Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal is a paradise for the enthusiast trekker. Counted number one on the list of trekking destinations, it is located 24.85 miles north of Pokhara. Here, you will thrive on seeing yourself surrounded by the mighty Annapurna range: Tilicho Peak 7,135 m (23,409 ft), Nilgiri Himal 7,061 m (23,166 ft), Gangapurna 7,455 m (24,457 ft), Hiunchuli 6,441 m (21,132 ft), and Machhapuchchhre 6,993 m (22,943 ft) among other. 7 day Annapurna base camp trek will eventually lead you to the lap of the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 meters (26,545 ft), Annapurna I.
What to expect on your journey to the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
The south-facing slopes in this region treat you with a tropical rhododendron and bamboo forest, whereas the north-facing slopes are a rain shadow. Accept the fact that you will be seeing 7 hours of sunlight on a summer day with the temperature 39°F to 89°F because of the tall peaks on all sides.
ABC Trek lies in the Annapurna Conservation Area (7,629 km2). Widely recognized as Annapurna sanctuary. it is home to several gods and goddesses from Hinduism and Buddhism; hence, bringing meat or eggs into the region is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the Machapuchare peak, the entrance, is accepted as the home of lord Mahadev. Not only adventure but being of Annapurna region is spiritual too.
Where to begin? The Annapurna Base camp trek starts from Pokhara, the major tourist spot of Nepal. ABC Trek covers an average of 110-120 km distance, ascending 10-15 km daily. You can take a private or local bus from this iconic lake city to mesmerizing Ghandruk village, a gateway to the Annapurna region. As we ascend to the mountain area, the trail is full of ups and downs. Trekkers walk along upper Sinuwa to Deurali on the uphill trail passing through the rhododendron and bamboo forests side by side, enjoying the view of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Massifs on the way.
Further, the standard itinerary for Annapurna Base Camp Trek is 13 days. However, the itinerary can be customized differently according to the trekker’s flexibility: from 7 to 15 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
If you want to taste this thrilling Annapurna within a limited vacation, the 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an absolute choice. The trek is minimal but a supreme journey for those with limited time who have the greatest fantasy of being on the lap of the majestic Annapurna, the 10th highest mountain in the world.
Now if you have already made up your mind regarding 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek, then know which seasons are best to go for it.
Highlight Of 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Exploring Gurung culture and tradition with an overnight stay at Ghandruk Village
- Every day walk into nature
- Closers views of the Annapurna range
- Cover two base camps: Machhapuchre and Annapurna, within the same trek
- Overnight at the lap of the world’s 10th highest mountain, Annapurna.
- Relaxing in the natural hot spring in Jhinu Village
- A short drive from Samrung Khola to Pokhara, passing through various picturesque villages
- Enjoy the nightlife in the magical city, Pokhara
7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Pokhara To Ghandruk Village
Day 02: Trek to Upper Sinuwa 2345 m – 07 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Deurali
Day 04: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
Day 05: Trek from Base Camp to Bamboo
Day 06: Trek to Jhinu village
Day 07: Trek to Samrung Khola then drive to Pokhara
7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pokhara To Ghandruk Village
Driving Hour: 3 Hrs
Elevation: 1,950 m
Overnight: Hotel at Ghandruk
Wake up early in the morning, grab a super delicious breakfast at the hotel, and then prepare all gear required for your journey.
Get ready to get on a jeep, we will drive on an unpaved road to Kyu Mi Danda through Nayapul and Birethati, passing through the Modi River, various villages of different ethics, and the thrilling valley of Annapurna. It would take 3 hrs to reach Ghandruk from Pokhara.
The Ghnandrunk village is heavily habitat by the Gurung people of Nepal. Along with the Gurung culture, tradition, customs, cuisine, lifestyle, and museums, you encounter magnificent views of Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Machhapuchre, Hiuchuli, and Gangapurna.
Ghandrunk village, the first stop of 7 day Annapurna base camp trek, offers good hospitality and unique sights, making the trip unforgettable. Ghandruk Village alone is the all-time favorite destination of both domestic and international tourists.
Overnight at a beautiful hotel at Ghandrunk.
Day 02: Trek to Upper Sinuwa 2345 m – 07 hrs.
Trekking Hour: 7 Hours
Elevation: 2345m
Overnight: Tea House at Sinuwa
Start the second day of the trek by witnessing the beautiful sunrise seen from Ghandruk Village. After filling the stomachs with a delicious breakfast, head straight to Upper Sinuwa, leaving behind the beautiful Ghanrunk village. Besides the lunch and tea breaks, It takes 7 hours to reach Sinuwa from Ghandruk.
The trail will take you to Kimrung Danda to the side of the clam Kimrung River, to beautiful Chhomrong village, then ultimately to the Sinuwa. Along the trail, you come close to the Gurung people, their culture, and significantly breath-talking scenarios of the Annapurna ranges and green vegetation.
Like Ghandruk Village, Chhomrong Village is also largely inhabited by Gurung people. They share the same culture and tradition. Furthermore, Chhonrong Village is fаmоus night stороvеr fоr the Аnnарurnа sаnсtuаry trеkkers.
Chhomrong has a first-class service: from bakeries to coffee shops to different cuisines, it serves all its visitors. Following 2 hour's hike from Chhomrong village, we will reach upper Sinuwa.
Overnight stay at the tea house at Sinuwa.
Day 03: Trek to Deurali
Elevation: 3,700 m
Trekking Hours: 7 Hours
Over Night: Tea House At Deurali
Wake up before sunrise. Today we have a long way to go. The trails ahead are uphill, so make yourself ready and dress up quite cozy because the walk leads on the winding and cold path.
We come across Bamboo and Dovan, following the spectacular Himalayas, bamboo, and rhododendron lush forest. Bamboo and Dovan is not a village; local tea houses are here for lunch and tea breaks.
After a walkover glacier and moraine, we come across a small bridge and finally to Deurali, where we will spend our night at a tea house.
Day 04: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
Elevation: 4,130 m
Trekking Hours: 4 Hours
Overnight: Tea House at ABC Camp
We have been passing through lush forests on the way for the past few days, but today it will be different. As we ascent, the tree lines begin to disappear, and alpine bushes and shrubs come into view.
Trial passes through Bagar, situated at 3300m, and then Machhapuchhre base camp at 3700m, and finally reaching Mount Annapurna base camp (4,130m).
Few lodges are located at delightful ABC, offering you scenery of shimmer snowcapped peaks surrounding the base camp. Indeed, it’s a magical place to soak into the wonder of nature.
Overnight at the tea house of ABC.
Day 05: Trek from Base Camp to Bamboo
Elevation: 2,345 m
Trekking Hours: 07 hrs
Overnight: Tea House at Bamboo
Did you have a wonderful life at Annapurna base camp? Of course, you did. After breakfast, descend back to Bamboo, crossing Deurali, Himalaya, and Dovan. Going downhill is the easiest task, passing through the reserve forest. Give some time to yourself, and of course, you will encounter varieties of fauna too. It’s a 7-hour of trek.
Getting downhill all day might get you extremely tired. Have dinner at the tea house at Bamboo and take good rest.
Overnight at Bamboo.
Day 06: Trek to Jhinu village
Elevation: 1,700 m
Trekking Hours: 6 Hours
Highlights: A place with Hot Spring
Overnight: Teahouse at Jhinu Village
Wake up early in the morning. After breakfast, we will take a short steep up to KhuldiGhar. From there will head downhill, passing through the forest to reach the lonely spot Sinuwa-Danda, and then descend to Chomrong Khola.
Then after crossing the bridge, we will briefly ascend up to reach Chomrong village, where we will stop shortly for lunch. The next stop ahead is Chomrong Ridge, and then downhill to our final stop of the day, Jhinu-Danda.
The Jhinu Danda offers a natural hot spring on the Modi River's bank. A 10 min walk from the hotel, you can discover the four hot spring ponds serving different water temperatures. Isn’t that bliss? Soak yourself in the natural hot spring.
Overnight stay at the tea house of Jhinu Danda village.
Day 07: Trek to Samrung Khola then drive to Pokhara
Driving Hours: 4 hrs.
The official last day of the trek: have breakfast at Jhinu Danda Village. Hike down, crossing a long suspension bridge (287 meters) to reach Samrung Khola, where we will catch up with the jeep to return to Pokhara. Enjoy the ride listening to the Nepali folk song crossing the beautiful villages; Kimrung village, Syauli Bazaar, Birethati Nayapul, Kande, Naudanda, and finally, Pokhara.
Treat yourself to Pokhara following seven days of continuous hikes in the Annapurna region in the base camp. Roam around Phewa Lake, listening to soothing songs and trying street foods.
Trip Cost US$ Per person
Cost Includes:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicles
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Experienced trekking guide
- Full package for the guide and porter with their payment
- Documents: the Annapurna conservation area permit and TIMS card
- 7-night accommodation during the trek
- Round-trip transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara and again from Pokhara to Kathmandu through a deluxe tourist bus with free wifi.
- Private jeep from Pokhara- Nayapul- Pokhara
- Appreciation certificate
- Farewell Dinner
- Availability of an oximeter 24/7 throughout the trek to examine your oxygen and Pulse level
- First aid facility
Cost Excludes:
- Nepal entry visa fees cost $25 for 15 days Visa.
- Extra food and accommodation behind schedule
- Additional alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Additional costs by out of management control due to natural calamities, weather conditions, unsound health, and the country's political instability.
- Personal expenses: extra snacking, WIFI service at high altitude, telephone, & laundry.
- Travel Insurance
- Trekking gears & equipment
- Tips for staff, porter, guide, staff, & driver
Frequently Asked Question
Is there any difference between the ABC trek and the circuit?
Yes. Elevation significantly differs between the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the base camp Trek. The highest point in the Annapurna Base Camp trek is 13780 feet. Meanwhile, the Annapurna Circuit trek is 17770 feet.
Moreover, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is relatively more moderate than the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Not to mention, the Annapurna Circuit demands more physical soundness. However, both treks do not need any past trekking experience.
How long does it take to hike ABC?
One of Nepal's prominent moderate treks, the ABC trek, comes with different itineraries. It could be long as 15 days and short as 5-6 days. Let’s say the ABC trek is the most flexible trek.
How to prepare for ABC trek?
No special skills are required for the ABC trek. A person with normal fitness who can walk 5 to 6 hours a day can do Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
What is the highest point of the ABC trek?
The highest point of the ABC trek is 4,131m/ 13,553 feet.
Is ABC Trek for beginners?
ABC trek, situated at 4,131m/ 13,553 feet, is doable for beginners with no history of trekking in the Himalayans. But fitness is key.
Is ABC Trek easy?
Though regarded as a moderate trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek has various challenges: walking into steep, stone stairs, rugged trails and continuously hiking for 5 to 6 hours daily. Look, this definitely does not seem to be easily achievable. But physical fitness, commitment, and patience make the trek achievable.
Where does the ABC trek start?
Pokhara, 204 km from the capital city of Kathmandu, is the beginning spot where you would officially begin the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
How far is ABC from Pokhara?
The distance between Annapurna Base Camp and Pokhara is 55 Km. Generally, It is a 28 Km hike from Somrung village near Jhinu Danda, which can be easily reachable within a 3-hour of drive from Pokhara.
Be Resposible Tourist
Respecting the environment, culture, and community is significant while traveling. Try your best to preserve nature around you, leaving nothing but footprints. Avoid buying endangered animal products, which pushes the animals to the edge of extinction. Use biodegradable rather than plastic materials.
Moreover, supporting the local economy. It helps create additional jobs for the locals. Being generous to locals repays you with good hospitality. Involve with local people, communicate, and lastly, exchange the culture.
Is 7-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek For Beginners?
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130m / 13,550 feet is not an advanced trek. Classified as a moderate trek, you don't need to learn technical skills to achieve the ABC trek. But being physically and mentally sound is significant.
It is 6-7 hours of daily walking in flat sections, steeply inclined downhill and long uphill. However, including cardio exercises in your daily routine before the trek will greatly help you. There are many short breaks for lunch and rest in between the trek.
Lately, don’t ever hide from your travel agents if you have any long-term illness beforehand. Come clean with the agency so that they can plan an itinerary suitable for your health.
Which Season Is Best For ABC Trek?
Spring and Autumn months are considered as suitable time for the trek.
Spring
The spring season in Nepal begins in March and until May. Especially mid-spring April presents the most favorable trekking environment. The sparkling snow began to melt this time, and the skies became clearer than ever, offering majestic views of Himalayan peaks.
Spring is high time for the forests to blossom and appear pleasing with vibrant wildflowers of different colors, making the trail more picturesque. Since Spring comes with the end of the Winter season, the average temperatures increase, making the climate suitable to walk in.
At the beginning of March, the average daytime temperature scales to 10 degrees Celsius in the lower regions, while the nights remain cold. However, higher altitudes above 4000m still see a freezing temperature.
Then in May, the temperature begins to rise, giving the feeling of warmth. The average daytime temperature scales from 8 to 22 degrees Celsius at lower altitudes. However, the nights still remain colder.
See more: Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March, April and May
Autumn
The autumn season (September, October, November), particularly October, is regarded as one of the best times to trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Autumn spreads wonderful scenery and climatic surroundings.
Autun brings warmth, scaling an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius in the daytime and 7-8 degrees Celsius at night in the lower regions of the Annapurna Circuit trek. But don’t forget that area above 4000m possess negative degrees of temperature.
See more: Annapurna Base Camp Weather September/ October
Off-Season but Doable
Summer
Let’s see how summer treats trekkers during Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Summer is counted as the rainy season of Nepal, the southern slopes of the Himalayas being the rainiest in this region. Trekking in summer is frequent encounters with rainfall, muddy and slippery terrain, and a high risk of leeches. However, rain makes the hot day chill, easy to trek, and nights are bearable cold.
The southern part, around Pokhara, gets heavy rainfall, making the trek unfavorable with the possible mudslides, landslides, flight cancellations, and trail delays. Trekking in the Summer seasons is for adventure lovers who come with flexible times.
However, it is usually dry if you opt for your trek from the northern side of the Annapurna Circuit trek, i.e., the Mustang region, a.k.a. the desert area of Nepal. Treks via these regions in the summer are perfectly doable. Also, you can encounter the dry water bodies such as streams, rivers, and lakes of the area come to life.
Winter
Generally, Winter falls from December to February, bringing a new charm to the region with snow wrapping all the forests and valleys. Winter brings freezing temperatures of 5-10 degrees Celsius in the daytime while below 0 degree Celsius at night. The temperature goes down to minus 5 degree Celsius if you move at higher altitudes (4500 m).
However, snow and freezing temperatures do not bother accommodations and meals here. Try the hot local soups, butter tea, thukpa (soupy noodles), and the evergreen dish of Nepal Daal-Bhat. They are great for warming up your body in the cold region.
You must only be concerned about roadblocks and disasters like avalanches which come along with heavy snowfall during Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Winter.
Flora & Fauna On ABC Trek
With spectacular scenery, Annapurna Base Camp trek presents globally significant
mammal fauna includes the Himalayan Musk deer, Kasmir Musk deer, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, and Chinese Pangolin.
Moreover, ABC Trek is an amazing place for bird-watching. The absolute variety of all six Himalayan pheasants: Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Koklass Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, and Cheer Pheasant along with other birds: Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Barbet, Green-tailed Sunbird, Common Hill Partridge, Large Hawk-Cuckoo can be spotted here.
Accommodation
While on your ABC trek, you will find plenty of tea houses on your trail, providing you with top-class facilities. Though run by locals, you can order any cuisine of your choice. But dal-bhatt and soupy noodles are best in this region.
Further, you can book a room with an attached or common washroom, varying with the pay scale. The high altitude, water flow in the bathroom may sometimes be blocked due to excessive dropping temperature; nevertheless, the tea house is too generous to provide a bucket of hot water.
Most interesting, they always fire woods at night while dining to make your dinner cozy and warm.
Food
The food on the Annapurna base camp region is convenient and offers a wide variety of items on the tea house's menus.
Breakfast options– Include bread, Roti (flat bread), Cookies, French toast with jam and butter, Oatmeal, pancakes, Corn Flakes, Muesli, Hashed browns, porridge, and Veggies.
Lunch options – Nepalese Local: Daal-Bhaat, Thukpa (noodle soup) in different flavors, Momos, Pasta, spring rolls, Sherpa Stew, potatoes, Sandwiches, Pizza, and burgers.
Dinner options- Daal-Bhat (local Nepalese meal), Momos, different varieties of Thukpa, Pasta. Spaghetti, Sherpa Stew, potato items, Sandwiches, Pizza, burgers, and Pizza.
Dessert options- Pastries, Apple pie, Rice Pudding, fruit, and chocolates.
Drink options – Different varieties of Coffees, Black teas, Masala teas, lemon teas, hot lemon, lemonade, hot chocolates, Smoothie, and fruit juice.
See more on: Food, Drink & Accommodation Required for Trekking
Packing List For 7 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek
You don’t need a large backpack for the 7 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Don’t go overboard on the packing.
Here is a list of the things that you’ll need on Intrepid’s 7-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
- Hiking Boots
- Trekking poles
- A pair of exercise leggings or hiking pants
- Trekking socks
- Down Jacket
- Hat/Cap
- Gloves
- A fleece buff
- flip-flop
- Long-sleeved thermal tops
- dry towel
- A wind-/water-proof jacket
- A battery pack
- A water bottle
- A head torch
- Medical kit
- Water purification tablets
- Sunscreen/lip balm/moisturizer
- Sanitary products
The above-mentioned materials can easily be purchased in trekking stores in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
How do I get an Annapurna permit?
Here is an answer to everything you’ll need to get a permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. As aforementioned, Annapurna Base Camp lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so to enter any of the Annapurna regions, all trekkers must have a trekking permit and a TIMs. When you apply for your Annapurna Trekking Permit and TIMS card, they will inquire in detail about your entry and exit dates for Nepal, the itinerary of your trek, entry and exit points of your trek, insurance policy number, and a home-country emergency contact number.
For a permit: visit the Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu: The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in Kathmandu. Or you can go to The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Pokhara.
Travel Insurance
Always get your insurance done while you are on adventurous travel. Be on the safe side even when you are vacationing. In popular culture, travel insurance usually charges 4-10% of a trip's cost, but the insurance price varies with the coverage.
Why travel insurance? Because insurance protects you if you become ill or injured while on vacation. Travel medical insurance covers short-term medical expenses while you are on your journey.
What happens next is undeterminable. Trekking in the mountain area is cool but comes with certain risks and uncertainty. The trails in a mountainous area are not flat. The trails take you uphill, downhill, narrow paths, sloppy, and whatnot. Further, the weather and natural calamities are unpredictable.
So in an emergency, the insurance makes air evacuations or medical transportation if you are severely injured, sick, or in any case of natural calamities. So travel insurance is highly recommended.
Hire Guide and Porter
Traveling to a new place means new people, traditions, and languages. It’s a beautiful feeling to experience all new, but if you don’t know the language, it could be a huge problem. So, hiring a guide is a good option here. They became your voice, translating language. Guides assist you throughout your journey, educating you about the area, community and its people, culture, tradition, and many more.
Tip to toe, Guide manages everything that you will need in your trek: from your documents to permits to accommodation. Also, guides suggest only the best for you.
On the other hand, porters carry your heavy luggage. A heavy load without a porter adds extra challenges to your trek.
Hiring guide and porter makes your 7 days on Annapurna Base Camp Trek convenient.
7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
Seven days Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a budget-friendly trek in Nepal that gives you a lifetime experience. Starting from Ghandruk, this 7 days trek takes you to different Gurung villages, lush forests, various flora and fauna, and a jaw-dropping view of Annapurna range only for $750.
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