Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Who Discovered Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna base camp was first discovered by the British explorer Col. James O.M. ‘Jimmy’ Roberts in the year 1956 and shown to the world as the ‘Sanctuary of Gods’. The Sanctuary then became the “Annapurna Sanctuary”.

The prime peaks of the western portion of the great Annapurna Himal, including Hiunchuli (6,441m), Annapurna South (7,279m), Fang, Annapurna I (8,091m), Gangapurna (7,485m), Annapurna III (7,855m), and Machapuchhare (6,993m), are geographically placed accurately in a circle about 10 miles in diameter with a deep glacier-covered amphitheater in the center.

What’s so special about Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Trekking to Annapurna’s base camp means being among the Himalayas’ snow-capped peaks. ABC has become the most iconic of Nepal’s hiking locations, and it is frequently the subject of stunning artistic depictions. One of the world’s most well-known hikes is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

It’s astonishing that on a trek of moderate difficulty, you can come face to face with an eight-thousand-meter-tall peak. The world’s tenth-highest peak is a part of the interesting Annapurna range.  The ABC Trail, despite its intimidating appearance, is rich in opportunities for mountain enthusiasts.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is widely regarded as one of the best legendary and classical treks in the world, and for good reason: it takes you through some of Nepal’s most breathtaking scenery and allows you to get a taste of rural life in the Himalayas and meet some of the friendly locals who still live by centuries-old customs.

The journey to Annapurna Base Camp, at an elevation of 4,130 meters, passes through beautiful and peaceful scenery, quaint Gurung and Magar villages, and verdant Rhododendron, bamboo, and alpine forests.

Finally, did we mention you will not only the Annapurna Base Camp but also the Macchapuchre Base Camp, known more commonly as Mt. Fishtail Base Camp?

What does a day on the trail of Annapurna Base Camp Trek look like?

Typically, your day will begin early in the morning, around 6 AM. After you freshen up, you will get a fill of breakfast. Most hotels and teahouses on the trail provide standard breakfast with eggs, bread, tea, and so on. If you wish you can even opt for a more local breakfast and try their local specialty.

Porters will help you carry most of your heavy equipment as you leave around 7:30 in the morning on the trail. Some days, you will ascend steeper tracks, while other days, you may be descending and ascending or just walking along straight tracks. However, generally, as you progress towards the climax of the trip, you will be ascending to higher altitudes.

On an average day, you will be expected to walk for around 6 hours at least covering around 14-18 km. All the while, your guide will be there to lead the way, impart wisdom, and answer questions about the area’s history, flora, animals, culture, and religion. You can expect the porters to walk ahead of you carrying your luggage. People, animals, and many more hikers await us along the trail.

When dozens of Mules and Yaks are in the way, we have to wait for them to pass. The trails’ separations from one another can be deceptive and wearisome. However, your guide will never stop cheering you on and encouraging you to keep going! Lunch will be around mid-day in one of the teahouses en route to our destination.

As we near our end location for the day, we get our bags into our rooms, freshen up, drink plenty of water, and rest or stroll around the nearby areas, observing the local lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 PM, and after that, we head to our rooms to rest for the day.

Is the Annapurna Base Camp trek for me?

Despite the many challenges, traveling to Annapurna Base Camp is an easy-to-moderate hike. This trek has its challenges, such as its steep and stony trekking pathways, stone staircases, and daily walking distance of 5-6 hours. However, this hike is well within your reach if you’re patient, confident, and reasonably in shape.

Due to its adventurous nature and the importance of taking your time and walking gradually, the Annapurna Base Camp trip is sometimes misunderstood as a challenging trek. However, this hike is categorized as moderate and can be done by any novice trekker. So, if you fit the above criteria, the ABC trek is perfect for you.

Some Attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

There are several places to explore during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is one of the unique destinations for trekkers, as there are plenty of places to explore, take photos, or even mingle with the culture. So, let’s look at some attractions you can explore during your Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Annapurna Base Camp

The base camp itself is one of the major highlights of this trek. The trekkers will reach an altitude of over 4000m through stunning landscapes, jungles, rivers, etc, to witness breathtaking views of the mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, etc.

Annapurna Sanctuary

Annapurna Sanctuary is another significant attraction of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Since the Base Camp lies in the vast Sanctuary area, you must issue the Annapurna Sanctuary permit. The Annapurna Sanctuary is unique because it habitats 1,352 species of plants, 128 wild mammals (recent), 514 birds (recent), 348 butterflies, and 40 reptiles. You can also engage in the bird-watching activity that is quite popular among

Pokhara

Pokhara is another significant attraction when visiting the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Over the years, Pokhara has become an important tourist hub in Nepal apart from Kathmandu. The majestic valley with a view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri gives a warm welcome to the people. Moreover, Pokhara has several places to explore, such as Fewa Lake, Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, Mahendra Cave, etc.

Jhinu Danda

Jhinu Danda is the small ridge on the way to the Annapurna Base Camp, where trekkers can relax and have some snacks. It is a major attraction for trekkers since it features natural hot springs along the Modi Khola Rivers. A 30-minute walk down from Jhinu Danda takes you to the steaming pools, which soothe tired muscles and let you enjoy the fresh mountain air. After a long day on the trail, you can soak in the warm water surrounded by beautiful Himalayan scenery.

Best Season to go to Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal, and it is equally fun. The level of challenge either increases or decreases based on the trekking season you choose. In Nepal, there are two ideal seasons to choose from, spring and autumn, whereas there are two offseasons, monsoon and winter.

Naturally, the ideal seasons are adequate and suitable for trekking, and off-seasons are not recommended. Furthermore, trekking in the perfect season will not be private as there will be many trekkers, and the trek cost will be high.

Spring (March -April-May)

March, April, and May constitute spring, the second-best time to trek in Nepal and a charming period to climb in the Annapurna. The weather in the spring is very much like the weather in the fall. As Spring arrives, flower blossoms are everywhere; you may expect to catch a thrilling glimpse of rhododendrons at every turn. Plan your hike around the beginning of spring if you want to see beautiful scenery and enjoy comfortable weather. If you plan to trek in the Spring, make sure you have booked your trek early.

Summer/Monsoon (June, July, August)

Summer and the Monsoon season overlap over June, July, and August. After a few days in June, the region suffers from continuous rainfall. Due to the constant rain, the trails are wet, and the humidity makes this season very hot. Late June is typically when the monsoon season starts. Trekkers avoid the season because of the high rainfall and periodic thunderstorms that occur during this time. The rainfall also brings leeches and insects, and there is also the chance of floods and landslides.

Autumn (September, October, November)

Autumn’s September–November months are prime hiking time in ABC. This is when you’ll see the most people out on the trails. The bright skies and mild temperatures of autumn, combined with the vibrant Dashain and Tihar celebrations, make for a swarm of hikers every year. Fall is the most incredible time to visit if you don’t mind crowds and cooler weather. One of the major attractions of trekking in the Autumn season is the golden views of the valleys, especially during the sunrise and sunset.

Winter (December -January-February )

Temperature is the most critical issue when planning a winter trek in Annapurna. Winter may be the best time to trek in ABC for those who prefer to be alone, as fewer people are on the trails then. But the winter months can bring harsher weather conditions. Therefore, you must come prepared for your journey to Annapurna Base Camp in the winter.

In addition, visit our trekking season information section for further details.

Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Beginner Friendly?

Annapurna Base Camp is one of Nepal’s moderate to challenging treks, so beginner trekkers would like to know if it is ideal. Certain factors of the trek make the Annapurna Trek difficult for beginners. Here are some of the factors that make ABC for beginners.

High Altitude

One major thing that the trekkers have to prepare for their high-altitude Annapurna Base Camp Trek is high altitude and the chance of getting altitude sickness. They don’t have prior experience trekking at high altitudes and acclimatizing, so the illness might quickly affect them. If the trekkers are beginners, they should avoid the winter season especially.

Long Duration

The Long Duration of the treks is another challenge beginners will face during the ABC expedition. So before booking the trek, it is wise for them to train physically for a few months. You are doing cardio exercises and strengthening yourself to raise your stamina and physical fitness.

Tough Terrain

The Annapurna region is a remote area in Nepal. The trails here are not as well-maintained as the roads in the cities, so beginners may feel uneasy while trekking on rough terrain. The ABC trekking route is rocky, steep, and narrow, with cliff edges. This makes it hard for beginners to walk and increases the risk of slips and falls. For challenging terrains, increasing physical stamina and fitness is wise.

Can We Combine Annapurna Base Camp with Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek?

Yes, we can combine Annapurna Base Camp with Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. First of all, you will reach Ulleri and then reach Ghorepani. You will then hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill. Then, you will return to Ghorepani and continue your trek to Tadapani. The trek to Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts intertwining as you reach Chomrong.

Now, from Chomrong, you will reach another small village in the middle of a forest named Bamboo. The next day, you will continue to move towards Deurali. The destination is near where you trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. Hence in this way, you can combine the ABC trek with Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Teahouses During ABC Trek

Teahouses are quite a standard means of staying on high-altitude treks like the Annapurna Base Camp. The Teahouses are tiny houses mainly operated by the local people that provide healthy foods and beds for the regional and foreign people.

Teahouses provide very affordable places to stay. Most offer a twin-share bedroom for about NPR 600 (US 5) per night. They mainly earn money by selling meals, not by providing rooms. It’s expected that you will buy your meals where you stay overnight. As you go higher in the mountains, the communities become more remote, and meals get more expensive. However, the exchange rate remains favorable for most trekkers, making the Annapurna Base Camp Trek affordable.

Permits Required for Trekking Annapurna Base Camp

To be eligible to explore the Annapurna region, the trekkers must own two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS card). So, let’s get into them in more detail.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit

To reach Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the trekkers must pass through the Annapurna Conservation Area, for which they have to issue an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. You can get the required permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You must submit your passport, passport-size photos, and a detailed itinerary to apply. If you hire a trekking agency, they will handle everything for you.

Trekkers Information Management System

To trek in the ABC region, you need a TIMS Card. This card helps keep track of trekkers entering Nepal and visiting different trekking areas. You must have a TIMS Card, which you can buy at the tourism office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The TIMS Card costs NPR 1000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 600 for others. You can use the ACAP and TIMS permits for all suitable treks until they are stamped with an exit mark.