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Annapurna base camp trekking is the most frequently done journey in Nepal, which hits the top of the list even before Everest trekking. In this incredible journey, we travel to the heart of the Annapurna Himalayan ranges to reach the base of the world's 10th highest, Mt Annapurna.
It needs no explanation why this route is so famous. The daily dose of incredible views of the gifted nature while exploring the mid hills, villages of typical Gurung and Magar tribes passing through the enchanting rhododendron forests, and the awe-inspiring landscapes are just beyond words. The most popular Poon Hill falls in this journey and is the best vantage point for observing stunning Himalayan ranges from pretty up close during sunrise and sunset.
People with no experience in trekking and who are weak-hearted in terms of traveling can also join this beautiful trip to Annapurna. The preferable times are spring and autumn, though it can be done at other times. It’s better to go straight on the trek to Annapurna base camp rather than hear from people; only then will you realize how beautiful it is.
If you have a short time, you might also want to check Short Annapurna Base Camp Trekking and Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Heli return.
Day 01:Scenic drive to Pokhara 860m 6hrs (Flight is an option) BL, Hotel
Day 02:Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri 1960m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 03:Trek to Ghorepani 2874m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 04:Trek to Tadapani 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 05:Trek to Sinuwa 2340m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 06:Trek to Deurali 3230m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 07:Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4130m 4hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 08:Trek to Bamboo 2050m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 09:Trek to JhinuDanda 1700m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Day 10:Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara 6hrs, BL, Hotel
Day 11:Drive back to Kathmandu, BL.
Kathmandu sightseeing: $80 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)
Porter service: $20/day per porter
Day 01: Scenic drive to Pokhara 860m 6hrs (Flight is an option) B, Hotel
Early in the morning, we start the highway drive towards Pokhara. First, you will leave the crowded Kathmandu valley via the west side at Thankot, then enter the main highway in Dhading. It could be an exciting drive today for many tourists since they haven’t seen the roads like this before. Frequently winding turns, a small highway and the traffic congestion could be something new for you, so you have to be prepared for this. Other than that, enjoy the scenic ride in the beautiful countryside of Nepal. You can expect to see Mt Machapuchare (Fish Tail) on this driving day before arriving in Pokhara. As you get to Pokhara, you will be amazed by this beautiful valley where the Himalayan ranges reflect upon its Phewa Lake. Transfer to the hotel by the serene Phewa Lake. Boating in the lake.
Day 02: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri 1960m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Our trekking journey begins from today onward. Let’s be calm and slowly start our steps to get to the wonderland. 2 hours of drive from Pokhara takes you to Nayapul. From Nayapul, start walking uphill for a short time to reach Birethanti (where we show our permits) and later to Tikhedhunga for the lunch stop. Walk through the valley floor past lush green farmlands, paddy fields, and rivers. Passing through houses, shops and different settlements, especially with Magar tribes and ascending some serious challenging steps you'll arrive at Ulleri for the overnight stop. These steps are infamous in this region.
Day 03: Trek to Ghorepani 2874m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Another beautiful day to be walking into serene nature. Until Ulleri, you will only see fragments of the Annapurna Himalayas. The trail gets steeper than the previous day as you wander through the lush forests. The forest will be denser and temperature cooler as you keep going higher. You'll gain more height at Ghorepani village with fantastic scenery of the world’s 7th highest Mt Dhaulagiri, and its range of peaks Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar. Ghorepani is famous for hiking to Poon Hill, a viewpoint offering super wide-angle views of the world’s 3 highest peaks and other mountains with striking sunrise and sunset.
Day 04: Trek to Tadapani 2630m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
You’d better wake up early if you don’t want to miss the beautiful sunrise over the massive mountain ranges. Hike to Poon Hill 3210m before dawn. After you think you've had enough of the panoramic mountain views, time to get back to the lodge and continue another day's trek. You will pass through Deurali (where lies a viewpoint), Thulo Odar and Ban Thanti to arrive in Tadapani for the overnight stop after the usual uphill and downhill climbs. You will witness the mountain ranges on and off as you hike through the forest and waterfalls on this day.
Day 05: Trek to Sinuwa 2340m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
On this day, you will first pass Chuile and Siprong to cross Kimrong Khola (river), then continue passing through Gurjung, Taulung, Chhomrong and Tilche villages to arrive in Sinuwa. There will be a lot of stairs on this day again. If you're lucky, you could also see many floras and faunas on the trail, including the elusive Red Panda. Morning climb up for a few hours to reach Chhomrong village and after a short break there, continue your walks, the final challenging part until you arrive at Sinuwa. The hike could be a bit strenuous this day compared to the other day.
Day 06: Trek to Deurali 3230m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
It will be one of the longest hikes and challenging for many. However, the views are scenic, and the walk is wonderful through dense forest side by side with the Modi Khola river. The walk leads into a cool thick forest till Bamboo (named after the bamboo forest) is reached, located by the Modi River in the middle of bamboo, rhododendron and oaks forest. The similar hike will lead you to Dovan, Himalaya Hotel and finally towards a less vegetation area at Deurali for the night stop. You will notice that you're getting closer to the majestic Mount Annapurna.
Day 07: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4130m 4hrs, BLD, Teahouse
It is the day you feel the most satisfied with why you chose this journey. The walk is gradual, and you will start to feel the effect of altitude on your breathing. It's a challenging and sweating day, yet the mountain vistas will overwhelm you. You might want to start early to soak in all the views before a possible abrupt weather change. Within 2 hours, you will arrive at Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC), where you can relax and enjoy the view for some time. From MBC, the trail gets steeper and never stops till you arrive at Annaupurna Base Camp (ABC.) After arriving at Base Camp, the main highlight of our adventure, you can enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding mountainous scenery.
Annapurna area was first explored by British Adventurer Col. James O.M. 'Jimmy' Roberts in 1956 and exposed to the world as the 'Sanctuary of Gods.' The Sanctuary has been christened as "Annapurna Sanctuary" ever since.
Day 08: Trek to Bamboo 2050m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Rise early to witness the stunning sunrise from the vantage point. Have a hearty breakfast in your lodge afterward. After a grand time at Annapurna base camp and sanctuary, walk in the morning downhill path to Deurali. You will be back into tree lines in no time. Retrace your way back to Bamboo for the overnight stop.
Day 09: Trek to Jhinu Danda 1700m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Follow the same route back until you arrive at Chhomrong village for the lunch break. From Chhomrong, trek to Jhinu Danda via a ridge which offers refreshing hot springs with just a 20 mins downhill walk. Enjoy the view of picturesque valleys and the beautiful mountains on the way back. Once you arrive in Jhinu Danda, walk down to the famous hot spring or 'Tatopani' to wash off yourself.
Day 10: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara 6hrs, BL, Hotel
Unfortunately, we’ve come to the end of our beautiful journey. After returning to Nayapul in a few hours, we will drive back to Pokhara. It will take 5-6 hours of hiking on an easy trail to get to Nayapul. Once you're in the hotel, take your time and relax since it’s been an arduous journey, and we have made it through thick and thin.
Day 11: Drive back to Kathmandu, BL.
We drive early in the morning to Kathmandu, leaving the panoramic city Pokhara behind. End of the journey. NAMASTE.
Customized Trips and Trip departure
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to when the trips cannot be customized.
But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you, so you need to choose your own dates and packages when you can customize the trek per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.
Accommodations in Pokhara and during the trek
You will stay in a hotel in Pokhara while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day; everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best for the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. As you can see, our entire accommodations will be on a twin-sharing basis, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or a double bed, etc. There will be an extra charge for the single supplement.
If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better one in Pokhara, please let us know, and we can change it for you at added cost.
Route Map and Company T-shirt
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and company t-shirts.
Safe Drinking Water during Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid altitude sickness and other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you with water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water at an extra cost.
Your trekking guides and porters
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the tourism industry. We can guarantee you that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured, and are they paid well? Well, they are the staff of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours, so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.
Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have significant knowledge in climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours, can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are thoroughly trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone a lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and make your journey smooth and pleasant.
Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone does. Some of the things they tell you might even be hard to find in the travel guidebooks. Depending upon the situation and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly, so he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexible and ready to accommodate your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will provide you with assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.
Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need, and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow a maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with fewer communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.
We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are alone. Whether you're a lone female or a male traveler, you can hike in the Himalayas doubtlessly with our experienced guide.
Extra personal expenses during and after the trek
The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks, like buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staff, etc. Therefore, we recommend you bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $300-400, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in most of the Nepali market.
Shower during the trek
It's an important matter to discuss. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and getting fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes, but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend showering on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering, which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offer you a hot shower, but a bucket of hot water is provided in the upper elevation. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($3-5).
Laundry on the trail
There are some teahouses that offer laundry services, and you can use their service during the acclimatizing days. However, most of the lodges don't have laundry service, and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Please plan about it in advance.
Your safety
Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you with our comprehensive first aid medical kit bag and the professional team of guides and porters. We always communicate with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. We will monitor your entire journey and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking cost?
The cost of the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking varies depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.
How is the Accommodation during the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
In Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Many teahouses even have some attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.
What are the permits that I need for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
For Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, you will need to make two permits: ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).
How does this tipping system in Nepal work, and do I have to tip?
Tipping is not compulsory for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.
Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
You can easily charge your electronic devices during Annapurna Base Camp Trekking {with some exceptional days} but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adaptor or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.
Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route has good mobile network coverage these days {with few exception days}, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek to avoid paying extra by buying WiFi on the trek.
WiFi is available on some teahouses in Annapurna Base Camp Trekking route. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.
When is the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp?
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek in Annapurna Base Camp. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.
Do I have to worry about altitude sickness in Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
The itinerary of our Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 4130 m or more above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Annapurna Base Camp Trekking demands moderate physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents which means you need at least some practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests and high hills. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least 2 months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.
What food items or meals can I eat on Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
Only breakfast is included in Pokhara while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.
The most common and the highly recommended food during the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.
Do I need travel insurance for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 4300 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.
In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks.
How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?
Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well.
For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
Is there any age limit for the Annapurna base camp trek?
Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is.
How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you in cash or can I use my card?
On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.
How big should my backpack be?
It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag.
If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the bathroom?
You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself.
Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?
Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free.
What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?
For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.
What if I get sick or injured during the trek?
Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu.
How cold is it during the Annapurna base camp trekking?
The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude.
What gear and equipment do I need to pack for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?
Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.
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