Annapurna Base Camp Trek

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  • Trip Duration:15 Days
  • Highest Altitude:4200 m.
  • Trip Grade:N/A
  • Trip Difficulty:Moderate
  • Trip Season:N/A
  • Activities:Trendy Tour
  • Starts from:Kathmandu - Kathmandu

QUICK INQUIRY

Annapurna base camp (ABC) trek is a classic trek into the heart of the impressive Annapurna Himalayas with unsurpassed views surrounded by enormous glaciers.

Trip Level: Strenuous

Max Altitude: 4,130 m/13,550 ft

Activity: Sightseeing and Trekking

Starts and Ends at: Kathmandu

Trip Route: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Chomrong - Machapuchare Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo - Nayapul - Pokhara - Kathmandu

Best Season: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November & December

Trip Highlights

Sightseeing in the World Heritage Sites: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa

- Impressive sunrise view from Poon Hill

- View of the world’s highest mountains: Dhaulagiri I (7th) and Annapurna I (10th)

- Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp

- Spectacular mountain and glacier views from Annapurna Base Camp.

- Natural bath in hot springs at Jhinu

Trip Information

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. Mt. Annapurna (8091m) is the 10th highest mountain in the world and the journey to its base camp, which is at 4130 m/13549 ft. height.This trek combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery, providing a fascinating insight into the modern hill life of Nepal. This trek is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek because of the combination of views of mighty Himalayan peaks and great culture.

Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m has very unique and incredibly spectacular settings. It is surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m). This trek is extraordinary in terms of height and depths and the varied ecosystem it provides.

The base camp itself is the main attraction of this trip. It is fully covered with beautiful snowy landscape and glaciers there will surely take your breath away.

Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International Airport. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.

Overnight at a hotel. No meals included.

After a hearty breakfast, at 8.30 am your sightseeing trip will start. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. Today we will visit some heritages listed below:

Pashupatinath Temple:

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Though you are not allowed to go inside the temple as it is strictly for Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth which is famous all over the world.

Boudhanath Stupa:

Boudhananath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. It was built in the 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

Visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupatindra Malla, famous five-storied temple of Nyatapola in Pagoda style Batsala temple, Bhairavnath temple, Duttatraya temple, Pujari Muth and Palace of 55 windows.

The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area for trekking essentials.

Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.

Our trekking staff will pick you up from the hotel at 6:30 am and escort you to the tourist bus station. The bus to Pokhara leaves at around 7:30 am. A beautiful valley set on the banks of the Phewa Lake, Pokhara is also known for its panoramic views of Annapurna and Machapuchare (shape of fish tail) in the north, Dhaulagiri in the west and Lamjung Himal and Manaslu in the east.

It is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu, hence providing the perfect starting point for our trek.

Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included.

We begin our trek at Nayapul after an hours drive on a private vehicle from Pokhara. After a short 15-minute walk along the banks of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (1,015 m), a large village with many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. The trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1,495 m. After a short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga at 1,570 m. Today’s walk is relatively short and easy, a prelude to the trekking experience in the Annapurna region.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We move on towards the steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village at an altitude of 2,070 m. The trail ascends more gently from this point, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons, towards Banthanti at 2,250 m. Then we trek towards Nangethanti at 2,460 m. After an hour walk we arrive at Ghorepani (2,840 m).

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hike to Poon Hill at an elevation of 3,210 m, a brilliant mountain range spectacle; this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of the sunrise over the high Himalayas. There we spend about 1 hour and returning to Ghorepani, we take a hot breakfast. Then we make a climb along ridges, and through pine and rhododendron forests, towards Deurali (2,960 m). After that, we descend to the Banthanti, then turn off to Tadapani.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The day starts with a steep downhill through rhododendron forests. Leaving Tadapani, we descend through the forests and then the trail eases as we reach Gurjung which is the village of Gurung people. From here it is an easy walk to Chomrong at an elevation of 2,140 m.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today the trail drops down to the Chomrong Khola and again we continue climbing to Khuldighar at 2,380 m where there used to be an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) check post. There is a clearing in the forest a little further on, from which, the route travels very steeply down a rock bank, then levels out, running through thickets of bamboo at the bottom of the gorge, keeping always on the west side of the river. We walk through bamboo and rhododendron forests to the Himalayan Hotel.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Today the trail climbs on past the Hinko Cave, Deurali and then Machapuchare Base Camp, which isn’t really a base camp since climbing Mt Machapuchare is not permitted. Since it is totally surrounded by mountains, this area is known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. Two hours trek from Machapuchare Base Camp takes us to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at elevation of 4,130 m. There, we will view unobstructed views of mountain scenery, which is very spectacular.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We follow the same trail down today. The trail drops by 1,700 m to the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo at 2,345 m where there are a few teahouse/lodges available to stay at.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

We follow the same trail until Chomrong. Once we have passed Khuldighar, there is an experimental sheep farm. The trail continues through rhododendron and bamboo fields. From Chomrong, the trail descends very steeply to the Jhinu, where we can bath in natural hot springs.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

From Jhinu we walk at the right side of Modi Khola for 4.5 hrs to Birethanti which can be considered one of the best and the most relaxing walks of the entire trek. We reach Nayapul. Then an hour drive will take us back to Pokhara.

After we check into the hotel, we will then walk to the Fewa Lake for our boating trip to Barahi Temple.

Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

We will be driving back to Kathmandu in the morning.

If you are interested in extending the trip, there are many options such as Chitwan jungle safari, river rafting adventure, Kathmandu shopping tour, mountain biking and other activities.

In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.

Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast and farewell dinner included.

The trip concludes today. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal.

Breakfast included.

Price Includes

Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle

- Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights only) and Pokhara (2 nights only) including breakfast

- Guided city tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara by a private tourist vehicle

- All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

- Guest house accommodation during the trek in twin-share and dormitory- style rooms. (8 Nights only)

- Local Shivalaya’s licensed English-speaking trekking guide

- The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)

- Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff

- Annapurna Conservation Area Permits and TIMS permit for trekking

- Down jacket and sleeping bag by Shivalaya (which need to be returned after the trek)

- Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara and private tourist vehicle between Pokhara and Nayapul

- Free Shivalaya’s duffel/kit bag and sun hat (yours to keep)

- Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara

- Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances

- All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges

Price Does not Include

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara

- Travel insurance which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation (See the travel insurance page.)

- International airfare and airport departure tax (See the international flights page.)

- Nepal entry visa; you can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying US $ 30 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying US and $ 125 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos).

- Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks

- Personal trekking equipment (Click on the Equipment tab.)

- Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected.)

- Any others expenses that are not mentioned in the Price Includes section

EQUIPMENTS:

The following gives you a general idea of the trekking equipment and clothing needed for this trek.

This is a porter-supported trek. Two clients share one porter. We will supply you a trek duffel bag where you keep your heavy items and this bag is carried by the porter. You will need to bring your own daypack to be carried by you. In the daypack, you can put money, important documents, water bottle/bladder, camera, toiletries, sunscreen, notebook, etc.

The weight limit for the porter is 30 kg or 66 pounds. 15 kg or 33 pounds for each client. So, we recommend you to pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking stuff at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.

General

4-season sleeping bag (We can provide one if you need it but has to be returned after the trek.)

Duffel bag.

Daypack

- Down jacket (Must have for mornings, nights and evenings, and for altitudes above 4,000 m; We can provide it if you need one but has to be returned after the trek.)

- Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes

- Sun hat (We will provide you a complimentary Ace the Himalaya hat.)

- Wool or synthetic hat that cover the ears

- Sunglasses with UV protection

- Headlamp

- Neck warmer

- Hand

- Liner gloves

- Heavier shell gloves

- Core Body

- T-shirts

- Lightweight expedition thermal tops

- Fleece jacket or pullover

- Water/windproof shell jacket (Preferably breathable fabric)

- Synthetic sports bras (For women)

- Lower Body – Legs

- Lightweight expedition thermal bottoms

- Nylon hiking shorts

- Soft shell and hard shell trekking pants

- Water/windproof trousers

- Casual pants

- Feet

- Liner socks

- Heavyweight socks

- Waterproof hiking/trekking boots

- Light shoes/sneakers/sandals

- Gaiters (For monsoon and winter)

Medicines and First Aid Kits

(Please note our guide will carry the first-aid kit bag during the trek. However, we still recommend you to bring your personalized first-aid kit as well.)

- Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches

- Ibuprofen for general aches and pains

- Immodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea

- Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness

- Anti-infection ointments

- Band-aids

- Lip balm (At least SPF 20)

- Sunscreen (SPF 40)

Miscellaneous, but Important!

- Passport and extra passport photos (3 copies)

- Airline ticket (Please make a copy and leave one at our office in Kathmandu just in case if you need to change the date of your flight.)

- Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport

- Water bottle/bladder

- Water purification Iodine tablets

- Toiletry kit (Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.)

Optional

- Adjustable trekking poles

- Favorite snack foods (No more than 2 pounds)

- Paperback books, cards, mp3 player - Binoculars - Cameras (Memory cards, chargers and also batteries)

- Pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman

This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu for cheaper prices.

Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.

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