Annapurna Base Camp Trek Guide

Mount Annapurna is undoubtedly one of the glorious pride of Nepal. The trek to its base camp is a marvel in and of itself.

And indeed, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, also known as ABC Trek, is one of the most popular trekking trails in Nepal. In this ascension to the peak, you will get to experience the scenarios from the base of Pokhara, all the way to the peak of Annapurna Base Camp - which is an incredibly high altitude of 4100 meters from sea level. The scenarios will change from dense, lush forests to knee-deep snow within a few days during your initial days. 

As a side note, it would be helpful if you do not confuse this with the Annapurna Circuit trek. While both of these routes for trekking in Nepal are within the periphery of Mount Annapurna, they follow two completely different routes.

Let's begin our Annapurna Base Camp trek guide with some quick facts!

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Quick Facts:

• Total Trekking Days:10 Days

• Highest Point: Annapurna Base Camp at 4147 meters

• Food and Accommodation: Locan Cuisines Guest Houses

• Guide Requirements: Not compulsory

• Permits Required: TIMS card, Annapurna Sanctuary Permit

• Start Point: Nyapul

• End Point: Annapurna Base Camp

• Best Time: Late Monsoon to early Autumn 

From these quick facts, you can make a rough estimation of what to expect during this trekking. Unlike many other trails, you can start your journey without a guide and trek independently. Along with this, you also get the opportunity to stay in relatively facilitated guest houses. Compared with the teahouse trekking of Manaslu Circuit trekking, ABC trekking has better points for comfort. 

There is a saying among the trekking community that if you want a safer and cheaper alternative to Everest base camp and Machhapuchhre base camp with similar views, Annapurna Base Camp is the way to go. This statement is true in a lot of senses. That being said, how difficult is this trek?

How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Although there are many ascensions, most trekkers rate the Annapurna Base Camp trek as moderate difficulty. This trekking is considered a moderate difficulty because of the distance you need to travel. In this trek, you will need to travel around 80 kilometers within ten days. 

Another one of the reasons why Annapurna Base Camp is considered to be a moderate difficulty is the quick ascent and descent. You will need to trek upwards of 4975 meters and then descend 5040 from the highest peak back to Kathmandu. This requires a decent tolerance to climate change and tolerance towards altitude sickness. Naturally, it would be best if you had the physical fitness to walk long distances. 

Although this trek is not recommended for first-timers, you can still make it if you make multiple stops to adjust to the climate. 

Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Safe?

The simple answer to this question will be "mostly yes ."Trekking in Nepal in itself is an innately risky adventure activity. Add the fact that the ABC trek does have a medium difficulty level and the risk of altitude sickness; no one can say that the Everest Base Camp trek is completely safe. Besides this, if you take this trekking journey at the wrong time, you can also succumb to bad weather. 

That said, you can mitigate these risks with some proper planning. If you are not confident about planning, then why not take the aid of a travel agency like Mount Glory? We don't just provide adequate planning for you but guides and training that you might require for trekking! 

What do you need to prepare for Mount Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Although this will be a relatively short journey of 10 days, it is still a somewhat dangerous journey. Along with this, you will also need to pass through Annapurna Sanctuary. This is why you need to prepare two major things before starting your journey on this trek. They are:

• the permits and 

• trekking gears. 

The Permits:

To complete your journey through the breathtaking mountains and glorious mountains, you will need to cross through some areas that are not accessible without some permits. You will need two permits to complete this journey. They are:

• TIMS Card: TIMS card or Trekkers Information Management System is a basic permit card you will need for every trek in Nepal. It is simply an identification card that lets you access the routes for trekking in Nepal. You will need to spend Npr 2000 on this permit. 
• Annapurna Sanctuary Permit: The Annapurna Sanctuary permit is a permit that grants you a single entry into the Annapurna Sanctuary park. You will need this permit since the trekking route will directly pass through the sanctuary, also known as the Annapurna Conservation Area. This permit can be taken at the cost of Npr 3000 and will add to the total Annapurna base camp trek cost. 

To gain access to the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you will need to spend Npr 5000 on the permits. Although this might seem costly, the view and the experience will be well worth the risk!

Necessary Equipment to Trek Annapurna Base Camp:

After planning for the permits, the next thing you need to worry about is the equipment you need to go for the Annapurna trekking. That being said, you do not need extreme gear for this trekking. 

Most of the gear that we will be mentioned here will be just for increased comfort. In theory, if you are a hardcore trekker, you can complete this entire trek with just some warm clothes, trekking shoes, a trekking cane, and some money. 

But for normal trekkers, it would be a good idea to know what to pack to complete the Annapurna Base Camp trek. For this, we have prepared the following list of gears. 

Things you need to pack before going to Annapurna Trek

• Backpack

• Duffle bag with lock

• Rain Protection

• Hiking pants and shorts

• Additional T-shirts

• Additional Undergarments

• Warm clothes

• Hiking Boots

• Travel Sanitary Pack (napkins, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, wet wipes, moisturizer, tampons, and pads)

• First Aid Kit

• Power Cables and Chargers

These are the minimum requirement of gear if you want to have a decent trekking experience. The best part about all of these gears is that you can fit them in a decent-sized trekking bag, which is included in this list. 

What is the best time for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking?

There is no single best time for this trek - rather, different times of year attract different types of trekkers. 

The Summer and Winter Seasons are perfect for those who want a challenge in their trekking experience. This is because the trekking routes become more dangerous with unpredictable rain in summer and thin sheets of frozen dew in winter. Along with this, there is naturally a subtle risk of snowfall during the winter. 

For most of us, the best time to complete the Annapurna base route is between June and September. This time frame lies between the monsoon season and the autumn season. Why is this the best time for this trek? During this period, you get to experience both the breathtaking greenery of the forests in the lower regions and the stunning snow in the higher areas.

As you ascend, the trails, the scenario in front of you will change from the lush greens of the forest to the majestic white of the peaks in a seamless transition - a perfect transition for an unforgettable experience. 

How long is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

The duration to complete the Annapurna base camp trek will depend on the route you take. While there are routes that take five days, seven days, and 15 days, we, Mount Glory offer you a trekking experience of 10 days. In our trek packages, you will have plenty of time to experience the scenarios and local culture and be back home in time for your responsibilities.

Additionally, you can make this trek even shorter if you are a highly experienced trekker with optimum physical fitness. 

Conclusion:

To Trek, Annapurna Base Camp is undoubtedly one of the best treks you can have in Nepal. This destination is the base camp of the 10th highest peak globally. But, trekking is more about the journey rather than a destination - and the journey of ABC is one of the unforgettable ones. Although the trekking aspect can be a bit harsh, you can relax with decent luxury in many guests' houses along the way while enjoying the serene views outside. 

While you can make Trek Annapurna individually, it is still a good idea to take the help of trekking agencies and travel agencies like Mount Glory. It is a great way to lessen your burden with a little bit of extra cost.

Is this trek worth the effort? If this trek is not worth your effort, no other trek will be! So plan Annapurna trekking now with us. Hope this Annapurna Trek Guide blog was helpful for you.