Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek - 7 Days

We offer free Tribhuvan International Airport pick-up and drop-off service for trekkers who have booked treks/tours with us. Upon your arrival, a Discovery World Trekking representative holding a pamphlet with your name will greet you at the airport and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. We provide this service to ensure you do not face any difficulties in a foreign country.

 

Trek start

ABC trek starts from Kathmandu with a drive to Pokhara. It is a short trek that focuses on the Annapurna Base Camp. Transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and vice-versa on a tourist bus is included in the package. The flight/private transport from Pokhara to Kathmandu or vice-versa is available at extra cost.

Accommodation

Annapurna Base Camp Trek includes six six-night lodge stay at the best available lodges/hotels in the trekking regions and two nights in a Pokhara hotel.

We provide three nights, rooms with attached bathrooms at Ghandruk, Chomrong, and Jhinu Danda, and three nights in standard rooms at Himalaya, Chomrong, Annapurna Base Camp, Bamboo(Generally twin sharing room for groups) You will spend two nights at a hotel in Pokhara. The room comes with an attached bathroom, TV, 24-hour hot water, power, and laundry facility. Solo travelers will stay in a single private room with an attached bathroom wherever available and in a single private accommodation in other places. Hot showers and Wi-Fi are available at trekking regions for an extra cost.

Two two-night hotel stay in Kathmandu before and after the trek may be required but not included in the package. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and tastes. 

Meals

Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes place in high elevations and requires plenty of nutritious food. You will get enough healthy food during the trek, but options are limited compared to big cities. We select the best lodges available in the trekking regions for hygienic, tasty, and nutritious food. 

We will provide you with 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners during the trek. All meals are on a full-board (main course) basis. 

The menu includes traditional, Asian, and Western cuisine, but the menu gets shorter and shorter as we climb up. We highly recommend you take fresh vegetables and liquids (green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup(must)) at high altitudes. When you are in Nepal, we recommend you try out popular Nepali foods, like dal (lentil), bhat (rice), tarkari (curry), momo (dumplings), and Chow mein (noodles).

Though plenty of non-veg items will be available in trekking regions, we will not recommend them because the meat in such places may not be hygienic. We highly encourage you to avoid dairy, alcoholic drinks, caffeinated items, and hot chocolates.

All personal bills (alcoholic drinks, hot (tea, coffee), and cold drinks) in tea houses/ lodges/cafes except standard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner with seasonal fruits) are excluded from the package. Lunch and dinner at Pokhara are also excluded from this package.

Luggage

One porter will carry two trekkers' luggage and the combined weight will not exceed 18kg. So, the weight limit is 9 kg per trekker. However, if you want, you can hire additional porters. We expect you to carry a regular backpack for your documents and other valuables. Please bring only the essentials. You can store the non-essentials for free at the Discovery World Trekking store. We will recheck the things you are carrying (luggage, equipment, etc.) before the trek start.

Typical day

Every day provides a fresh trekking experience: climbing joys, fantastic landscape views, and chances to explore traditional villages. Throughout the trekking, our experienced and friendly guide/Sherpa will be sharing information and historical facts about the places as you trek. Porters will carry your luggage.

The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After breakfast, you set off on the day’s walk around 7 AM to 8 AM, depending on the duration and nature of the walk. You will trek for three to four hours before lunch. After lunch, you will rest for an hour and continue to that day's destination.

The afternoon walk is generally shorter - about two to three hours. Once you reach our overnight lodge/tea house/tent, you can snack on the extra dietary food and utilize your free time to explore nearby places.

You will have your dinner at around 7 PM. After dinner, we indulge in friendly conversations. Your trek leader/guide will brief you about the next day's plan. After this briefing, you can enjoy games like Monopoly, cards or watch available mountaineering documentaries. Most foreigners learn a few Nepali words from our crew or read books before heading to bed.

Electricity and water

Throughout the lodges in Annapurna Base Camp trekking regions, electricity for the camera and mobile battery recharge is available at an extra cost. For water, you can buy either packed mineral water from local lodges and en route shops or fill boiled water in your water bottle at an extra cost. We can provide you with a purification pill if required. You shouldn't drink water from the rivers, taps, or wells in the trek regions because water might not be potable.

 

Communication

During the Annapurna Base Camp hike, the internet is available at lodges/hotels/tea houses for an additional cost. However, once we reach high altitudes, we will use phones for communication. Discovery World Trekking office will remain in contact with all its trek groups at least once a day through the team guide to ensure that the trek is progressing as expected. You can buy a local sim card in Kathmandu for communication. However, depending on the kind of network you use, you might get signals, but they may not be strong enough at high altitudes. 

Tipping

Nepali culture accepts tipping as proof of good service. Tipping should be based on the quality of service received, trek length, and trek cost and should be at the trekkers' discretion. We encourage you to tip at the end of the trip and as a group.

 

Trek End

Your trek will end on the seventh day. On this day, we will drive you from Ghanruk Phedi to Pokhara via Birethanti and Nayapul. Your trek package ends in Pokhara. Later, we will organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. 

Feedback

After you complete Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Discovery World Trekking will host a farewell dinner in Kathmandu. After the dinner, we will provide you with a trek achievement certificate (hard copy). If you are happy with our service, we encourage you to leave feedback on famous trek portals.

Useful Info

Please note the itinerary above is a general guideline, which we will follow as far as possible but in rare cases, we might need to modify the itinerary for circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse weather, landslides, floods, etc. In case of itinerary modification, your guide will decide on the alternative path, keeping in mind the interests of all trekkers.

Trip extension

After completing Annapurna Base Camp Trek, if you have extra days, you can participate in sightseeing tours in and around Kathmandu Valley. You have other options, such as Chitwan Jungle Safari, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, or even taking part in another trek.

 

Departure

On the day you depart to your home country, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan Internation Airport in a private vehicle. We hope you enjoyed your trek in Nepal and will be back for some more.

The weather is the decisive factor you need to consider for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Trek to Annapurna in Nepal is possible throughout the year, but certain seasons are more favorable. If you want an easy trek, the spring and autumn seasons are for you as the skies are clear, temperatures are favorable, and views are breathtaking.

Discovery World Trekking conducts Annapurna Base Camp trek throughout the year. Here is an insight into weather at high altitudes in the trekking regions based on seasons.

Annapurna Base Camp in Spring (March-May): Annapurna Base Camp trek during spring (March-May) is favorable and attracts mountain lovers and travel enthusiasts from all over the world. In this season, temperatures are mild, the rainfall is low, and the trekking conditions are perfect. The mean daily temperature at the Annapurna Base Camp is between 10 to 0°C. Lower regions are warmer, which makes the trek more pleasurable. The trekking season begins after March. By April, the forests look spectacular with blooming red, pink, and white rhododendron flowers. 

Annapurna Base Camp in Summer (June - August): The summer spans from June to August in Nepal but coincides with the monsoon. The temperatures can be quite high. However, the trails may be wet and slippery. Monsoon generally begins at the end of June and continues to the second week of August. The temperatures during these days range from 10°C to 23°C. The nights are cooler at around 5°C to 10°C. Normally, the mornings are clear, but clouds start building in the afternoon and disappear at night. Various plants bloom during this season, making the valleys look greener.

Annapurna Base Camp in Autumn (September - November): Autumn is a perfect season for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Moderate temperatures, mild wind, and low precipitation during this season provide favorable trekking conditions. In autumn, the sun shines brightly, the skies are clear, and you get a superb view of the mountains. The nights are clear, as well, allowing you an undisturbed view of starry skies. The monsoons will be over by early September, and the days are mild to warm. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 20°C in high altitudes. The nights are cooler at around 5°C. The greens that grew during the monsoon fade to golden/amber providing a spectacular contrast against the crystal blue skies. During this season, you will find the grains ripening in the terraced fields. The environment is clean, and the lowlands are lush. The biggest Nepali festivals - Dashain & Tihar - add a festive mood to the entire region.

Annapurna Base Camp in Winter (December - February): Winter treks to Annapurna Base Camp are less popular than spring or autumn treks. The trekking regions are cold, but it excites a different breed of trekkers looking for challenges. The temperature at Annapurna Base Camp can get as low as -10°C. The coldest time lasts from late December to early February. After late February, the weather gradually warms and reaches around -5°C at high altitudes. Daytime is pleasantly warm with sunshine. Despite being cold, the skies are usually clear, and snow-capped mountains look their best during winter. Winter is also the season when the trails are least busy. Though we do not recommend trek beginners for a winter trek to Annapurna Base Camp, seasoned trekkers can complete the trek without any problem.

Trek difficulty

There are no physical requirements for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, a moderate trek. The hiking is usually 6 to 7 hrs per day, with periodic breaks to enjoy the stunning mountain views. Trek routes involve long climbs, steep descents, and straight trails. Prior hiking experience would be an added advantage, but no experience or technical skills are necessary.

Trekkers who can hike 6 to 7 hours daily with a light day pack can complete this trek. Some days require longer walking hours, so you must be reasonably fit, as trekking at high altitudes is physically demanding.

Trek Safety

Discovery World Trekking guarantees the safety and security of all our guests. Our itinerary is well-created, providing enough time for acclimatization. We use oximeters at high trek altitudes to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels. 

We take the following precautions.

• Our crew carries all necessary gear, equipment, and first-aid kits
• The team guide has full authority to decide whether or not to ascend in case someone in the team is sick.
• In emergencies, we will deploy a helicopter for evacuation (funded by insurance)
• All the team will trek together.
• Our crew has years of experience in the high Himalayas.

 

DWT Team

Throughout your trek, experienced Discovery World Trekking guides/Sherpas from the high Himalayas will accompany you. They will also inform you about the trekking regions you will be visiting.

Porters also form a part of your hiking team. We assign one porter for every two trekkers. Since our crew members come from the high Himalayas, they have high endurance and are very comfortable at high altitudes. 

All of our staff members are very valuable to us. We pay them well and cover their insurance, clothing, food, lodging, and equipment costs. They also receive medical care when injured. We try to keep our staff members happy because only happy people can make others happy. 

Our staff members have:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid Training
• Government Authorized Trekking Guide certificate
• Fluency in speaking English and other major languages
• Conservation and Biodiversity training
• Rock climbing experience

Visa

All foreigners except Indians need a visa to enter Nepal. You can get an on-arrival visa at Tribhuvan International Airport or Nepal border checkpoints. To apply for the on-arrival visa, you need:

• a passport with at least six months of validity
• one passport-size photo
• visa application fee ( the current cost for 30 days is USD 50 (paid in cash)

The Nepal Government can change the visa requirements without notice, so please find the latest visa information at www.immigration.gov.np.

Chinese and SAARC countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka - citizens get free visas. Some countries- including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan- may not get an on-arrival visa. If you are a citizen of these countries, contact the nearest Nepalese Embassy. 

We recommend you schedule at least 1-2 days extra just in case of a trek delay. This will ensure you will not miss your international flight back home.

Trek booking 

Discovery world trekking is a Nepal government-authorized and bonded trek and tour operator. We are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).

We require a 10 percent advance during trip booking and urge you to email us other necessary documents - including passport copy, passport size photos, travel insurance policy, and flight details within a week of booking. 

You can pay through bank transfer, western union, or using our online payment on our website. You can pay the rest of the trip cost in cash, by bank transfer, or using credit cards once you arrive in Nepal. We will also email you payment options and methods.

You can book this Annapurna Base Camp short trek here.

Currency exchange 

Nepali Rupees (NPR/Rs) is the local currency. (1 USD = ~130 NPR).

You can exchange major foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel. The money exchanges display ongoing exchange rates visibly.

To avoid hassles such as lengthy processes and high bank commission rates, we advise you to bring cash (major currencies) and exchange them at Kathmandu. You can also bring your foreign credit/debit card and withdraw Nepalese Rupees from ATMs in Kathmandu. Most ATMs open around the clock. The maximum amount you can withdraw is Rs. 35,000 for a fee of Rs.500. 

Extra personal expenses

Meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are up to our clients themselves. Kathmandu has a broad range of hotels for every taste and budget. All our valuable clients will need personal spending money to cover costs - including meals and accommodations in Kathmandu,  lunch, and dinner in Pokhara, visa fees, travel insurance policy purchase, beverages, snacks for the trek, hot (tea, coffee), and cold drinks, tips for the trekking crew, souvenirs, etc

Travel Insurance

Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderately difficult, and there are chances of high altitude sickness or other unforeseen events-including sudden climate changes.

Travel insurance is compulsory for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Discovery World Trekking before starting the trek. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation- including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes.

We can recommend insurance companies based on our clients' experience, but we do not sell insurance. We request you to send your detailed insurance information within a week of trip booking. We will use your insurance information in case of emergencies. 

Last-minute booking

For those unable to book Annapurna Base Camp Trek in advance, Discovery World Trekking has a provision for last-minute booking. In case of last-minute booking, we require 100 percent of the trek cost payment 24 hours - before the trek departure date. 

Please note that Discovery World Trekking tries its best to conduct trips as scheduled, but in case of last-minute booking, you cannot hold us responsible for delays due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather extremities or lodge unavailability.  

 For more information, contact us at (Call/Viber/WhatsApp) 977- 9840055491 (Paul) or email [email protected].

Group & private trek

We organize group as well as a private trek. Group discounts are available - the bigger your group is, the more discounts you will receive. However, you will not get discounts for groups Discovery World Trekking assembles. We can handle all group sizes. In each group, there will be a guide along with porters. We will also add an assistant guide for a group of 12 or more.

Responsible travel

We try our best to protect the fragile ecosystems in the trekking regions. Due to the high numbers of trekkers, there is a chance that the trekking region environment can suffer. So, Discovery World Trekking tries its best not to disturb the trek region's ecology. 

Furthermore, Discovery World Trekking works with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to conduct sustainable eco-friendly trips. We try hard to make sure that both trekkers and locals can benefit from each other.

Notes

Please note that your Annapurna Base Camp short trek has fixed departure dates from Kathmandu/Pokhara. However, if the dates do not suit you, let us know, and we can organize this trek at your convenience.