Annapurna region is possibly one of the best regions to go on a trek. Many trekkers both from Nepal and other countries visit the Annapurna region every year to trek and explore the beauty of Nepal. While you can choose to, you don’t have to spend days in the Annapurna region. Many visitors have been enjoying Annapurna base camp short trekking for a while now and you can easily be one of them. 

The Annapurna Base Camp is truly a location to marvel at. The trek is going to take you from 6 to 11 days to complete. During this trek, the maximum height you will reach is 4243 meters (13,917 ft). From the views of the majestic mountains to the beautiful natural richness of the region, your Annapurna region trek is going to give you the best of every possible aspect you can imagine during a natural trek. With proper knowledge of the routes, tips, and highlights you can expect throughout your time in the Annapurna region, you will surely get the experience of a lifetime. 

Make sure to read till the end of this article to know more about Annapurna base camp short trekking:

What are the highlights of the Annapurna Base Camp Short trek?

The Annapurna Base Camp has several highlights that are going to steal the hearts of the trekkers and travelers in every way possible. Some of the major highlights are:

Spectacular views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Annapurna

Nepal is famous for its snow-clad mountains. Two of the major mountains that you can enjoy the view of during your Annapurna base camp trek are Mount Fishtail and Mount Annapurna. These mountains stand tall and can be seen from the trekking trails throughout the year. The beauty of these mountains shines better during sunset and sunrise. Hence, make sure to wake up early or reach viewpoints on time to take in the soothing view of the mountains against the dusk and dawn sunlight. 

Nepali culture interaction 

Trekkers will get the chance to enjoy Nepali culture, including Nepal’s food, traditions, lifestyles, etc. during this trek. Since the Annapurna region is quite rural, urbanization has not yet affected the region. Therefore, you can get an authentic experience of the cuisines, language, and many such cultural aspects of the Nepalese people during the trek.

Rhododendron forests and oaks

You will also get to view the beautiful Rhododendron forest and oak trees covering the landscapes of the trails. If you go on the trek during spring, you will get the best possible views of the same. 

Gurung villages

The Annapurna region is one of the best places to visit if you want to experience the beauty of Gurung villages. Almost all the inhabitants of this region are Gurung people. While the city area does not quite offer as much authentic experience in rural living, the Gurung villages will give you a glimpse of a lifestyle that had always been there and the satisfaction people get even while escaping modernity. 

Suspension bridges and rivers

Kimrong Khola and Modhi Khola are two of the most popular rivers you will come through during your Annapurna base camp trek. Trekkers will also be going from above the rivers through suspension bridges, which become an experience to remember in itself. 

Traditional tea houses

Trekkers will barely see any modern buildings or hotels during their Annapurna region trek. Most of the accommodations in this region are traditional teahouses. These tea houses are made almost like the traditional houses in the Gurung villages. Throughout your time in these traditional teahouses, these stay-ins will take care of almost all your needs while not losing their rural essence. 

Routes to Annapurna base camp

There are two popular routes that you can take for a short trek to Annapurna base camp, including Poon Hill + ABC trek itinerary and Mardi Himal + ABC trek itinerary. The Poon Hill trek route is much shorter in comparison to the Mardi Himal trek route. The former is going to take you only 8 days to complete, while the latter is likely to take you at least 11 days to complete.

Your Poon Hill + ABC trek itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1 – Ride from Pokhara to Nayapul. Trek from Nayapul to Ulleri
• Day 2 – Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani
• Day 3 – Trek from Ghorepani to Poonhill. Hike back from Poonhill to Ghorepani and head towards Tadapani
• Day 4 – Hike from Tadapani to Sinuwa
• Day 5 – Trek from Sinuwa to Deurali
• Day 6 – Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
• Day 7 – Trek from ABC to Bamboo/ Sinuwa
• Day 8 – Trek from Bamboo/ Sinuwa to Ghandruk

The Mardi Himal + ABC trek itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1 – Ride from Pokhara to Kande. Trek from Kande to Landruk
• Day 2 – Trek from Landruk to Forest Camp
• Day 3 – Trek from Forest Camp to High Camp
• Day 4 – Trek from High Camp to Base Camp. Hike back to the High Camp
• Day 5 – Hike from High Camp to Landruk
• Day 6 – Trek from Landruk to Sinuwa
• Day 7 – Trek from Sinuwa to Deurali
• Day 8 – Trek from Deurali to ABC
• Day 9 – Trek from ABC to Bamboo/ Sinuwa
• Day 10 – Trek from Bamboo/ Sinuwa to Ghandruk

Tips to follow while trekking in the Annapurna region

There are many tips that you need to keep in mind before you trek to the Annapurna region. This region is not as easy to trek and has lots of challenges and hardships on the way. You should have adequate knowledge, experience, and a solid mindset to complete this trek. Though the short Annapurna base camp can be completed even by beginners, the following tips should not be overlooked:

Training before trek 

Trekkers must always train properly before they go on a trek. Trekking is not easy work and not everyone is built for trekking, even for shorter trekking routes. The Annapurna region treks are usually difficult, whether you are trekking to the Annapurna base camp or the Annapurna circuit. Hence, you need to train well before you start your trek. Trekkers usually trek from locations that are close to their homes or indulge themselves in physical activities that are going to keep them active. Doing this is going to prove to be very fruitful in the long run and will decide the success of your trek. 

Mental preparation

Mentally preparing oneself for a trek is equally important, as is physically training oneself for the same. Trekkers who come for a trek to the Annapurna region may not always be habituated to wilderness and extreme trail conditions. Hence, these individuals must do thorough research on the locations they will be going through. Anyone who does not have the confidence and zeal to ace their trek may not succeed in completing their trek. On the other hand, even though an individual is a beginner, if he has the guts and the confidence to do well, then he will face his fears and do better than a person who does not have confidence. 

Right equipment and gears

Trekkers need to get the right gear and equipment ready before they go on a trek anywhere in the Annapurna region. The equipment and gear usually include trekking poles, warm and comfortable clothing, shades, skin care products, hygiene products, etc. For those who are not willing to carry lots of things with them, they should also remember that the Annapurna region is mostly rural and does not have many shops to cater to them in times of need. Likewise, the shops that may be available to them will charge them higher than they will have to pay when they carry their stuff. 

Hydration

Trekkers must always stay hydrated when they are on a trek. The Annapurna base camp trek is tiring and requires lots of energy. A good way to stay energized throughout your trek, despite heat and tiredness, is to drink a good amount of water. Hydration plays a great factor in keeping a trekker going. 

Medications

It is very normal for trekkers to get headaches during the trek. There is almost no need for them to panic when their head hurts because walking upwards or downwards continuously without much rest can naturally cause this reaction in just anyone’s body. While experienced trekkers may know the feeling, it is just as normal for beginners to panic. However, carrying Ibuprofen can easily solve this problem in the least amount of time. 

Acclimatization

Make sure to acclimate your body as much as possible. Acclimatization is the key to succeeding in almost any trekking or even mountaineering journey. When you keep going upward without having a rest day, you may expect to reach your destination earlier. But this should not always be your goal. If you don’t acclimatize, you might suffer from respiratory issues and physical soreness. 

Sun protection

Keep yourself protected from the sun as much as you can. Sun protection is very crucial to avoid skin cancer and there is a big likelihood for trekkers to come through direct sunlight during their trek. Wearing sun protection before and in between their trekking journey will keep their skin protected at all times. 

Break your trekking shoes

Make sure to break your trekking shoes if you want to finish your trekking journey. Wearing tight and congested shoes can cause discomfort and cause delays or extreme difficulty in completing your trek. 

Conclusion

Trekking in the Annapurna region requires a trekker to be trained and able. You cannot trek through the difficult trails unless you make yourself capable both physically and mentally. Annapurna base camp trek is by far one of the best treks you can go to if you are looking for an adventurous yet short trekking journey in Nepal.