Shortest trek to Annapurna Base Camp

Shortest trek to Annapurna base camp

Until the first decade of 21t century, one could trek in Annapurna for as long as one month without seeing the Motorable road. With the expansion of dirt roads in the last decade, trekking trails in Annapurna have shrunk. Now it is possible to drive further into the valley and do only the most scenic bit of the trekking. The expansions of dirt roads and airstrips have made it possible to access the remote villages of Annapurna in less time with a comfortable journey.

One can now reach Annapurna base camp and back from Pokhara in as less as 5 days. However, the short Annapurna base camp trek escapes many scenic places and an opportunity of cultural immersion. But this has been an attraction for those with limited time. It is now possible to organize Annapurna base camp trek within a week’s holiday in Nepal.

6 day ABC Trek

The 6 day ABC Trek follows the upstream Modi River which drains the Annapurna Sanctuary. It is possible to drive further into the valley with an off road vehicle to make the trek shorter. Drive for about 3 hours from Pokhara and then walk another 3 hours to Chhomrong at 2,150 m on the first day. The itinerary then follows the regular camps to reach Annapurna base camp at 4,200 m on the 4th day. Follow the same trail back to the road head near Jhinu Danda and then drive back to Pokhara in the late afternoon of the 6th day.

8 day trek with Poon Hill

The dirt road has also made it possible to reach Ghorepani (2,800 m) in one day from Pokhara. Rest of the itinerary follows the stay at usual places to the base camp. On the way back, follow the Modi River valley downstream to Jhinu Danda Bridge and drive back to Pokhara. The 8 days ABC trek itinerary with Poon Hill only escapes the walking in the foothills and keeps the rest of the trekking experience intact. This itinerary comes across several popular viewpoints like Poon Hill, Tadapani and Chhomrong.

5 day trek with Helicopter back

Some people even get airlifted by helicopter from the base camp. Follow the shortest trail upstream Modi River to the Annapurna base camp and then fly back to Pokhara on the 5th day morning. This gives one chance to have a view from ground as well as an aerial view of the Annapurna massif. Backtracking the rugged trail with uneven steps is very stressful on your knees. Mostly people get sprains and swollen joints trekking downhill. So this 5 day ABC trek with Helicopter back saves time and avoids downhill trekking as well as grants an opportunity of aerial sightseeing of the Annapurna massif.

How safe is a short ABC Trek?

ABC trek is moderately difficult trek in grading. So it demands sound fitness and previous experience of trekking. So for fit trekkers, short ABC trek is safe and doable. Trekkers spent the first 2 nights at the altitude above 2,000 m and then at 3,700 m, before going to 4,200 m. In case trekkers feel ill with altitude sickness, they can simply do Annapurna base camp as a side trip from the Machhaphuchre base camp (2,700 m) instead of spending night at Annapurna base camp. So the short ABC trek is safe against altitude.

Note for Short ABC Trek

Short ABC trek is only for experienced trekkers with sound fitness who are limited in time. It is still worth taking a detour via Ghorepani or Ghandruk, giving more time to acclimatize. The 3,700 m at Machhaphuchre base camp is where people start to get mild symptoms of altitude sickness. In case they develop symptoms, we recommend them to just do a side trip of ABC and then start heading down. The ‘Daimox’ (Acetazolamide) could be taken as prophylactic treatment of altitude sickness.

Visit I Tour Nepal Pvt Ltd or contact our professional team to know more about altitude sickness or about short trek to Annapurna base camp. We are a team of experienced trekkers and tour guides organizing Nepal tours for over twenty years. We try to bring up-to-date information and itineraries for your best Himalayan experience.

I am an adventurer from the Himalayas of Nepal. I love exploring reading and writing travel journal. Believe it or not, More you read the less you understand. My blogs about Nepal Tibet Bhtutan tour