Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 5 days

When is the best time to visit Annapurna Base Camp?

The 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek stands out as the best experience in the peak trekking seasons, of Spring and Autumn, which is also considered a busy/and ideal season to trek the Himalayas. During this peak time, you can expect the weather and temperature to remain stable and moderate, with mild humidity, offering clear views of the mountains and landscapes.

Even though this trek is considered an all-time, accessible, and all-around journey, we highly suggest you not to undertake this journey during monsoon and winter seasons, as due to the heavy percipitation (rainfall and snowfall), the trip becomes quite difficult to navigate, because of harsh climatic conditions, slippery lower annapurna region terrains and high snow fall, near the base camp after crossing 3600 meters.

Why choose Spring (March to May)?

Spring is basically one of the favourite times to explore and hike in the Himalayas. During this span of the year, the dense forest gets painted beautifully, in the shade of red and pink, with the clear views of mountains in the backdrop.

As the winter season just bid goodbye, and welcomes the new flora and fresh air, throughout the trailhead, the route remains dry, and the unhindered surroundings get displayed without any fogginess. While meandering in the forested area, at low altitude, we might even catch a glimpse of rare wildlife and migrating birds. The day sunlight lasts longer, where we can walk around freely, explore more, and take great pictures, without worrying about the darkness as well. 

Hence, if you are a wanderer who loves nature and is a beginner, who is just new to high elevation trek, then the spring season is the one for you, considering three major aspects: views, mild humidity, and thriving lush valleys that are filled with blooming flowers.

Why Autumn (September to November)?

Annapurna Base Camp marks its place as the best Autumn season trek to venture out, as during this span of the year, the major festivals of Nepal, Dashain and Tihar, fall in between, offering a unique insight into the Annapurna region to visitors. The villages that you will basically be settled in throughout the journey are filled with love, joy, and heart-warming celebrations, with welcoming locals, fully thriving in festive mode. It is also one of the busiest seasons of all time, where the routes are basically crowded with hikers, where we can mingle and make new friends, sharing our stories all along.

As Autumn comes after just the end of monsoon time, the weather gets clear, with no possibility of heavy rainfall or snowfall, making the route safe and easy to navigate as well. The surrounding Himalayan peaks and varied landscapes can be beautifully witnessed from some of the iconic viewpoints, without the gloominess that accompanies the journey as well. 

Whether you choose Spring or Autumn, both of the peak seasons, offer unique experiences and the beauty of the Himalayas, with safe routes to navigate; meanwhile, adventure seekers can consider winter time to trek as well, however, they must be well prepared and pack the right gear to tackle harsh cold temperatures.

How difficult is the 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The 5-day ABC Trek is the shortest trek of this trail, and anyone can reach the Annapurna Sanctuary, so some challenges are quite expected if proper preparations aren't made beforehand. Walking for a straight 6-7 hours each day, by matching up the pace of a regular route with a rapidly changing high altitude, isn't an easy task that can be completed in the blink of an eye. 

However, the trails are well-maintained apart from some of the steep, rugged sections, making the trek moderate. If you are someone who has prior experience, then the long day of hiking wouldn't be a big deal. But don't overlook the trekking trail, as it is both mentally and physically tiring. One of the most challenging sections is the route from Chhomrong to Himalaya, as during this day, you must cover approximately. 07 hours, with some uphill walks included as well, compared to this, the final ascent to ABC is easier; nonetheless, someone being physically fit and fine can smoothly cover the walking hour and distance.

The highest elevation reached by this trek is 4130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), which can be a bit challenging to reach due to the thin air at such a high altitude. Therefore, it is essential to follow preventive guidelines beforehand. Just make sure to check your oxygen level with an oximeter every day to ensure you are not experiencing any effects of altitude sickness.

While referring to the challenging sections, thinking that this trek is just for pro hikers and not beginners is a myth. This trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal can be done by anyone, even beginners. Being prepared by engaging in some physical exercises like walking with some loads, swimming, yoga (for mental focus), or even going up and down by staircase would be a great help if you haven't hiked before.

In short, this 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek suits anyone; you just need to have a great patience and perseverance level. Just keep four words in mind: "I can do it." With this mindset, this expedition becomes 90% easier. Meanwhile, one must consider being physically and medically fit and carry the required gear and essentials, taking into account all seasonal variations and the potential for unfavorable weather conditions ahead.

To know more and get detailed insights, here is an overview of our recently updated blog entitled: Annapurna Base Camp Challenges and Preparation Tips.

Accommodations

There’s no doubt that the trails of Annapurna Base Camp navigate through the route of several tea houses and lodges. The authenticity of each homestay offers something unique and a touch of rawness as they are operated by none other than the locals. Don't expect some lavish room infrastructure; it is quite basic and cozy enough, made out of wood and white stones. As much as we ascend higher, we have limited options to choose from. During your stay, blankets, pillows, single bedroom will be provided. 

In fact, getting a room is a huge deal during peak season, but don’t worry, everything will be arranged before the trip starts. There won’t be any compromise on your comfort and safety throughout your trek. As our 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek package covers all the accommodations required for this trip, with an attached washroom, in the lower trails, whereas at the higher elevation, near the base camp, only eastern-style toilets are available. On the other hand, only the twin rooms are available, on a sharing basis, with your hiking partner, whereas if you are a female trekker or a solo traveler, then single rooms will be provided accordingly.

Foods 

Almost every tea house on the route to the Annapurna Short Trek serves top-notch quality food with a wide variety of menus to choose from. From Western, continental, and Asian to local cuisines, you’ll get everything that you are looking for without compromising your taste buds. Our package covers the standard meals, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, with a cup of tea or coffee per day, making sure that your tummy is happy, satisfied, and keeps you energized, along with warming you up.

Just make sure to order a day before (dinner time) for the early morning breakfast, so you can have the breakfast as soon as possible without any waiting. You’ll be provided a menu given by the tea house, just order it, and then it will be freshly cooked within a few minutes. 

Meal options: Tibetan bread, French toast served with butter and jam, Chapati (roti) with curry, Omelette, pizza, burger, sandwich, pasta, vegetable, any type of curry (veg or non-veg), Nepali noodles, momo, and "the ultimate Dal Bhat".

Note: If you are vegan, lactose intolerant, or allergic to some foods, please say it beforehand to make sure that the meals are prepared accordingly.

Is this 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek safe?

Yes, the 5 Days ABC Trekking is surely safe to undertake, even though it is a rapid version of the standard itinerary, with navigation assistance from the experienced licensed guide; this trip can be smoothly commenced without any hazardous conditions. There are several sections, like landslide areas, avalanche-prone sections, and dense forested routes; that is why the help of the experienced trekking guide remains crucial. 

Other than that, if you are in a dilemma or in nerves, regarding the high mountain altitude sickness, which usually happens in any kind of Himalayan adventure, then this 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary is professionally customized, starting from Pokhara, with an elevation gain of 400 to 500 meters per day.

The ascent is not slow, as it is a rapid trek to ABC; however, the elevation gain is moderate, where you can comfortably hike further and ascend by adopting the rising altitude. However, ensure to follow some of the essential preventive guidelines beforehand and throughout the journey, to avoid the risk of AMS (acute mountain sickness), such as hydrating yourself with 4 to 5 liters per day, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, during the trek, and maintaining your pace level and balanced food diets. 

Nonetheless, with a planned safe ascent itinerary, following safety guidelines, proper gear, and packing consideration according to seasonal basis, this short trek to ABC is safe to proceed. 

Communication Facilities

For the communication, you surely do not have anything to worry about, as being well facilitated, the route to Annapurna Base Camp is equipped with proper amenities, such as WIFI, telephone, or even satellite phones at some tea houses. Extra charges might be asked for you, which is somewhere between USD 2-3 to connect to the Wi-Fi, which can only be accessed in the dining area, as the electricity is run by the satellite. Whereas, for the telephone and satellite call, the cost ranges from USD 1-5, depending on the hourly basis.

On the other hand, for great accessibility, the best communication remains the phone call or internet connectivity via SIM Card, so ensure to get one, while staying in Pokhara or Kathmandu, for NPR 100 - USD 0.90 per SIM. While buying, go for the NTC SIM Card, as it works better at such remote trailheads. Being on the trekking route, you can simply get connected with your phone itself, whereas, at the tea house, in a higher elevation, the wifi connectivity and call services are available, hence, the communication accessibility won't be a problem throughout the Rapid Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Guides and Porters for the 5-Day ABC Trek

As our Annapurna Short Trek starts from Pokhara, for 5 Days, the guide will basically meet you at the hotel to start the journey, and the trip soonly begins soon after with a jeep drive to Siwai - the startimg point, Throughout the journey, our trekking guide, will accompany and assist you who are experienced, licensed and medically equipped, being perfectly fluent in English Speaking as well. They've accompanied more than hundreds of hikers along the trailhead, so do not worry about safe navigation; they will basically assist you through the best terrains, covering every highlighted corner. They will comprehensively explain every mountain you gaze at, historical aspects of the places you visit, and let you connect with locals more deeply, enhancing your trip one level up.

On the other hand, porters are the ones who will carry your backpack and keep your belongings safe, letting you ascend in ease, without physically draining you. 1 porter can carry up to 22 kgs, which can be shared between 2 trekkers; however, as the porter is not included in our Annapurna Base Camp 5 Days Trek Cost, you need to extra cost of USD 18 per day, daily, for the porter service, if you are a beginner, meanwhile, it is not compuslorily necessary as the trip is short, you might not carry overload backpack.

Is Travel Insurance required?

Although this trek is short and doesn't even exceed a week to week. But hiking on such a high-altitude day isn't an easy task. There is always some kind of risk circulating in the mountains. There are no such major accidents that have happened in the Annapurna Sanctuary; however, just to make sure that everything goes right and to make your hike tension-free. Travel insurance for the 5 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Pokhara is highly recommended, and it will be best if you get the insurance in your home country. Please make sure that it covers cases like thefts, evacuations, and medical insurance.

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Permits Cost

To do this 5-day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek, two permits must be attained, which you can either get from Pokhara or Kathmandu. Our package does cover the required permits; hence, you do not need to purchase them on your own. The two permits mark to be the TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System Card) and secondly, the ACAP, known as the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. 

While the ACAP cost highly varies on a nationality basis, that is NPR 3000 per head for foreign trekkers and NPR 1000 for Nepalese or SAARC citizens, whereas the TIMS Card cost approx. NPR 2000, for all kinds of hikers of every nationality, and costs only NPR 300 for SAARC nationalities.

Packing Essentials 

To do the 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Pokhara, there are some packing items and essentials that you must consider for a smooth and hassle-free journey. While packing, ensure to consider all the seasonal variations, as the weather and temperature changes frequently, in the Himalayas, especially at the higher elevations. Here are some of the packing recommendations for this short trek to ABC, which are highly suggested to you:

• Duffle Bag or Day Backpack: 50-62 liters (Large), and approx. 23 litres for a day backpack - the porters will take care of the duffle bag if included
• Waist bag: To keep the daily snacks, and essentials, like cash, charger, sunscreen, sun shades, etc.
• Head Wear: Cap, Head Scarf, Brimmed Hat, Sunglasses
• Body Wear: Dry Fit T-shirt, Normal Hiking T-shirt, Full-sleeved T-shirt (Moisture-wicking), Light-weight Hiking Pants - Shorts
• Jackets: Down Jacket or Puffer Jacket, Rain-protected shield jacket (waterproof), Sleeping Bag (-5 to -15 degrees Celsius), only if required
• Miscellaneous Items: Sunscreen, Trekking poles (1 pair adjustable one), Toiletries Items, Documents like Travel Insurance, Passport, Photocopies, Permits, Water Bottle, etc.
• Electronics: Power Bank, Chargers, Extra Batteries, Torch Light (headlight if possible)
• First Aid Kit: Precautions, medicines, oximeter - to check your pulse rate, and water purification tablets - to purify the water, keeping it safe and cleansed

To get detailed guidance on the packing requirements, you can take an overview of our guidelines on what to pack for the ABC Trek, which gives you a total insight into what the essentials, that you must enlist for the trip beforehand.

Last-minute Booking

Even though it is quite hard for us to book the trip at the last minute, Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition will arrange it for you to make your 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek possible even during peak season without any problem. But to confirm the last-minute booking for the trek, you must pay 100%, and there will be no refund, as we must pay for a guide, porters, and accommodation before the trek just to make the trip. For more details, make sure to WhatsApp or Viber (+977 9851016814) or email us directly at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com.