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Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Ultimate Guide to one of Nepal’s most Iconic trekking Adventure
Introduction
If you have looked into trekking in Nepal, the first thing to come to mind is Everest. Even though the Everest trek is incredible and iconic, there are many other treks to be completed. One such trek is the Annapurna Base camp (ABC) trek. Known for having beautiful and breathtaking views of Annapurna, the 10th tallest mountain in the world, it also has views of Annapurna, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli. Being one of the more popular treks in Nepal it is known to be considered a moderate difficulty level. At a total distance of 70- 100 km and max elevation of 4,130m the trek is perfect for an introduction to hiking in Nepal. With being able to stop and stay at guest houses every night that offer food and showers you are able to sleep comfortably and experience nature.
Best time to trek Annapurna
Monsoon Season (June to August)
when I went to ABC I went at the end of August. Generally that is the end of monsoon season. The monsoon brings a lot of rain and is cloudy for most of the day blocking views of the mountains. Trails will be muddy and covered with leeches. The rain increases the chance of landslides. However, this time of the year will also be good to see the blooming flowers, green foliage, and many impressive waterfalls to have memories that many people don’t get to experience.
Winter (December to February)
Winter months are able to get very cold, as low as -10C. The trail usually is covered with snow and is best for skilled hikers who know how to traverse in the snow.
Spring (March to May)
people consider the best time to visit ABC to be in the spring. In the spring you will have warmer temperatures ranging from 10C to 20C. Clear sky and good views of the mountains. Blooming Rhododendrons and wildflowers will add vibrant colors that are absent during the winter. With the good weather and equally good views this is one of the peak times to come hiking so expect the trail to be crowded and have higher prices for food and accommodation.
Fall (September to November)
Fall is the busiest time of the year. Nepal is coming out of the monsoon season and the weather becomes dryer. Clear sky’s leading to best views of Annapurna, Machapuchare, and Annapurna south. The temperature is a comfortable temperature around 5C to 15C providing the best hiking experience.
location, permits, cost
starting points for Annapurna Base Camp
There are many different ways to get to ABC. If you only have a few days you can start in Pokhara then take a jeep to Phedi, Siwai, of Jhinu Danda and then begin your hike. Another popular idea is to begin the ABC directly after the Annapurna circuit. This is what I did, and it made the ABC a good continuation to the circuit without having it feel like I was going off or to a different trail. I recommend combining the two if you have the time but it will be over 20 days to complete both treks.
You can hire a guide or go solo(Nepali government has made it a regulation that you travel with a guide). With a guide they will set up the accommodations, Permits, and transportation. I recommend guides to people who have not traveled in Nepal or if you are less adventurous the guides will make the trek less stressful for first time hikers.
Permits
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card
These are the permits that you need to get before starting your hike. Both will be a total of NPR 5,000 and available to purchase in the Nepal Tourism office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Both also require a passport sized photo and There will be stops along the trail where you will need to show an officer both permits.
cost
Prices change depending on the time of year and the distance from a main road. For example ABC is a few days walk from a road and has the most expensive food and lodging. But you can expect the average price without a guide to be around NPR 1000 for lodging and NPR 2000 for food each day. There are additional services for hot shower, WiFi, and electricity for charging for about NPR 200 – 500 each.
packing and gear list for trekking in Nepal
When you start your trek you will need more or less cloths then what I brought. Since the temperature was still warm I did not bring a big sleeping bag or many warm jackets. But there are a few pieces of equipment that everyone will need.
Shoes
When hiking I don’t like to use big and heavy hiking boots. For me they don’t give enough support for the extra weight. Personally, I like to use the Altra Lone Peak. These are trail running shoes. They have the grip and stiffness needed for a hiking boot but are very lightweight. They are not waterproof but are airy enough that they will dry quickly in the summer. I have heard of people buying $400 mountaineering boots and using them to go to base camp. Doing that is way overboard and these types of boots are only necessary if you are more of a professional that is going to be climbing the mountain. You should also get some good socks that are made for hiking or running. With socks You don’t need to be super picky but a good quality pair will make the trek more enjoyable. I also recommend bringing a pair of lightweight saddles that you can use at the tea houses after you are done hiking.
Backpack
You will be carrying a backpack every day so I recommend you to go to a store like REI, or better yet, a local hiking shop and try on backpacks with weight in them. If you will be hiring a porter you will only need a 20L or 30L day-pack. You only need to carry water, snacks, and personal items. If you do not use a porter you will need to carry a backpack that is around 40L to 50L. Anything bigger then that is unnecessary and if you want to go smaller then it gets tricky to stuff all of your cloths and equipment into a smaller bag. I used a HyperLite southwest 40L and I loved it. I was able to get all the stuff I needed into it and a little bit extra. It is lightweight and durable. Many outside pockets that are large and has a role closed top that allows for more space. Don’t forget your backpack rain-cover!
Cloths
clothing is a tricky thing to recommend to people. Depending on the time of year you will need different amount of cloths. In warmer months you are able to bring fewer pieces of clothing while in the winter you need to bring thick jackets.
What I recommend for august to September
- pair of long hiking pants
- pair of short pants
- 2 or 3 hiking shirts
- long pants and shirt to wear at the tea house
- rain jacket or poncho
- gloves
- buff
Even if it is hot at lower elevations when you get higher it will get colder, especially at night. None of the tea houses that I have seen have any kind of heating in the rooms so you need to be ready for the cold at night. So bringing cold weather clothing may be useless while you are hiking but it will be useful at night.
equipment
- water purifier – you are able to buy bottled water all along the trail but to reduce plastic waist I used the Sawyer Squeeze and reusable bottle. Lightweight and can fill your bottle from any water source.
- Sleeping bag – I did not use a sleeping bag but did bring a sleeping bag liner. Most beds in tea houses are not cleaned often but do offer blankets. so I used the COCOON Premium MummyLiner Microfiber
- Camera – The main reason many people go hiking is for the views so why not bring something that can capture the memory.
- hiking poles
- Headlamp – when I was planning the trip I was not planning to hike in the dark but it did happen so I was lucky to have decided to bring it. It also helps in the tea house rooms because some don’t have lights and power in them.
- hat – good to keep sun off your face
- sunscreen
- hand sanitizer – most places don’t have soap
- power bank
- toilet paper – tea houses don’t offer toilet paper so need to bring some for yourself
physical strength for trekking
hiking the ABC trek is challenging but not insanely difficult. Any person with an average physical condition can complete this trek. I do recommend training starting 2 or 3 months before. And personally I will be spending a lot of time climbing stairs before I go back to Nepal due to the amount of incline and steps that you climb. The major difficulty that most people face is the change in elevation. High elevations cause headaches, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty breathing while hiking. As long as you do not ascend too fast you will will be able to properly acclimatize.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a very rewarding trek for first timers that I highly recommend. An adventure that is not extremely difficult but also is challenging enough to offer a good reward. I promise you will be able to enjoy this trek if you only spend a few days or if you finish the Annapurna circuit atop the Annapurna base camp. more information is able to be found online or talk to trekking agencies when you get to Nepal.
If you have experience trekking in Nepal I would love to hear about your experiences and recommendations especially if it is about more challenging adventures. Share your tips and tricks in the comments.
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