FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna base camp is not any more difficult trek. It is just 7 days quick hike exploring beautiful view is worth to do it.The difficulty of the trek is all about narrow way, and quick hike makes us high altitude sick

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the place from where you explore a vast massif of several peaks above 7,000m including Annapurna I(8091) forming part of the range that forms a natural amphitheater. The Annapurna Base Camp is a high glacial basin lying north of Pokhara. Passing directly below Machhapuchhare, This is a fairly strenuous alpine trek that gives the fitter walker close-up and unbeatable mountain views.

It takes about 45 days to climb Mount Annapurna. It is standing at 8,000 meters high above sea level.

You can get there mainly by foot or by helicopter. Annapurna base camp is only about 37.1 kilometers away from Pokhara and at an altitude of 4130 m. You can choose your mode of transportation according to the budget, travel style, time, and comfort. If you love to trek and want to explore the natural and cultural diversities, then trekking is the best option. Reaching to Annapurna Base Camp by foot is budget-friendly.

Yes, there is no doubt that trekking Annapurnas is well worth doing. As discussed it is possible to avoid the road in most places due to NATT. Both of these hikes are good options if you are looking for a lodge based trek in Nepal.

Annapurna Base Camp trek is not considered to be a difficult trek because this trek is very adventurous and the key factors of the trek are to walk slow and steadily. So this trek is considered to be a moderate trek.

Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with the price ranges USD 895 to USD 1000 for an average 8 to 12 days trek. Prices generally include all permits, both ways Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu transportation cost. Also includes accommodations, meals, guide, and porters.

Trekking in Nepal is generally safe if certain precautions are taken and ABC is not particularly dangerous Even though it has a risk of avalanche. From what I understood the risk of avalanche is lower during Spring Season.

It’s depend which route you chose. To go ABC there is different routes first one direct drive to near by Jhinu and trek to ABC will take 2 to 3 days and same will from Ghandruk but if you choose to go from Poon Hill it will take 6 days to reach to ABC. These are the normal trekking walking days if you are more sportive and want to challenge yourself the days will be different.

Training advice for your Annapurna base camp trek requires multi-day training or hiking prior to your Annapurna base camp trek. Set up training program of running at least 6–7kms per day. Lift 15–20 kg of weight for reps, do lateral lunges, Bulgarian squats and if you can walk on stairs with loaded backpack that’s probably the mix of all in one.

eptember, October and November – autumn in the Himalayas – with October generally considered to be the best time to trek the Annapurna Circuit. The monsoon has cleared the air, and dust-free trails.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal and is equipped for walkers year-round. But camping is fairly rare

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It is quite easy and shorter trek than other high altitude treks in Nepal. This trek incorporates diverse terrain, culture, and wildlife

The height of Annapurna Base Camp is 4,130 m.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek has a maximum elevation of around 13780 feet, whereas the Annapurna Circuit Trek takes you to over 17770 feet. So Comparatively its about 4000 feet difference.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek accommodation is the amazing one where you can view the world highest mountain with its surrounding peaks. There are around 5 tea houses where you can accommodate yourself with basic facilities.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is about 67 km long. You can do the trek in 14 days to and from Kathmandu. However, it is important to keep a buffer day to account for unfavorable weather.

On the Annapurna circuit trek, while we hike for 7 hours on the first day the remaining days are under 6 hours hike while Everest base camp is lot harder due to its longer route.

Trekking is possible all seasons but the best season we recommend are Pre-monsoon (February, March, April and May) and post Monsoon (Late September, October and November).

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, transfer to hotel
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara, transfer to Hotel
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul, Tirkedhunga
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani
Day 05: Early Morning Excursion to Poon Hill for sunrise view and trek to Tadapani
Day 06: Trek to Chhomrong
Day 07: Trek to Dovan or Himalaya
Day 08: Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp
Day 09: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp and back to Deurali

The Height of Annapurna Base camp is 4,130 m/ 13,550 feet/2.56 Miles Above Sea Level.

It is not mandatory to have a guide with you while trekking but is highly recommended due to unfavorable and fast changing climate.

Annapurna Base Camp is the most popular trek in the world because it brings you face to face with eight-thousanders – for a moderate-difficult trek. It’s one of the most incredible trek site.

Trekking anywhere is the world is safe if certain precautions are taken, and Annapurna Base camp is not particularly dangerous considering frequent avalanche. From the research we gather the best time for the trek is Post Monson (September, October and November).

While trekking Diet is the most important factor, So Healthy Breakfast, Lunch with enough Carbs and protein and Dry Fruits and energy bars in handy is the most.

There are several Queries regarding solo/female travelers in Annapurna Base Camp trek, in fact trekking in Himalayas of Nepal is safe and great for the solo/Female travelers, but booking your trip with Local trekking agency is recommended.

We would suggest you pack less and important itinerary such as:
• Full sleeve trekking Shirt.
• Windproof/ waterproof trekking trousers (long)
• Wind stopper Jacket (waterproof)
• Anti-leech Socks.
• Down Jacket for cold nights.
• A Rain jacket.
• A Rain Pant.
• Waterproof trekking boots.

It depends on how fast you can walk and the geographical structure. On an average you will be travelling around 7000-7800 steps in a day.

From Kathmandu you can either Drive or take a flight to Pokhara .Nayapul is the Starting point of Annapurna Base camp trek. You can take a Bus/Jeep from Pokhra to Nayapul with a drive time of about 2 hrs

You can get a permit from the tourism board offices located in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The permits are issued by the Nepal tourism board. you will need to fill a form and submit it with your passport copy and passport size photo affixed at the Nepal Tourism Board Office.

You could apply for all trekking permits at the Nepal Tourism Board, located at Pradarshani Marg. This is about a 20 minutes’ walk from the heart of Thamel. Your guide will do all the paper work for you if your trip is booked with trekking Agency.

We could get bottled water on the tea houses where you stay and other possibility is you could carry a reusable water bottle and refill on the stream, tap or river on the way. If you only prefer mineral/bottled water, then you should be ready to pay extra as price of water increase as altitude increases.

The accommodation is comfortable with two beds in each room and meal is great too but as we ascend higher above Deurali the accommodation and meal is basic in tea houses and shared bathroom with bucket shower.

Both the treks have been the major destinations all over the world, they both have their own scenery and attraction. The trekking terrains in the Annapurna region are all good paths with fewer uphill climbs and gentler downhill hikes. Everest base camp trekking trails comprise hiking through deep river gorges and forests and ascend high ridges. If you are vulnerable to altitude sickness, then Annapurna base camp trek might be better for you.

Unfortunately, we can’t see Mt. Everest from Annapurna Base camp as both the peaks are at the exact opposite direction. But we could enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and several other Annapurna ranges along the trail.

During the pre-winter the fast flowing winds brings down the snow even at the lower regions below 2300 M. In the mid-winter the peaks surrounding are mostly covered with ice and glacier.

Yes, Cell phone reception is good throughout the Annapurna base camp trail through Ncell/NTC network coverage. However, in certain areas there might be low network coverage or no network at all.

The very first altitude sickness symptoms begin within 24hrs of reaching the high altitude. The different levels of altitude sickness have different symptoms. Symptoms of mild, short-term altitude sickness are dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, general loss of energy, and shortness of breath. Sometimes, these symptoms may be accompanied by headache, nausea and vomiting.

No, you won’t be needing crampons unless you are travelling during early spring i.e January or February. Good quality hiking boots and hiking poles are good enough for extra support and stability.

In case of an emergency rescue will be made available via air ambulance as long the weather is favorable to Pokhara or Kathmandu. You will be then taken to an international standard hospital for the rehabilitation.

The weather of Annapurna base camp varies upon the season. The region is never too hot nor too cold even during the summer. The maximum temperature recorded during the day is 25°C/77°F while during the night the temperature goes as low as -25°C/-13°F.

Diamox is a medicine to prevent the altitude sickness not the cure. You don’t have to worry about the medication as we will have everything with us and you will be given such medication from the beginning even though there are very less chances of altitude sickness on Annapurna base camp trek.

No you won’t be needing oxygen on Annapurna base camp trek because our itinerary is designed in such a way so that it allows enough acclimatization. In addition, we provide various medication that suppresses altitude sickness symptoms, from the beginning to prevent falling sick.

During the Annapurna base camp trek there will be the availability of the electricity at the teahouses where you will spend the night from where you can recharge your phone and other gadgets by paying a nominal fee. Regarding Wi-Fi, there are no free hotspot along the trail. Some teahouses do offer paid Wi-Fi service on hourly basis though.

Altitude sickness has been a major setback in most high-altitude treks in Nepal. Although there are no major risks involved, here are few tips tried and tested by our professional trek leaders and travel planners to avoid high altitude sickness during Annapurna base camp trek:
• Slow ascend with proper rest and enough acclimatization
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated at all times
• Eat sufficiently a healthy balanced diet during the entire trek and sleep well
• Avoid alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products on the trek
• Be head-strong and mentally prepared
• Train your body to cope with uphill hikes with enough cardiovascular or gym workouts, at least 3 months prior to the trek

Normally, you will be eating healthy balanced meals that are easily available on the trail based on your properly scheduled itinerary. Losing about 7-10% of your body weight is normal for all the hikers. but it all depends on the appetite and some other factors.

As per the official news there hasn’t been any deaths recorded while trekking however there have been few deaths due to natural disaster like: avalanches during the pre-spring season and landslides during the monsoons.

You will be traveling with like-minded travelers from all round the world. As such, there is no age limit for doing this trek, but we are highly concerned about your physical and mental fitness as well as your previous hiking experience.

Trekkers will enjoy 3 hearty meals on each trekking day. Usually, you will have breakfast and dinner at the same lodge where you will be staying for the night,Throughout the trek, you will be given fruits to eat that are fresh and organic, either brought from Kathmandu or locally sourced at the local villages. The meals include a nutritionist-designed balanced diet comprising complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Breakfast
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate
• Toast with jam or honey, toast omelet, pancake, Tibetan bread, porridge/muesli
• Eggs on your choices
• American breakfast or Continental breakfast
Lunch
• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali style dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken steak, yak steak
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate
Dinner
• Soups: vegetable soup, mushroom soup, chicken soup, chicken noodle soup, Rara noodle soup, French onion soup, pumpkin soup, potato soup
Main Meals
• Rice item: veg fried rice, egg fried rice, mixed fried rice, dal-bhaat
• Noodle item: vegetable fried noodle, mixed fried noodle
• Potato item: chips, fried potato, hash brown potato, veg fried potato, boiled potato
• Burger: veg burger, chicken burger, veg sandwich, chicken sandwich
• Pasta: spaghetti tomato sauce, macaroni cheese sauce
• Pizza: veg pizza, tomato cheese pizza, chicken pizza, mushroom pizza
• Momo (Nepali Dumplings): veg momo, chicken momo
• Meat item: chicken sizzler, chicken stake, yak stake
• Dessert: apple pie, chocolate cake, carrot cake, apple fritter, canned fruit
• Beverage: black tea, milk tea, ginger lemon honey tea, lemon tea, hot lemon with honey, black coffee, milk coffee, hot chocolate

You will be guided by our experienced Guide/Sherpas who have been to base camp and back for thousands of time a year with good communication skill in English and enough knowledge about the mountains, people, culture, health, hygiene, and most importantly your safety.

We offer you a lifetime deposit policy which allows you the flexibility to transfer your deposit to anyone or any other trip. In case of cancellation, 30 days’ prior notice will be required with minimal cancellation charge.