The 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 brave Gurkha. Also, Known as the Annapurna sanctuary trek, the trekking trails mostly go through the dense forest.
More than half a journey of the Annapurna sanctuary trekking exists on the same route. You use the same trail to go to the base camp and return 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 they are usually fully booked earlier. You must reserve your space in advance or share rooms with other trekkers for a few nights.
The ABC 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, 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 Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges, green nature, local culture, tradition, waterfalls, blooming flowers, and many attractions make the trip wonderful for the trekkers. The Annapurna sanctuary trekking 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 trekking itinerary of the Annapurna base camp lasts ten 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 giant mountains are near the base camp. You feel you can touch them. The sunset and sunrise in the evening become beautiful to the mountains you can see from the base camp. The trail returns the same way until Bamboo and Chhomrong split into Jhinu hot spring.
The ABC trek ends in Nayapul with a long day walk from Jhinu Danda, or you can drive from Siwai to Pokhara. Alternatively, you can visit Tolka or Dhampus for a few more days. 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 the Mardi Himal base camp from here.
The shortest itinerary to the Annapurna base camp is six days 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-day itinerary to the Annapurna base camp trip.
Best Time to Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
Autumn is the best time to trek to the Annapurna base camp. Autumn comes right after the monsoon, so all the hazes are apparent by the monsoon rainfall. Mostly, the visibility will be evident in the months of autumn. There are fewer rain and snow chances 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 on the trekking trail in the spring, so you must be careful while walking from Deurali to Machhapuchchhre base camp.
December also can be one of the best months for trekking to the Annapurna base camp, but it will be freezing. If you would like to travel with no crowd and can stay in cold temperatures, December can be a perfect time for you. January and February mostly snow, but it might not happen yearly.
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 short wooden bridges to cross the streams. It might be dangerous to travel 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 plan a trek in autumn, pack warmer equipment than in spring. Do not forget to pack rain gear if you are on a trip at the beginning of September and the end of May. 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
- Sports 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 must book accommodations in Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC, ABC, and Bamboo. If you don’t reserve your space, you must share the capacity with others or seep into a tent. Even you must share rooms if you are a solo trekker during a high trekking season. All the rooms are standard with no bathroom inside after Chhomrong village, but the beds are clean and comfortable.
The foods on the base camp trekking region 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. Pizza 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 a 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 in Nepal. We operate this trek with safety and competitive cost. Frolic Adventure has decades of experience arranging trekking trips in Nepal, like the Annapurna base camp. You may contact us directly if you have more questions about the trip.
