Annapurna Base Camp Trek

17 days - customizable

A/D from Kathmandu

Autumn / Spring

September – November / March – May

Medium

5–7 hours walk/day

Annapurna base camp trek is one of the fascinating hiking destination of Nepal which is located northern part of Pokhara city and southern belt of the Annapurna mountain ranges. The pleasant trek combines spectacular mountain scenery with ethnic culture diversity and traverses through different ecological life zones.

Annapurna base camp trek offers to see panoramic mountain chain of Annapurna south 7219m, Hiuchuli 6441m, Mardi Himal 5553m, Machhapuchhre 6993m, Gandhaba chuli 6248m, Tharpu chuli 5695m, Singha chuli 6501m, Baraha Shikhar 7647m, Nilgiri 7061m, Tilicho peak 7134m, Annapurna II 7937m, Gangapurna 7454m, Annapurna III 7525m, Annapurna Iv 7555m, Tarke Kang 7069m, Khangshar peak 7485m and including some of the top ten mountains of the world known as Annapurna first 8091m, Manaslu 8163m and Dhaulagiri 8167 meters high above the see level and its beautiful ranges and glaciers.

Beyond the high mountain views, Annapurna base camp trek commands to see gigantic pastureland, Charms landscape, rugged rocky hills, waterfalls, agricultural terraced fields, lush forest of Rhododendron, wide meadows, River valleys and dozens of villages which are inhabitant by some of the ethnic groups known as Magar, Gurung, Dalit and Brahmans. The Gurung and Magar peoples following Buddhism and Dalit and Brahmans are well known as Hindu religious so along the trekking trail trekkers can visit some of religious sites as monastery, Stupa, Chortens and Hindu shrines.

The region is also known as paradise for botanist, no one can be surprised by the great variety of plants. The forest is drape by the rhododendron, broadleaf temperate oaks, spruce, Chir pine, Fir, hemlock, blue pine, larch and cedar so possibly to see some wild life as deer, weasel, monkeys, Himalayan Thar and many specious of birds and butterflies. If trekkers are traveling during the spring season then they will enjoy with blooming the prolific orchids, magnolia, rhododendron and other blossom.

Take the lowest place and you shall reach the highest.

– Milarepa, Tibetan Saint and philosopher –

Anapurna is the name of the massif in the Himalayas, a Sanskrit word that literally means “full of food” but it’s generally translated to “Goddess of the Harvest”, and is also the name of a Hindu fertility goddess. Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world that was first climbed in 1950 by the French expedition Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on June 3rd, 1950 and is still now one of the most difficult to climb.

The major peaks of the Annapurna range are Annapurna I (8091 meters high), Annapurna II (7937 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters), Annapurna IV (7525 meters) , Gangapurna (7455 meters) and Annapurna South (7219 meters).

Share this trek

Tour Details

Day 01 – we will pick you up from the Kathmandu airport on your arrival date and transfer to the hotel. Your hotel will be in the center of the Thamel, which is one of the tourist hubs in Kathmandu city.

Day 02 – Sight trip to the ancient and historical places in Kathmandu city, like Pashupatinath Hindu temple, the Baudhanath stupa, Durbar square, and Swayambhunath stupa which is also known as monkey temple due to moving hundreds of monkeys around the temple compound.

Day 03 – Drive to Pokhara (810m.a.s.l) – 6 to 7 hours drive – Pokhara is 204 kilometers far from the Kathmandu valley so we will drive an approximately 6 to 7 hours, will depend on our transportation. During the driving period, we will have a beautiful view of paddy terraced field, River valleys, dozens of small villages which are settled over the vertical land, and as well as far view of Manaslu, Ganesha Himal and Annapurna mountain ranges.

Day 04 – Drive to Nayapul and hike up to the Ulleri village (1960m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – we will drive about 1 hour until Nayapul which is 42 kilometers far from Pokhara then the trail leads us to Ulleri village beside the Bhurundi River with the view of vertical rice terraced field, charms green hills and through many small villages known as Ramghai, Sudame, Hile and Tikhedhunga. Trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga would be very pleasant due to walk on the flat and gradual trail. We will do a lunch break in the Hile village and after that, we will ascend 530 meters to get Ulleri village that offers to see a magnificent view of Annapurna south which is 7219 meters high.

Day 05 – Trek to Ghorepani (2860ma.s.l) – 6 hours walk – The morning offers us to see beautiful view of south Annapurna and charms landscape from our breakfast table. The trail ascends step by step through the rice terrace fields and passes by many guesthouses and teashops till Banthati village that takes about two hours. After the Banthati village, the trail will be mostly flat for one hour and it is possible to see some wildlife due to walk through the dense forest of rhododendrons. We will have our lunch in the Nangethati village and after that, we will climb continuously about two hours to get Ghorepani.

Day 06 – Hike up to Poon hill and trek to Tadapani (2630m.a.s.l) 5 hours walk – we have to wake up early in the morning to go Poon hill viewpoint that takes about 45 minutes. Poon hill purpose to see a beautiful sunrise and a spectacular view of Annapurna ranges like Annapurna 1, 2, 3, Fishtail, South Annapurna, Himchuli, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, the Thukuche peak and the Manaslu massif views. After the “early morning trek”, we will come back to the hotel for breakfast, before to trek until Tadapani. At the beginning of the trek, you have to climb up about 1:30 hours to a panoramic hilltop. After that, the trail will be mostly flat till the Deurali village where we’ll walk through a dense forest of bamboo, pines and rhododendrons. Crossed the Deurali village we will head down for 1 hour to the Banthati village, where we will stop for lunch before the trek continues up and downhill for 1:30 minutes to get Tadapani.

Day 07 – Trek to Chhomrong village (2170m.a.s.l) – 6 hours walk – also this morning we’ll have the opportunity to see the sunrise and the view of Fishtail, Himchuli and the south Annapurna from your breakfast table. After breakfast, we will descend 600 meters to the Komrong River through the dense forest of rhododendron and vertical terraced fields. We’ll cross the Komrong River by a suspension bridge and climb up about 30 minutes to Gurjung village where we will pick up our lunch and trek continuously to Chomrong for another 2:30 hours.

Day 08 – Trek to Dobhan (2660m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – The trail descends from the yard of the guesthouse to get a small stream then ascends to the Sinuwa village pass by a small village called Bhunuwa. Sinuwa is the perfect place to see Machhapuchhre Mountain due to locate the top of the hill. From Sinuwa; the trail leads us through the forested trail with the view of waterfalls, huge rocky hills, and vista of Machhapuchhre. We will have our lunch in Bamboo village then continuously trek to Dobhan that may take another one hour.

Day 09 – Trek to Deurali (3200m.a.s.l)– 5 hours walk – The pleasant path leads us to Deurali village through the lush bamboo and Rhododendron forest with chirp sound of birds and gurgled sound of the Modi River. Most of the time, we will ascend on a rocky path following by the River so major attraction of the trek would be the view of waterfalls, green forest, and huge rocky hills that are standing both sides. There are four guesthouses in Deurali village, provides narrow but cleanrooms for the trekkers and their trekking crews.

Day 10 – Trek to Annapurna base camp (4130m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – Today is one of the joyful day entire the trip because we will have a closer view of Machhapuchhre 6993m, Hiuchuli 6441m, Annapurna south 7219m, Gandharba chili 6248m, Tharpu peak 5695m, Singu Chuli 6501m, Baraha Shikhar 7647m and including a stunning view of Annapurna first which is 8091 meters high. Most of the time we will ascend through the silver birch and bamboo forest to get Machhapuchhre base camp then the tree line will end from Machhapuchhre base camp then we will walk another three hours on the gigantic pastureland to get Annapurna base camp.

Day 11 – Trek to Bamboo (2310m.a.s.l) – 7 hours walk – we will wake up early in the morning to see the sunrise views on the background of the White Mountains, especially the white Annapurna one change into the golden color. After breakfast, we will return back to Bamboo village via the same trail. We will descend about 1800 meters that might take about seven hours depend on our walking speed and condition of our knees.

Day 12 –Trek to Jhinu Danda (1780m.a.s.l) – 6 hours walk – we will follow the same trail until Chhomrong village because there isn’t any alternative trails get back from Annapurna base camp valley. Begins of the trek we will ascend for 45 minutes to get Khuldighar then the rest of the trek is pleasant and flat until Sinuwa village. We will do lunch break in Chhomrong village with a magnificent view of Annapurna south, Hiuchuli and Machhapuchhre mountains. From Chhomrong; the downhill trail leads us to Jhinu Danda which is also well known as a hot spring because there are small natural hot water sources near the Modi River. So after a long time spent in cold places, we can take a regenerating bath in the hot pools.

Day 13 – Trek to Tolka 1700 meter – 5 hours walk – There are two trails to get Pokhara from Jhinu Danda like via Landruk-Tolka- Pritam Deurali- Pothana-Australian cam and drive back to Pokhara from Kande village or trek via Kyumi- Siwai- Syauli Bazaar- Birethanti and drive back to Pokhara from Nayapul but still Australian camp will be worth a visit. We can reach this camp via Pritam Deurali – Pothana, adding to your experience in Nepal another memorable trekking day. From the Australian Camp you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Annapurna range, the Dhaulagiri range, and the massif of Manaslu.

Day 14 –Trek to Australian camp (1830m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – Tolka to Australian camp takes about 5 hours and the trail leads us through the forest with view on of south Annapurna, the Himchuli and the Mardi Himal. At the beginning of the trek, we will walk on a flat trail, passing by rice terraced fields and through the mixed forest of sandalwood, just in time to reach Pritam Deurali and then we need to climb up about 30 minutes on a mostly gradual up trail till the Australian camp.

Day 15 – Trek to Kande and drive back to Pokhara – The morning commands us to see the beautiful sunrise, superb mountains view and charm landscapes from the yard of the guesthouse. After taking some photographs, we will walk the downhill trail for two hours to get Kande village then drive back to Pokhara.

Day 16 – Drive or fly back to Kathmandu – There are two options to get back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. If trekkers want to drive a tourist bus then the bus leaves 7:30 AM from the tourist bus park and takes about 7 hours to get Kathmandu. The flight takes 25 minutes and offers to see massif view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Langtang, Ganesha Himal and Manaslu mountain ranges from the window of the Plane.

Day 17 – Final Departure – after a successful trip of Annapurna base camp and great experience of Nepal you will fly back to your home with hundreds of tales about the jungle, mountains, culture, and memory of Nepal.

Autumn season is considered as best season to do trekking trip in Nepal because the autumn season offers to see magnificent Himalayan views, clear sky without any clouds and Spring season is second best time to explore Nepal due to see clear mountain views and many kinds of blooms.  Autumn season (middle of September to End of November) spring season (Middle of the February to End of May).

October to November – In general the first two months of the dry season offer the best weather for trekking and the main trails are heaving with trekkers at this time, for good reason.the air is crystal clear, the mountain scenery is superb and the weather is still comfortably warm.

December to February – These months are also good time for trekking trip to higher region but the cold can be bitter and dangerous at high altitudes. Getting up to the higher region and high passes can be a real endurance test and high passes are often blocked by snow.

March to April – These months are dry weather and dusty; means poorer Himalayan views but the compensations are several; fewer crowds, warm weather and spectacular Rhododendrons, magnolias and Orchids blooms.

Required permits – The Annapurna region is one of the protected areas of Nepal so for those trekkers who want to trek into the Annapurna region then they have by Trekking permit and TIMS card to allow to access into the conservation. There are two colors of TIMS cards as blue for grouping trekkers and green for individual trekkers. Individual trekkers can obtain both cards directly from the office of Annapurna conservation area project and who going to trek with Nepali guide or porters then they the permit and TIMS card need to be organized by the trekking agencies of Nepal.

Food – All tea houses have similar menus which feature local traditional Nepali items such ass local hand made breads, potatoes and Dal Baht which rice served with lentil soup with vegetable curry and typical pickles and selected western dishes like pasta, macaroni, pizza, noodles and burgers. Keep in mind most dishes are vegetarian.

Water – water bottle is available in all tea houses however, be mindful of the environmental impact your purchase/plastic bottle will have.Untreated water is available in all teahouses free of charge. Carry your own water treatment system. Boiled water is available for additional charge.

Accommodation -You will be sleeping in private rooms in teahouses. They usually have two single beds with mattress and blankets are available by request. Bathrooms (squat style) are mostly shared; you will need to carry your own toilet paper. Toilet paper is available for purchase throughout the trek. Cold showers are always available. Hot showers or hot bucket are available in some teahouses for additional charge.

High altitude sickness and prevention of it – Altitude sickness, mildest from being acute mountain sickness is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) with associated shortness of breath or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) with associated confusion. Chronic mountain sickness may occur after long-term exposure to high altitude.

Symptoms of high altitude sickness – Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue and loss of energy, Shortness of breath, insomnia, loss of appetite, skin discoloration (change into the blue, gray or pale), confusion, coughing, coughing of bloody mucus, chest tightness, decreased consciousness, difficult to walk in a straight line and shortness of breath even at rest.

How to skip high altitude sickness? – Ascend slowly, Get good rest, Drink plenty of water, eat appropriately, avoid the alcoholic beverage, do well acclimatization and take advise from your doctor before to get high elevation.

One can get fairly excited about a trip to a previously unknown location. But while traveling you need to make sure that you have all materials that you would require to be ready for every possible situation. And here in Nepal, you will most definitely need to pack a few things for your stay to be as smooth and memorable as possible.

 

  • Sleeping bag (-15C rating)
  • Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)
  • Camp shoe
  • Down jacket (heavy)
  • Wind/waterproof shell
  • Waterproof pants
  • Fleece jacket
  • Wool thermals
  • Sun hat
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and chopstick
  • Water treatment system
  • Medical kit
  • Headlamp
  • Trekking poles
  • Personal toiletries
  • (Optional) Crampons
  • (Optional) Gaiters

For a quote, please contact us at: gobinmuhong@hotmail.com

All quotes include:

  • All camping gears as tent, Kitchen gears, Kitchen staffs, eatable and drinkables and fuels.
  • Airport pick up and drop off.
  • One day sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.
  • All required permits and TIMS cards.
  • Transportation to/from trek start and end points from Kathmandu/Pokhara.
  • Professional English speaking guide with a medical kit and porters (including their meals, drinks, accommodation and insurance).
  • Accommodation and meals.
  • 13% government tax and 10% service charge.

All quotes do NOT include:

  • Client insurance
  • Tips for guide and porters

More tours