Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The best time for the Annapurna base camp trek is during the spring season (March–May) and the autumn season (September–November).

The weather in spring is mildly hot, and the night is chilly according to the altitude level. In the spring, the rhododendron flowers will cover the hills on the Annapurna trekking route, which makes your ABC hike even more colorful.

Similarly, the days are warm and nights are cold in autumn, depending upon the altitude in Nepal. Although there won’t be any rhododendrons, the sky remains clear. You can see the unrestricted views of the sunrise at the tips of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, etc.

The weather at Annapurna Base Camp becomes mild during this peak season of the ABC trek. There is less chance of rain and snowfall, and the skies remain clear. You’ll have enthralling views of the mountains like Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, etc. Thus, these seasons are best for trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

Base Camp Annapurna trekking routes are clear and less crowded. The sky is clear, and the chance of precipitation is also low. Henceforth, if you are from a cold country, winter can also be the best season for your ABC Trek.

The difficulty level of the Annapurna base camp trek is moderately challenging. It depends on things like how long you walk each day, how high up you go, and what the weather is like.

The ABC trek is not tricky like some other high-altitude treks in Nepal, but it’s still good to be in decent shape.

Usually, during the trek, you’ll walk about 10 to 12 kilometers for 6 to 7 hours each day. So, it’s a good idea to start getting fit before you go to Nepal. Being ready both physically and mentally and having the right gear is important for a successful trek.

With some training and planning, even if you are new to trekking in Nepal, you can do this Annapurna base camp trek.

The Annapurna base camp trek takes a 14-day roundtrip. The total trekking distance is approximately 110 to 115 kilometers, which includes hiking to the Poon Hill viewpoint. If you skipped Ghorepani Poon Hill in the ABC trek itinerary, then the trek is shorter.

You’ll approximately hike 9 to 10 km daily for 5 to 7 hours on average. However, the hiking distance can vary based on the trek’s starting and ending points and any side trips taken.

This particular ABC trekking package starts and ends at Nayapul, with an additional side trip to Ghorepani Poon Hill.

Like any other trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, the ABC trek requires three different permits:

• TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System): Priced at NPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens and NPR 2,000 for others.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Foreigners are required to pay NPR 3,000, while SAARC nationals can obtain it for NPR 200.
• Local Area Permit. This permit is a recent addition, and for details regarding its cost and other information, please get in touch with us.

Annapurna base camp trek route is well-established where you’ll find a range of accommodations, from standard teahouses to luxurious lodges.

Although teahouses are basic, they are comfortable. Most tea houses have twin rooms with two beds and traditional furnishings. You’ll also get a thin mattress, a pillow, and a warm blanket.

At lower elevations, in luxurious hotels, more spacious rooms with attached bathrooms are available, but as you ascend, the accommodations become simple with minimal furniture.

Likewise, beyond Chhomrong, a last permanent settlement, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) regulates and restricts the construction of lodges to preserve the natural environment and wildlife in the sanctuary. Consequently, accommodation options become limited in this area.

For instance, in Himalaya, there are only two to three operating lodges.Therefore, it’s advisable to pre-book through a registered trekking agency, especially during the peak trekking season.

Along the ABC trekking route, toilet and shower facilities vary in standard and availability. Most tea houses have indoor toilets and showers, and some even have attached bathrooms, but the amenities may not match those of city areas.

At lower elevations, tea houses typically provide Western-style toilets with automatic flushing systems. Some have private attached bathrooms, while others feature common facilities.

However, as you ascend to higher altitudes, common bathrooms outside the teahouses become more prevalent, featuring traditional squat-style toilets with manual flushing using a bucket.

Additionally, the Annapurna region is remote, so it’s advisable to bring toilet paper, as most tea houses do not provide it in their facilities.

Hot shower facilities are available throughout the ABC trekking route for an additional fee. While lower trekking trails often have hot shower options at every teahouse, they become rare as you reach the base camp area. Moreover, if available, the cost of hot showers tends to be relatively expensive.

While trekking in the Annapurna region, you usually have three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast is served early in the morning from 6 to 8 am and options vary based on the trek altitude. Choices include toast, chapati, or Tibetan bread with hash brown potatoes, along with a boiled or omelet egg, and tea or coffee. Other breakfast options consist of pancakes, oatmeals, cereals, paratha, french toast, veggie soup, and more.

Lunch and dinner menus are quite similar and are typically enjoyed at a teahouse on the way or where you spend the night. Lunch is usually between 11 am and 1 pm.

For both meals, options include Dal Bhat, a famous dish with steamed rice, lentil or pulse soup (Dal), seasonal vegetables, salad, and pickles. Additional choices encompass curry made with chicken or mutton, thukpa, noodle soups, momo (dumplings), fried rice, spaghetti, pasta, and pizza.

Snacks are advisable during the afternoon gap before dinner or while trekking. Tea house staff can provide options like instant noodles or you can carry lightweight snacks such as mix bars, energy bars, cookies, chocolate, or protein bars. Note that snacks may be limited and expensive at higher altitudes, so it’s beneficial to carry your own.

For drinks, you’ll get an option of Tibetan tea, milk tea, black tea, ginger lemon tea, and green tea. You can also have milk or black coffee. To prevent altitude sickness, hot lemon with ginger honey and garlic soup are recommended.

Soft beverages such as coca-cola, canned juice, and energy drinks are readily accessible in the Annapurna trails. Alcoholic options like locally produced alcohol (Raksi), whiskey, rum, beer, and vodka are also available, but it’s not advisable to drink alcohol as it increases the risk of altitude sickness.

Staying adequately hydrated is crucial for trekking. You have to consume at least 4 liters or more of water to counter sweat-induced water loss.

While natural water sources like rivers and springs are abundant on the ABC trails, they are unsafe for direct consumption. To address this, tea shops heat water and offer it to trekkers. Boiled water is available for free at tea houses, but at tea shops, a small fee of USD 1 or 2 may be charged.

An alternative is purifying tap water using purification tablets. It’s advisable to carry a water bottle with a built-in filtration system, allowing you to filter water from natural sources along the trail.

If you prefer the conveniences of bottled water, mineral water bottles are available for purchase at around $2 to $3. Although we strictly discourage the use of one-time plastic bottles on the trek path due to the increasing issue of plastic waste on the Annapurna trails.

During the ABC trek, electricity is available at all the tea houses where you’ll spend the night.

At lower elevations, electricity is primarily generated from hydropower. But at higher altitudes, solar energy is used for lights and power, though it can be affected by poor weather. To be prepared, bringing personal torch lights and power banks is advisable.

Charging electronic devices is possible along the Annapurna Base Camp trails, but charging ports are usually not available in individual rooms. Instead, you can charge your device in the common dining room.

Keep in mind that some tea houses may charge a nominal fee, typically a few hundred rupees, for charging your smartphone and camera.

Internet and phone connectivity are available during the Annapurna Base Camp trek. But they may be limited and unreliable, particularly at higher altitudes.

While it is advisable to carry a mobile phone with a local SIM card for emergencies, the signal may be weak or unavailable in certain areas.

Additionally, some tea houses along the trek route offer Wi-Fi for a small fee. However, connectivity in these places may be slow and infrequent.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you through some astonishing sections that traverse through dense forests, hills, and farmlands.

Did you know?

The dense jungle of rhododendron, oak, and fir on the route is home to various species of flora and fauna. If you are traveling in spring, it will amaze you with the colorful forests full of rhododendron flower blossoms.

With the Base Camp Annapurna trek, you will observe a variety of wild species that include animals like Mountain Thar, Snow Leopards, Jackals, Blue Sheep, etc. You will also see birds like Kokla, the colored Impeyan, the colorful Pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), and many more.

The region treasures various species of butterflies and insects. There are over 100 species of mammals, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 450 species of birds, and nine distinct types of rhododendrons in this region. So, you can imagine how rich the Annapurna region is in terms of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Luggage

During the ABC trek, one porter will be carrying two people’s luggage. It is recommended to limit the weight of your backpack to 10–12 kg. If you have a backpack, bag, or suitcase you have used on your journey to Kathmandu, you can safely store it at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Risks and Responses

Altitude Sickness Risk

Hiking to the base of the world’s 10th-highest mountain means you are susceptible to high-altitude sickness. But the risk of altitude sickness increases if you do a trek without enough acclimatization. The golden rule to avoid altitude sickness is to go slowly and avoid ascending too rapidly. Additionally, staying well-hydrated, ensuring sufficient sleep, and adhering to the “climb high, sleep low” principle are crucial measures.

Landslide/Avalanche Risk

While the Annapurna base camp trek is extremely safe, certain sections of the trek route pose risks during unfavorable seasons like summer and winter. The steep mountain slopes between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp are prone to landslides in the rainy season and avalanches in winter. To avoid or minimize this risk, you need to pick the right trekking season, ensuring a safer and more secure journey.

If you are planning the Annapurna trek, it is highly recommended to get travel insurance that covers all potential additional expenses arising from various health issues, injuries, or accidents, including helicopter rescue and associated treatment costs.

In addition to covering medical expenses, your policy should extend to include all extra activities planned to be undertaken during your stay in Nepal. Essential components of the insurance should involve coverage for death, misplaced luggage, theft, and flight cancellations or delays.

Given that the Annapurna base camp trek takes you above the elevation of 4,000 meters, the policy must provide coverage for altitudes up to 4,500 meters. This ensures comprehensive protection against the challenges posed by the high-altitude terrain during the trek.

All over Nepal, the official currency is Nepalese Rupee (NPR), and it is widely acceptable. Therefore, before commencing the trek, it’s best to exchange other currencies to Nepal Rupee in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, there are several legitimate money-exchange counters that provide reasonable exchange rates.

It’s worth noting that while trekking to the ABC, there are few ATMs along the route, but their reliability may not be comparable to those in cities.

Additionally, it’s important to be aware that tea houses along the trek routes typically accept only cash and do not accommodate card payments.

There are various extra expenses associated with trekking in Nepal, including pre-trek, during the trek, and post-trek. Pre-trek extra expenses include securing travel insurance, covering visa fees, and acquiring any required trekking gear.

Throughout the trek, it’s essential to budget for extra services like hot showers, Wi-Fi usage, charging electronic devices, as well as snacks, and beverages. Additionally, after the trek, there may be expenses related to souvenir purchases and providing tips for guides and porters.