“Picture yourself standing within the sacred confines of the Annapurna Sanctuary: a ring of impossibly beautiful Himalayan mountains, frozen with permanent glaciers and dusted with fresh snowfall from the top of the world. This is the ultimate destination of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek—and when you travel with Alpine Ramble Treks, you’ll get front-row seats to all the wonders of this vast mountain amphitheater.”
Highlights of the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek: 7 Days
- Get the best view you can possibly get of Mount Annapurna I (8091 meters), the 10th tallest peak in the world.
- Apart from Annapurna I, you can also get grandiose sightings of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Nilgiri, and other lesser-known mountains.
- Visit Ghandruk Village and engage in cultural activities, as well as visit the Gurung Museum.
- Walk on the longest suspension bridge in the entire Kaski district at Jhinu Danda.
- Enter the natural heaven filled with enchanting alpine forests that give an occasional glimpse of wildlife.
- Immerse yourself in the authentic community experience of the native people, such as Gurungs and Thakalis.
- Taste the spice of Annapurna by enjoying the local foods such as dal bhat, thukpa, Tibetan bread, Thakali Khana, etc.
- Enjoy a relieving dip in the hot spring at Jhinu Danda and relax your sore muscles from the trek.
- Experience the harmonious blend of both Buddhism and Hinduism as you walk through paths filled with Buddhist prayer flags as well as Hindu temples.
- Enter the Annapurna Conservation Area, the first conservation area in Nepal.
The Annapurna Base Camp, 7 Days Trek, is one of the most popular trekking destinations in all of Nepal. Taking a big inhale of the cool, fresh Himalayan air while staring at the unparalleled views of the towering peaks of the Annapurna Range is one of the best trekking experiences you could ever get.
From lush green alpine forests with glimpses of rare and endangered wildlife to diverse communities living their day-to-day lives, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a trek bursting with different flavors of the mountains.
The word “Annapurna” means “full of grains,” which holds great significance in the lives of mountain communities. Also believed to be the “goddess of harvests," the Annapurna Range connects through religious beliefs as well as sheer natural beauty.
At an altitude of 4130 meters, it offers the most ethereal front-row view of the entire range of Annapurna. It is one of the few destinations where you can reach it in such a short amount of time (7 days) and get the grandest views of some of the world’s highest peaks.
Easy enough for beginners and short enough for those who have a non-flexible schedule, the one-week Annapurna Base Camp hike is the perfect trekking voyage for you to embark on!
Why should you do the short Annapurna Base Camp Trek of 7 days in 2024/2025?
For any avid trekker and mountain lover, wanting to see the mountains up close is one of the major motivators. And the Annapurna Base Camp trek gives you just that in the span of 7 days.
Here is a list of things that will make your trek to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek the most remarkable experience!
Magical and Mystical Mountains
Upon reaching the base camp, you will finally understand what the “front-row seat for viewing mountains” means. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Annapurna range will be right before your very eyes. One of the most prominent mountains that you can see during the trek is Annapurna I.
At an elevation of 8091 meters, it is the tenth-highest mountain in the world. You can also catch a glimpse of Dhaulagiri (8167 meters) and Manaslu (8163 meters), which are the seventh and eighth tallest peaks in the world, respectively.
Machhapuchhre (6,993 meters), also known as the “fish-tail mountain” for its unique fish-tail-like peak, is one of the major highlights. Known for not being allowed to summit due to an underlying religious belief, Mt. Machhapuchhre is a sight for sore eyes and one of the most beautiful peaks in Nepal.
Other prominent mountains include Annapurna III (7,555 meters), Annapurna South (7,219 meters), Gangapurna (7,455 meters), Gandharva Chuli (6,248 meters), and Gandharva Chuli (6,248 meters).
Connect with vibrant cultures and communities.
One of the things that sets Annapurna Base Camp, or rather the entire Annapurna region, apart is the distinctive diversity in a single community. Unlike Langtang or Everest, where a community consists of a single ethnic group, Annapurna is filled with multiple ethnicities living in harmony.
The diversity extends to religion as well. The Annapurna is home to Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis, Tamangs, Brahmins, and Chhetris, to name a few, who are followers of both Buddhism and Hinduism, the former being more prominent.
Kind hospitality is reflected in the culture as you trek to the most remote part of the country. Agricutural lands filled with paddy and rice on a terrace field and many leaving their farm animals to graze will make you feel the simplicity of village life. The culture also reflects authentic foods and traditional music.
Rustic Ghandruk Village under the snowy peaks
For those who enjoy immersing themselves in the deep authenticity of the native people, Ghandruk Village offers just that. It has basically become a hub for trekkers in the Annapurna region. It is a quaint little village you often see on photo cards.
The traditional architecture with mountains in the background is truly a mesmerizing view. The village has Gurungs as the major inhabitants, who have a unique lifestyle.
Some of the major attractions of Ghandruk Village are the Gurung Homestays, which have traditional homes and provide opportunities to experience cultural dances, ethnic foods, and even dressing up in cultural Gurung attire.
You can also visit the Gurung Museum, which is filled with traditional tools used by the Gurungs in their day-to-day lives. The stone-paved stairs that lead you to different parts of the village will make you feel like you are walking through a maze. You can also visit the Meshram Baraha temple located in the village.
Diverse landscapes with rich flora and fauna
The Annapurna Base Camp lies within the boundary of the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is not only the first conservation area in Nepal but also the biggest.
It is known as a hotspot for rare and endangered animals. There is always a chance of getting a glimpse of rare animals, such as snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan black bears, Tibetan argalis, and Tibetan wolves. Other common sightings include Himalayan thar, pika, and langur monkeys.
Many birds can be sighted as well, such as the Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Lammergeier (bearded vulture), Golden Eagle, and Himalayan Griffon. The chirping of birds will be music to your ears as you venture deep into the forest.
The trail is also a sanctuary for different species of plants and trees, some of the most prominent of which are rhododendrons, Alpine flowers, juniper, bamboo, pine and fir, and moss and lichen.
Waterfalls, caves, and hot springs
The natural beauty does not stop with the mountains. As you hike through the dense green forest past a village called Bamboo, after a few hours, you will arrive at one of the most mesmerizing places on the entire trek.
The 108 waterfalls are just behind a small temple and will leave you in a daze. And trekking further ahead, you will come across a cave known as Hinku Cave, which has a religious connection to the local people.
Once you finish your trek and descend back down, you can enjoy a full-body relaxing dip in a natural hot spring in Jhinu Danda. The natural elements of the spring are said to have healing properties, and many trekkers enjoy a rejuvenating dip after a particularly tiring trek.
The longest suspension bridge in Kaski District
Connecting the village of Jhinu Danda to other surrounding villages, the Samrong River suspension bridge is a whopping 287 meters long and 135 meters high, making it the longest suspension bridge in the entire Kaski district. It also connects to the route of the Annapurna Base Camp.
It is not only a symbol of the connection of one place to many others but also an engineering marvel and an architectural investment for building the infrastructure to contribute towards the development of the village and tourism in general.
How do I get to Annapurna Base Camp?
For this program, you will have a ride or flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu. While you can choose either a tourist bus or private car from Kathmandu to Pokhara, from Pokhara to Nayapul, you will be provided with a private car.
You will be driven back to Pokhara from Siwai by private car. From Pokhara to Kathmandu, you have options: a tourist bus, a private car, or a flight. You are able to select according to your wishes, time, and budget. Flights and private cars will save you time but can be a bit expensive. While a tourist bus is a more pocket-friendly option, it consumes more time.
What is the best season for the 7-day trek to the Annapurna Base Camp?
Nepal has two seasons that are very well known for being the best time to visit and those are spring and autumn. The months of September–November and March–May are said to have the best type of weather in the mountains. Skies are clear, and one gets the most crisp and clear view of the mountains. However, that doesn't mean winter or summer isn't good at all for the treks. In fact, winter is the best time to trek.
What most people do not realize is that even the winter season is one of the best times for trekking in the mountains. Admittedly, it will be extremely cold but the views of the snowcapped peaks are one of the best you will ever get to witness. Meanwhile, the summer season can be good for people who want to see greenery and do a monsoon trek. But it can be very risky, as the monsoon also brings natural disasters like floods and landslides.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp short trek difficult?
On a difficult scale, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is categorized as easy—moderately challenging. This trek is short and very suitable for beginner trekkers who are just venturing into the world of trekking in the mountains. It is also good to trek the ABC to prepare for more difficult treks, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek.
One of the most challenging aspects of this trek is the stone stairs uphill, which can make your legs feel like jelly. But with the right preparation and exercise prior to the trek, it will be very helpful during the trek and make things easier.
What is the height and distance of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek for 7 days?
The highest point of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the base camp itself, at an elevation of 4130 meters. While the total distance depends on the route you take, this particular route of the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek of 7 days covers approximately 65–70 kilometers. You can choose to make your trek longer or shorter as you wish.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp a short trek of 7 days for me?
Going to trek at any high-altitude destination requires good preparation. You should not only be physically fit but also have good mental strength. Starting preparation for the trek at least two to three weeks prior by doing cardiovascular exercises is one of the best ways to maintain your physical stamina.
You have to trek uphill and downhill, which takes a lot of energy, and with high altitude, problems like altitude sickness are very common. And the only way to avoid it is by being physically fit. Therefore, having a good diet, building endurance, and getting proper hydration are the best ways to ensure a smooth trekking experience. You will have a trekking guide with you who will guide you through the process of acclimatization.
Cost Information for the 7-Day Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek: Guides, Porters, Flight, Bus, and Permit Costs (2024-2025)
Here is a breakdown of how much you will have to pay per person per package and for other services.
Transportation cost
- From Kathmandu to Pokhara and vice versa by tourist bus (Included in the program)
- Private car cost: US$150 per car (additional cost at request)
- Flight cost: US$106 per way (additional at request)
From Pokhara to the starting point of the trek and from the ending point of the trek to Pokhara, a car or jeep is included in the ABC Trek package.
General group package cost for the Annapurna Base Camp short trek of 7 days in 2024/2025
The cost of the ABC Trek is one of the most affordable. The price is mentioned below.
- For a single individual, the cost is US$899.
- It costs US$650 for an individual traveler and US$690 for 2-4 people.
- The cost for 4–6 groups of people is US$550.
- For 7–20 groups, the price is US$480.
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Cost for the trekking guides and porters during the Annapurna Base Camp short 7-day trek in 2024/20254
Trekking guides and porters are the backbone of any trekking destination. The guides walk you through the entire trek, both literally and figuratively. They will have everything and any information you desire to know about the destination, from its history to its culture.
Trekking guides make your trek worth it, not only in terms of knowledge but also safety. With guides, you are in safe hands. The trekking guide charge per day is US$35.
While porters are the ones who will carry your heavy belongings every day, make sure everything is safe. It is not mandatory to hire a porter for the trek but it will definitely make your trekking a lot easier if you have heavy backpacks.
Also, one thing to understand is that the porters have weight limits, so consulting them before hiring is suggested. The porter charge is US$25 per day. However, tipping both guides and porters for their hard work and services to ensure the best trekking experience is encouraged and appreciated.
What permits are required for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek for 7 days, and what is its cost?
One of the two permits that one needs to have for the Annapurna Base Camp trek is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit since it falls under this protected area.
And the second one is the Trekker’s Information Management System Card, otherwise known as the TIMS Card. The cost for each permit is listed below:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit Cost: approx. $30
- Trekker’s Information Management System Card (TIMS Card) Cost: $20
Save money on gear and equipment by choosing us for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek while enjoying complimentary services!
If you are worried about having to purchase expensive trekking gear, then Alpine Ramble will provide you with gear like trekking poles, sleeping bags, and down jackets.
It can easily save you up to $500, which is quite a steal. If you have time, you can also get a chance to enjoy a free day of sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley with a guide.
Our crew will also be there to pick you up from the airport upon your arrival and drop you off during your departure as a free service.
7-Day Annapurna Base Camp Hike Benefits with Alpine Ramble
- Free transfers to and from Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival and departure.
- Complimentary use of any necessary trekking equipment, such as sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags, walkie-talkies, trekking poles, and an oximeter to monitor your oxygen and pulse.
- Fun souvenirs of your Himalayan adventure: a trekking route map, a t-shirt emblazoned with the Alpine Ramble Treks logo, and a hat!