*for 15 pax
11 March, 2021
5 December, 2020
This outstanding excursion is one of the easier, shorter treks available in the Himalayas, but it still promises spectacular views. Along the way, you’ll learn about and interact with diverse ethnic populations, such as the Gurung people. This trek also offers a breadth of landscapes, including rhododendron forests, glacial lakes, and sprawling meadows.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek does not require a guide, but you are more than welcome to hire one or book through a touring company. This is still a high-altitude hike and all trekkers are encouraged to bring medicine and make the journey relatively slowly, especially after passing through Chomrong. Permits are required to enter the Annapurna Sanctuary and must be obtained before your trip. Lastly, Nepal requires all international travelers (with the exception of Indian nationals) to present a valid international visa or purchase one at the Kathmandu airport.
Pokhara emergency numbers
- Police: 100
- Tourist Police: 061-462761
- Ambulance: 102
- Charak Hospital: 061535999
- Manipal Teaching Hospital: 061426416
- Nepal Tourism Board: 061465292, 061463029
- Blood Bank: 061521091
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a 67 kilometers long activity. From Pokhara to reaching the ABC and returning to Pokhara, the entire activity roughly takes around ten days.
Trekking is an activity that comes with inherent risks and dangers. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek has a moderate-difficulty level. It is ideal for both intermediate and seasoned trekkers, provided they have the requisite levels of fitness and training. A prior experience of a high-altitude Himalayan expedition can be a bonus.
The Annapurna Base Camp and the Everest Base Camp treks are two utterly different adventure activities. Yes, both of them take place in the Nepalese Himalayas and are considered two of the classic activities to pursue in the Himalayas. Both of them are rated moderate-difficult and are tea-house treks.
However, they are different in many aspects. The geographical location in which these two treks occur, the starting point of the trek, number of days required to complete the trek, maximum elevation, and modes of transportation differ.
The hike to the Annapurna Base Camp will not burn a hole in your pocket. Some of the standard costs that get included are the ACAP permit cost (approximately 30 USD for foreigners and 1.7-2 USD for SAARC nationals) and the TIMS Card cost (17 USD/15 EUR). The entire trekking cost can be rounded off between 700 USD/600 EUR to 1000 USD/900 EUR. Still, you should do considerable research and contact affordable travel and tourism companies if you are willing to travel on a stricter budget.
The best time to visit the Annapurna Base Camp depends on the purpose that motivates you to do the trek. The primary trekking seasons are the pre-Monsoon/Spring and the post-monsoon/Autumn, as you can get the best views during these times.
The pre-Monsoon season spans from March to May. However, April is considered to be the best month for trekking during this season because of low-humidity and pleasant weather. If natural Himalayan beauty and enjoying the calmness and peace offered by the Annapurna sanctuary are your primary targets, then you should concentrate on trekking during the end of May. However, the skies could turn cloudy, and there could be sudden downpours.
The post-Monsoon season spans from September to November. October is unarguably the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Because the skies become clearer, the weather is pleasant, and an optimum range of temperature dominates the season. You can get the most spectacular views of the Himalayas during this season.
If you wish to visit the Annapurna Base Camp and tread across snow-filled, empty trails, you can participate in this activity in January. The temperature will be drastically low, between -10 degrees Celsius to -15 degrees Celsius, and you should be well prepared.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the classic treks in the Nepalese Himalayas. Since several new and upcoming adventures take you across less-beaten trails, some question the Annapurna Base Camp trek’s worthiness and the value it offers.
But according to the experts, the Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the best high-altitude expeditions in the world. It takes you across one of the most extensive global mountain systems- the Annapurna Massif and enables you to appreciate the beauty of the stunning Himalayan peaks. Though much construction work is happening and new trails are outlined, the Annapurna Base Camp trek has retained its charm as one of those fabled activities to indulge in.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is 67 kilometers long. If you are reasonably fit, it will take you five days to hike to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) from Pokhara (820 m), walking 6 to 7 hours daily on average. However, you should keep an extra day within your trek itinerary to compensate for any unfavorable weather conditions.
No, officially there is no age limit to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek. However, you should be reasonably fit both physically and mentally. Children, less than seven/eight years of age are not advised for the trek. If you are taking a child below ten years of age along with you, ensure that he is reasonably fit. Try to keep the trekking itinerary light and relaxed to accommodate for their shortage of strength, pace, and endurance.
Travel insurance is mandatory when you go hiking in Nepal, not just the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is essential to insure yourself against accidents, injuries, and illnesses. You should be careful to insure yourself entirely during the entire duration of the trip. You should also ensure that every activity, excursion, and destination that comes under your trip activity is insured. Your insurance coverage must include helicopter evacuation and repatriation costs, apart from the regular coverages against cancellation and medical expenses.
During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you will have to stay overnight at Pokhara, Ghandruk, Sinuwa, Deurali, ABC, Bamboo, and Jhinu Danda. You will get a hotel or a stellar guest house at Pokhara. But the rest of the places where you will stay overnight are Nepalese villages at high altitudes. At the ABC, you will just find a small group of lodges. Therefore, the only kind of accommodation that you will get here is the fascinating tea-houses. These tea-houses are humble dwellings of the local villagers who provide you with accommodation and food to stay during the trek. They are present across your trekking trails.
The staple food is dal-bhaat (a concoction of rice cooked with lentils). You can also get yak meat curry, momos, and noodles at some of the tea-houses. Some of the tea-houses even offer cheese dumplings made from the local yak milk. Apart from these, you will get a variety of hot and cold drinks, including Buransh/rhododendron juice and the famous Nepalese tea- which will enthuse you throughout your journey. You can also try the local alcoholic beverages like Chhang and Raksi if you want to unwind and relax. You can maintain a daily budget of 25 to 30 USD for your meals, and it will suffice nicely.
Water safety is a massive problem across Nepal, not just the trekking routes. Since drinking water is not readily available during the ABC Trek and becomes immensely costly as you ascend to a higher elevation, you should carry water bottles during your treks and fill them up while staying at the tea-houses. Try not to carry plastic water bottles, and even if you do, bring them back with you after completing the trek. Carry water purification tablets if you have to fill the water bottles from random places or natural sources.
Though it is possible to travel to several places across Nepal without a guide or a porter, it is advisable to hire them before starting the trek from Pokhara. It is all the more critical when you are traveling solo because these people know the trails by heart and protect you against any unprecedented danger. A guide will also educate you about the history of the land and tell you stories about the sites that fall within your trails. A porter is particularly important when you travel with a group since they will help you carry luggage.
You should interview them well before hiring them. However, if a reputed travel and tour operator is arranging for your trek, they will recruit the guide and porter themselves. A porter's daily charge is roughly between 10 to 15 USD, whereas a guide costs approximately 30 USD each day.
Generally, if you are getting sick in between the ABC Trek, it might mean that you are affected by Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS symptoms. You should stay fully hydrated, take the medicines that you are carrying and stop ascending. However, if it gets severe, you must hike down fast and get medical assistance for yourself. For emergencies, your activity insurance should cover for helicopter evacuation.
Is something not as per your expectation after your trip has started?
Bucket 
List with us
