The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It is alternatively known as the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. Every year over 60,000 trekkers make this trip. With regard to the stunning view of the mountains, beautiful landscapes, rhododendron forests blooming in spring and Gurung villages, it is one of the nicest treks in Nepal and one of the most popular among trekkers. The trek to Annapurna Base Camp starts after about three hours of scenic drive from Pokhara. The last part of the drive from Birethanti where the Annapurna Conservation Area Check Post is located is on the off road drive. The lowland trail leads along the Modi River through nice villages and rice fields. This trek can be a little bit challenging for beginners in connection with stone stairs going up and down but you will find it worth doing once beautiful sceneries are around you. Once you are in the Annapurna Base Camp, you can have the closest view of Mt. Annapurna I (8091 m), Bharaha Chuli (7647 m), South Annapurna (7219 m), Machhapuchhre (6997 m) and Singha Chuli (6501 m). Apart from this, a beautiful sunrise and a panoramic view of the mountain range from Poon Hill including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8172 m) make this trek even more attractive.In short to describe about Annapurna Base Camp trek - it is the one and only trek of Nepal that takes you so close to Himalaya so if you dream to see the Himalaya so close then you may not miss to plan the trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
Trekking trail to Annapurna Base Camp
There are few steep ascending and descending trekking trails on the way to Annapurna Base Camp and back so physically you really need to be in good condition. The trails are very well visible during the entire trip but you have to know that some parts of the trail you have to trek are under an avalanche area too. Specially onward trails from Hinku cave to Machhapuchhre Base Camp are under the avalanche area.Some part of the trekking trail from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp are different during the autumn season trekking and spring season trekking . In the autumn season there isn't big possibility of avalanche in the trail to Annapurna Base Camp so you can just take the south side trekking trail from Deurali to reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp but if you are trekking during the spring time then you have to take the north side trekking trail crossing the river from Deurali to reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp from Deurali. The walking trail to Annapurna Base Camp from Machhapuchhre Base Camp is gradual and does not have any part that you have to go through an avalanche area. Over 80% part of the trekking trail you have to walk are though stone stairs and many people who do not have enough time to prepare for the hike could get blisters on foot too. If you are planning this trek in early autumn then you may expect some parts of the trail are slippery.
Accommodation and Meals in Annapurna Base Camp Trek
At the lower altitude you can have accommodation in really good standard lodges. You can have a private room with attached bathroom with the facility of hot shower in the room in tea houses at Ghorepani, Upper Sinuwa, Jhinu Danda but in the higher places on ward from Bamboo you may prepared to be accommodated in a shared room with fellow trekkers if you are planning your trip to Annapurna Base Camp in the high season time in Nepal. Tadapani, Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC and ABC have accommodation in a basic shared room. The Annapurna Conservation have made the limitations on building the new lodges over Bamboo so the numbers of trekkers to Annapurna Base Camp are increasing every year and the infrastructure capacity haven't been increased. Some time if there are not too much trekkers heading up then in such case you might find the accommodation in a private room for that it has to be booked in advance. The meals served in Annapurna Base Camp trail are good enough and you do not have worry for it. A big variety of dishes you can choose from the menu card and place the order for meals in most of these tea houses however some of the tea house could have limited options for choosing the meals and during the meal order time they will inform for trekkers.
Best time to trek in Annapurna Base Camp
Spring from February to May and autumn from September - December is a good time to plan the trek in Annapurna Base Camp. It's not really easy to predict the accurate weather forecast in the mountains but there is a possibility that by this time of the year weather usually is good.Some times if the monsoon is staying longer than usual then you may prepare that by September/ October you may expect rain and cloud. In the spring time there is another charm of Annapurna Base Camp trek. For most of the part of the Annapurna Base Camp trek there , there are huge rhododendron forests and spring is the time that rhododendrons are blooming. If you are planning your trek in Annapurna in spring time then you will see a lot of blooming alpine flowers. But there is always a small challenge either you are planning you trek in Annapurna either in spring or autumn because if monsoon is staying late than usual then you might have to walk in rain and cloud and in spring some time pre-monsoon can take place earlier even from March and no body know when and what time of the year the pre-monsoon is coming to Nepal. In addition to this during spring time if the weather is not good then there is the possibility of thunder and lightning as well.This is why it is said planning a trip to Himalaya always has some challenges.
Price/Cost for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The cost of the Annapurna Base Camp trek depends on the package of the trip you choose. Our package for Annapurna Base Camp includes the highly rated three star and four star hotel in Kathmandu and in Pokhara. The mode of transport - taking a tourist bus to Pokhara and back, private transport or the flights to save your time influences the prices of Annapurna Base Camp trek. If you are short with budget then our package price then just let us know and we will advise you that is suitable for you. The another factor that makes the difference in Annapurna Base Camp trek package is if your operator has offered you the private sightseeing plan to the UNESCO world heritage sites of Kathmandu and Pokhara or not because taking a private sightseeing trip to these places are quite expensive for example if you are taking two days private sightseeing in Kathmandu then the cost of getting the entrance tickets to these UNESCO heritage sites cost about USD 50. While adding the cost of a private car and guide can make your package bigger by over USD 100 so maybe check the services that are included and what are not before choosing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek offer. In our offer all these costs are included and we do not have any hidden costs.
Backpacking / Gears forAnnapurna Base Camp Trek
At the lower altitude of Annapurna Base Camp trek, the temperature during the day is really pretty warm and during the day you can walk with short slip. As you are gaining altitude then morning and evening you can expect chilly. The lowest temperature you have to prepare for this trek is up to -10 to -15 degrees in the worst weather conditions while at the lower altitude you can expect about +25 degrees during the day. So depending on your body's adoption of these temperatures every individual adaptation can vary however for the reference you may have a below list of equipment for a gear list to Annapurna Base Camp Trek. We will provide one duffle bag to each member to transport luggage during the trek and for your day bag about 30-40 litres is recommended to carry your valuables, spare clothes, water bottle etc. during the hike.
Upper Parts: Few pairs of t-shirts (3-4), couple of long sleep shirts, fleece jacket or marino shits, One down jacket, light glove , thick glove with water/windproof outer shell, waterproof jacket, scarf for neck/ head, warm hat, sun hat, sunglass uv protection, suncream (+30 or more), trekking poles
Lower Parts: few pairs of shorts (2-3), underwear - 4-5 pairs , one trekking trouser, fleece or merino warm underpants , waterproof/ windproof trouser, gaiters, few pairs light trekking socks (3-4), warm socks -2 pairs, micro crampons, trekking shoes, light sport shoes or sandal
Toiletries: One quick-drying towel, antibacterial hand gel, tooth paste, tooth brush, shower gel, soap, toilet papers, tissue papers, nail cutter,face cream, wet waives ,
Miscellaneous: First aid kids, headlight with batteries, trekking maps, camera, books,water bottle, chargers, powerbank, water purifying tablets, vitamins, minerals, sleeping bag - 10 degrees minimum, small lock to secure your main luggage etc.
