Annapurna base camp trek takes you very close to the catchy mountains and glaciers, in a few days from the city. It is a moderate-level trek in the Annapurna region. The ABC trekking region is a land of Gurung and Magar people, who are renowned as the brave Gurkha. Also, Known as the Annapurna sanctuary trek, the trekking trails mostly go through the dense forest.
More than a half journey of the Annapurna base camp trek exists in the same route. You use the same trail to go up to the base camp and come back to Chhomrong. That is why the Annapurna base camp route looks very busy compared to the other treks in the Annapurna region. The area is controlled by the Annapurna conservation area project (ACAP). There are limited lodges with few accommodations and are usually fully booked earlier. You need to reserve your space in advance or need to share rooms with other trekkers for a few nights.
The Annapurna base camp trekking has multiple locations to start and end the trip. If you have a long holiday, you can go through the Ghorepani Poon hill route and finish in Phedi, which is a 12-days base camp trip to Annapurna. Starting the trek from Siwai and ending at the same place is the shortest itinerary of the Annapurna base camp.
Fascinating mountain ranges of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, green nature, local culture, tradition, waterfalls, blooming flowers and lots of attractions make the trip wonderful for the trekkers. The Annapurna base camp trek can be one of the best acclimatization practices before attempting the Everest base camp trek for you.
Trekking Itinerary to Annapurna Base Camp
A regular Annapurna base camp trek itinerary is for 10-days from Pokhara to Pokhara. It begins from Nayapul after a short drive from Pokhara and goes to Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Dovan and Deurali before reaching the base camp.
Annapurna I, Hiuchuli, tent peak, Annapurna Fang, Gandharbha Chuli, fishtail and more big mountains are very close to the base camp, that you feel like you can touch them. The sunset in the evening and sunrise in the morning become very much attractive to the mountains, that you can see from the base camp. The trail returns the same way until Bamboo and Chhomrong then split to Jhinu hot spring.
The Annapurna base camp trek ends in Nayapul with a long day walk from Jhinu Danda or you can take a drive from Siwai to Pokhara. Alternatively, you can go to Tolka or Dhampus if you have a few days more. There is a joining trail to the Mardi Himal trek from Landruk village. If you have around 4-5 days more, you can go to Mardi Himal base camp from here.
The shortest itinerary to the Annapurna base camp is for 6 days, which starts from Siwai. You drive directly there from Pokhara, trek to the base camp following Chhomrong, Himalaya and Machhapuchchhre base camp, and then visit ABC. If you take the route through Ghandruk, it will be a 7-days itinerary to the Annapurna base camp trip.
Best Time to Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
Autumn is the best time for the Annapurna base camp trek. The autumn comes right after the monsoon, so all the hazes are clear by the monsoon rainfall. Mostly, the visibility will be clear in the months of autumn. There are fewer chances of rainfall and snow in October and November and the mountains look prettier.
The spring is also a popular trekking season for the Annapurna base camp. It has a warmer temperature compared to autumn. Blooming rhododendrons make the trekking trail attractive at the beginning of March. But, there might be avalanches sometimes in the spring on the trekking trail, so you need to be careful while walking from Deurali to Machhapuchchhre base camp.
December also can be one of the best months for the Annapurna base camp trek, but it will be freezing. If you would like to trek with no crowd and can stay in cold temperature, December can be a perfect time for you. January and February mostly snow a lot, but it might not happen every year.
Lots of rain during the summer make the trail slippery. Because of this, trekking to the base camp of Annapurna during the monsoon is not recommended. There are many wooden short bridges to cross the streams. It might be dangerous to cross if it is slippery and wet.
Trekking Equipment for Annapurna Base Camp
Trekking gear for the Annapurna base camp depends on the seasons. If you are planning a trek in autumn, you need to pack warmer equipment compared to the spring. Do not forget to pack rain gear if you are on a trip at the beginning of September and the end of May. Here, you can see the essential gear list below for the Annapurna base camp.
- Duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack
- Water bottle or camelback
- Sun hat
- Warm hat
- Sunglasses
- Down jacket
- Half and full sleeves trekking shirts
- Half and full sleeves trekking trousers
- Thermal layers
- Fleece jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Good quality trekking boots
- Sport shoes and water sandals
- Quick drier towel
- Sleeping bag
- Head torch
- Few pairs of trekking socks
- Rain gear
- First-Aid kit
- Sun lotion
- Moisturizing cream
- Lipbalm
- Wet napkins
- Swimming costume
- Warm gloves
- Extra camera battery
- Powerbank
- Flexible power socket
Accommodation, Food and Drink on Base Camp Route
There are plenty of guesthouses until Chhomrong, but limited lodges with limited rooms are up to the base camp. You have to book accommodations in these places in Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC, ABC and Bamboo. If you don’t reserve your space, you need to share the accommodation with others or seep into a tent. Even you have to share rooms if you are a solo trekker during a high trekking season. All the rooms are common with no bathroom inside after Chhomrong village, but the beds are clean and comfortable.
The foods on the Annapurna base camp trek are served from a food menu in every lodge, where you stay. The food course is mixed with local and western items. It means you do not need to stay with local food all the time and do not need to bring your food for the trek. Piza from Chhorong to the base camp is one of the best dishes for lunch and dinner on the Annapurna base camp trail.
The ABC region is the plastic banded area, so you can not buy bottled water. You can buy the boiled filter or refill the water in your bottle or camelback. You can also drink normal water using purification methods.
Remember us for your best trekking trip to the Annapurna base camp trek in Nepal. We operate this trek with safety and competitive cost. Frolic Adventure has decades of experience in arranging trekking trips in Nepal like the Annapurna base camp. You may contact us directly if you have more questions about the trip.
