Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 11 Days

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a shorter trip catering to time-pressed travelers. You may opt for the longer Annapurna Sanctuary Trek – 14 Days if you would like to maximize your adventure.

Join Alpine Club of Himalaya’s trekking expedition to Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091m (26,545 ft) above sea level. Apart from the Annapurna 1, the Annapurna massif includes thirteen peaks over 7,000 meters and sixteen more over 6,000 meters. Our journey begins in Pokhara, widely known as ‘Lake City.’ From there, we will be greeted with magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, and Annapurna. As we continue, we will encounter cascading waterfalls, beautiful villages, and terraced farmlands. Furthermore, we will traverse lush rhododendron forests and, ultimately, be surrounded by amazing mountains.

Meals and drinking water:

During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you’ll be provided with various Nepali, Tibetan ethnic cuisines and varieties of continental as well as western meals. The region boasts several tea houses along the trail, each run by local inhabitants. These establishments offer a range of facilities, from basic and minimal to more luxurious options. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to taste various cuisines, which is a unique feature that you might miss on other trekking trails in Nepal.

Annapurna Region is a plastic-free zone and has banned the use of bottled Mineral Water. However, drinking water taps are accessible with natural water supplies all along the trekking trail which are untreated, so direct use of the water is not recommended, you may refill boiling water or cold filter water from any of the teahouses along the trail.

If you buy a water purification tablet, chlorine drops or utilize SODIS (sunlight assisted) filtration procedures for further assurance, saving money, and reducing plastic pollution.

Accommodation:

Tourist-friendly hotels, lodges, and local accommodations are available on trekking trails, ranging from basic options to luxury and grandeur. Additionally, along the trail, you’ll find luxury hotels and teahouses that suit your budget. Moreover, these establishments provide comfortable beds with pillows, electric blankets, hot and cold showers, free WiFi, and many other amenities.

Teahouse along Annapurna region provides you with hot shower, western attached bathrooms and the rooms mostly include twin sharing beds as well as a single bed, with hygienic and clean atmosphere, good mattresses, a pillow, and blankets.

Campsites are also available along the trail providing a special opportunity for campers to sleep under the stars.

We will be staying at Alpine Hotel Nepal in Kathmandu, Hotel Splendid View in Pokhara, and teahouses during the trek. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost an additional USD150. Alpine Club of Himalaya will arrange rooms with attached washrooms. However, teahouses in some places only have shared washing and toilet facilities. Also, note that single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevations but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations.

Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The best season for trekking in Annapurna Region is during autumn and spring.

The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions.

During the autumn season, the months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region, as the weather is clear bringing great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures, the nights are clear and is a perfect opportunity for stargazing.

The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a change in the region, with varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you’ll witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green highlands.

Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers.

In the winter season, Annapurna Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel for this reason.

Equipment list for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

• Valid passport, 2 extra passport-size photos, airline tickets
• Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
• Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, and snacks, and purchasing your own drinks and gifts
• Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.

Head

• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

• Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
• Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
• Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable

Hands

• 1 pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves.

Lower Body

• Non-cotton underwear briefs
• Hiking shorts 1 pair
• 1 pair of Hiking trousers
• lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal) 1 pair
• 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
• waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric 1 pair

Feet

• 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
• 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
• 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)

Sleeping

• 1 sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F)*- We will provide and need to be returned after accomplished.

Rucksack and Travel Bags

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
• 1 large duffel bag *
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
• Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
• 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)

Medical

• Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
• Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
• 1 skin-blister repair kit
• Anti-diarrhea pills
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide
• Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant.
• Water purification tablets or the water filter
• 1 set of earplugs
• Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies

Toiletries

• 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel
• Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Female hygiene products
• Small mirror