Annapurna Base Camp Trekking – 7 Days

Annapurna Base Camp Short Trekking is a 7 days trek. So, you should be very careful when choosing the time for the trek. Nepal has four seasons but the best time for the trek is during the Spring and Autumn seasons. Here is a quick overview of the four seasons of the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek:

Spring (March to May)

The spring season is popular for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The clear and favorable weather is suitable for trekking. Similarly, the temperature is warm in lowland regions but the higher elevations can get chilly. It can range between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. The landscapes are also vibrant while the vegetation and wildlife are active in spring. The trail of rhododendron forests is in full bloom adding color to the landscapes. Thus, trekkers can enjoy the scenic beauty while on trek.

The spring season also falls in the pre-monsoon season. Hence, there is very little chance of rainfall. The temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp ranges between 10 degrees Celsius to 0 degrees Celsius. The trail is also in safe and good condition. Thus, it is perfect for trekking and enjoying the flora and fauna of the Annapurna region.

Summer (June to August)

The summer season collides with the monsoon in Nepal. Hence, all across Nepal there is heavy rainfall. The frequent rainfall makes the trail of Annapurna Base Camp muddy and slippery. Additionally, there are risks of landslides and road blockage. The visibility is very poor in the summer season.

The temperature is hot during the summer season, ranging from 10 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius in the daytime. Likewise, the temperature at nighttime is slightly colder and ranges between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. Summer season is not recommended for Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Autumn (September to November)

The ideal season for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is the autumn season. It is post-monsoon season hence, the sky is clear with warm weather. The views are brilliant as rain washes any impurities in the atmosphere. The vegetation is also luscious and greener. Also, you can enjoy the spectacular mountain views without obstruction.

The daytime temperature ranges from 10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius in the higher regions. But the temperature can get colder and drop to 5 degrees Celsius during nighttime. The autumn season also coincides with the biggest Nepali festivals, Dashain and Tihar. Thus, winter is the best time for trekking as well as experiencing the cultural celebration of the Annapurna region.

Winter (December to February)

Winter brings snowfall in the higher elevations of the Annapurna region. The temperature drops drown significantly. From late December to early February, it is the coldest time of the year. The temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp drops to -10 degrees Celsius at this time. The temperature can get around -5 degrees Celsius after mid-February.

The snow-capped mountains look magnificent during winter. But due to the cold, there are very less trekkers traveling in this season. Similarly, the accommodations can also close for winter. With proper preparation, trekking in winter is possible. However, if you are a beginner then it is best to choose spring or autumn season. For seasoned trekkers, Annapurna Base Camp Trek during winter offers adventurous trek challenges.

The Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is classified among the moderately difficult trekking routes of Nepal. Although the trail does not have technical sections, trekkers must ascend and descend on steep sections. With the gradual ascend in elevation, the trail becomes more rugged and rocky. Trekkers will have to climb more than 3,000 staircases while on the Annapurna Base Camp route.

During the trek, trekkers have to be prepared to walk for 5 to 7 hours depending on the destination. Similarly, they have to be prepared to cover a distance of 8 km to 18 km a day. Long hours of hike on varied terrain are physically strenuous. Additionally, the base camp is situated at an elevation of 4,130 meters. The high elevation can cause a risk of altitude sickness. Hence, proper acclimatization is necessary during the trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek can also create mental difficulties for trekkers. The weather becomes unpredictable as you move to the higher elevations. Likewise, the facilities and infrastructure also become limited. These unpredictable changes and lack of connectivity and facilities can stress the trekkers. Hence, mental resilience is important for the trek.

Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek trail is filled with challenging adventures. So, trekkers should be physically and mentally prepared for the trek.

While you are in Kathmandu we don’t provide you with any meals facility. So, while you are in Kathmandu make sure you make arrangements all by yourself. But, while you are with us on the journey we provide hotel accommodation in Pokhara. Lodge accommodation (twin share basis) during the trekking. Most importantly, we provide meals 3 times a day which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner facilities as you wish. Likewise, we also provide food in sufficient quantities.

Along the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, there are accommodation facilities like tea houses, lodges, guest houses, and homestays. Most of these accommodations provide rooms on a twin-sharing basis with shared bathrooms and common dining areas. But there are also accommodations with attached bathrooms. The facilities are basic especially so in accommodations at higher elevations.

These accommodations are usually budget-friendly. Their facilities may be basic but they are cozy and comfortable. Similarly, they charge extra additional costs for hot showers, WiFi/internet, and for charging electronic devices. Thus, trekkers should carry extra cash with them during the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek.

During the trek, trekkers need nutritious meals filled with carbs and proteins. The meal will consist of Dal Bhaat which is a Nepali staple food, western cuisines, and local delicacies. Dal Bhaat is an ideal meal for trekkers as it is filled with nutrition. It consists of rice, lentil soup, curry (veg and non-veg), and pickle. The other common menu you will find while on trek is momo, chowmein, bread, etc.

It is best to avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, hot chocolates, and dairy items while on trek. Similarly, excessive smoking should be avoided during the trek. The cost for drinks like tea, coffee, soft drinks, or alcoholic drinks are trekkers’ expenses. Likewise, extra charges for a hot shower, hot water, WiFi, etc are also trekkers’ expenses and not included in the package.

If you are looking for an Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek, then Nepal Alternative Treks has the perfect solution. Here are a few reasons why you should take ABC Short Trek with Nepal Alternative Treks:

• We craft creative and flexible itineraries to suit your preferences.
• We are government government-registered agency with staff members who have over 21 years of experience.
• Our government- licensed guides are local experts fluent in English and trained to provide first aid.
• We prioritize our client’s security and while on trek, we supervise and completely take care of our clients.
• We also take care of your belongings and the accommodations arranged for the client’s stay are completely safe.
• We support sustainable tourism and take care of our guides and porters.

For any further details or queries, you can contact us at any time!

Foreign trekkers need certain permits and paperwork for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek. These include the following:

Visa

Every foreigner needs a visa to stay in Nepal. They can get a tourist visa from the Nepal Embassy situated in their country. Similarly, they can get a tourist visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The visa allows foreigners to travel and trek across Nepal. The costs for a visa for Nepal are:

• USD 30 for 15 days single-entry
• USD 50 for 30 days single-entry
• USD 120 for 90 days single-entry

The visa cost is not included in the Nepal Alternative Treks’ Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek package.

TIMS Card

The TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card takes the record of the trekkers to ensure the safety of the trekkers. It also takes the information on their itineraries and emergency contacts. It comes in use during the time of emergencies or natural disasters. Every trekker needs to obtain this card for any trekking route in Nepal. You can get this card either in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. Nepal Alternative Treks’ Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek package includes the TIMS card.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP)

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek route goes through the Annapurna Conservation Area. It covers the majority of the trek route. Hence, this permit gives access to the conservation area. The objective behind the permit is to conserve both nature and cultural heritage of the Annapurna region. This permit can also be obtained from Kathmandu or Pokhara. The Nepal Alternative Treks’ Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek package also includes this permit.

Another important piece of paperwork trekkers will need for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek is travel insurance. The insurance covers the expenses of medical emergencies. For example, if a trekker gets injured while trekking and needs immediate rescue. At such times, the expenses for the medical bills are covered by the insurance. Despite the Annapurna Base Camp is moderately challenging, there is always the risk of accidents. You never know when accidents can happen. Thus, it is best to be prepared.

Travel insurance can also cover situations for baggage loss, electronic device loss or damage, trip cancellation, or trip postponements. Therefore, it is important to understand the insurance’s terms and conditions. Also, make sure you read the policy before getting the travel insurance.

Trekkers have to pay for travel insurance from a third party as it is not included in the trek package.

On your 7 days short trek to Annapurna Base Camp your walk should be moderate to strenuous. Similarly, you should be passionate about the trek. You should fully dedicate yourself to the trek then only you can complete this short trek. Most importantly, you should not have any kind of health issues. You should be mentally tough. Furthermore, you should have some experience climbing short peaks. Otherwise, even this short trek can get hard for you but you can try. However, a guide is highly recommended.

The climate and weather of Annapurna Base Camp are mostly cold and cloudy. Therefore, it is very difficult to see the beauty of the surroundings if you go there at the wrong time. So, it is very important to choose the right time. Similarly, the best time to visit this trek and have perfect weather and climate is during the spring and autumn seasons. But, this trek also can be done in monsoon seasons. This season also provides you with perfect weather to trek. So, you can fully enjoy the surroundings.

Annapurna Base Camp is a very high-altitude place. So being safe during the trek is very important. For us, it is also the most important factor during the trek. We completely take care of your people during our trek. During the trek, you are under the supervision of an experienced guide who has a lot of knowledge about the place.  In addition, we also take good care of the belongings of our trekkers. So, you should not worry about your belongings when you are traveling with us. Likewise, the accommodation facility we provide is also very safe for your stay. So, you can fully enjoy yourself.

Gears required for the trek vary upon destination and season. A comprehensive list of gear for all activities is listed on our dedicated page of Trekking Gear List