Kathmandu/Pokhara: 5-Day Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek
About This Experience
This is the fastest route to Annapurna Base Camp that still gives you a night at 4,130 m rather than a rushed touch-and-go. A shared jeep carries you from Pokhara up the rough road to Simrung, past Nayapul, cutting out roughly two days of walking on the old approach. From there you climb through bamboo and rhododendron to Sinuwa on the first afternoon.
Day two follows the Modi Khola gorge through Himalaya and Dovan, a stretch of dense, dripping forest with waterfalls dropping straight onto the trail, and finishes at Deurali (3,230 m) where the valley narrows and the treeline gives out. Day three is the one you came for: a steady climb past Machhapuchhre Base Camp and into the Sanctuary itself, arriving at Annapurna Base Camp for the night.
You wake inside a ring of 7,000 and 8,000 m peaks, watch the sunrise light hit Annapurna South and the Fishtail, then descend the way you came — with an optional stop at the Jhinu Danda hot springs on the way out, which most trekkers rate as the best decision of the trip.
Trekkers starting in Kathmandu can add a 30-minute domestic flight to Pokhara in either direction. Meals, a porter, and non-English-speaking guides are available as add-ons, so the package scales from a lean budget trek to a fully supported one.
Highlights
- Stand at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) inside the Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre
- Sleep at base camp rather than turning around — sunrise on Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre
- Jeep transfer to Simrung cuts roughly two days off the classic Nayapul approach
- Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda on the descent
- Walk through Gurung villages, terraced farmland, bamboo forest and glacial moraine in five days
What's Included
- ✓ Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- ✓ All Annapurna Conservation Area permits and paperwork
- ✓ 4 nights in mountain guest houses along the route
- ✓ Shared jeep transfer Pokhara–Simrung–Pokhara
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara
- ✓ Loan of a down jacket, sleeping bag and trekking poles
- ✓ Water purification tablets and a first-aid kit
- ✓ Luggage storage in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- ✓ Kathmandu–Pokhara flights and full-board meals on the all-inclusive option
- ✓ Porter support on the all-inclusive option
Not Included
- Meals on the budget option (available as a paid add-on)
- Porter on the budget option (available as a paid add-on)
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging at guest houses
- Drinks and extra snacks along the trail
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended, and required for helicopter evacuation cover)
- Personal expenses and anything not listed as included
What to Bring
- Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support
- Warm layers — a fleece and an insulated jacket for base camp nights
- Waterproof shell and a rain cover for your pack
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat for the high, exposed moraine
- Nepali rupees in cash — there are no ATMs above Pokhara
- Passport (a copy is accepted) and a passport-sized photo for permits
- Headlamp, personal medication and a reusable water bottle
Good to Know & Caveats
- Base camp sits at 4,130 m — altitude sickness is possible, and the compressed five-day schedule gains height faster than the longer routes
- The operator recommends a month of cardio training before the trek
- Weather closes the views without warning; a cloudy morning at base camp is common and not a fault of the operator
- Guest houses above Chhomrong are basic — shared bathrooms, cold rooms, paid charging
- The jeep road to Simrung is rough and can be affected by landslides in and after monsoon
Not Suitable For
- People with mobility impairments
- Travellers over 95 years of age
Meeting Point
Pickup from your hotel in Pokhara, or from your Kathmandu hotel if you select a flight-inclusive option. Exact pickup time is confirmed by the operator after booking.
What Travelers Say
Rated 5.0/5 by 149 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
I can't even begin to describe how incredible our experience trekking to ABC with our guide Prakash was. We had been travelling around Asia for three months and the ABC trek was easily the highlight of the trip.
— Andrew, 2026-07
We had an absolutely wonderful experience on the five-day, four-night Annapurna Base Camp trek — it exceeded all our expectations. Our group of five was expertly looked after the whole way.
— Leon, 2026-07
Very exciting even though it was monsoon — we still got great views across the five days, even if some were cloudy. Our guide Rupesh was amazing and taught us a lot about local culture.
— Tapi, 2026-08
Frequently Asked Questions
Is five days long enough to trek to Annapurna Base Camp?
Yes, because the jeep transfer to Simrung removes roughly two days of the classic approach. You still sleep at base camp itself. The trade-off is a faster altitude gain than the 7- to 10-day routes, so it suits trekkers who are already reasonably fit and acclimatise well.
Can I start this trek from Kathmandu?
Yes. Choose a flight-inclusive option and a 30-minute domestic flight to Pokhara is added in one or both directions, with hotel pickup in Kathmandu included.
Are meals included?
Only on the all-inclusive option, which covers four breakfasts, five lunches and four dinners. On the budget option you pay for meals at the guest houses as you go, or add the meal package when you book.
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag and down jacket?
No — the operator lends a down jacket, sleeping bag and trekking poles as part of the package. You will still want your own warm layers, boots and waterproofs.
How high is Annapurna Base Camp and will I get altitude sickness?
Base camp is at 4,130 m. Mild symptoms such as headache or breathlessness are common at that height; serious altitude sickness is uncommon on this route but possible. Tell your guide early if you feel unwell — they adjust the pace and can descend with you.
