Enjoy stunning views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli
Witness the eye-catching beauty during sunrise
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the local village
Walk through diverse landscapes
5 days ABC Short Trek Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking trails. The ABC trek is easier than the EBC trek, so many trekkers want to do ABC first before planning to do EBC. Nepal Trekking Ranges offers a 9-day ABC Short Trek to reach Annapurna Base Camp, which starts from Kathmandu. You take a scenic drive or fly to Pokhara and then take a short drive to Nayapul. Then, your trek officially starts.
You trek to Ghandruk, a beautiful yet small Gurung village, which has panoramic views of the great Himalayas. The trail winds you through everything—small villages, deep woods, and high-up ridges. And with each ridge you cross, the view of the Annapurnas gets a little more epic. This trek also claims to offer some of the best scenery of the Himalayas, along with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
The route very much thrives on the views of the great Himalayas and varying landscapes, and has a rich culture to offer too. Passing through several Gurung and Tamang villages, you share in how they live in their houses, make their living, and relate to their new neighbors. You also get to see their local culture and traditional ways within the village.
Route Description
It gets real on the jeep ride out of Pokhara. You feel the city fall away behind you as the road gets rougher and the air starts to change. The ride ends at a little spot called Siwai, and that’s it. The road gives up, and your legs take over. The first part of the walk is all stone steps, cutting up through the farms and terraces people have worked for generations. You’ll earn your way up to Jhinu Danda, and you’ll want to remember that name. The hot springs there are the promise you’ll make to your aching legs for the walk back down. Then you climb to Chhomrong, this big village plastered on the hillside. And that’s the spot. The place where the mountains finally stop hiding. You turn a corner, and there they are: Annapurna South and the Fishtail, close enough to feel.
The trail takes you into a deep forest of rhododendron and bamboo. The peaceful surroundings make this trekking journey more enjoyable. You push up through a few little teahouse spots: Sinuwa, Bamboo, and Dovan. As you get higher, you can feel it. The trees give up, and you’re left with just rock and sky and the roar of the water. You’re not looking at the Himalayas anymore. You're in them. You get to Machhapuchhre Base Camp, which sits right at the feet of the Fishtail, and you think this must be it.
The last walk, into the Annapurna Sanctuary itself. You step into this basin, and you’re just surrounded. Walled in by a ring of impossible ice giants. Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, all of them. The sheer scale of it just silences you. You stay the night there. And you get up before the sun. Watching the first light hit those peaks, turning them orange and pink. It kind of resets something deep inside you. You won’t forget it.
The journey back down is on the same path, but it feels different. And when you finally get back to Jhinu Danda, taking off your boots and sinking into that steaming hot spring might be the single best feeling of your entire life. Then it’s just a short walk and the drive back to Pokhara. You’ll be tired. You’ll be sore. And you won’t be quite the same person who started.
ABC Short Trek Itinerary
You start the day crammed in a jeep, getting thrown around on a road that feels more like a suggestion than a proper road. It’s a bumpy, dusty, brilliant ride that rattles the city right out of you. When you get to Siwai, the driver kills the engine, and that’s it. The real trek begins. You’ll walk along the Modi Khola river, crossing a few of those big, swinging suspension bridges that test your nerve. The trail then starts to climb hard toward Jhinu Danda, and you’ll keep the thought of its hot springs in the back of your mind like a promise. From there, you meet the infamous stone staircases of Chhomrong. They just go up. And up. You’ll be breathing hard, your legs will burn, and you’ll be wondering what you got yourself into. And then, you look up. The sharp peak of the Fishtail and the massive white wall of Annapurna South are just… there. Right there. And suddenly, your burning lungs don't matter. After catching your breath, you push on just a bit further to Sinuwa, where you’ll sleep, watching the last light paint those same peaks.
Max. Elevation:nullm
If the provided schedule isn't suitable for you, we are able to create personalized travel arrangements according to your preferences and requirements.
International Airport pick up and drop off by private vehicle as per size of group
Luxury Sofa Tourist Bus to Pokhara and Kathmandu
Private Vehicle from Tourist Bus Park to Hotel to Tourist Bus Park
Private Vehicle to Starting point of trekking
Private Vehicle from Ending point of trekking
Two Nights Accommodation (twin sharing basis) with breakfast in Kathmandu
Two Nights Accommodation (twin sharing basis) with breakfast in Pokhara
One English speaking government registered license holder guide
An assistant guide above 6 pax
One porter each two guests (20kg weight limit) by two person (10kg each trekker) (No Porter for solo Trekker)
ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) Permit
TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) if it requares
Three times meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) along the trek
Four times tea/coffee along the trek (in cup size)
Seasonable Fruits will serve with breakfast
Water purification drop (if you required)
Accommodation along the trek with sharing basis
Welcome/farewell dinner at traditional nepali kitchen with cultural dance program/Yuddha’s place
Wages and foods with accommodation for guide and porter and their insurance etc
All the Taxes for government as per nepali government rules
NTR (Nepal Trekking Rangers) T-shirt
Duffle Bags for trekking (return after trek)
Trekking accomplished certificate
Trekking Route Map
Cost Excludes
International Flight Fares
Meals (Lunch and Dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Accommodation above 2 nights
Nepal entry visa fees
Private transportation
Travel Insurance which covers up to 6000m
Helicopter rescue or evacuation with any reason if needed which will cover by your travel insurance
No refunds at all if early return from trekking with any reason
Soft, hard and hot drinks in pot size, mineral water for drink, chocolates bar, desserts, snacks, hot shower, wifi (internet), battery charges and personal expenses etc……
TIPS for guide and porters (crew)
Any services which are not mentioned in the inclusions list
Dates & Prices
Your private ABC Short Trek begins from and ends in , covering 5 days of adventure.
We organize exclusive trip for two or more, ensuring a personal and flexible experience.
Private Group Deals
1 Person
US$ 1100
2 - 6 Person
US$ 825
6 - 12 Person
US$ 800
12 - 30 Person
US$ 775
Know Before You Go
Best Season to Trek
Spring (March–May)
Spring is among the finest travel and trekking seasons in Nepal. Hence, spring will be an ideal time for the Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek. During this season, days are warm, all the skies are clear, and the views of the Himalayan range, including Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna, are crystal clear. The trail is strewn with rhododendrons and wildflowers, especially around areas like Sinuwa and Bamboo. The temperature is perfect.
Pros:
Lush forests and blooming flowers
Clear views of the mountains
Mild temperatures at mid-altitudes
Longer daylight hours
Autumn (Late September–Early December)
Autumn is considered the best season for trekking in Nepal. ABC Short Trek this season makes your journey very memorable. The monsoon rain has just cleared; due to this, the views of the mountains and surrounding hills are crystal clear. This makes your trek perfect. The views, the weather, and the condition of the trail make this season one of the best seasons for trekking.
Pros:
Best mountain visibility
Dry trails and clear weather
Stable temperatures and low risk of rain
Cultural experiences during festivals
Other Seasons
Now, you can go in winter, but you’ve got to be a certain kind of person. It’s for the folks who want to brave the serious cold for a big reward. The trails are way quieter, so you might feel like you have the mountains all to yourself, and the skies can be brilliantly clear. But you’ll be dealing with freezing temperatures and a real chance of snow and ice making the trail from Deurali to Base Camp impassable. It’s a gamble.
And the monsoon is not the best season to plan a trek in Nepal. Think heavy rain, trails that are slick with mud, and leeches. The worst part is that you could do all that work just to have the mountains completely hidden by clouds. It’s a lot of misery for very little payoff. Stick to spring or autumn, and you really can’t go wrong.
Meals and Accommodation on Trek
Meals
All the teahouses have similar types of menus regulated by local village committees. So you’ll get warm homemade foods with fewer varieties of options. You get dal bhat tarkari—Nepal’s national dish—throughout your trek in the Himalayan region. You’ll get a full plate of rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and pickles.
At lower altitudes, you might get options of foods like noodles, pasta, soup, momo, and some other Western foods. The charge may be higher than in the city area, but you’ll get tasty food. But in higher altitude regions, food options became limited, so you need to be prepared for that. Meals are not gourmet, but they’re nutritious, energy-packed, and freshly made—perfect fuel for trekking.
Accommodation
During the ABC Short Trek, you will be staying in local teahouses or lodges, which are run by local families. These teahouses offer the most basic yet clean bedrooms, usually with twin beds, a soft mattress, a pillow, and a warm blanket. The bathrooms are almost always shared, especially once you start gaining altitude.
In lower elevations like Chhomrong and Sinuwa, you might get some other facilities like charging your phone, hot water for bathing, and attached toilets. But in higher altitudes like Dovan, MBC, and ABC, the facilities become very basic. Shared bedrooms, bathrooms, and limited amenities. Bring your sleeping bag.
Permits for ABC Short Trek
The ACAP Permit
This is the big one. Everyone who's not Nepali needs it to set foot in the Annapurna area.
You can get it from the official tourism office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. But the easiest way is to just let your trekking company handle it. They do this stuff in their sleep.
The TIMS Card
This is your safety net. It’s a little card that registers you on the trail.
It's just so they know who's on the mountain. At a few spots on the trail, a guy will pop out of a hut, take a look at your card, and mark you down. It's for your good.
Prevention of Altitude Sickness
Your body is freaking out because it's not getting enough air. It's that simple. So you have to give it time to catch up. The number one rule? Go slow. This isn't a race. When you get to places like Dovan or Deurali, you stop there for the night. Don't be a hero and try to push on. Those stops are built into the schedule for a reason.
Next, you need to drink an insane amount of water. Just constantly be sipping from your bottle. Yeah, you'll have to pee all the time, and it sucks when it's cold, but it’s way better than your head feeling like it’s in a vise. And for the love of God, stay away from the booze. No celebration beers until you're back down in Pokhara. It’s the fastest way to get yourself in trouble.
Food-wise, just embrace the dal bhat. There’s a reason all the guides and porters live on it. It’s the perfect mountain fuel. Your body needs simple carbs to work up there, so noodles, soups, and rice—that's your diet now.
But here’s the most important thing I can tell you: you have to swallow your pride. If you get a headache, if you feel sick to your stomach, if you’re dizzy—that’s not you being weak. That’s your body screaming at you to stop. You do not go any higher if you feel sick. Period. If it gets worse, the only medicine is to go down.
Some people use a drug called Diamox, but that’s a conversation for you and your doctor before you ever leave home. It's not a magic pill that lets you ignore the rules.
This is why having a good guide is so important. They’ve seen it all. They'll know if you’re just having a tough day or if you're getting sick. Just be smart. The mountain will still be there tomorrow. You need to make sure you are, too.
Packing Essentials
You need these things in your backpack while trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal:
Think of it as the express version. You get all the epic views of Annapurna Base Camp but crammed into just five days. It's for people who have more grit than time.
Nepal Trekking Rangers was phenomenal. Yuddha and his team were communicative, organized, and fairly priced. When our flight to Kathmandu was delayed, Yuddha met us at the airport and ensured we made our connection to Lukla without issue.
On the Three Passes trek, Yuddha was exceptional — attentive, flexible, and fun (he taught us Nepali card games we played nonstop). Thanks to Nepal Trekking Rangers, this truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Trek with Nepal Trekking experts if you are going to Nepal!
I just finished the Everest Base Camp trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers and would 100% recommend them to anyone coming to Nepal.
Yuddha, the owner, is a true professional. From the beginning when I contacted him, he was super responsive and able to provide advice on which trek was best. Whenever I had follow-up questions, he would always respond the same day. They also operate with the utmost integrity. Originally, I was meant to trek with them in 2020, but this was cancelled because of Covid. Yuddha reminded me that I had paid the deposit five years ago (which at the time I had told him to hold on to) and took that off the price — I had completely forgotten.
They gave me a warm welcome at the airport as soon as I arrived, and Yuddha met me at my hotel to make sure I had the correct kit, even providing me with things I didn’t have free of charge.
On the trek itself, Yuddha was our guide — so knowledgeable, fun, and spoke great English. Every time I asked him a question about the mountains or region, he had an answer. All the tea houses booked were great and had good food. In the evening, he would play cards with us, and if we ever needed help with anything, he was always on hand.
Words can’t describe the views you see on this trek — we were completely surrounded by the mountains. Yuddha also made sure we went at a sensible pace to avoid any risk of altitude sickness and to ensure we could take it all in.
Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime, and next time I am back in Nepal, I will be trekking with Nepal Trekking Rangers.
Thanks so much, Yuddha!
Perfekter Trek zum Everest Basecamp
We have nothing but positive things to say about our trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers! Our group of three friends was looking for something a little different from the EBC trek and didn’t have time to do the full Three Passes loop. Nepal Trekking Rangers gave us lots of options, and we decided to trek directly to Gokyo Lakes, then over Renjo La and back down to Lukla. It was perfect for us.
Our guide, Yuddha, was super knowledgeable, and the team supporting us was kind and helpful throughout. The communication before and after the trek was excellent, and when we ran into a small snag during our journey, Yuddha handled it smoothly and professionally.
I can’t say enough about how experienced, well-connected, and genuinely kind everyone was. We had an amazing trip, and you’ll be in great hands with Nepal Trekking Rangers.
Great Himalay experience
Hiked the Three Passes trek with Nepal Trekking Rangers and our guide Yuddha. He was a fantastic guide to have on this trek — knowledgeable, professional, and a great match for our group. I’ll be happy to use their services again on our next Himalaya adventure.
Incredible Three Passes Trek Experience!
We had an incredible time on our Three Passes trek (and during our whole visit to Nepal) thanks to Nepal Trekking Rangers! I researched trekking guides thoroughly before we started our trip and probably reached out to 15 of them. I decided Nepal Trekking Rangers was the best in terms of reviews, ease of communication, and price. After the trip was complete, I can confidently say I was right to choose them.
We had a specific itinerary in mind that needed to fit our schedule, and Yuddha was extremely helpful and accommodating. He answered all our questions promptly during planning and provided extra info, tips, and advice that we wouldn’t have known to ask about. When our international flight to Nepal was delayed by 12 hours, he pulled out all the stops to make sure we still made it to Lukla on time — coming to the airport himself with all the gear we rented, helping us repack into their duffel bags, and storing our suitcases at their office. It was incredibly convenient, and we would have been hugely delayed without his extra effort. He even brought Nepalese rupees to exchange from our USD so we wouldn’t waste time at the airport — and at a better rate!
Our guide, Yuddha, was clearly one of the best we saw on the trails. His decades of experience showed. He was kind, attentive, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun. He helped us navigate the chaos of Lukla airport, made sure we got the best possible accommodations within our budget, communicated with tea house staff, showed us local plants, animals, and landmarks, and answered all our “Which mountain is this?” questions with patience and insight. He told us amazing stories, taught us a Nepali card game that became a nightly tradition, and kept us safe and confident through tricky sections like Chukhung Ri, glacier crossings, and the steep descents from the passes.
When we decided mid-trip to skip an acclimatization day in Dingboche, Yuddha quickly rebooked all our accommodations to adjust the schedule. That flexibility allowed us to return to Kathmandu a day early and enjoy more time in the city — a perfect ending to the trek.
Nepal Trekking Rangers clearly employs some of the best in the business, and Yuddha is incredibly skilled and dedicated to making sure guests have an unforgettable experience. After the trek, we visited his office in Kathmandu to share our experience, and he was a warm and gracious host, eager to hear our feedback — which was all glowing.
This was a truly memorable trip, and we’re so glad we chose Nepal Trekking Rangers.