Annapurna Base Camp Trek: 10 Days Itinerary and Latest Insights

You might be wondering, is it safe to trek to ABC? Comparatively, the Annapurna base camp trek is safer than the other high-altitude treks. However, you should have some prior information before embarking on this trek.

In terms of natural calamities: The highest risk of this hike is avalanches. The only area of the whole route that poses an avalanche risk is from Himalaya until Machhapuchere base camp. It is a two days trek from Himalaya (Hinku Cave) to Machhapuchere base camp. Thus, just this portion is regarded as a dangerous hiking area. However, the rest sections of the entire path are completely secure.

In terms of altitude sickness: The maximum point of this trek is Annapurna Base Camp i.e. 4,130m (13,550 ft). And it is a moderate trek and doesn’t need extreme physical fitness. Although the ABC journey is not as difficult as other well-known treks like the Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu Trek, and Everest area trek, it is always advisable to take precautions when walking in the Himalayas. Hence, in terms of altitude sickness, it is safer than other high-altitude treks.

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is a moderate trek and relatively easier, as compared to other strenuous treks in Everest, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga Region.

If you are an experienced trekker or someone who is used to walking a long distance with a backpack, this trek might be easy for you. While being a novice trekker, you might find the trek a sort of challenge.
But the good thing is that people from all walks of life with normal health and fitness can do this trek whether you are experienced or novice trekkers, with or without any prior trekking experiences.

However, the trek demands at least 4 to 5 hours of uphill daily on a combination of steep and rocky paths. You will be walking 7 to 10 km daily for 10-15 days. As well said, “The best views come after the hardest climb”. The tedious long walks might be challenging, but the efforts and energy you put in are well-worth and equally rewarding.

As you gain elevation gradually, the risk of altitude sickness is low. The trekking trails have also been well-managed to make the trekking easier. Despite all the challenges and risks, having the first-hand experience of Nepal and the glory of the Himalayas should be motivating enough!

Above and beyond the altitude, Durations, and prior trekking experiences, the difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek is also to be judged on other factors such as which trekking season you choose, and to a more extent how much weight you are carrying.

Besides a strong desire and patience, you will need good stamina and strength as the trek will test your endurance and patience to the next level. Therefore, try some pre-workouts a few weeks prior to your trek and focus on building your strength. Check our Annapurna base camp trek training for some useful tips.

Believe in yourself and start planning. We have seen people of all shapes and sizes complete this trek and the record of thousands of trekkers living their dream is proof of it.

With proper preparation, precautions, determination, and endurance you can surely make this dream adventure come true and tick it off your bucket list!

As we said, travel insurance isn’t compulsory for the ABC trek. However, we always encourage travelers to have insurance policies while traveling to high-altitude regions. Because nothing is predictable in the mountain.

So, if you are fully insured, that will pay for any extra costs that might arise from any health issues, accidents, or injuries (such as helicopter rescue and other cure expenses). Likewise, all additional activities that you want to engage in while visiting Nepal should be covered by your insurance coverage.

Are you curious to know, how long is ABC Trek route? The length of our Annapurna Base camp trek is about 80km. It is a shortened version of ABC trek. However, the distance of the ABC trek depends upon the starting and ending points. And the average length of the longer version ABC trek trail is 110-120km.

You will need to walk for 4-6 hours on average every day, covering a distance of about 10-15 kilometers. This moderately straightforward trek will lead you through remote villages of Nepal and close to the Annapurna mountain.

Most of all know, Mt. Everest is the tallest peak on earth and lies in Nepal. And most travelers think they can see Mt. Everest from every part of Nepal, especially from Annapurna Base Camp. But, you can’t get a view of Mt. Everest from the base camp of Annapurna.

Mt. Everest is located on the eastern side whereas Mt. Annapurna lies in the western part of Nepal. However, you will see the breathtaking views of Mt. Machhapuchhere, Hinchuli, and Dhaulagiri. In addition, you will have stunning views of the Annapurna ranges as well. It is exceptionally unusual and extraordinary to see a range of mountains.

You will spend your night at the common local teahouse or lodges during your ABC trek, which is the classic form of trekking accommodation in the ABC trial. Most are set and operated by local villagers and provide you with basic yet optimal facilities like comfortable rooms, westernized washrooms, hot showers, and WIFI. While at dinner, you can also meet other interesting people from different nationalities, with their interesting stories.

There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for hygienic and nutritious meals. You can place orders for your favorites from the teahouse’s menu. You may enjoy a greater range of foods, such as Nepali, Indian, and Continental at lower altitudes. While on your trip, you may easily get tea, coffee, eggs, bakery products, snacks, bars, etc.

Annapurna base camp trek is the second most popular hiking route in Nepal after Everest Base Camp. However, teahouses on this route are not developed as like on Everest. In contrast to recent years, the number of lodges is currently growing prudently. It indicates that there are hot showers available along the trek to Annapurna Base Camp. You will get running hot water in the bathroom up to the Dovan at tea houses. Then after Dovan, you will be served a bucket of hot water for a shower at an extra cost.

Hiring a professional licensed guide will add more trekking experience. Some of the ways that having a guide will benefit you are:

1. Lead or suggest the best trails to take.
2. Manage all your permits.
3. Recommend the best spots to rest, eat at, and stay overnight.
4. Monitor your health regularly.
5. Provide first aid treatment in case of emergencies.
6. Assist you to communicate with the locals.
7. Get the latest updates on the weather conditions of the trails.
8. Provide you information on the surroundings such as the names of the mountains/peaks, their height, plus Local names.
9. Give information on the culture, flora and fauna of the region, and some interesting stories.

Besides, having a guide is also having a friend as a guardian who is always there to look after you. You don’t have to focus on making lots of decisions while on the trek and make the most of your trip. Moreover, you are employing someone and also contributing to a local economy.

On this Annapurna Base Camp hiking path, there are no ATMs facilities. Therefore, it is advised to withdraw the money from Pokhara or Kathmandu city. Hence, we recommend you to carry enough cash with you to last you the entire voyage. It is advisable to bring cash in local currency instead of dollars or euros. As tea houses prefer to accept payments in Nepalese rupees.

It’s a great thing to be “connected” with your loved ones. The Internet is the most popular means of communication used by most of the trekkers. Use Viber, WhatsApp, Skype, or facetime where you can call. Though the internet speed experience during your trek may not be as fast as in the city areas cause the farther up the height you get, the slower, less reliable, and more expensive these service becomes. Your Hotels in the cities will provide free WIFI, but the lodges and tea-houses on the trek will charge an extra 1 to 2 Dollars per day.

Most of the routes have mobile coverage, though the service may still not be reliable.
This will also depend upon the type of network SIM you use and will cost you a fair bit of money to keep using it. Though some days at a higher altitude, the mobile network is not reachable. Upon your request, we will provide you with a local SIM card.

In case of emergencies, your emergency contacts and information will be with us before you leave for the trek.

Every tourist has spent a lot of time planning their forthcoming adventure trip. Additionally, nobody wants to become sick from altitude when traveling. The main issue if you are going on a high-altitude excursion would often be altitude sickness.

On this Annapurna Base Camp trek, you reach a height of 4,100 meters. It is not as difficult as the Annapurna Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp. However, there are a few general guidelines that you should take very carefully when traveling in the Himalayas. Your body is working very hard to adapt with the new environment. And it will alert you when it needs to take a break.

Here are some recommendations from our experienced trek guides for preventing high altitude sickness when trekking to ABC:

• Hike slowly and easily.
• Climb high and sleep at a low altitude.
• Don’t gain high altitude dramatically.
• Take enough rest and acclimatization while trekking.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks and smoking.
• Drink at least 3-4 liters of water per day and keep yourself hydrated.
• Eat food wisely and keep your body balanced.

Every hiking path in Nepal has its own allure and significance. Therefore, for us, both of these treks are superior. These journeys differ from one another, nevertheless, due to a few reasons. The Annapurna Base Camp trip is the ideal option if you don’t want to go over 5,000 meters in elevation. However, if you enjoy hiking at greater altitudes, a trip to Everest Base Camp would be appropriate for you.

The Everest base camp trek offers breathtaking mountain vistas that bring numerous ranges of peaks closer together. As a result, the Everest Base Camp Trek is tougher and more riskier than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Similarly, ABC Trek also offers stunning views of the mountains and landscapes along the trail.

The local tea houses provide identical meals and lodging on both of these trips. The sole distinction is that the lodges in the Everest region feature bathrooms of the western variety.

Additionally, there are more options of luxurious tea house lodging along the Everest base camp trek route.

Due to various logical factors, such as the cost of food and transportation, the level of luxury, the greater elevation, and accessibility, the Everest Base Camp Trek is more expensive than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

The availability of safe drinking water is a constant concern while visiting the Himalayan region. Since we require a lot of clean drinking water to stay hydrated and fight against altitude sickness. The hiking path to Annapurna base camp offers plenty of access to clean drinking water. Selling plastic bottles of water is banned along this route.

Therefore, trekkers can refill safe drinking water at every teahouse at a low cost. Accordingly, you can use fresh water running from the tap or small streams. In this case, we advise you to use water purification tablets. The best way to cut costs while traveling on a tight budget is to use water purification tablets or other filters. You can also ask for boiled water at the lodges without extra cost during your lunch and dinner time.

As we all know, weather in the mountain region is unpredictable. And anything can happen at any time which is beyond our control. So, if there are any emergencies or health issues while on the trek, you will be immediately evacuated by helicopter. Rescuing by helicopter is the fastest way to get to the city from the mountain region. Our office representatives in Kathmandu are available 24 hours in your service in case of any emergencies.

All our guides are well trained and they are able to assist you in your need. Your guide will cooperate with our Kathmandu office for helicopter rescue service in case of any horrendous hazards. Then you will be transferred to the well-equipped hospital nearby for the treatment. As a result, we always suggest you do travel insurance that can cover your entire rescue and cure expenses.

You don’t need crampons and any other climbing gear if you want to hike in the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) seasons. However, it is advised to have crampons or microspikes with you if you are trekking in January or February during the winter season. Without crampons, it will be difficult to hike on a snowing trail. Paths may be filled with snow at that time. Please be informed that having a pair of high-quality hiking boots might enhance your hiking experience pleasure.

Guides are the pillar of our company. They are friendly, punctual, reliable, and trustworthy. Therefore, you will be guided by native local guides who were born and raised in the mountainous regions of Nepal. They are fully trained and certified by the government of Nepal.

Our guides have deep knowledge of mountains, cultures, and safety. English is not our mother tongue, so they don’t speak English fluently. But, they can speak English enough and are well-experienced for more than a decade. Each of our guides has been to the Annapurna base camp trek more than dozens of times. Hence, they have gained insightful knowledge about this route and are capable to handle any emergency situation. With their genuine guiding performance, every moment you spend in Nepal will be memorable.

Every high mountain hiker or adventurer’s major concern is acute mountain sickness. And we should be aware of altitude sickness. It often happens more than 2,400 meters (7,800 feet) from sea level. High altitude problems can occur in 2 different ways. That is mild and severe. If you follow a few simple measures, even a mild illness can recover rapidly. But if the illness condition is severe, get emergency medical help right away. If you take care of the problem before it becomes worse, it will be much easier to treat. Acute mountain sickness can impact your heart, lungs, muscles, and brain system and result in more severe symptoms. Brain swelling may cause disorientation in certain people.

Here are the beginning symptoms of mountain sickness. 

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of the hands, feet, and face
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

The season affects the Annapurna Base Camp Trek’s temperature. The weather will be favorable throughout the spring and autumn seasons. In this season, daytime highs range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures vary from 10 to 1 degrees Celsius. During the winter, the temperature at night will be extremely low with a range of 5 to -10° C. In the summer months of June, July, and August, the climate ranges from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Annapurna Trek is one of the world’s best treks among explorers. And you must have curiosity that what are the major attractions of this hike. And why do travelers choose this trek? There are many more things to explore on Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Besides glittering mountains and landscapes, the showcase of Gurung’s culture is also one of the prime attractions. Walking through the typical villages and eating local cuisines are also other highlights of ABC Trek. The city of a lake called ‘Pokhara’ has its own charm that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Below are some other major attractions of the Abc trek
– Hike through thrilling swinging metal bridges and rivers.
– Take a natural hot spring bath at Jhinu Danda.
– 360 degrees views of stunning mountains over 7000m and 8000 meters from Annapurna Base Camp.
– Discover the lifestyle of rural people.
– Overnight stay at Annapurna base camp.

Every day, you will typically walk uphill and downhill for 5 to 7 hours which includes 45 minutes to 1-hour launch break. Since we gain height along the way, the path from Nayapul to Annapurna Base Camp is almost uphill. After Annapurna Base Camp, the path descends till it reaches Nayapul. However, the length of walking time depends on your level of fitness. If you are extremely fit, you might walk more quickly than you would normally. But, if you’re not a competent hiker, you might move slowly.

Most of the travelers are familiar with hiking and camping trips in the European and American Alps. And they know what to pack for it. But, when it comes to the Himalayan trek, they are unsure what to pack.
Packing all the essential trekking equipment plays a vital role to make your trip smooth and comfortable. Therefore, if you carry the right gear for this trek, it helps to reduce the difficulty level that comes with your journey.

Here is the list of trekking gear that is needed for this trek. 

Head

• Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions.
• Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs.
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover.
• Waterproof shell jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
• Down jacket
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.
• 1 pair of lightweight wool of fleece gloves.
• 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)

Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs.
• 1 pair of hiking shorts.
• 1 pair of hiking trousers.
• 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks.
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks.
• 1 pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy, soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
• 1 pair of trainers or running shoes/sandals
• Cotton socks (optional)
• Gaiters (only in winter season), optional, “low” ankle high version

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag (-20 degrees)
• Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
• 1 large duffel bag
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
• Water purification tablets or water filter.
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.

Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit
• 1 cigarette lighters, 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS (optional)
• 1 alarm clock/watch
• 1 digital camera with extra cards and batteries
• Large Ziplocs
• 2 water bottles (1 ltrs. each)
• 1 small folding knife
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks.

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

• Wet wipes (baby wipes)
• Tissue/toilet roll
• Anti-bacterial hand wash

Extras/Luxuries

• Reading books
• Trail map/guide book
• Journal and pen
• iPod
• 1 modest swimsuit
• Voltage converter
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)

There won’t be snow at Annapurna’s base camp in the months of autumn and spring. But the surrounding peaks at the Annapurna base camp are covered with snow.  If you arrive in the middle of winter, keep in mind that the ground at Annapurna base camp will be covered with snow. Additionally, we advise you to bring crampons, as they could come in handy at that moment. The trail will be covered by snow in January and February, and there is a high risk of snowfall as well as a chance of missing the right path.

In the months of spring and fall, the average daytime temperature ranges from 15 to 20° C. However, the temperature may drop to as low as 10 to 5 degrees at night.
Wintertime temperatures range from 10 to 13° C during the day and drop to -10° C at night.

The actual highest point of this trek is 4,130 meters above from sea level. The lowest elevation of the ABC trek is at Pokhara 822m. from where you will take a drive to Nayapul. Nayapul is situated at an elevation of 1,070 meters and then gradually you will gain the altitudes. From Nayapul, within the 4 days, you will reach the base camp of Annapurna which is the highest point of your venture.

We don’t say that we are the best but we will give our 100% effort to make your trip successful without any hassle. There are a few good reasons to choose the Glorious Himalaya team.

The first reason is that we are dedicated to providing top-notch service to international travelers. GHT is a historic local trekking company with headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2010, a group of Himalayan leaders founded it. We have been operating the Annapurna base camp expedition for hundreds of thrill seekers each year. Since 2010, we have been organizing Annapurna base camp trips with a 100% success rate. Our skilled Himalayan guides have carefully planned the 6-day itinerary of our ABC trekking. We always listen to our clients, thus, you can ask us for tailor-made itineraries. Most importantly, your safety is our prime concern. All our guides are experienced, well-equipped and knowledgeable. They are friendly, helpful, and able to tackle with tough situations. And we only employ the local people in the areas we trek to.

Secondly, we believe in humanity. There are some people who are deprived even from basic needs.  All the people that are in need across the world cannot be helped. However, we are making every effort, no matter how minor it is. Giving something is always better than nothing. Therefore, we contribute 8% of our profit from each sale of Annapurna Trek to the charity program. So, if you book this trek with us, it helps us to enhance our charity success rate. Our charity is to support the people of Nepal who are deprived from basic needs such as education, food, shelter, and cure.

The third reason is we strongly follow the sustainable eco-tourism guidelines. This lovely planet is not just for us; it is also for the generations to come. Because the next generation has the same right to enjoy their lives as we do. We should protect our planet for them. So, we don’t leave trash on the mountains and hiking paths. On our camping treks, we never encourage our employees or clients to cut down the trees for the fire they are passing through. Instead, on our camping trip, we utilize gas and kerosene. We refrain from engaging in activities that endanger wild animals and the environment.

Acute mountain sickness is a constant concern while trekking on high-altitude trails. As we said, prevention is always better than cure. Before experiencing any symptoms, we never encourage our clients to take altitude sickness medicines. Instead, we suggest you to take enough rest, eat wisely, and drink plenty of water and soups. These natural precautions could be more effective than Diamox or any other altitude sickness preventive medication.

However, if you are not mentally prepared and would like to take altitude medicines, our expert guide will provide you with Diamox. Before commencing this trip, we advised you to consult with your doctor or physician at your home.

The best seasons for ABC Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October). During these seasons, the weather will be clear and warm. You can get the best sight of the mountains with pleasant weather. If you trek in the spring season, you will be welcomed by colorful rhododendrons and other flowers.

Mainly, Nepal has four seasons. They are summer, winter, autumn, and spring season. Among them, summer and winter are not recommendable seasons. During the summer season, the trails will be muddy, slippery, and full of sucking leeches. Even more, the chances of visibility are very low. In the winter season, paths above 3,000 meters will be covered by snow and there are chances of avalanches. But the views of the winter season are crystal clear.

According to our schedule itinerary, on the 6th day, you will trek from MBC to Annapurna base camp and return back to Dovan for a night stay. So, you will not stay overnight at Annapurna Base Camp. Instead, you will spend an hour at base camp. If you want to stay overnight at Base Camp let us know before you confirm this trek so that we can prolong our itinerary accordingly.

Here we have another 13 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek program where you will get an overnight stay at Annapurna Base Camp.

It is a multi-day adventure Himalayan trip and you need to do lots of research before the trek. So, you will have adequate time for prior preparation if you book a few months before the trip’s departure date. Therefore, we urge you to make early reservations for this journey. Because your early reservations will help us to manage all of your essential bookings, such as transportation, lodging, porters, and guides. However, we also accept last-hour bookings but are not recommended.

According to our company payment terms, travelers should pay 20% as an advance payment at the time of booking. And the remaining 80% payment should pay after you arrive in Kathmandu before the trek departure. For payments, we accept visa and master cards as well as cash in dollars and euros. We recommend you to pay the remaining balance in cash in US dollars. Because we have to send cash with our guide for your accommodations and meals during the trek. If you pay by card, it will take some days to collect in our account.

Tipping is not compulsory or even customary in Nepal, but it is a nice way to say thanks to your guides and porters. The wages of workers in Nepal are significantly less than the average income of other developed countries. Tourist guides and porters are employed only when tourist make their visit to Nepal. And the rest of the time, they won’t have a job. They need to make money during the tourist season to support their family till the next season. Therefore, all tourist guides and porters accept thanks or tips from visitors after their treks or tours. It’s also a great way to motivate them for their generous involvement in tourism in the years to come.

Even more, your gratitude will encourage them to work harder and serve better on their next trips.
In general, tip them at least 10% of your trip cost or USD 10 -12 per day for the guide and USD 7-9 for the porters. However, if you are satisfied and feel the staff did an excellent job, you can tip them more than the mentioned.

When you purchase ABC’s full board service package with us, your meals, accommodations, guides, porters, transport, and hotels are included. However, some of the services are not included in the packages. Such as hot shower, uses of the internet, battery charging and mineral bottle water, etc are not included in your package. And you have to pay yourself if you want to take these services throughout the trek.

In the mountain regions, teahouses accept payments only in cash. Therefore, you need some extra cash money during the trek. Hence, we advise you to exchange dollars/euros into local currency in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. For your information, you can also withdraw local currency from the ATMS in Kathmandu and Pokhara city.

For your general ideas, you need approx. 15-20 dollar extra per day for the trek. But if you are a drunker or shopping lover, you might need more than the given extra money.

Temperature is varying as per the season. Normally during the spring and autumn season, temperatures will be between 15 to 20 degrees in the daytime. And temperature might be between 5 and 10 degrees at night and in the morning. These seasons won’t have freezing temperatures.

However, in the winter season, daytime temperatures typically range from 10 to 15 degrees, although mornings and nights can be quite cold. The temperature may drop to below zero, -10, or -20 degrees at night and in the morning.

Both treks are challenging in their own ways, but generally, the Everest Base Camp trek is considered harder due to a higher altitude and longer trekking duration. The length of the Everest Base Camp trek is typically around 12-14 days, compared to 7-12 days for Annapurna. Regardless of which trek you choose, it’s crucial to have good physical fitness and preparation.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is generally categorized as a Grade B or moderate trek, involving trekking at altitudes above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) but generally not exceeding 5,000 meters (16,000 feet). To comfortably complete a Grade B trek, it’s essential to be physically fit and have some trekking experience at altitude. Proper acclimatization is key to avoiding altitude sickness and ensuring a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.

The trek to Annapurna Base Camp typically takes between 7 to 12 days, depending on the chosen route and personal pace. It’s important to allow additional time for rest days to acclimatize to the altitude and to explore the breathtaking landscapes and local villages.