About Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
Annapurna base camp trek is the most popular and exciting trekking route fill with lots of adventure and thrill. Trekking in this route gives chance to explore in the rural place of Nepal. This route offers an amazing walk through beautiful landscape, wonderful views of mountains, and a wide range of flora and fauna. While walking, we will get a chance to get a close glimpse of the world 10th highest mountain “MT Annapurna”. Beside Annapurna, we get a chance to see mountain like Machhapuchre, Hiunchuli, south Annapurna, Annapurna I, and many more. This classical trek in the world gives an opportunity to know about the culture and traditional life of Himalaya of Nepal.
The trek is full of delight for the natural beauty where we get to chance to explore Annapurna conservation area. On this trekking, we get a chance to pass through diverse terrains which include suspension bridge, rhododendron forest and many more. Trekking in this route doesn’t need any trekking experience, or you can do solo trek here. This is because, some of the trekking route of Nepal is restricted by Nepal government where you can’t do solo trek. On this base Camp trek, trekkers also get a chance to get into nature.
While encountering this trek, we get a chance to explore small village of Himalaya Nepal with their own culture and tradition. On this trekking, we also get a chance to take a bath on natural hot spring at Jhinu Danda. The local believes that taking bath in this spring will cure the skin disease. This trekking route is the most popular trekking route of Nepal with lots of natural beauties. It is an exciting trekking trail, where you will witness different traditional culture on this trail. This beautiful trekking starts from beautiful city Pokhara which is known as city of the lakes. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful city of Nepal and also the starting point of many beautiful trekking routes of Annapurna region.
How hard is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
It is one of the famous trekking routes after Everest region. Every year thousands of trekkers visit here. This 13 days trekking is under the moderately challenging trail in Nepal. Every day trekkers need to walk 7 to 8 hours while covering around 13km. On the way, you have to cross several landscapes, steep ascents, descents, and most importantly uncountable stone stairs. Some of the factor that you may face while trekking here are:
Altitude: While doing Annapurna base camp, we will reach at an altitude of 4130m from sea level which is the highest point. At this point, there is the high chance of suffering from altitude sickness.
Distance: The trek covers approximate distance of 110km / 68 miles where trekkers need to walk at least 6 to 8 hours a day.
However, it is not as technically challenging as other higher altitude treks in the Himalayan. On this trek, you only need a reasonable level of fitness and preparation. It is challenging due to its repeated ascents and descents on stone stairs. It might be challenging, but the ABC trek can be tackled by proper preparation, steady ascents and good physical fitness.
Can beginners do Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Of course, the beginners also can do ABC. It is moderately difficult trekking route but also suitable for all the beginners trekkers too. The trek is perfect for exploring the natural beauty of Nepal which leads us through the green forest of rhododendron. The route has its difficulties where you have to ascend and descend varied terrain. It is ideal for beginners and there are no age restrictions. While trekking here, you may face some problem like altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, physical challenges, remote terrain, and limited medical facilities. The route is rocky, steep, and narrow with cliff an edge which makes difficulty for the beginner trekker.
It is very important to get proper acclimatization for beginners to provide their body with proper rest. With the proper rest there is low chance to suffer from altitude sickness. While trekking ABC, you must be physically fit because the trail goes gradually ascending and descending. To trek at high altitude, physical fitness is the most important, so it is considered to involve physical exercise before embarking the trek. It is also important to go with guide because guide will help you navigate unfamiliar route and your safety too.
Preparation for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Each of the trekkers needs to prepare physically and mentally while trekking at high altitude. Before embarking on the trek, you have to research about the route and its difficulty. It is very important that do not start your trek with high expectations and be ready to face both high and low. Physically and mentally fit is the most important through the trek. You are highly recommended to do regular exercise and strength training before trekking. You have to climb around 3000 staircases to reach base camp, so you are highly recommended to do exercise like running, swimming, cycling, and some yoga before the trek.
Highlights
- Exciting trekking route fill with adventure and thrill
- Amazing views of Mt Annapurna world 10th highest mountain
- Wide range of flora and fauna
- Trek through Annapurna conservation area
- Take bath on natural hot spring at Jhinu Danda
- Witness different culture and tradition
- Explore beautiful city “Pokhara”
Useful Information
Altitude sickness
Acute mountain sickness is caused by ascending too rapidly where the body does not have enough time to reduce oxygen and changes in air pressure. While trekking at an altitude of 3000m from sea level, there is a high chance of altitude sickness. The highest altitude while trekking Annapurna base camp is 4130m from sea level. So it is very common to suffer from altitude sickness while trekking at this height.
Symptoms
The symptoms may vary from person to person and common symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and difficulty to sleep. While trekking at high elevation, it is very important to pay attentions to these symptoms. It will become life-threatening, if you avoid these symptoms.
Preventions
Once, you reach more than 3000m from sea level, the best way to avoid altitude sickness is to ascend slowly. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. If you have habit of drinking and smoking, then try not to smoke and drink. It is because it increases the risk of altitude sickness. The most important is that pay attentions that how you are feeling if any symptoms are seen communicate with your guide.
Best season to visit Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna base camp trek is the most popular trekking destination which attracts thousands of trekkers every year. For trekking on ABC, the best time is autumn and spring.
Autumn (September to November): In autumn, the trekkers can enjoy moderate temperature, warm days, cooling morning and evening. The weather is unchangeable with clear skies and the excellent views of mountain. This season offers the most fine and favorable conditions where the travelers meet the farmer tending to their crop in their field.
Spring (March to May): In spring, you can enjoy clear skies, perfect temperature where the temperature is warm during the day and cool at night. At this season, the forest is full of greenery, and rhododendron forest. The trekkers choose this season due to its idea weather even though it is the busiest season to trek here.
You can also trek in winter and monsoon season too, but the weather is not so good at this time. There is high risk of avalanches and landslide during these seasons. Even with the challenges, it offers a unique and ethereal beauty of Himalayan Nepal.
Permit for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The ABC trek offers the stunning views of Annapurna ranges and a glimpse into the local culture. While trekking here, you need at least two trekking permits. One is TIMs and another is Annapurna conservation area permit. This trek is inside the Annapurna conservation area so you have to take permit before embarking the trek. Without permit, you are not allowed to enter this region. You may have question, why ACAP is needed, it is because the permit serve as a financial resource for conservation initiatives while regulating the influx of visitor. The cost of permit and TIMs is approximately NRP 5000 per person and the cost is included in the packages.
Accommodation and food
While trekking, it is very needed to have a good rest. For the good rest there are so many lodges and tea house are built on the way to ABC.
Accommodations: You will find tea house and lodges throughout the trail; they offer basic facilities but comfortable rooms. Most of the tea houses have room with two beds with mattresses, blanket, and pillow. In some places, you have to share bathrooms with other trekkers too which is very common at high altitude. Some tea house also offers private room with attached bathroom, but you have to pay extra for this room. You are suggested to bring sleeping bag with you while trekking here. It is because the tea house only provide single blanket which may not enough for you.
Food: For food all the tea house offers both western and local menu. You will get same menu it is because the lodge management community manage the menu. If you want to try something new, then you can try Nepali cuisine, full of protein, which gives energy while trekking. All the tea house and lodges offers both vegetarian and vegan item. On the route, there will be lots of vendors who sell snack, but it cost a lot so you can bring some snack which you if you want.
Essential equipment for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The proper packing ensures safety. So it is very important to pack right gear before embarking the trek. The things you must carry while trekking here are:
Clothes: wind and waterproof jacket, down jacket, a pair of long sleeves t-shirt, t-shirt, long trouser, shorts, trekking shoes, slipper, extra pair of socks, woolen socks, underwear, sun hat and cap, gloves, warm hat, dry towel, trekking trouser, sleeping bag, etc.
Gear: trekking pole, trekking knife, headlamp, power bank, sunglass, water bottles, camera, extra battery for camera, etc.
First-aid: painkiller, bandage, antiseptic, water purification, lip balm, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, wet and dry tissue paper,
We will highly recommend you not to forget to bring your passport, travel insurance, and passport sized-photo.
