Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the best time to witness the beauty of the Annapurna Base Camp trails. It offers clear and pleasant weather for trekking. Similarly, the flora and fauna are the most active at this time of the year. You can witness the entire rhododendron forest and Himalayan floras in full bloom.

The precipitation level is low during spring. Hence, you can witness stunning mountain vistas without any obstruction. The temperature in the lower regions ranges from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, temperatures in higher areas are between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Autumn (September to November)

The next best time for an Annapurna Base Camp Trek is autumn. It falls right after the monsoon season, so the air is crisp, and the vegetation is vibrant. Up until early September, there can be slight rainfall. As the season progresses, the weather is clear, and the visibility is excellent.

The temperature in the lower region is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature at the higher elevation range drops significantly and can reach up to -5 degrees Celsius at night. Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, also fall in autumn. It is the best time to enjoy trekking in the Himalayas and during the festive season.

Our 14-day Annapurna Base Camp Package has a complete itinerary to make your time in Nepal as fulfilling as possible. Your journey to 14 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek will begin after you arrive in Pokhara. Your starting point will be Nayapul, where you will start your hike. You will climb up the side of the valley and reach Hile (1,495 meters) near Tikhedhunga.

The next destination is Ghorepani (2,860 meters), where you will stay overnight. The following morning you will take an excursion to Poon Hill (3,210 meters) to watch a gorgeous sunrise and the panorama view of the mountains. After climbing down, you will trek to Tadapani (2,630 meters). Along the journey, you will climb along the ridges of the hills among the pine and rhododendron forests. The next day, you will trek to Chhomrong (2,170 meters). You will travel through the oak forest, terraced fields, and charming villages. Likewise, you will have mountain views of Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Machhapuchhre.

After leaving Chhomrong, you will descend through stone staircases and climb up through the bamboo forests, oak, and rhododendrons. Then, you will reach the village of Dovan (2,600 meters) and stay overnight. The next day, you will trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700 meters) and spend a night at a lodge there. The following day, you will trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. Reaching the base camp takes under two hours, and you will spend a day exploring it.

After reaching the base camp, it is time to head back, passing through the bamboo forest. The following day, you will trek to Jhinu Danda (1750 m) and Nayapul. After reaching Nayapul, you will drive to Pokhara and then back to Kathmandu.

The 14 Days Annapurna Base Camp trek is a moderately difficult trekking route. So, any physically fit beginner trekker can take up the challenge. The highest altitude you will reach during the trek is 4,130 meters. There are chances for altitude sickness, so take precautions. Be physically prepared to ascend and descend staircases and other varied terrain.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is moderately difficult and physically demanding. Trekkers must be physically fit and have the strength, stamina, and endurance to trek for an average of 5 to 6 hours daily. Therefore, physical preparation is crucial.

Start your physical preparation two months before the trek. Various exercises and training sessions can help boost your physical stamina, strength, and endurance. Cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, swimming, and jogging increase heart rate and breathing techniques. Similarly, you can undertake strength training, aerobics, and yoga.

Exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week and gradually intensify the workout as you progress. Resting well and eating a healthy diet is also important to prepare your body for the trek.

There are plenty of budget-friendly and luxurious hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, you will only find basic accommodations along the ABC Trek route. Tea houses, lodges, and guest houses are common along the trails. Since infrastructure is lacking, these accommodations only provide basic facilities and amenities.

These accommodations have small rooms with limited furniture. They have rooms on a twin-sharing basis. Similarly, they usually have communal squat-style bathrooms. However, you can also find rooms with attached bathrooms. They provide beds, blankets, pillows, and bedsheets to their guests.

Our 14-day Annapurna Base Camp package covers and arranges all your accommodations. After you arrive in Kathmandu, our representative will take you to a hotel. After you begin the trek, your accommodation will be at lodges and guesthouses. You will spend a night at a hotel in Pokhara after the trek.

Permits Required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The ABC Trek requires two permits: a TIMS card and an ACAP.

TIMS card

The TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card takes the personal details of trekkers before they embark on the journey. Likewise, trekkers must provide a trek itinerary and emergency contact number while applying for the card. The information is crucial in ensuring your safety during natural disasters and emergencies. The costs of the TIMS card are as follows:

• SAARC national (Solo): NPR 600
• SAARC national (Group): NPR 300
• Non-SAARC national (Solo): NPR 1000
• Non-SAARC national (Group): NPR 2000

ACAP

The trails of Annapurna Base Camp Trek lie within the Annapurna Conservation Area. It is Nepal’s largest conservation area and home to thousands of biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. It plays a crucial role in conserving and preserving the region’s flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. Hence, trekkers must take permits to access the area. The costs of ACAP are:

• SAARC national: NPR 1000
• Non-SAARC national: NPR 3000

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Since the ABC route lies in the rural area of the Annapurna region, there are unforeseen risks, including high altitude. Therefore, travel insurance is crucial and gives trekkers peace of mind. The travel insurance must cover high altitudes of up to 6000 meters. It should cover medical and emergency expenses such as helicopter rescue and evacuation.

Due to the high altitude nature of the trek, trekkers can succumb to altitude sickness. In the worst-case scenario, they may need immediate rescue. There is a lack of roadways and medical facilities along the ABC trails. Helicopter rescue is the only way to provide immediate assistance. Therefore, travel insurance is crucial.

Other than medical and emergency expenses, travel insurance covers trip delays, cancellations, baggage loss, equipment damages, and more. Before getting insurance, ensure that you understand the terms and policy and that it covers all the above-mentioned essential points.

Meals During the Trek

You will mostly have Nepalese cuisine during the 14 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You will also find a few Indian and Western cuisines on the menu. In the higher region, the menu option gets further limited. ABC is a demanding trek, and you must eat high-calorie meals to energize you.

The most common meal on the trek is the Nepali staple, Dal Bhat. It comprises rice, lentil soup, vegetables, curry, and pickles. Other food items include momo, chowmein, thukpa, soup, stew, porridge, oatmeal, bread (chapati, Tibetan), sandwiches, roti and curry, eggs, and pasta.

Eating vegetarian meals and drinking plenty of fluids, such as green tea, lemon tea, garlic soup, and ginger tea, is best. It is extremely helpful for high-altitude treks like ABC. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy products, and hot chocolate.

Note: The trek package covers only standard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The expenses for soft drinks, alcohol, cold drinks, etc., are trekker’s personal expenses.

Transportation Available

You can travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by roadway or airway. Traveling by flight is faster but more expensive. Meanwhile, traveling by road takes more time but is affordable.

The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes 30 minutes. It is the best option for those with limited time and seeking a comfortable option. On the other hand, it takes 6 to 8 hours to reach Pokhara by car on the Prithvi Highway. The road connecting the two cities is smooth, with a few bumpy sections. You can choose between a local bus, a tourist bus, or hiring a private vehicle.

You can hire a private or shared jeep from Pokhara to travel to the trek’s starting point. A shared jeep is ideal for 2 or 3 people and is a more budget-friendly option. Hiring a private jeep is excellent for convenient traveling and for a larger group. A jeep has seating space for 7 to 8 people.

Electricity, WIFI, And Battery Recharge in Annapurna Region

The Annapurna region has facilities for electricity, WIFI, and battery recharge. Most accommodations along the route provide these services, for which you have to pay extra charges. They have a local grid or solar panels for electricity.

These facilities are more widely available in lower regions than in higher-altitude areas. As you ascend to higher elevations, the facilities may be limited. Due to a lack of infrastructure, WIFI connectivity gets poorer or non-existent, making it unsuitable for extensive data work. The accommodation charges around USD 2 for the services.

We advise trekkers to carry power banks, universal adapters, and spare batteries. The electrical outlet may be different from your country. The electric outlets in Nepal have Type C, D, and M plug standards. Likewise, the voltage is typically 220 to 240 volts at 50 hertz.