Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek -10 Days

Annapurna Base Camp Food and Accommodation

Accommodation

• Cozy teahouses and guesthouses along the route
• Traditional accommodations offering local hospitality
• Simple yet comfortable rooms for a restful sleep
• Stunning mountain views from your room
• A warm, welcoming atmosphere after a long day of trekking

Food

• Breakfast and dinner are provided at the teahouses
• A variety of delicious local and international dishes
• Hearty dal Bhat (lentil soup) for nourishment
• Classic mountain breakfast to fuel your day
• Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available
• Freshly prepared, wholesome meals to energize you

Guides & Staff For Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Experienced Guides

Our experienced, English-speaking guides will accompany you on the trek to ensure your safety and provide insight into the country’s culture, geography, and wildlife. With years of experience under their belts, they’ll ensure your adventure is fun and educational.

Support Staff

For larger groups, our porters will help carry your bags so you can concentrate on the adventure in front of you. They’re experienced and knowledgeable about the mountain trails, and your belongings will be transported securely while you have a more convenient trek.

Hiring a guide and porter for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is recommended, particularly if you are a first-time trekker in Nepal. A licensed guide provides safety, navigation assistance, cultural information, and logistical support such as permits and accommodations. They also offer insider knowledge that makes the experience more enjoyable.

Guide and Porter Hire for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

A porter will carry your heavy load (usually 20–25 kg), allowing you to walk more comfortably and enjoy the trip. Supporting the local guides and porters also directly supports the mountain communities. The guide cost for Annapurna Base Camp short trekking is typically $25–35 per day, and for a porter, it is usually $18–25 per day, depending on experience and trekking season.

Hiring the services of a registered trekking agency ensures professional handling, insurance coverage for the guides, and mental peace on your journey.

Further Reading: Guide and Porter hire for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

The Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per person, depending on your travel style, trek duration, and whether you are trekking with or without a guide. A 6–10 day trek costs between $400 and $800 per person.

Here’s an approximate estimate:

• Permits (TIMS & ACAP): $40–50
• Guide and Porter: $25–35/day for a guide, $18–25/day for a porter
• Accommodation & Meals: $25–35/day (tea houses and three meals/day)
• Transport (Kathmandu–Pokhara–Jhinu): $30–100 (drive or flight)
• Miscellaneous (Wi-Fi, hot showers, snacks): $30–50 total
• Trek Package (Optional): $600–900 (guide, porter, permits, meals, accommodation included)

The total cost of the Annapurna Base Camp short trek varies depending on how you organize transport, guides, and daily expenses. Budget travelers can keep it low, while others who desire comfort can avail themselves of full packages provided by trekking agencies.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek permit 

To hike to Annapurna Base Camp, you need two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card. The ACAP costs NPR 3,000 (around $22) for foreign citizens and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.

The TIMS card is NPR 2,000 (around $15) for independent trekking or NPR 1,000 if with a registered agency. These permits can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

You’ll need your passport and two passport-sized photos. Be sure to carry the permits throughout the trek, as there are regular checkpoints along the Annapurna Base Camp short trek route.

Annapurna Base Camp Map

Before diving into the day-by-day itinerary, look at the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek map to visualize your trek. The trek starts from Jhinu Danda, ascending through iconic destinations like Chhomrong, Himalayan, and Machhapuchhre Base Camp to the breathtaking Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 4,130 meters. The return is along the same path, giving a second look at the amazing scenery from a different perspective.

This map gives a good overview of the Annapurna Base Camp short trek distance, height gain, and overnight stops. It’s a useful guide for tracking your progress through Nepal’s incredible Annapurna Sanctuary

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty

The Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is a moderate grade, making it ideal for trekkers with a good general level of fitness and some prior trekking experience. The peak trekking altitude is 4,130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp, so there is a concern about altitude, though generally, it’s alright due to the gradual ascent.

Trekkers walk 5–7 hours daily on varied terrain, including stone steps, forest trails, and high alpine country. No technical climbing experience is required, but good physical fitness helps. The trail is well-worn and heavily used, at least at peak times, and is one of the most accessible Himalayan treks for novices and seasoned trekkers alike.

Roads on the ABC Trek & How to Avoid

In the last few years, road construction has opened up two parts of the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek, namely Jhinu Danda and Siwai, so the start of the trek can be accessed by jeep. While roads are helpful for transport, they can detract from the unadulterated trekking experience.

To avoid walking on motor roads, start your trek from Jhinu or Chhomrong, which lie beyond the drivable routes and the beginning of the real trail experience. Most trekkers like to drive as far as these locations and begin trekking from here, so they skip the dusty road sections and enjoy the serene forest and mountain trails from day one.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Electricity

There is electricity in most teahouses along the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek, which allows trekkers to charge devices like phones and cameras. However, power is usually solar or limited at higher elevations, especially above Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where charging may be slow or impossible on cloudy days.

Some lodges charge a fee (NPR 100–300) for charging devices. It’s best to carry a power bank or solar charger to keep you powered up throughout the trek, especially if you’re recording your Annapurna Base Camp short trek itinerary or using digital maps.

Staycation and extending the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

After the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek, travelers then unwind with a staycation in Pokhara, a great place to lounge by the lake, get spa treatments, or explore local cafes and cultural attractions.

For travelers willing to extend the Himalayan adventure, options are the Poon Hill Trek, renowned for sunrises, or stops in Ghandruk and Landruk, the true Gurung villages rich in culture. These trails blend wonderfully with the ABC trail and offer a deeper experience without drastic side-trips, making them ideal for those with some extra time after the trek.