Overview
Annapurna Base Camp trekking trail itinerary l best time and season for ABC trek l route map l entry permit fees l grade and altitude l Annapurna base camp trek package cost for Indian and Nepal l Annapurna base camp height l recommended equipment l trek organizing company in Nepal
Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal
Annapurna base camp trek into the heart of Annapurna Himalayas starting from Pokhara is a hidden alpine amphitheater, overshadowed by surroundings ice-bound giants of 20,000ft and more. Actually, this trek is with few altitude problems, providing you with unparalleled access to spectacular horizons of snowy peaks, so high that you'll find yourself looking twice before you believe that they are not clouds. As well as providing the views for which the trek is famous, the trail takes you through an ever-changing landscape of rice fields, misty forests, and tiny local villages. You will climb gradually along the ridges that are the foothills of the Annapurnas. You will pass through many villages where you will have ample time to take photographs and chat with the local people. There are many different ethnic groups along the trail, but the predominant people in this area are the Gurungs. Together with the Magar and Cherie people, the Gurungs are famous as soldiers in the British Army, better known as Gurkhas.
Along the trail the views of Machapuchre, Annapurnas as well as Dhaulagiri and Lamjung are magnificent. Climbing higher, the winding trail passes through magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron that line the southern foothills of the Himalayas. You will visit the famous Poon Hill where you will hopefully be blessed with a fantastic sunrise view of all the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges to the West. Finally, you will trek down to Birethanti from where we drive back to Pokhara.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport; you will be met by the staff from our agency and then transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu - Pokhara.
Transferred by tourist bus for about 6 -hours to Pokhara, a beautiful town set on the banks of the Phewa Lake. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy either doing last-minute shopping for the trek or packing your kitty bag for the following day's departure.
Day 3: Pokhara - Birethanti – Ulleri 2070m.
Drive an hour to Birethanti and start trekking through the lush, green Modi river valley, past waterfalls with plunge pools. After crossing the bridge ascend the staircase to Magar village of Ulleri where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
Day 4: Ulleri - Ghorepani.
A gentle climb through pasture and cultivated fields. As the trail climbs higher, you walk up beside the cascading river through refreshingly cool oak and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2840m.)
Day 5: Ghorepani – Tadapani 2540m.
Early morning climb to the Poonhill and enjoy a sunrise over the peaks and magnificent mountain panoramic view. A short ascend to Deurali pass and further Tadapani through dense moss-covered forest rich with the bird.
Day 6: Tadapani - Chhomrung.
The trail drops down through dense rhododendron forest and a long ascent high above the west bank of the Modi Khola and continues up to the village of Chhomrung (2040m.) Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley.
Day 7: Chhomrung - Himalaya Hotel.
We walk through the forest to Kuldi Ghar then steeply down a bank of rock and then level out, running through riverside bamboo thickets along the base of the gorge. From here the trail winds steeply up through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the Himalaya Hotel (2680m.)
Day 8: Machhapuchre Base Camp.
The trail along the west bank of the Modi flows through a more open valley and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp 3480m.
Day 9: Annapurna South Base Camp Visit.
The route begins on a broad grassy path, soon we reach the British Expedition Annapurna South Face Base Camp (4234m.) which provides the best views of the Annapurna, Hiunchuli, and an exciting walk on the glacier.
Day 10: Annapurna South Base Camp- Bamboo.
Descend and follow the same route to a pleasant Himalaya hotel then a further 3 hrs to Bamboo.
Day 11: Bamboo – Jhinu Danda.
The trail passes the rhododendron and bamboo fields to the Jhinu Danda near the hot spring.
Day 12: Jhinu Danda - Pothana.
After an easy descent to the Gurung village of Landrung, the trail crosses a pass before arriving at the tiny village of Pothana with a great view of Annapurna.
Day 13: Pothana - Pokhara.
Trek along the ridge of Dhampus and further a short climb down Phedi, where we meet the road and drive back to Pokhara. Your last night in Pokhara is a great opportunity to throw a party with trekking crews.
Day 14: Pokhara – Kathmandu 6hrs drive.
Early morning start driving through the beautiful countryside scenery along the way. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Join the farewell dinner in the evening most probably with a live cultural program.
Day 15: Departure.
If you have time and are interested in other adventures like white water rating, wildlife safari, or any other activities can extend your holiday or transfer to the airport and fly back to sweet home.
- Arrival/departure transfers.
- Tourist Standard hotels with breakfast in Kathmandu.
- Lodge accommodations and all meals during the trek, down jacket, sleeping bag.
- Cost for a First Aid and Eco trained English speaking guide and Porter.
- Emergency rescue arrangements, medical kit bag.
- All necessary paper works and trekking /entry permits.
- All government and local taxes where applicable.
- Welcome or farewell dinner.
- International airfare and Nepal visa fee.
- Lunch/dinner in Kathmandu.
- Emergency rescue and medical expenses.
- Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills personal porters.
- Tips for the trekking crew.
- Other optional trips/activities and sightseeing if required.
Equiment Checklist
Equipment List:
Footwear:
Well broken-in walking shoes - these must be suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, sandal or light shoes.
Clothing:
Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers or jeans, shirts and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, towel, wool hat, sun hat, gloves.
Other equipment:
Sleeping bag (4 seasons), trekking hold all or stash sack with lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries, lip salve, gaiters.
Other items:
Insect repellent, diary, toilet paper roll, laundry soap, pocket knife, sewing kit, camera, film, cards and personal medical kit.
Map
Trip Essential Information
Introduction and trip briefing:
We give a short brief about the trip to Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. In the meantime, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not very basic. The lodges we use normally have a combination of dormitories, twin, and triple rooms, and beds have a foam mattresses. There are a few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great-looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staff. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However, due to availability issues, you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.
Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under your name and room number. The guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen to how busy they are. However, it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make it easier and shorter time. Nepali, Tibetan, Continental, etc dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, and soups is fresh, hygienic, and healthy.
Guide: English speaking, well experienced, and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, and social responsibilities and are sincerely dedicated to their duty. Actually, our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high-altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay. They can speak English and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well-experienced and confident.
Travel Insurance: We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and type of insurance are suitable for your trip nature as some do buy cancellation and only for a certain period of time.
Itinerary: The given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be a possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case, if the trip ended a week or earlier, there will be given an option for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.
Washing and Toilet: Most lodges offer hot showers now. Sometimes a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and asks your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that in higher places and cold times there is very little chance to have enough hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand-washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event, it is a good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water freezes then ask your guide to get a warm bowl of water which does not cost money.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges are inside the room or lodge. They tend to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high regions because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced by drinking water in the mountain so you should really care about it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but are environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge a minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.
Transportation: Deluxe private vehicles are provided while on a city tour, and airport transfers and tourist buses to and from Pokhara or private vehicles/flights will be arranged at an extra cost if required.
Electricity: Small-scale electricity schemes are running in several mountain communities but as they are by definition small the light may not be strong enough to read and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles, or solar light bulbs are often used in the dining room where there is no electricity. A touch light, with extra batteries, is essential. Some lodges have recharging facilities for which there is a small charge. Nepal uses voltages, of 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.
Departure Dates
No fixed departures.
