It has been almost 25 years since I did the trek to Annapurna Base Camp 1st time and still counting (200+ times). I am here to share some information, what I learnt in last 25 years of guiding and organising treks.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek which is also known as ABC Trek and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. It is one of the most popular and admired trekking destinations in the world. It has a diverse landscape, rich culture fabulous mountain vistas, terraced fields, charming Gurung villages and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Reaching at 4130m sleeping overnight enjoying sunset and sunrise view from Base camp is something unreal. It makes you feel dream come true.
The trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is not easy and not that much difficult too. Before you set off on your adventure, make sure you are reasonably fit to complete the trek easily. There’s no need to be able to run a marathon, however some hiking experience would be great to enjoy the everyday hiking.
Being well prepared and in shape make sure you’ll have a better mindset also and that’s what it’s really about. As famous climber Scott Fisher once said: It’s attitude, not altitude.
For Nepal you need to have a visa. There are two ways to obtain a tourist visa for Nepal, either at a Nepalese Embassy before arriving or upon arrival at one of the many entry points.
Visa before arrival:
Visitors can visit their closest Nepalese Embassy to apply for a visa. Usually your visa can be approved the same day if it is not very busy. It is possible to fill out the application online before visiting the embassy to speed up the process.
Visa on arrival:
Visas are granted to visitors upon arrival in Nepal. The same process applies to arrival by air and land. Immigration offices can be found at Trivhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu.
I only have one thing to say about this: ALWAYS go with a guide! Why? I will mention my most important reasons below:
– You’re safer! A guide knows the trails, shows expertise and keeps an eye out for your concerning altitude sickness
– You’ll support the local economy
– You’ll always have a place to sleep because your guide will take care of this
I suggest you to choose the company and book your trip in advance and before your trip you may talk with your guide online and same time you will know more about your guide too. On your arrival everything is booked by your travel company and you are ready to go.
ABC Trek is ranging from 1000 meters to 4130 meters. It’s like an easy to moderate level Trekking, since it comprises many ups and downs along the trails. It would be best if you walked 5 to 7 hours a day. Trekking in Annapurna base camp you don’t have to be super fit but better to be reasonably fit .
The best time to do this trek is mid-September to early December but this is also Nepal’s peak season.
Mid-February till the end of April is the second best time of year for trekking, this is at the end of the dry season.
December, January and February bring clear skies but it’s a lot colder. And snowfall can make it difficult.
June to Mid September is the least popular time because of the rain, and cloud.
Pack as light as possible Even you are hiring porter but make sure you have everything for your trip, you may not able to buy any trekking gears up there. Before start trek you may leave your unnecessary stuff at Pokhara hotel with free of cost. This is of course very personal, however I can definitely recommend to carry the following items:
– Rain jacket and pants
– Down jacket
– Warm down sleeping bag and a liner
– Hat, scarf, mittens
– Toiletries
– T-shirts, fleece sweater and hiking pants
– Thermal underwear
– Power bank
– Drinking bottles
– Snacks and teabags
– Sunglasses and sun screen
– Lip balm
– Headlight
– First aid kit
– Book or e-reader
– Earplugs
– Lightweight towel
Altitude sickness is not something you can do a lot about once you have it. Well trained people can get is as easily as untrained people. Here are few tips which helps you to avoid acuite moiuntain sickness.
1. Take the journey well-rested
2. Drink plenty of and water
3. Trek slow and steady
4. Optional: use Diamox
I’m being asked a lot about Diamox, I’m definitely not a doctor and cannot push you in any direction for you to decide. However, my personal experience is somehow it helps not harm to take it even there is some side effects (tingling feet, nose, ears, cheeks, toes) . if you are really worried about AMS take 125mg as prevention twice day, and take 250mg if you got ams shymtoms twise a day.
BUT Once you have AMS and getting worse, your only option is going back down. Always make sure to inquire with your guide about the use of Diamox!
Get more information about Altitude sickness here.
Day 1. Drive Pokhara to Nayapul, hike to Tokhedgunga or Ulleri
Day 2 Hike Ulleri to Gorepani
Day 3. Early morning hike to Poon Hill, back to Gorepani and continue trek to Tadapani
Day 4. Hike to Chomrong
Day 5. Hike to Bamboo
Day 6. Hike to Deurali
Day 7 Hike to Base Camp
Day 8 Back to Bamboo
Day 9 Back to Matque nd Drive to Pokhara.
Option 2
Day 1 Drive to matque and Trek to chomrong
Day 2 Trek to bamboo
Day 3 Trek to Deurali
Day 4 Trek to Base Camp
Day 5 Trek back to Bamboo
Day 6 Trek back to matque and drive to Pokhara.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is basic, still nice and clean bedrooms with 2 to 5 person sharing basis getting more so the higher you go. All the places they have hot showers and basic needs.
Accommodation need to be booked in advance during peak season due to limited availability. And your trekking agent will handle all this.
Food
You can get any types of food you wish to have, most commonly Nepali, Indian and Continental. A lot of the tea houses are available there which are very hygienic and cheaper. Hot and cold beverage is also available there at very reasonable price. Bring along snacks and tits bits like trekking bars and sweets. You can buy up there in mountain but compare bit costly .
Water
Once you get past a certain height you can’t buy bottled water, to avoid plastic waste on the trek. So ensure you bring a couple of water bottles with you to refill or bring a life straw or purifying tablets. You can buy filtered water, but you have to have your own bottle to put it in.
Make sure you have travel insurance that includes being airlifted off a mountain. If you get severe altitude sickness you will need to be quickly airlifted down. Although the ABC Trek is not as high as other treks, we could still feel the air was much thinner at base camp and altitude sickness is always a possibility. You will likely have to pay a premium and a very high excess, but it’s better than needing to pay for the entire evacuation which can cost thousands.
For more information contact us we will organise your trip as you want within your budget
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