Annapurna Base Camp Trek route
Depending upon your time availability and previous trekking experience, you can do Annapurna Base Camp Trek in 8 to 15 days. Keep in mind that the more you decrease the days on the trail, the longer you have to walk, and the more exhausting the journey can get.
Our Annapurna Base Camp short trek is 7 days long (not including arrival, an extra day in Kathmandu, and departure). We pick you up from your hotel lobby and drive to Pokhara on the first day. The drive continues to Ghandruk village, where you stay overnight.
In the next few days, you will walk through dense forests and remote villages like Chhomrong (2,210 m), Bamboo (2,310 m), and Deurali (3,140 m). From here, the trail goes through Machhapuchhre Base Camp and finally leads you to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters. The views from the base camp are undeniably stunning.
Further, the route drops down following the same trail to Jhinu Danda (1,780 m). This place has natural hot springs that you can enjoy paying a few bucks and relax your sore muscles. Descend to Nayapul, and drive back to Pokhara and end your trip in Kathmandu.
Annapurna base camp trek difficulty
From the route you follow to the number of acclimatization days in the itinerary, a small factor can bend the journey to be smooth or challenging. Annapurna Base Camp trekking is considered moderate. However, trekking in the mountains obviously is not easy, whatever the trip's difficulty level.
There are many things like a long walk, high elevation, basic services, etc that affect the overall difficulty of the trek. Do know that the Annapurna region is one of the least developed parts of Nepal. There is no proper road, hospitals, hotels, or other services along the trail. The terrain is rugged and steep. You walk through lush forests and remote villages. It's a long uphill walk. Each day you walk for 6 hours on a minimum.
Altitude Sickness
As the elevation increases, you will not only notice the bare minimum facilities getting limited but also have to cope with thin air and stay cautious of altitude sickness. Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a high-altitude journey and traverses above 4,210 meters. The journey sees a drastic change in elevation in a blink of an eye. Therefore, if you do not acclimatize while trekking, you may suffer altitude sickness.
Below we have mentioned the symptoms and measures of altitude sickness:
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Breathing problem
- Dizziness
- Nausea & vomiting
Preventive Measures of Altitude Sickness
- Do not ascend more than 500 meters per day
- Inform your guide and take medication on time
- Drink plenty of water and other liquid
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke as it may dehydrate your body and lead to altitude sickness
- Take ample rest and eat nutritious food
What are the health benefits of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Trekking Annapurna Base Camp involves your entire body movement for a week or ten days straight. There is no doubt that during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you will unlock a new level of fitness. As per the facts, trekking or hiking, in general, improves blood pressure, blood sugar level, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Most of our guests have lost 4 to 5 kgs of weight after completing the trek.
According to Gregory Miller, president of the American Hiking Society, ”a 5% to 10% incline equals a 30% to 40% increase in calorie burn.” And guess what, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route has many slopes to burn calories.
Apart from physical health benefits, you will get mentally strong, learn to be a team player, and experience remote survival. At the same time, your brain will learn to survive in fewer facilities and be patient.
Annapurna Base Camp trek permit
You have to get two permits- ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit and the TIMS Card to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Both permits are available in Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu.
- ACAP permit cost for foreigners: 3,000 NRS (Approx. USD 30)
- ACAP permit cost for SAARC nationals: 200 NRS
- TIMS card cost: 1,000 NRS (Approx. USD 10)
*Note: Our Annapurna base camp trek cost covers permit costs. So, you do not have to pay extra money for the permit.
Best time to trek to Annapurna base camp
Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the autumn season is a perfect combination. As per the Himalayan standard, autumn (October to November) and spring (March to April) is the ideal time of the year to trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Mountain and nature lovers from around the globe embark on the adventurous journey to the base of the world's tenth highest mountain, Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), in these seasons.
The spring season makes the trail extremely beautiful. The trekking route bloomed with rhododendrons and other flowers. In autumn, lush green forests begin to transition into the cozy and warm colors of fall. The trail gets covered with colorful fall leaves, and crisp air soothes the trekker's soul.
As the monsoon has just ended, the rivers, streams, and waterfalls along the route get super pretty. The sky is clear with fewer clouds, and the views are phenomenal. Annapurna Base Camp Trek in autumn has its charm that cannot be seen in other seasons, and we love this charm.
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking in the offseason
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in winter (December to February) can get very challenging. It is an offseason, and we do not advise trek at this time of the year. To be frank, winter trekking is possible, but you have to take extra measures.
The temperature can fall below -17°C at night, so you have to pack tons of warm clothes. Likewise, the views may not be clear all the time, and there can be chances of avalanches and heavy snowfall. As the trail gets covered with snow, walking will become more strenuous than before. You have to be more careful during the trek.
June to September is the summer/monsoon season in Nepal. It is not a good time to trek because of the hot weather and rainfall. The route becomes slippery because of frequent rainfall and increases the chances of landslides. Likewise, bugs and leeches make the trek more difficult. The views are unclear and gloomy.
