EXPLORE NEPAL · TOURS & TREKS

Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

A journey shaped by the landscapes, people and experiences of Nepal.

Offered by Joy Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd.

Duration11 daysTravel styleTrekking
Illustrative Nepal scenery for Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek NEPAL · TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Short Annapurna Base Camp trek offers a moderate 11-day itinerary, accommodating trekkers of all ages and experience levels. With daily walks averaging 5-6 hours, it's accessible to anyone with a desire to trek and reasonable physical fitness. This condensed version of the classic Annapurna Base Camp route provides a perfect alternative for those with time constraints, covering key highlights like Poon Hill and the base camp itself. Starting from Ulleri and concluding in Jhinu Danda, the journey includes a rejuvenating hot spring bath in Jhinu Danda before a relaxing night in Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna region. Ideal for beginners, the best times to embark on the Short Annapurna Base Camp trek are during the Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November) seasons.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Hotel Elevation 914 After early morning breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the tourist bus station. Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours. The drive will take most of our morning time, leaving much of the afternoon to get a warm glimpse of Pokhara Valley and its beauty. If you choose to fly, you can reach Pokhara in 25 minutes. There are several flights from morning to afternoon available from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Pokhara is the tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples along with the magnificent views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and many other mountain peaks. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara. Day Day 2: Drive from Pokhara (914 m.) to Ulleri (2070m.) takes approximately 3 hours. Then trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2675 m.) — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2070 After early morning breakfast, drive from Pokhara (914 m.) to Ulleri (2070m.) takes approximately 3 hours. Then trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2675 m.) passing through dense forest of oak and rhododendron. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 3: Early morning hike up to Poon Hill (3232 m.) takes about one hour. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3232 Early morning hike up to Poon Hill (3232 m.) takes about one hour. Poon Hill is a popular viewpoint to see sunrise/sunset and majestic views of tallest Himalayan peaks. After spending sometime in Poon Hill, hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast and then continue trekking towards Tadapani (2630m) which takes about four and half hours. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 4: Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170 m) takes about 5 and half hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2170 Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170 m) takes about 5 and half hours. For the first part, the trail descends by way of rhododendron forests till Kimrung Khola. Once you cross the Kimrong Khola, the trail moves uphill for some time before it plateaus. En route you will pass through Gurjung village and from here it takes 2 hrs to reach Chhomrong. Chhomrong is the entry point for Annapurna Base Camp. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 5: Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan (2600m) takes approximately 5 hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2300 Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan (2600m) takes approximately 5 hours. The train in the beginning descends until you cross a small bridge. From here it’s a long steep ascent up to Sinuwa. The path heads through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forests. Enjoy local farming in terraced landscapes all around. Stay overnight in lodge. Day Day 6: Trek Dovan to Deurali (3200 m) takes approximately 5 hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 3200 Trek Dovan to Deurali (3200 m) takes approximately 5 hours. The trail gradually ascends all the way to Deurali along the Modi Khola. The region is rich in bio diversity and full of bamboo and rhododendron forest. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 7: Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4170 m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m.) takes about four hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Guest House Elevation 4170 Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4170 m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m.) takes about four hours. This is one of the places, where you can enjoy the view of Mount Hiunchuli (6441m.), Annapurna South (7229m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna III (7555m.), Gangapurna (7454m.) and Machhapuchhare or Fish Tail (6997m.). The path follows through alpine forest. After a short trek, you begin to approach Annapurna Base Camp (4170m.). From here, you can see the panoramic views of several peaks. Stay overnight at Annapurna Guest House. Day Day 8: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp takes about six to seven hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 2310 Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp takes about six to seven hours. The trail gradually descends passing through bamboo forests. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 9: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m.) takes about five hours. — Food Breakfast/lunch/dinner Accomodation Lodge Elevation 1780 Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m.) takes about five hours. We will descend through Sinuwa and Choomrong. After Bamboo, the trail goes steeply up to the KuldiGhar and now the trail is quite flat until you reach Sinuwa. You trek gradually descends to the ChhomrongKhola and you have to follow stone staircase for almost an hour to reach Chhomrong. 1 hr further down will take you to Jhinu Danda. You can visit a natural hot spring in Modi Khola, which is 20 minutes hike from Jhinu Danda. Stay overnight at lodge. Day Day 10: Drive from Jhinudanda (1780m.) to Pokhara (914m.) takes about 4 hour. — Food Breakfast Accomodation Hotel Elevation 914 Drive from Jhinudanda (1780m.) to Pokhara (914m.) takes about 4 hour. You will drive to Pokhara by 4WD jeep. This is a scenic drive passing through villages, jungle, river and farm land. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara. Day Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about six hours. — Food Breakfast Elevation 1400 After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about six hours. En route, you will enjoy the beautiful mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable gardens and locals getting engaged in their daily chores.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about seven hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 2Drive from Pokhara (914 m.) to Ulleri (2070m.) takes approximately 3 hours. Then trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani (2675 m.) —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 3Early morning hike up to Poon Hill (3232 m.) takes about one hour. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 4Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170 m) takes about 5 and half hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 5Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan (2600m) takes approximately 5 hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 6Trek Dovan to Deurali (3200 m) takes approximately 5 hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 7Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4170 m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m.) takes about four hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 8Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m.) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp takes about six to seven hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 9Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m.) takes about five hours. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 10Drive from Jhinudanda (1780m.) to Pokhara (914m.) takes about 4 hour. —+

Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.

Day 11Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes about six hours. —+

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KNOW WHAT'S COVERED

What's included in your experience

Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private car
  • One professional trekking guide  
  • One porter for every 2 participants (1 porter carries 25 kilograms of luggage) 
  • All meals 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Accommodation in lodges during the trek
  • Sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags and trekking poles if required
  • 2 night hotel accommodation with breakfast at 3 star standards hotel 
  • Entry Permit for Annapurna conservation Area
  • Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
  • All land transportation: Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by a/c deluxe tourist bus and Pokhara – Ulleri and Jhinu Danda - Pokhara by private 4-WD jeep   
  • Salary, meals, accommodation, insurance and equipment for the guide and porter
  • First aid kit
  • Tax, VAT and our service charge
  • Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)
  • Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening

Not included

  • Personal nature expenses (Telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any alcoholic beverages)
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for involved staffs
  • Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
  • Meals and hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (even in case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking due to any personal reason than the scheduled itinerary)
PLAN AHEAD

Essential trip information

Accommodation

Lodge / Guest house

Fitness & eligibility

3

Meeting point

Kathmandu

What to bring

  • Below is a list of equipment and clothing required for trekking. The necessity of these items depends on the type, altitude, timing and destination of trekking. Appropriate trekking gears are not only required for the comfort/pleasure of your trek but also to improve safety factor.  Please have a look over these items in order to fully prepare and thoroughly enjoy the trekking. 
  • General Items:
  • Daypack, Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Duffel bag, Walking Poles, walking boots, sandals, Toiletries (Soaps, Toilet papers, Sanitizers, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc.)
  • Clothing Items:
  • Thermal underwear, Down jacket, Shorts, Trekking trousers, Towels, Woolen gloves, Gaiters, Fleece jacket or Pullover, Wind/water proof jacket, Raincoat, Warm socks, buff   
  • Sun-worn Items:
  • Sun hat, Sunglasses, Snow goggles, Sunscreen, Lip balm
  • Gadgets:
  • Headlamp, Flash light, Binoculars, Cameras (chargers and batteries),  
  • Liquid/Snacks:
  • Water bottle/bladder, Water purification Iodine tablets, Energy bars and snacks
  • Medical Essentials:
  • First Aid Kit 
  • Optional:
  • Altimeter, Compass, Binoculars, Books/magazines, GPS, Pocket knife, Candles (for lodges), Notebook with pencil/pen, etc 
  • Additional items for camping trek:
  • Tent, Stove and fuel, Utensils for cooking, eating and drinking, sleeping mattresses
  • Note: We can also provide sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, walking poles, and First Aid Kit in case if you don’t have one. These items are inclusive of total package price. 
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