Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 days, also referred to as Short Annapurna Base Camp trek, is the most popular trekking destination among the Annapurna region’s treks. This trek is an opportunity to be close to nature and the gigantic Himalayas, glaciers, villages, and the valleys.

Here, the view of white mountain peaks is mesmerizing. Meanwhile, while standing at the base camp, the white mountains will surround you on all sides.

Moreover, this trek is a perfect trek to witness the beautiful peaks in the Annapurna region. You will see the outstanding views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Fang, and Machhapuchhare.

Likewise, this trek rewards the trekkers with magnificent insights into the natural and cultural heritage in the region. The trek route is a saturation of variable vegetation, forests, and wildlife. The almighty rhododendron forests and fine terraces along the trekking trails are lovely.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek 10 days passes through diverse ethnic groups. You can witness various cultures and traditions during the trek. The villages of Ghandruk and Chhomrong are rich in ethnicity, culture, and traditional practices.

Ordinarily, this trek is a rewarding trek. On the trail, you can enjoy the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda. Meanwhile, the charming villages of Gurung and Magar add beauty to the trek.

The Macchapuchre Base Camp is an attraction of the trek. Furthermore, the base camp sits under the impressive views of white snowy peaks. Similarly, the views of gigantic mountains glistening in the sun rays are mesmerizing.

Above all, make memorable times during this ABC trek 10 days. Build up physical strength. Also, prepare a strong mentality. The Short Annapurna Base Camp trek is amazing.

Trip Highlights

• The Annapurna Base Camp and the Machhapuchhere base camp.
• Diverse landscapes and the beautifully terraced farmlands.
• Annapurna Conservation Area. Diverse flora and faunas.
• View of the majestic view of the Kali Gandaki River, the longest river of Nepal.
• The settlements in Ghandruk and Chhomrong.
• The beautiful lush forest of rhododendron, alpine, bamboo, and other trees.
• The natural hot bath. The hot bath in the natural hot spring in Jhinu Danda is refreshing.
• The amazing sunrise viewpoint at Poonhill. The panoramic Mountain View from there is splendid.
• Awe-Inspiring Views of the beautiful peaks like Machhapuchhere, Himchuli, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri.
• A fantastic trek into the heart of the Annapurna massifs.
• The diverse ethnicities. Visiting the Gurung and Magar localities.
• Lodge-based trekking with good food, accommodation services, and warm hospitality.

Detailed Itinerary – ABC Trek 10 Days

Day 01: Land in Kathmandu.

Today is the first day of your Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days. Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our staff representative will pick you up and transfer you to a hotel. You can stroll around the tourist hub of Thamel in the evening or rest in a hotel. You will stay overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/2,690ft) 6-7 hour.

Drive duration: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude: 1450m

Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 days itinerary starts with a scenic bus drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will go on a 6-7 hours drive through a serpentine highway observing hilly landscapes and settlements. The drive takes you through forests, hills, and rivers.

After 6-7 hours, you will arrive at the lake city of Pokhara. It is a touristic city with snow-capped mountain peaks and green hills at the backdrop. Moreover, you can explore the beautiful city and its many sightseeing places. The lakeside area is quite famous for its relaxing hangout places like restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, and others. You will stay overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

Day 03: Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk (1940m/6,364ft) 5-6 hour.

Drive duration: 2 hours

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Maximum altitude: 1940m

After having a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll leave Pokhara with a scenic 2-hour drive to Nayapul. you can enjoy a picturesque view of green hills and mountains along the drive. After you arrive at Nayapul (1100m), you will start your trek journey to Ghandruk. Furthermore, you will start your trekking journey from Nayapul.

In short, the trail passes through farmlands, villages, forests, terraces, rice fields, and some suspension bridges. It takes 4 to 5 hrs to reach Ghandruk from Nayapul while passing through village settlements of Birethanti, Syauli Bazar, Chimrung, Chane, Kimche, and others.

Ghandruk village (1940 meters) in Kaski District Nepal is a great place to observe scenic views of snow-capped mountains including Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre. Here, rich ethnic Gurung culture and lifestyle is also a highlight of this place. Trails are not that challenging hence you can complete this trek section with ease.

The rural lifestyle, local food, and the incredible hospitality of local people will spellbind you. You will spend the night at a homestay in Ghandruk.

Day 04: Ghandruk to Sinuwa (2,360m/7,742ft) 5-6 hour

Trek Duration: 5-6 hour

Maximum altitude: 2,360m

After breakfast, you will start your trek from Ghandruk to Sinuwa (2360m). It takes 6-7 hours of walking to arrive at our destination. The trail from Ghandruk to Chhomrong Danda ascends gradually. From Chhomrong Danda, the trail descends to Komrong Khola before climbing again to Chhomrong.

Chhomrong is a large settlement from where you will trek down to the river before climbing up to our final destination of Sinuwa. You can observe incredible views of snow-capped mountains from Sinuwa if the weather remains good. You will stay overnight at a teahouse in Sinuwa.

Day 05: Sinuwa to Deurali (3,230m/10,597ft) 6 hours.

Trek Duration: 6 hours

Maximum altitude: 3,230m

We will start our trek from Sinuwa to Deurali after breakfast. It takes around 6 to 7 hours uphill to walk along forested trails to arrive at Deurali. You will pass through the settlement of Bamboo before Deurali which is known for its Bamboo forests. Walking past bamboo forested trails is a great experience.

You will pass through Bamboo through settlements like Dovan and Himalaya. Trails of this section of trek pass through forests at all times. The rhododendron flowers bloom over forests in Spring. From Himalaya, you will take a steep climb amid the dry forest. There is a river following the Deurali trail along with a waterfall made by the same river. You can enjoy the waterfall to Deurali and stay overnight in a teahouse in Deurali.

Day 06: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,549ft) 5 hours.

Trek Duration: 5 hours

Maximum altitude: 4,130m

Today is the most important day in our Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days. The day when you trek famous Annapurna Base Camp has finally arrived. You will leave Deurali after breakfast and trek uphill. A river bed trail will take you upwards to the Bagar. After a trek of a few hours, you will arrive at the base camp of Mt Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). We will have our lunch at MBC and enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountain vista.

From there, you will enter the Annapurna Sanctuary. After trekking for a few hours, we will arrive at our ultimate destination of ABC(4,130m). You can also enjoy a magical sunset among mountains in the base camp. The 360-degree view of the entire Annapurna range will enchant you. We will stay overnight at teahouses below the base Camp.

Day 07: ABC to Bamboo (2,340m/7,677ft) 6 hours.

Trek Duration: 6 hours

Maximum altitude: 2,340m

You will wake up early to observe the breathtaking Himalayan sunrise. Golden rays of sun falling upon snow-capped mountains is a breathtaking experience. You can enjoy this view at ABC for some time and then head for breakfast. We will then start our return trek from ABC.

You will retrace back the same steps that you took earlier while returning from ABC. The trails are descending and hence easy to complete. You will pass through Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya to finally arrive at Bamboo. We will stay overnight at a teahouse in Bamboo.

Day 08: Bamboo to Jhinu Hot Spring (1,780m/5,839ft) 5 hours

Trek Duration: 5 hours

Maximum altitude: 1,780m

After breakfast at Bamboo, you’ll head off to Jhinu Danda Hot spring (1700m). Downhill trekking is comfortable and easy. You will also pass through the same trails and villages you have passed earlier during the trek.

After passing through woods, and farmlands, you will reach Jhinu Dada. Jhinu Danda has a natural hot spring where you can relax after a long and exhausting trek. Moreover, you can stay overnight at a teahouse in Jhinu Danda which is one of the most enjoyable parts of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Day 09: Jhinu Hot Spring to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara (820m/2,690ft) 7 hours.

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Drive Duration: 2 hours

Maximum altitude: 1,400m

It is the last day of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 days. In brief, you will leave Jhinu Danda for Nayapul which takes around 4 hours. Moreover, you will follow the river bed trail. And after arriving at Nayapul, you will take a scenic drive to Pokhara. Meanwhile, Pokhara is a 2 hours ride away from Nayapul. Upon reaching Pokhara, you can relax and celebrate the completion of the 10 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Day 10: Drive Back to Kathmandu

After having breakfast, you will take a drive back to Kathmandu. It takes around 6-7 hours to complete this scenic journey through Prithvi Highway. Our staff will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.

When is the Best Time For Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days?

In particular, there are two peak seasons for trekking in the Annapurna region. Besides, the most sorted out time is between September and November.

Furthermore, this is the Autumn season in the region. Likewise, Autumn is the time when the weather is dry and warm. Especially, the sky is clear and the surrounding views are perfect.

In addition, after Autumn, Spring is the most popular season for Short ABC trekking. The time between March and May is Spring. This is the best time for nature lovers. Nature exhibits the best appearance during Spring.

During Spring, the weather and temperature are suitable for trekking. The trails are colorful with flowers blooming along the trail.

Generally, winter and summer are less popular seasons for the Short ABC Trek. Moreover, the trek is doable in these times. But you must face several difficulties due to weather and climatic variations.

Likewise, during winter, the entire region gets colder. Besides, due to heavy snowfalls, snow piles get deposited at the high altitude passes. Also, the winter temperatures are hard to bear (especially during nights).

During monsoon, you will often see heavy rainfalls in the evenings and nights. As a result, it makes the trekking trail slippery and wet. Walking over the slippery stone steps and sharp ascents or descents is tough. Also, the summer bugs and leeches are so active on the trail during monsoon.

Seasonal Weather and Temperature of 10 Days ABC Trek

In the Himalayas, there is a huge difference in the daytime and nighttime. Nights are always colder than the days, any time of the year. In fact, the Annapurna region experiences four seasons in a year.

Autumn (September, October, November)

Autumn is the most popular time for Short ABC Trekking. Weather in autumn tends towards perfect weather in ABC. Weather is stable and favorable for day hikes. The temperature at night is colder, yet bearable after we get proper gears.

The sky is blue and clear. The views of glistening peaks craved over the blue skies are amazing. You will see perfect views of the surroundings as well as the distant landscapes. Due to warm weather, you will see wildlife waking up from their winter sleep.

The weather is warm during the daytime. Mornings and evenings are quite chilly. The average temperature in Autumn ranges from 15 to 17 degrees. There is the least possibility of rainfall or snowfall in Autumn. (But, keep in mind, the weather in the mountains is unpredictable.)

Spring (March, April, May)

Spring is the time when the hills wear colorful Rhododendron blossoms. The trail is cheerful with songs of birds and animals. The aromatic fragrance of wildflowers is alluring! The skies are clear. You will see the bright mountains throughout your trek.

Days are warmer. The average temperature in Spring ranges from 17 to 20 degrees. The mornings and nights are colder but not as cold as in winter. The temperature in Spring is perfect for Short Annapurna Base Camp trekking.

Winter (December, January, February)

In summary, winter is the coldest time of the year. As a result, most of the higher altitude areas dip into piles of snow in winter. Similarly, walking over the trails blanketed with snow is very tough. Also, the trekking portions with passes and the ridges are very difficult.

The winter brings freezing mornings and nights. The temperature is far below the freezing temperatures. The days are quite bright. The daytime temperatures range from 9 to 12 degrees. In the mornings and evenings, the temperature will drop below zero to -15 to -20 degrees.

Generally, mornings are foggy. Therefore, you might encounter little rain in the lower elevations. In the higher elevations, you might have to walk while it is snowing.

Pack extra warm clothes to keep you warm. Else, adjusting in the cold winter at ABC is very tough.

Summer (June, July, August)

Ordinarily, Summer and monsoon coincide in the Annapurna region. Thus, during summer, the region warms up. Besides, you will encounter rainfalls almost every day. Furthermore, the downpour happens generally in the evenings and nights.

Days are hot. The average temperature will range between 18 to 25 degrees during days. Walking under the sun is quite difficult. You will get sweaty.

Wear lightweight sweat-absorbing clothes. In particular, nights are colder than the days. The temperature will average around 0-degree Celsius during mid-summer.

In fact, due to frequent rainfall and heavy clouds above your head, the trek isn’t so comfortable. Moreover, the bad weather can block the splendid mountain views in no time.

Hence, we do not recommend Sort ABC Treks in the summer. But ABC trekking in Summer is possible with appropriate planning and packaging.

Difficulties During Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days

Length of the Trek

Generally, the total length covered by the trek is around 115 kilometers. Here, in 10 days trek, you will cover the distance in a total of 7 days. The arrival, arrangement, and driving day to Pokhara are not the days when you trek in actual.

To cover the total distance in 7 days, you must walk for 5 to 7 hours. If you are not used to long walks, this trek can be quite difficult for you. Practice walking for a few hours on regular trails starting a month before you go.

Trek Duration

To begin with, the Short Annapurna Base Camp trek is a 10 days itinerary. You will be walking into the irregular Annapurna trails for 7 days. Besides, to those people who cannot stay out for long, this trek is a long duration trek.

Moreover, the walk isn’t uniform. You will walk through several ups and downs during the trek. Therefore, most of the ABC trail is walking over the stone steps. Prepare a strong mindset and a healthy body. After doing so, this trek is no longer a difficult trek.

Altitude Sickness

In fact, the base camp is at an altitude of 4130 meters from the sea level.

With that in mind, the risk of altitude sickness is always thereafter one exceeds 2500 meters. So, anyone of any age, gender, the physique can get altitude sickness during the trek.

In addition, maintain a steady pace of the walk. Likewise, take small water breaks from time o time while trekking. Moreover, it will be better to read about Altitude Sickness. Similarly, acquire knowledge on symptoms and preventive measures of altitude sickness before you go.

Weather and Temperature

For the most part, weather and temperature play a vital role in determining the difficulty of your trek. In particular, trekking during the best seasons (Autumn and Spring) is much easier.

Moreover, trekking in off-seasons means you have to face lots of difficulties. Likewise, the weather and temperature are challenging during these times.

In short, pick up the best time to go. Keep updated on the day to day weather conditions while on the trek.

Budget Management

During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days, you will be walking into remote parts of the Annapurna region. The basic services in the ABC trail are costlier than in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. This is because of the remoteness of the trek.

You may need some extra cash for services like charging, hot baths, tipping, and donations. Similarly, there are no ATMs along the trail where you can get some cash. In conclusion, carry sufficient hand cash with you before you go.

Some Tips on 10 Days ABC Trek

Here, we list you some of the tips and guidelines for your safe and sound 10 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

• Choose the idle time to go. ABC Trekking in the best times is more beautiful and more rewarding.
• Early booking is a must while trekking in peak seasons (Autumn and Spring).
• Take appropriate gear while you go. The things you have to pack varies with the time of trekking.
• Keep on hydrating yourself regularly. This will help to prevent altitude sickness.
• Some snacks and energy bars can come handy while trekking. You can have them when you feel less in energy.
• The trek is a moderate level trek. It is better if you do some training to build up physical strength for trekking.
• Bring appropriate clothing. Wear a pair of comfortable hiking shoes. You might get blisters on your foot while wearing uncomfortable shoes.
• Don’t forget to carry safety and first aid kit. We recommend you to see your doctor and get some medical suggestions before you go.
• Wear a knee cap if you have problems in your knees. Walking over the stone steps for a long day is tiring and painful.