A shorter sanctuary itinerary still climbs through Chhomrong and the Modi Khola to Annapurna Base Camp, with Machhapuchhre towering over the last lodges. Daily hours are longer so the calendar stays tight. Chhomrong, Bamboo, and Deurali still lead you into the amphitheatre of Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre.
You skip some side valleys and still stand in the amphitheatre of Annapurna I. The walk out can include Jhinu springs before the drive to Pokhara. Daily hours run longer so you skip the Ghorepani detour and still stand at Base Camp.
Bhagwat started as a porter in 1998, is a licensed guide, studied travel and hospitality in the UK, and still leads groups when he can. You'll feel that same trail sense on the eight-day sanctuary line from Nayapul through Chhomrong and Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp.
We'll fly you Kathmandu to Pokhara and back so walking days stay on the Modi Khola, not on Ulleri or Poon Hill. Your guide paces the Himalaya to Base Camp stage and the soak at Jhinu Danda on the way out.
Your Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek is starting as you arrive at Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport. Upon arrival, we will have an easy-going staff who will meet you and help carry your bags.
You will be transported to the hotel in a comfortable and private vehicle after a warm reception. The ride takes only a short drive, during which you can have the pleasure of the first sight of the crowded streets and local color of Kathmandu.
We then fly on a short and picturesque flight after breakfast out of Kathmandu to Pokhara. We spent the 25 minutes of the flight with wonderful views of the Himalayas with the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges, the green hills, and twisting rivers below. When we reach Pokhara, we drive to Nayapul, which is a small and vibrant village with green hills and farmlands, and where we begin our trek.
We start off our walk at Nayapul, heading towards Chhomrong. The path goes through serene villages, terraced lands, and rhododendron woods.
Following breakfast, our journey begins in Chhomrong, and we start with a walk by passing through stone steps and a suspension bridge over the Chhomrong Khola River. We then ascend up through dense forest where there are bamboo, oak, and rhododendron trees.
The path is serene and green, and there are birds and waterfalls. As we continue climbing uphill, the air cools down, and we get glimpses of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and Annapurna South coming out of the forest.
Our trip to the Himalaya ends after breakfast and starts with a visit to the well-known Annapurna Base Camp. The path initially follows a thick bamboo and rhododendron forest, where we might be able to see coloured birds and little creatures. As we get up in altitude, we begin to see the trees thinning out, and we are then in a rocky and alpine terrain with high cliffs and glacial streams.
We go through Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC), where the sights of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) are simply spectacular. It is an uphill trail, which slowly leads to Annapurna Base Camp, which is encircled by snow-white mountains.
We get up in the early morning to view the beautiful view of sunrise on the Annapurna range. The golden rays fall on the snow-white mountains of Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli to produce what is indeed a magic sight. We start to go down the base camp after having breakfast, and we use the same way back to the Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Deurali.
The scenery gradually changes on our way down the mountain as we come across the Rocky Mountains and then have the green forests. We go through bamboo and rhododendron woods, and the air is fresh and cool.
We walk out of Bamboo after breakfast and begin to explore the beautiful forests with bamboo, oak, and rhododendron trees. The path is up and down over green hills and the fresh mountain air, and the sound of streaming rivers.
We pass by small villages in the middle of the way, where we can observe local people working in the fields and smiling children welcoming trekkers. Temperatures become increasingly warmer as we head down the road, and the forest thickens, with a lot of birds and colorful plants.
On the day after breakfast, we start our last day of the trek. From Jhinu Danda, the trail is taken down the Modi Khola river on its way to the green hills and terraced fields. This trail is quiet and replete with nature and small waterfalls, birds chirping, and flowers are on the trail as well.
Then, after a short time, we arrive at Birethanti, a beautiful forest-fringed village on the bank of the river. It is a bustling place where trekkers have a habit of taking a break and having local tea or food.
It is the last day of our great Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Having had breakfast, we have some time to relax and pack our bags, with the beautiful memories of our Himalayan adventure still in our minds.
You can spend some spare time to explore Kathmandu, depending on your schedule of flight schedule, go to local markets, purchase souvenirs, or just sleep in the hotel. Our team will help you with the transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in a comfortable and personal vehicle.
Most guests fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Share your arrival time ahead of travel so a Thamel hotel transfer can be arranged, or make your own way to the meeting hotel.
Many departures include a road transfer to Pokhara before walking starts from Nayapul or a nearby trailhead. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home.
Twin or double rooms in a comfortable Kathmandu hotel cover your first nights and your return from the trail, with breakfast on those city stays when included in the package. Briefings happen at the hotel, and airport collection from Tribhuvan is available when flight times are shared in advance.
Family-run teahouses or lodges line the route with twin beds and a shared dining room. Rooms get simpler and colder as you climb, with shared bathrooms common at higher villages. Hot water, Wi-Fi, and charging are paid at the lodge when offered.
March to May rhododendron bloom and October to November crisp air are peak windows for this itinerary. July and August mean leeches and cloud on lower slopes; December to February can ice steps above village level.
Your guide reads the forecast before long cols or sunrise hikes. Shoulder weeks need an honest weather call before high passes or dawn viewpoints.
You should be comfortable walking several hours a day on uneven paths with a daypack, including steady uphill sections as you gain height. Hill training and longer weekend walks in the months before travel help your legs and lungs on uphill trail days.
Hill training, stair climbing, and longer weekend hikes in the months before travel help your legs and lungs, even when acclimatisation days are built into the route. Break in boots before you fly and carry a light daypack on practice walks.
Guided trekking with licensed leaders, lodge nights on the trail, meals as described for walking days, and permits for the regions crossed are included when they are part of this trip. Domestic flights, porters, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip.
Domestic flights, road transfers, porter support, and airport transfers apply only when they are part of this trip. Permits for the regions you cross are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara when included.
International flights to Nepal, visa fees, compulsory travel insurance, personal trekking clothing, snacks and drinks outside included meals, and tips for crew are not covered. Hot showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging in lodges are usually paid locally when offered.
Charges for hot showers, Wi-Fi, or battery charging in lodges are paid locally when offered unless your trip notes say otherwise. International flights, visa fees, and personal insurance stay outside the trek package.
Airport collection to your Kathmandu hotel is available when flight times are shared in advance. Thamel hotels are the usual meet point; drivers need flight numbers to meet you at the international terminal.
Pokhara hotel meet applies when your package starts lakeside; allow a full day for the drive from the capital if that sector is included. Allow a little extra time after the trek before international flights home in case mountain roads or flights move.
Guides set a steady pace and watch for headache, nausea, or dizziness as you gain height. Weather can shift daily plans, so your guide keeps a steady pace with regular breaks.
Tell your guide early if symptoms appear so tomorrow's stage can shorten or descent can start before conditions worsen. Trail conditions are checked each morning before the group moves.
Road transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a short drive to Nayapul or another start point are common when transport is included. Your guide confirms departure times at briefing.
Motion sickness medicine helps on winding mountain roads. Your crew would rather wait for a safe window than rush marginal weather.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS registration apply on this route. The team arranges paperwork in Kathmandu or Pokhara when you provide passport copies and trek dates.
Keep copies in your daypack for checkpoint stops. Monsoon cloud sits lower on the hills while winter brings ice on steps above village level.
Families join when children can manage the daily hours and terrain on this specific route. Pace and daily hours can be adjusted on private departures, though that may extend the calendar.
Ask our Kathmandu team if you are planning with younger walkers. Private departures can shorten daily hours, though that may add a day or two to the calendar.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking to the highest altitude on your itinerary, medical evacuation, and helicopter rescue when applicable is essential. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name.
Read the wording before you travel so you can adjust cover if trekking above 5,000 metres is not named. Many standard policies exclude high altitude by name, so read the wording before you fly.
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About the centre
Kathmandu
You'll travel with a Kathmandu-based team that plans treks, peak climbs, helicopter flights, motorbike journeys, and cultural trips across Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Routes range from classic teahouse walks and high passes to luxury lodge itineraries and longer expedition-style climbs, with departures shaped around how you want to pace the mountains.
Licensed guides and office staff train regularly on mountain safety and guest care. Porters are insured, fairly paid, and equipped for the trail, with sensible load limits on lodge routes. We work with remote communities through sustainable tourism, including support for education in village areas, so your booking helps local people as well as your own adventure.
Operated by Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours, a partner of adventuro.
