11th Jan, 2020
Infotrekking
Annapurna base camp is one of the best and most popular treks like Annapurna circuit trek which includes the majestic view of Himalayan range like Mardi Himal, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna. This sequence of mountains and views looking up at the mountains above your head is truly unique and inspiring.
This is one of the short base camp treks in the Annapurna region. This trek is a little difficult but also this trail is very famous and chooses by many trekkers like the beginners and the experienced both.
However, for a novice trekker, this can be a challenging trail since the trail leads to the base camp of the world's 10th highest mountain. Those who wonder to experience the base camp trek in a very short time would be a great option.
Annapurna base camp stands at the height of 4130m high above the sea level. This trekking trail takes you through the beautiful villages in Annapurna like Australian camp, Dhampus, Ghandruk village, and Ghorepani poon hill.
After you land at one and the only international airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. Your challenge will start from there with new food, new weather and climate, new people with different cultures and off course the traffic of Kathmandu.
And to start this trek you have two options with a mode of transportation up to Pokhara. Flight and Drive.
Not everyone would like to prefer a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, according to a different type of trekker there is a different choice.
It takes 8hr drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and from a flight just 25 minutes.
The most important things to considered before starting a trek and while trekking is health checkup, carry first aid kit, check the detail itinerary and follow the itinerary day by day, trekking permit, proper trekking gear such as down jacket, windcheater, and waterproof trouser, trekking pole, sunglass, sun cream, globes, trekking boot, if your bag is heavy then hire a porter to carry it, and personal bag pack must not be heavy, do not drink tap water while trekking, use a mineral water and drink as much as you can.
The next day after a 2hour drive from Pokhara to Nayapul your mysterious journey will start with wearing a boot, sunglass, and trekking pole. On the way, you will meet many local people and off course they will welcome you in a local way by saying Namaste and a big smiling face. The journey is so much achievable, you will forget all the pain, magical nature and scenario will heal you.
This trek is a little challenging. Rather than an advance physical fitness, a positive mind setup is very necessary to ascend to the base of Mt.Annapurna.
Prepare yourself with the correct gear to get away from trouble. There are different things that decide how difficult your trek to the Annapurna base camp will be.
It is very essential to know about the weather as well as the temperature and climate of your trekking destination. The best season is the best time to trek. In Nepal, there is the various season in a year. The diverse landscape and change in weather may bring many difficulties while trekking.
Autumn is the best season for the trekkers. this season the average temperature of Annapurna base camp will be around 16-25 degrees Celsius during the day and at the night time temperature will drop down into -5 to -8-degree Celsius. The sky will be clean, shiny and the wind flow will be very smooth.
Could you imagine this is the best season and also, you will encounter several difficulties during ABC trek? like
This trekking route will be busy and crowded with trekkers, guide and porter.
Early booking would be very helpful, the more you ascend is more difficult to find the accommodation instant.
This season the cost of accommodation and food may increase.
You must have to comprise with slow service and low facilities because the tea house will be a lot busier in the autumn season.
This season the temperature will be mild. Early morning and the night will be chilly but the day will be a little hotter. You will enjoy walking down to the crisp sky, across colorful forests, flora, and fauna and surrounded by colorful nature. This is flower blooming season and you might feel irritating ness because of the smell of varieties flower.
Some difficulties may arise during the trek. Like
You may feel dizziness and irritating ness by the smell of varieties of wildflowers.
Early spring might be colder at high altitude and mid-temperature while descending back.
This season the route will be busier like the autumn season. You could get a chance to interact with many fellow travelers.
Early booking would be more helpful to get accommodation.
High possibility of getting altitude sickness because of the wildflower smell.
This season the temperature will be very hot. This season is known as offseason of Annapurna base camp trek. The weather will be challenging and the trail will be full of leaches and occurs landslide and flood due to nonstop rainfall. Monsoon is not a good season to trek to base camp.
If you decide to trek to ABC in monsoon, you may suffer from many difficulties. Like
The hot temperature and humidity may hit you hard.
The trekking route will be more dangerous, dark, cloudy and more risk of mudslides.
Monsoon is the season of frequent rainfall and the trail will be rocky, and muddy along with steep up and steep down, various sections with risks of an avalanche.
the slippery trail makes the trek difficult and risky.
The trekking route will be covered with a variety of leaches, trekking will be difficult at that time.
This season the Annapurna base camp can be extremely cold during winter. The temperature falls up to -10 degrees Celsius. Trekking in winter will be more challenging but it has its own benefits. The mountain will be full of the glaciers and the skies will be blue and clear., with a low chance of rain. Challenging weather could make some difficulties during the trek.
The trekking route will be covered with heavy snow. so you might get difficult to follow the route.
the freezing cold might add you in difficulties like fever, frostbite. Instant cure will not be possible at that time.
Because of snowing all the time, you will not enjoy your trek.
You have to trek solo and you have to carry your baggage yourself, in that case, guide and porter do not want to risk their lives.
Food and teahouse are very difficult to find, because of winter the people from there will shift down to the village.
Generally, Annapurna base camp trek is depending on the package that you choose, itinerary and schedule design as per the client’s requirements.
Per day you will be walking 10 to 15 km to reach the camp/ tea house. In general, a human can walk 5km per hour, you will have to walk for 6-7 hours a day, which is a normal walk.
Novice trekkers can customize the itinerary to elongate the trekking duration.
If you are an experienced trekker then you can finish your trek in 9 days including a rest day.
The total distance of the Annapurna base camp is about 115km. and almost 3000 steady stairs.
Now imagine yourself with that trekking bag pack and schedule you have to follow each day; every day early morning wakes up and walks after having breakfast then after a few hours walk you will take a break for the lunch.
The walk will not be the same as before lunch; you will be slow down automatically. However, you will reach the destination with a big smiling face and tired body.
However, the difficulties depend on which season you are trekking to ABC. But don’t worry about the difficulties, you will enjoy a lot during the trek and you will absorb so many things, Annapurna base camp trek will be worthwhile.
As you know trekking route is categorized on the basis of area, geography, altitude, and distance. This trek is denoted as a moderate grade. However, the trail is not so tough.
Ascend to the base of mt. Annapurna is not an easy task along with an altitude of 4130m. Also, you have to walk over the 3000 steps on the stone stair with a bag pack and boot.
You must walk for 6-7 hours every day during the trek. this trek is not a one day, two days or three-day walk. The trek will be last for a week or more than that. It depends on your experience and fitness.
To begins your trek you need Strong mind setup, professional health advice, and physical fitness. The trail is full of adventure and thrill.
Trekking to the base camp is an extra adventure. It is not so easy as we think. Nepal is famous for trekking and known as the land of Himalayas. Also famous for Mt.Everest the top of the world. Geography is categorized into three-part terai, hilly and Himalaya.
You begin your trek from the hilly region which is above 1000m and the highest elevation will be 4130m high above sea level. You can imagine how will be the walk up to the mountain.
So, during trekking, you might get suffer from altitude sickness which is not so common. No need to be panic, it must be taken lightly. It needs to be a cure as soon as possible by descending down more than 200m.
Let’s get you to know about the symptoms and preventive measures of altitude sickness. This will be worthwhile to you in every trekking route of Himalaya.
The trekking trail is not like the normal road that we used to walk in a city. The trail leads you up to the mountain. Walking through the zig-zag cliff, ups and downs don’t seem so easy.
There is a different section of difficulty like slippery stones, cliff, rocky stairs. These common problems are faced by many trekkers. Trekking techniques are required while walking on the trail, not only that you need good stamina and patience.
While trekking you will lose your power and stamina so, you need a proper balance diet and need to carry some protein bar, energy drink. don’t rush while walking, do no give a lot of effort to your foot and identify your limits and walk gently.
It's normal to have some difficulty during the trek. Manage your self to end your trek. You will forget the pain after the trek and you will achieve the quality experience that trek offered to you.
Trekking in the mountain is a big decision. The Annapurna trek cost depends on various factors. As per your requirements, the trekking package can be customized but it can change the price. There is a various package deal.
Annapurna base camp is an affordable trekking destination. The price of common facilities is not so expensive. The price of food, accommodation, and water gets more expensive as you ascend to a higher altitude.
You need to carry some cash with you, there will be no ATM, the more cliff you gain the more remoteness you will feel.
Annapurna basecamp trail is very famous all over the world. Everyone desires to trek on this trail. Rather than a camping, tea house trek is very famous in this trail which is very easy and time-saving as well as money.
The teahouse provides you a basic facility that you have to compromise if you consider the remoteness of the place.
You will not get too many facilities but you will receive a lot of respect, love, kindness, and loyalty.
You do the trek to utilize your leisure time and as well as to experience something new. You can understand the life of people living there. You can understand that money is not bigger than life. The tea house provides basic necessities like normal accommodation with bed and blankets, food and drinks.
In a busy season like peak season, it is very difficult to find a room without pre-booking and sometimes you have to share your space with others too.
There is no modern hot water shower, there is a system of bucket shower that you have to pay. Even to charge your phone you have to pay for it.
Trekking to high altitude is not so easy as you imagine. Trekking is not just walking on the trail, while trekking you need to challenge some obstacle to a different section of trekking.
For the experienced trekkers, it might not be so difficult. Novice trekker needs to consider some normal knowledge and training before starting the trek.
The trek demands some certain level of fitness, like mind setup, exercise, and training to develop your stamina.
All the way up to the base camp of Annapurna along with ups and downs, rocky and slippery trail with stone stairs and the tea house facilities, all these things you have to compromise, however, it will be the best experience for life.