Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 6 Days

Your trip starts with a very early morning drive up to the foothills of the Annapurna region, north of Pokhara. The path takes you through beautiful countryside villages, terraced farmlands and meandering rivers to Jhinu Danda, where the trek begins. Once you have a brief tea break and given your gear check, you will cross a long suspension bridge where your trek officially starts. 

The trail continues to climb to the top of the hill on stone steps carved into the hill. You will go through small villages of farmers, through forests and ridge and beautiful views of the valleys. The path is lined with flowering rhododendrons in spring and there are prayer flags at regular intervals marking the route ahead.

The destination of the day is Chhomrong, a pretty Gurung village built on a ridge overlooking the Annapurna range and Machapuchare. On the way to Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it is the best camping site for all trekkers. You will find a teahouse and have a good dinner, and be ready to have a longer day tomorrow.

The day begins with a steep walk down stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola, and a suspension bridge crossing. At that point, you will start a gradual uphill walk through dense forests to Sinuwa, and then proceed on a shady trail into more bamboo thickets and jungle areas.

The path is wavy as it goes through valleys and hills, offering a mix of uphill and downhill sections, and sometimes the snowy mountains can be seen through the trees. You will go by Bamboo, a little village, and then on to Dovan, which is hidden away in a quiet, peaceful forest ravine.

Dovan is peaceful and not as busy as other stops, which makes it a good place to rest and recover. The humid, cool air and the roar of the Modi Khola nearby make the overnight stay very peaceful. You will sleep early after a satisfying dinner to prepare for the next day's high-altitude climb.

Leaving Dovan, the path ascends gradually through the thick forests and the narrow gorges. The vegetation starts to thin as you climb and the terrain is more open and rugged. It will take you through the village of Deurali, where the landscape suddenly changes to an alpine landscape and glacier rivers.

Upon arrival at Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC), you will have a brief rest with an amazing view of the sacred, fishtail-shaped peak of Machapuchare. The trail leaves MBC and then gradually ascends along a broad glacial basin, with high cliffs and icy streams around. The air is getting thinner at high altitude, and as you walk slowly, you take in the breathtaking views.

After a long time, you will arrive at Annapurna Base Camp, a natural amphitheatre of some of the highest mountains in the world. The base camp is the highlight of the trek where the snow-capped giants surround you. You will reach there in the afternoon, have a sleep at the teahouse and be ready to see an incredible sunrise in the morning.

Get up early and watch a magical Himalayan sunrise on Annapurna I and other mountains. When the first rays of gold touch the snowy peaks, the whole basin gets illuminated with the most amazing colours, and it becomes one of the most unforgettable moments of the hike. It is a wonderful moment to think, take pictures and enjoy the trip.

You will have breakfast at base camp and then start the long descent. The back track is the reverse of the approach path through the valley, with the Machapuchare Base Camp and Deurali. The descent is less demanding, yet it may be tough on the knees; thus, trekking poles are useful. You will also meet other trekkers on their way up, and this will remind you of the distance you have covered.

At Bamboo, a peaceful and cool forest village, you will stay overnight. It is a quiet place to stretch and rest after a physically strenous day and to listen to the soothing sounds of the woods. A hot dinner and a good night of sleep will restore your strength to the last part of your journey.

The path today is similar to the previous one as you hike back through Sinuwa and up to Chhomrong. The stone staircases challenge your stamina once more and most notably the steep ascent back up into the village. You take a brief rest in Chhomrong and then start descending steeply to Jhinu Danda.

The path goes down through terraced fields, small houses and greenery. The closer you get, the more pleasant the climate and the lower the altitude. When you arrive at Jhinu Danda, you will check into your lodge and then get ready to experience one of the highlights of the trek, the natural hot springs.

The hot springs are located along the riverbank and can be reached by a short 15-minute walk downhill, starting in the village. A bath in the hot mineral water with the roar of the river is a wonderful thing to relax your weary muscles. It is your final night on the trail so make sure you relax and have a nice time in the serene environment.

On the last day of your trek, you will have an easy hike down to Siwai through forest paths and small villages. This section of the trail is not as strenuous, and you can take it leisurely, as you take in your final glimpses of the hills and valleys. You will see several villages, where people live their lives.

The trail then meanders its way to Birethanti, where you will end your trek at Siwai. Birethanti is a lovely village with a riverside location and a serene atmosphere and is also a TIMS/permit checkpoint. It is an excellent place to take a break, have a drink or snack and think about the trip before meeting your car.

Once you have exited the ACAP post, you will then get into a jeep and proceed to the 2-3 hour drive back to Pokhara. When you leave town and go back to the comforts of your hotel, you will have memories of the mountains, culture and adventure that make the Annapurna Base Camp so memorable.