hike more than 50% of the total trekking route on stone paved stairs. And for you, the comfortable hike on stone paved stairs offers a decent hike experience, accompanied by inspiring glimpses of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna. On top, the stone-paved trails also host resting stops where you can rest and rehydrate.

Due to the tireless hike on five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, it's best for novice hikers. If you're a first-time trekker on the Himalayas, the comfortable ABC Trek route is your deal. You may get fatigued but you won't experience the strenuous hike like other trekking in Nepal.

Awe-striking Annapurna Range

The wholesome adventure on five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to the base camp from where you can get the ultimate glimpse of 360 panoramic mountains of the Annapurna range. This is the only base camp where you can experience the mountain from a closer prospect, almost a few kilometres apart.

The world's 10th highest mountain, Annapurna I at 8,091 metres, The Annapurna South at 7,219 metres, and Hiunchuli at 6,441 metres stand to the right of Annapurna I. Khangsar Kang roc Noir at 7,485 metres and Tare Kang Glacier Dome at 7,069 metres stand to the left. Other prominent mountains you could see from the base camp include Gangapurna at 7,454 metres, Singu Chuli at 6,501 metres, and Machhapuchhre at 6,993 metres.

The early sunrise glitters yellow over the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, and others in the north, offering the best glimpses of the Annapurna range. On the other hand, Machhapuchhre changes its colour from snow white to reddish yellow, dark yellow, and pink before the sun sets over the horizon.

On the third day of Annapurna Base Camp Trek Five Days, as you hike past Sinuwa till Bamboo, the mesmerising Machhapuchhre greets you with awe-striking glimpses. The one and half hour route to Bamboo is so scenic that you'll end up clicking countless photographs of this mountain.

Modern Amenities at Tea Houses

The accommodation and meals throughout every tea house in 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route offers modern amenities to trekkers. Being the most hiked trekking destination in Nepal, the excessive commercialization of this route is also an element that contributes to attracting trekkers worldwide to wander here.

The tea houses, from Jhinu to the base camp, offer internet, hot water shower, and electricity. The tea houses offer comfortable mattresses, regularly washed bed sheets, pillows, and neat rooms for accommodation. You can even get warm blankets in your sleeping bag to stay warm throughout the night.

Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek's meals are great and comprise numerous food items. Even at the base camp, a helicopter from Pokhara delivers fresh vegetables and other essentials which trekkers can benefit from in their meals. Pizza, Burgers, Noodles, Spaghetti, Chapati, Dal Bhat, Toast, Omelette, and beverages are the most common meals on the menu.

Enriched Ethnicity and Biodiversity

Annapurna region is home to Gurung and Thakali people. This ethnic community practices Buddhism and Hinduism and celebrates every festival all year round. Whether it's a Buddha Jayanti in mid-Spring or Dashain and Tihar in October, as a trekker, for you, five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be a cultural escapade.

You'll experience the traditional richness in the stone-built and roofed houses, stone-paved trekking routes, lifestyles, languages, and attires. After completing Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you can join our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek to experience the cultural richness of Gurung people in Ghandruk, Ghorepani, and Poon Hill.

More than 100 mammal species and 1300 plant species, with 55 just found in the region, make Annapurna Conservation Area a diverse area in Nepal.

The 5 days Annapurna Short Trek can be your trip if you're a biodiversity admirer and a wildlife researcher.  Even wildlife photographers hike every corner of the ABC Trek route to take photographs of exotic animals like Snow Leopard, Red Panda, and Musk Deer.

Ideal Trek for Novice Hikers

If you're looking for a first-ever hike on the Himalayas, the five day Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from Pokhara with a short itinerary for you. The low-altitude base camp, frequently maintained trekking routes, modern tea houses, and affordable and awe-striking glimpses of the Annapurna region, including Annapurna I.

Our previous data shows that more than 50% of trekkers joining our five days Annapurna Base Camp Fixed Departure Trek are first-time hikers. And the majority of these groups later hiked to Everest Base Camp Trek. This shows that the five day Annapurna Base Camp Trek can also be an ideal trek to prepare you for the ultimate Everest Trek experience.

You'll be 100% safe and free from altitude sickness while trekking to the base camp of Annapurna. The tree line finishes just below Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Hence, you'll have sufficient oxygen to breathe in.

Furthermore, the 5 days Annapurna Base Camp trekking route mainly consists of stone paved stairs. Even at most places en route with no stairs are decent and regularly maintained. Your legs may tire while hiking stairs, but you'll barely slip and get injured.

Itinerary

The 5 day Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary begins with a drive from Pokhara to Jhinu via Nayapul.

First, after breakfast at the hotel in Pokhara, the trek guide will pick you up in a private jeep. The jeep then heads to Nayapul, leaving Pokhara behind. En route, you'll get mesmerising glimpses of Pokhara valley, Mt. Machhapuchhre, and the inspiring landscape. The complete blacktopped road ensures your utmost comfort.

You'll reach Nayapul after an hour of driving from Pokhara. From Nayapul, Jhinu is almost half an hour's drive. En route, you'll enjoy the paddy farmlands at Chimrong and Birethanti.

After reaching Jhinu, you'll start the hike to Chhomrong. An hour's walk from Jhinu takes you to a beautiful hilltop village, Chhomrong, where you'll stop for lunch.

You'll descend to a river from Chhomrong top and then gradually ascend to Sinuwa.

We'll provide you with the best available tea house in Sinuwa, where you'll get comfortable overnight sleep and happy meals.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

On day two of the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5 days, after breakfast, you'll start the hike to Deurali from Sinuwa. After hiking thirty minutes from Sinuwa, you'll immerse yourself in the bamboo forest. The bamboo forest, the tiny streams, the chirping birds, and the serene environment make your day lively.

The ultimate glimpses of Machhapuchhre awe-strike you as you hike through the bamboo forests. An hour scenic hike through the bamboo forest takes you to Bamboo. The Bamboo settlement hosts several tea houses to accommodate Annapuran trekkers. Also, the colourful roofed tea houses, stone paved gardens, and courtyard with an excellent glimpse of Machhapuchhre ornate it magically.

An hour's hike from Bamboo takes you to Dovan, where you can rest and rehydrate for a moment.

Another one and half hour's hike from Dovan takes you to the Himalayas, where you'll stop for lunch.

Past Himalaya, you have to gain some altitude with a fair ascend. You'll reach a humongous stone cave, a popular stopping place, some thirty minutes ahead of Deurali.

Deurali can be your favourite overnight accommodating place as it's the best place to view the sunset. Also, the best available tea house accommodation ensures your utmost comfort.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

The hike from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp takes four hours. But, with a slow-paced walk, you'll reach the base camp in five hours, which is recommended.

From Deurali, after breakfast, you'll hike for one and a half hours to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Surrounded by towering hills on both sides, the region between Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali remains colder even three hours after sunrise. So, you may feel hard for the first two-hour hike on the third day morning on Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

From Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you'll hike to Annapurna Base Camp for two hours, gaining an altitude of over 400 metres. So, we recommend you walk slowly and frequently rehydrate to escape altitude sickness.

You'll stop at the "Welcome to Annapurna Base Camp" hoarding board for photos and videos. You'll feel relief conquering the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and reaching the base camp.

The base camp's tea houses are five minutes from the hoarding board section. Our trek guide will take you to the tea house you'll accommodate in the base camp. Also, you'll have lunch at the tea house in the base camp.

After lunch and rest, you can stroll around the glaciers and nearby places to view the mountains, like Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Himlung, Machhapuchhre, and other peaks of the Annapurna range.

Dinner and overnight sleep at the tea house in base camp.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

The first thing you should do at Annapurna Base Camp is to wake up early, before six, to behold the sunrise over the Annapurna range. The first five minutes of daylight over these mountains are heart stealers of the base camp.

After breakfast at the tea house in base camp, you'll prepare for the return hike. Today, you'll return to Bamboo, and the trail descends to Bamboo, which makes the walk tireless.

You'll reach Deurali in an hour from the base camp. If you want to stop for tea, you can request your trek guide for a tea break.

From Deurali, another forty-minute descent hike takes you to the Himalayas. You'll hike for another hour and stop at Dovan for lunch. Dovan is the best place for lunch, especially Dal Bhat with hot ghee, among the tea houses in five days of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

After some rest and rehydration after lunch, you'll hike for another hour and stop at a tea house in Bamboo for overnight accommodation.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

On the last day of your 5 days, Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you from Bamboo to Pokhara with a lunch stop at Chhomrong and a drive from Jhinu to Pokhara.

After breakfast at the tea house in Bamboo, you'll ascend for an hour to Sinuwa. From Sinuwa, you'll hike for two hours to Chhomrong, but it will be tiring.

As you ascend the stairs of Chhomrong, you'll get short of breath. Hence, we recommend you take multiple rest and rehydration while climbing to Chhomrong.

The beautiful traditional houses and paddy farmlands of Chhomrong can be joyous. Also, you'll get the chance to witness the Gurung lifestyle, attire, language, and cultures in Chhomrong.

Your trek guide takes you to a tea house for lunch in Chhomrong.

After lunch, you'll descend for another 40 minutes to Jhinu, cross the second longest bridge in Nepal in Jhinu, and take a jeep ride to Pokhara.

Our trek guide and a representative from Dream Heaven Adventure will drop you at the hotel you'll stay in, Pokhara.

  • Your own Hotel in Pokhara
  • Breakfast/Lunch

Cost Details

Includes

  • All necessary land transport
  • Experienced/Professional trekking guide
  • Strong trekking porter ( 1 porter for 2 trekkers )
  • ACAP permit and TIMS card
  • All accomodations in Tea house
  • All Meals during the trek ( Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
  • Usage of equipments ( duffel bags, sleeping bags, walking poles)
  • All equipments/expences for trekking staffs

 

Good to Know

Accommodation in five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

For the 5 days short Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you'll accommodate two nights in Pokhara and one night in Sinuwa, Deurali, and Annapurna Base Camp each.

In Pokhara, you can stay star-rated or at some best hotels.

Throughout the trekking, you'll get the best available accommodation services. The tea houses we offer come with twin shared rooms and attached bathrooms. You'll bring warm blankets, regularly washed bed sheets, a pillowcase, and a tidy space.

Other services like internet, hot water shower, and electricity to charge your mobile device cost additional money. For each of these services, you have to pay around USD 3/NPR 300.

Meals in 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

From breakfast to lunch and dinner, tea houses in Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route offer affluent varieties of meals on the menu and your plate.

You can order breakfast cereals, muesli, and cornflakes with milk and fruits. Plain or French toast with fried/scrambled/boiled egg or jam/honey can also be a decent breakfast. Chapati and varieties of pancakes can also be your first meal of the day with tea/coffee.

Thukpa, Tenduk, Macaroni, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Sandwich, Chips Salad, Pizza, Burger, Spring Roll, Barretto, Enchilada, etc., can be in a combo for lunch. Nepali staple, Dal Bhat, with cooked vegetables and pickles, is also an excellent alternative for lunch.

The meal items for dinner remain almost identical to that for lunch, but you can try some other meals, also. Rice pudding, Custard Pudding, and Chocolate Pudding can be your meal before a sound sleep. Also, Mo: Mo and Noodle Soup can recharge your energy.

You'll also get some fresh fruits as a dessert after dinner at the tea house. Your trek guide serves you some fruit salad before you go to bed.

Drinking water in five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Finding safe drinking water in Annapurna Base Camp Trek won't be an issue. You can refill your water bottles from running small streams or from the tap en route. You can drink the water directly or put in one or two chlorine tablets to purify the water further.

While trekking to the base camp of Annapurna, past Jhinu and Chhomrong, you can't take plastic mineral water bottles. Declared a plastic bottle-free region, trekkers can only carry refillable plastic water bottles and thermos.

Tea houses charge additional money for hot boiled water, around USD 1/NPR 100. You may even get hot drinking water in some tea houses for free.

Altitude sickness and it’s prevention

Unlike other trekking destinations in Nepal, like the classic Everest Base Camp Trek, the altitude sickness in Annapurna Base Camp Trek is very low. Very few trekkers develop minor symptoms of altitude sickness at the base camp of Annapurna.

The low-altitude base camp of Annapurna, just at 4,130 metres, is safe for trekkers to hike.

Having said this, some trekkers still struggle to hike to the base camp and return. Even minor altitude sickness symptoms worsen as they walk nearly 4,000 metres.

If you feel any headaches, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and lack of appetite, do report the symptoms to your trek guide. Your trek guide decides whether to return, rest and continue, take medicine, or call a helicopter for a low-altitude shift.

To avoid altitude sickness in Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you can also consume Diamox (Acetazolamide) in consultation with a physician. This medicine helps a lot of trekkers who want to avoid mountain sickness.

Another solution could be frequent rehydration, chewing gums, and consuming adequate meals. Also, avoiding caffeinated drinks, smoking, and alcohol can prevent you from developing mountain sickness.

International Travel Insurance

International travel insurance is a crucial document you must have while trekking in Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Nepal. Insurance that covers your medical emergencies or helicopter evacuations up to 5,000 metres or 6,000 metres is recommended.

While trekking at high altitudes, you may get altitude sickness or even accidents that result in serious injuries. In such situations, carrying you to low heights or even helicopter rescue remains the only option. Hence, international travel insurance becomes a life saviour for your safety in emergencies.

We don't buy any insurance for you or any other trekker who joins our 5 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek or any trekking in Nepal. But we do recommend some trustworthy insurance companies for travel insurance. We only purchase insurance for our trek guides and porters.

Best time for Annapurna Base Camp 5 days trek

March to May in Spring and September to November in Autumn are the best months for 5 day Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. Although this trek is doable throughout the year, these two seasons make the landscape and mountains vibrant and cheerful.

Autumn and Spring are both vibrant months with clear skies, rain-free days, mild temperatures, a lively environment, and free sightseeing. The subtropical lowlands of Chimrong, Jhinu, and Chhomrong to semi lush temperate rhododendron forest of Himalaya and Dovan becomes colourful in these two seasons.

Also, thick snow deposits over the terrain and the Annapurna range in early Spring can be a heart stealer for you. The snow and the greenery around Annapurna Conservation Area make your hike lively.

Also, the temperature in these months remains stable and warm, an ideal condition for day hikes and overnight sleep.

Not recommended time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekkers even hike Annapurna Base Camp in Winter and Summer, which is not a recommended time for this trek but is doable. The thick snow and cold can be an issue for novice trekkers. But you can still find joy hiking on the less crowded Annapurna Trekking Route in Winter with warm clothes, a well-planned itinerary, an expert trek guide, and decent trek gear.

Summer in Annapurna becomes warm, and many trekkers hike to the base camp. Although they make it to the base camp, the clouds and overcast often ruin the viewing and obstruct the landscape viewing for days and weeks. And also, the monsoon rain in summer adds extra hazards like landslides, avalanches, high water volume on small streams, and the trekker's nightmare, leeches.

Hence, for the once-in-a-lifetime experience, Spring and Autumn are favourable for five day Annapurna Base Camp trek, although it's doable throughout the year.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits

For foreign nationals, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp requires two permits, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), and a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card. The permits/TIMS for Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be issued from Nepal Tourism Board / TAAN in Kathmandu.

Upon booking a five day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek with us, our representative manages these two permits for you, which are included in the package.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek permits are essential to keep your record of entry and exit in the conservation area. Since the conservation area is rich in biodiversity, to protect flora and fauna from poachers and illegal activities, every foreign trekker must register their national identity with their name. Also, the royalty from the permits helps the conservation area to maintain the trekking routes regularly.

Gears to pack for five day Annapurna Base Camp Trek

In five days of ABC Trek, you'll be on the trekking route for four days and a whole day drive from Pokhara to Jhinu.

For four days, packing a heavy backpack would be inappropriate. Hence, keeping the backpack medium-lightweight is best.

You can carry thermals, fleece, layers, and one down jacket for the upper body. Having these items in pairs would be enough for five days. Woollen caps and hats protect your head from cold and from getting sunburned.

For the lower body, you can carry half pants, trousers, trekking pants, underwear, a few pairs of socks, trekking boots, etc.

Skincare and body hygiene must be the top priority while trekking. Thus, carrying lotions, moisturisers, sunscreen, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body spray, etc., keeps your look fresh and hygienic all day.

Carrying a sleeping bag can be helpful during the surge in trekkers in Autumn and Spring, especially the mid-months in these seasons. Tea houses give one blanket, but you may need more to keep you warm.

Mobile phones, cameras, walkie-talkies, binoculars, power banks, extra camera batteries, etc., are a must while travelling.

Also, carry some chocolates, dry fruits, and snacks for the day's hikes. These elements can deliver instant energy.

If you want to put other essentials in the backpack, you can pack up to 10-15kg. We'll give one porter to two trekkers who join our five days Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Spring 2023. Hence, a porter will carry your backpack and let you hike with less weight.

FAQs

  • Q1. Is the five day ABC trek a short Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

    Yes. The shortest Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary is five days, which starts and ends in Pokhara. Five days is the least number of days that it takes you to reach base camp successfully and return to Pokhara.

  • Annapurna Base Camp sits 50 km north of the beautiful Pokhara city. The area where the base camp sits is a high glacial basin that is encircled by a beautiful mountain in the Annapurna region that includes some 7,000 and 6,000 metres mountains with one Annapurna-I over 8,000 metres.

  • The altitude of Annapurna Base Camp is 4,130 metres, making it one of the low-altitude seated base camps of a mountain over 8,000 metres.

  • It's 50-50 that you'll get altitude sickness in 5 days at Annapurna Base Camp Trek. As it's just at 4,130 metres, few trekkers get minor symptoms of altitude sickness. Even novice hikers hike to the base camp of Annapurna comfortably.

    If you're fit enough, have proper preparations, and have several high-altitude trekking experiences, conquering ABC won't be any hurdle.

  • No. Annapurna Base Camp Trek route past Nayapul has no ATMs. So, it would help if you withdrew your cash in Pokhara before leaving for this trek.

  • Yes. Internet, hot water showers, and tea houses' electricity are unavailable until the base camp. However, you must pay USD 2/3 at tea houses for each additional service you use.

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