Trekking · Nepal
Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek
The fast way into the Annapurna sanctuary — a 7-10 day trek from Pokhara to Base Camp at 4,130 m.
The short Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is the fastest way into one of the Himalaya's great natural amphitheatres — a glacial sanctuary at 4,130 metres ringed by the 8,091-metre Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre's fishtail spire and a wall of snow peaks. With jeep transfers now reaching deep into the Modi Khola valley, fit walkers can complete it in seven to ten days from Pokhara without losing the route's scenic heart.
The short answer
Drive from Pokhara up the valley to a trailhead such as Siwai or Jhinu, then climb the Modi Khola gorge through Chhomrong, Bamboo and Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp and on to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m. Return the same way, optionally soaking at the Jhinu hot springs, and shorten the descent with another jeep ride out.
Day-by-day outline
Days 1-2: Pokhara to Chhomrong
Transfer by jeep from Pokhara up toward Jhinu or Siwai, then walk to the stone-built village of Chhomrong, the gateway to the sanctuary, with its first close views of the fishtail peak.
Days 3-4: Chhomrong to Deurali
Drop to the river, then climb steadily through the bamboo and rhododendron forest of Bamboo, Dovan and Himalaya to Deurali, where the valley narrows and the air thins.
Day 5: Into the sanctuary
Walk past Machhapuchhre Base Camp (around 3,700 m) into the open glacial bowl of Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, surrounded by a 360-degree ring of peaks. Time it for sunrise on the snow if you overnight here.
Days 6-7+: Descend and exit
Retrace your steps down the valley, with an optional stop at the riverside hot springs below Jhinu, then jeep back to Pokhara from a lower trailhead.
How it compares
ABC is shorter and lower than the full Annapurna Circuit and gentler on the legs than the high crossings, but it still tops 4,000 metres. For a softer warm-up, the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek makes an excellent first Himalayan walk and can be bolted onto the start of an ABC trip. For drier, Tibetan-flavoured terrain on the far side of the range, see the Jomsom-Muktinath itinerary.
Before you go
Sort your ACAP permit and TIMS card and a licensed guide in Pokhara, and read the Nepal trekking guide for kit and logistics. Because the sanctuary sits above 4,000 metres, review the signs and prevention in our altitude sickness in Nepal guide before you start. Choose your window with the best time to visit Nepal. This trek is part of the wider regional and city itineraries cluster, and it bookends neatly with a few cultural days on the Kathmandu 4-day itinerary before or after the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the short Annapurna Base Camp trek take?+
A streamlined Annapurna Base Camp trek takes about seven to ten days from Pokhara. Jeep transfers up the valley to and from trailheads like Siwai or Jhinu now shave a day or two off the classic route, letting fit walkers reach Base Camp and return in roughly a week. Adding the Poon Hill loop lengthens it.
How high is Annapurna Base Camp and is altitude a risk?+
Annapurna Base Camp sits at about 4,130 metres, with Machhapuchhre Base Camp just below it. Mild altitude symptoms are possible, so ascend steadily, sleep low when you can and watch for headaches or nausea. The trek gains height gradually through Chhomrong, which helps, but never rush the final climb into the sanctuary.
Do I need a guide and permits for Annapurna Base Camp?+
Yes. You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and the TIMS card, both arranged in Pokhara or Kathmandu, and a licensed guide is now required for trekking in the area. Teahouses line the route, so you do not need to carry a tent or food.
When is the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?+
Autumn (October to November) and spring (March to April) are best, with stable weather and clear mountain views; spring also brings blooming rhododendron forests on the lower trail. Winter is doable but cold with snow risk at the sanctuary, and the monsoon brings rain, leeches and cloud.
