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Best Season: April, May, September, October (best in terms of view), November
One of the easiest and short treks anyone can experience in the Annapurna region is the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). This journey is only 8-10 days (Can go up to 10 depending on the route you follow) from the capital city (Kathmandu). It is one of the most popular treks among visitors who want to experience the ultimate trekking experience in their life. One cannot find such a diverse range of natural treasures, stunning mountains, incredible landscapes, Himalayan culture, warm hospitality and so on, making it the most unique and gratifying.
This trekking route offers ample time to witness stunning peaks and mighty Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, and alluring Machhapuchre (Fishtail) – 6997 m along the way. The trail leads you to the mighty Annapurna, passing through hills, and beautiful villages inhabited by multiple ethnic groups including Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, and Magar. You can enjoy the unique hospitality, lifestyle and culture and enjoy their traditional cuisine and Nepali food. You will pass across rivers, suspension bridges, slippery rocks, rhododendron forests and more, making your trek a lifetime memorable. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any adventure lover. Annapurna basecamp is best visited in the spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October).
Major Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Your ultimate adventure starts with your landing in Kathmandu valley surrounded by beautiful green hills and alluring Mountain views. After finishing up with customs at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed to the land of the Himalayas
by our representative. You will enjoy a drive through crowded and narrow roads from the airport to your hotel. After freshening up yourself, you can explorea tourist place called Thamel. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods.
Staying a night prior to start is essential. We recommend you to explore and get acclimated before starting a trek if you are coming from sea level. You will enjoy the beauty of historical monuments, along with Hindu and Buddhist temples and pilgrimage sites. Kathmandu is home to seven UNESCO world heritage sites worth visiting and experiencing. You would enjoy many choices of restaurants and meals providing both local and western foods. You can imagine the types of cuisine they offer. You can get your trekking gear from a shop nearby if you need anything for your trek. This evening, our representative will give you a briefing about the trek and address your queries in the best possible way.
Early morning, our representative with a guide for your trek to ABC will pick you upat the airport (Domestic terminal). You will enjoy your exciting flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will have tea and breakfast at a nearby hotel and drive to Ghandruk via Nayapool.It will take around 1 and half hours from Pokhara to Nayapool. The road descends to Birethati after crossing a river (Bhurungdi). The road winds along the Modi River and then flattens out until you reach Syauli Bazar. You will travel along a meandering path to Kimche. The road ascends from Kimche to Ghandruk. The first half of the trail is a road and the other half is a hiking trail. You will see the beautiful view of mighty Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Machhapuchre, and Himalchuli on a clear day. This will be your stop for today.
Drive time: 5-6 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotels
Today, you will trek up to Chomrong passing beautiful Ghandrukkot village after an hour of ascending from Ghandruk.After that, you will descend all the way to Kimrong Khola. You will trek for an hour after another difficult climb from Kimrong Khola. You will then continue up to Chomrong on a tough slope. Chomrong is a lovely village (big settlement on this trek) in the shadow of the massive Annapurna range. It will take 6-7 hrs to trek from Ghandruk to Chomrong. On a clear day, you will have a stunning view of the Annapurna range.Overnight at Chomrong.
Trekking time: 7-8 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotels
Early morning, you will descend down to Chomrong Khola and then climb up to Sinuwa village. Without wasting any time, you will climb a slope that leads to a dense forest a short distance away. Descend downward following the forest and continue going upward until you reach Bamboo. The trail is demanding because of the stone paths. Along the way, you will pass a picturesque village, a beautiful waterfall, and a bamboo forest. You will reach Bamboo after a 5 hours journey from Chomrong. There are few lodges and tea shops to stay overnight. You will spend a night at the lodge in Bamboo.
Trekking time: 4-5 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotel/Guest House
Early morning after breakfast, you will start your journey from Bamboo to Deurali. The trail winds through a thicket of bamboo with distinct dampness and coldness to it. You’ll climb hilly terrain as the forest thins out and eventually opens up. You will see a glacier river below after arriving in the Himalayas. The trail becomes more difficult as it passes through steep and rugged terrain. You will continue challenging and steeply trail through a forest to Hinku cave. This is the most difficult part of the entire journey. After a few minutes, you will cross a hanging bridge over a landslide-prone river. You will eventually reach Deurali after a lengthy uphill along a beautiful trail. As you ascend to the high altitude, the trees and vegetation begin to dwindle. It will take approximately 3-5 hrs to reach the beautiful Deurali village. Overnight at Deurali.
Trekking time: 3-4 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Tea House
On difficult terrain, the upward journey will take you to the avalanche area. One of the attractions of this journey is the breathtaking views of mighty Annapurna and the Machhapuchre facing each other on the adjacent side. You must be cautious of uneven, rocky, and treacherous slopes at higher elevations. After a few hours of high-altitude trek, you will reach Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC). You will take a few minutes of tea break and continue all the way to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) – 4130m.After 2 and half hours of trek from MBC, you will finally arrive at your final destination.You will see the mighty Annapurna in the background. Overnight at ABC. If the weather is clear, you will be able to witness a beautiful sunset from this vintage point as well as a stunning night sky.
Trekking time: 5-6 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotel/Guest House
Early morning, you can see the sunrise over the snow-capped Annapurna Mountain. The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) offers breathtaking views of golden sun rays striking on gleaming snow-capped mountains. After enjoying the sunrise, you will trek all the way to Bamboo. To reach Bamboo, you will descend the same route via Machhapuchre Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya, and Dovan. The trail is mostly descending without any difficulty. After 7-8 hrs of trekking, you will reach Bamboo, where you will spend your night for today.
Trekking time: 7-8 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotels/Guest House
After early breakfast, you will trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. It is a long downhill descend all the way to Jhinu Danda. I wish you will not get your knee pain today.The trek will descend from Bamboo till you reach Chomrong Khola. You will climb up a stone staircase for an hour to reach the top of Chomrong village. After a few minutes of rest, you will descend down to Jhinu Danda where you can relax your muscle in the Natural Hot Spring. For this, you have to descendfor 25 min till you reach the riverside.Overnight at lodge.
Trekking time: 5-6 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotels/Guest House
Today, you will have a short trek from Jhinu Danda to Siwai. From there, you will take a Jeep to Nayapool. It is a 3-4 hour drive from Siwai to Pokhara. There are numerous tea houses and hotels along the way. You can also take a bus from Nayapool to Pokhara. You will check back into your hotel and spend last night celebrating the successful completion of your ABC trek.
Trekking time: 6-7 hrs
Trekking distance:
Accommodation: Hotels
Early morning, our representative will drop you at the Pokhara airport. It will bea 25 min flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. However, you can also book your bus ticket to Kathmandu if you want to enjoy your final drive before flying home. You can do some shopping in Kathmandu and enjoy your time exploring other areas nearby. We will provide a successful celebration dinner at a restaurant nearby.
Insurance
Trekking in the Himalayas is not always fun. Our government has designed many protocols to make sure on safety of our tourists but sometimes it is really hard to prevent risk. Due to few transportation options in Nepal, the only fastest way to rescue anyone from the mountain is a Helicopter which could be very expensive. Therefore, we would like you to get insured through a trustworthy insurance company just to be safe. Make sure you are insured with helicopter rescue, medical injuries and any other emergency issues. We would highly recommend you carry a copy of your insurance and send one to us just in case of any emergencies.
Permit Requirements:
TIMS Trekker Permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Gears needed:
Bring all these essential gear with you about the checklist. If you want to buy it in Kathmandu, there are multiple places here as well. Ask us if you want a better place to buy or rent gear.
Physical fitness: Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a physically demanding activity, and it requires a good level of physical fitness. One should engage in regular cardiovascular and strength-building exercises for at least a few months before embarking on the trek. Exercises such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training will help prepare the body for the rigors of trekking.
Adequate acclimatization: Acclimatization is the process of adapting to high altitudes. As you trek higher, the air becomes thinner, and the body needs time to adjust. Adequate acclimatization is essential to prevent altitude sickness, a potentially fatal condition. It is recommended to spend a few days at lower altitudes to allow the body to acclimatize before climbing higher.
A knowledgeable guide: Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a challenging activity, and having a knowledgeable guide is essential for success. A guide will help navigate the route, provide information about the local culture, and assist in case of any emergencies. It is important to choose a guide who is experienced and knowledgeable about the trek.
Proper nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining energy levels and preventing altitude sickness. It is recommended to consume a high carbohydrate and protein-rich diet to provide the necessary fuel for the body. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. It is recommended to carry a water purification system or tablets to ensure access to clean water.
Mental preparation: Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a mentally challenging activity. It requires patience, perseverance, and mental toughness. It is important to be mentally prepared for challenges and to have a positive attitude. It is also important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
Basic first aid knowledge: Basic first aid knowledge is essential for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. It is important to know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, such as blisters, altitude sickness, and hypothermia. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit with essential items such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
Respect for the environment and local culture: Trekking to a very unique region of Annapurna Region is an opportunity to experience the local culture and environment. It is important to show respect for the local culture and customs and to minimize the impact on the environment.
