Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a mesmerizing journey through the heart of the Annapurna Region in Nepal. Here is a complete guide for Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and diverse landscapes. Trekking in Nepal is a lifetime experience for travel enthusiasts. Lost in the middle of the beautifully covered snowy peaks and cherishing each moment with them. Annapurna Base Camp Trek (shorty you can say ABC Trek) is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular hiking trails in the foothills of the Annapurna Himalayan range. The northwest of Nepal offers a stunning view of the world’s 10th highest Mt. Annapurna I along with the numerous majestic peaks in its surroundings.
Annapurna is a massif that consists of the six highest peaks, Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Gangapurna (7,455m), and the iconic one Annapurna South (7,219m). Along with this, the sacred and most iconic Machapuchhre peak also lies in the southern part of the Annapurna Massif. The entire Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you through the beautiful valleys, dense forests of rhododendrons, and junipers, deep rivers, panoramic views of mountains, and diverse culture and tradition of the Gurung community. The name of Annapurna mountain is derived from the Hindu mythology called “Ma Annapurna” which means full of grains or provider of food.
A Complete Guide for Annapurna Base Camp Trek Highlights:
- Historic Ghandruk village, Gurung community, their culture, traditions, and practices.
- A pleasant and vibrant walk through the bank of Modi Khola, crossing dense alpine forests inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Gorgeous sunrise from Poon Hill viewpoint over the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Ranges, Nilgiri, and many more.
- Experience the exotic flora and fauna in the renowned Annapurna Conservation Area.
- The amazing trail passes through many beautiful villages, waterfalls, rainforests, and alpine biodiversity.
- The walk between Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp.
- The closest glimpse of the 10th highest mountain in the world Annapurna I, along with (Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna V, Annapurna South, Gangapurna.
- The diverse faces of the most iconic mountain in Annapurna rage – Mt. Machhapuchhre.
- The view of giant Annapurna South, Glacier of Annapurna and Annapurna Base Camp, and 360-degree mountain view.
- Natural hot spring in Jhinu Danda.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficult?
Annapurna Base Camp trek is considered a moderately graded trekking trail that covers around 70km in 10 days. This trek is one of the most rewarding but also requires a bit of proactive preparedness to achieve this milestone. Cardio exercise, running, regular jugging, and some stretching for a couple of weeks before the treks are good ideas to enhance your stamina. Normal fitness levels and beginner trekkers can easily accomplish this trek however for beginners, it requires proper guidance of all the mountain climate, atmosphere, and environment. However, the more fitter and experienced we are, the trip will be more easy and adventurous for sure. Past hiking experience would be an added advantage for you since you don’t need extra mountaineering techniques and skills to do the Annapurna base camp trek.
How long is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Normally, the trek to Annapurna Base Camp is 67km long and takes 10 days from Pokhara to back to Pokhara. However, sometimes it might be a few more days extra for unpredictable weather and additional acclimatization. This trek is a moderately graded trek in the foothills of the Annapurna Himalayan range, so normally you need some training for your body to prepare for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. There are two different routes for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. One is directly taking a Jeep from Pokhara and driving to Ghandruk and starting hiking from there. Another is to take a Jeep to Thikhedhunga and hike through the Poonhill.
Way up: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Thikhedhunga – Poonhill – Chomrong – Dovan – MBC – ABC
Way Down: ABC – Himalaya – Bamboo – Chomrong – Jhinu – Nayapul – Pokhara – Kathmandu
How much does it cost to go to Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
On average the journey itself is 8-10 days and the cost of the Annapurna Base Camp trek normally ranges between 1100USD-1500USD depending on flight transfer and additional routes that you take. The above-mentioned cost includes all the ground transfers, all the required permits, full board meals, guide, porter, accommodations, and certificate along with a one-day city tour in Kathmandu. You will get a handsome discount if you are travelling in a bigger group.
The cost of the Annapurna Base Camp trek mostly depends upon if you’re travelling privately or in a group and the itinerary that you would choose. Travelling in groups can be cheaper as you’ll share porters, guides, and hotels during the trek whereas the private treks are tailored as per the requirements of the clients.
Is the Annapurna Base Camp trek safe?
Trekking is the best adventure of all time for most travel enthusiasts. However, it comes with adventure as well as all inheritance risks. But, if you are travelling through a local travel agency, we take great care in designing our treks and itineraries to ensure safety on the trek. Mountains are always a mysterious land of unpredictable weather, fewer human settlements, rugged trails, forests, and least navigated areas. While making itineraries, we put in some extra days for acclimatization if needed and for unfavourable weather conditions. Besides this, our trek leaders team will be fully equipped with the things that you might need during the trekking like an oximeter, blood pressure monitor, first aid box, and other essential things. The guides and trekking leaders will see your health condition every day and guide you accordingly. Regarding the security of the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you can freely walk, take pictures and enjoy the view. But, at the same time walking with groups, and maintaining distance from the team leader is highly suggested. Training properly for at least a month, and hydrating yourself during the trek also ensures the safe completion of your trek.
What is the best season for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The weather situation in the Himalayas is different from what we heard, read, and expected about it. In the context of Nepal, generally in high mountains, people love to trek during spring and autumn. In this two-season, you can get a chance to experience the good weather, comfortable trail, and majestic views of snowy peaks.
The Spring season normally falls from March to May. This is the season of the year when wildflowers bloom and you will get the most comfortable temperature in the mountains. Also, mountains are open from morning to late afternoon, so that you can cherish the beautiful view of snow-capped mountains during the spring season. In Nepal, most commercial mountaineering also happens during the spring season.
How cold is the Annapurna Base Camp?
The first few days of trekking in the lower Himalayan range normally look warm and slightly moderate with dense alpine forest and hilly terrain. The second half of the trek takes you right into the cooler and often freezing altitudes of the mountains. At Annapurna Base Camp, the temperature can be 2 to -10 degrees, on average. Be prepared with your clothes as well. Generally, morning and evening would be cooler and daytime remain warm until the weather gets foggy and windy. As compared to other popular trekking trails such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Manaslu Circuit Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is slightly less cold.
What are the accommodations in the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most popular and renowned trekking trails in the Himalayas of Nepal. This classical trek has a lot of good tea houses in high altitudes and very nice hotels and guest houses in lower altitudes. The rooms are cheaper if you eat your meals in the same hotel. Normally Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Chomrong and Jhinu Danda have nice rooms with attached bathrooms and mountain views. Afterwards, the living places would be on a normal, sharing basis but every teahouse will offer the best hospitality as much as possible.
The bed has a good mattress, a clean bed sheet, one warm blanket, and a comfortable pillow in a cosy room. Also, the more you ascend up towards the base camp, the number of tea houses will be less and will be occupied during the prime trekking season.
How is the food and drinking water in Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The food during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is similar to other popular trekking trails in Nepal. The main highlight dish is the Nepali Dal Bhat set which includes boiled rice, lentil soup, vegetables, and pickles, and if you want you will get meat until Dovan as well. Besides this, you will get almost all the popular international and continental cuisine along with some other local tastes in the Annapurna Region.
Normally at breakfast, they serve, set breakfast, porridge, omelettes, boiled eggs, chapati, pancake, Gurung bread, and muesli. You will get normal coffee, tea, and juice along with breakfast.
During Lunchtime, you can either order a Dal Bhat Set, or fry rice, pasta, spaghetti, macaroni, dumplings, and some other light meals. As with breakfast, you can have tea, coffee, and juice anytime.
At Dinner, same as at lunch, you can choose your meal from the menu. If you are used to eating light then you can order chapati and vegetable curry as well. The tea houses serve vegetarian meals, vegan meals, and gluten-free meals as well if required. For those meals, you should inform your guide/trekking leader beforehand.
Regarding the safe drinking water and normal usable water in the Annapurna Base Camp trek, there are few options for drinking water. If you have water purification tablets and a water purifier, in that case, you can ask for normal water from the hotel/lodges you stay in and drink that directly after the purification. Another option is you buy the already filtered mineral water from the hotels/tea houses. Also, once you reach higher, you can order hot water in a pot and drink that water instead of a cold one. It would be slightly more expensive than normal water but it’s good for high altitudes.
Besides this, we always recommend bringing some protein bars, chocolates, dry nuts, and candy bars which provide additional energy while trekking.
