12 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp 12 days is one of those journeys that fully fills your need for natural adventure. Not to forget, Annapurna Base Camp also falls among the classic treks of Nepal. So, in this adventure, you will roll into venturing unique terrain, cultures, and natural flora & fauna of the Annapurna region.

Along with the natural exploration, you will reach different altitudes every day. You will begin your journey from Pokhara, which is at an altitude of 890 meters. But, as you continue your trip, you will eventually start gaining altitudes every day. And, it will take you to your ultimate vantage point; Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 meters.

With the changing altitudes, the views of the surrounding area start getting more beautiful. In the start, you begin with enjoying the urban lifestyle of Pokhara. Right after 2-3 hours of driving from Pokhara, you will see a drastic shift in what you see. The tall concrete buildings will change with small huts located in complete greenery.

Also, how can we miss the fact about the lovely mountain ranges of Annapurna? The views of surrounding mountains are clearly visible when you’re right at Pokhara. As you move up, the scenery just gets closer and better. And from the vantage points like Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, you can enjoy the 360-degree Himalayan panorama.

Some of the famous majestic peaks visible throughout the trek are Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Hiuchuli, Gangapurna, and many other peaks. These snow-clad mountains add charm and a whole new level of excitement to your trip. So, if you love exploring heights, you must opt for this trek with us. Here, at Nepal Eco Adventure, we ensure this trip is fully completed and you explore everything.

Now, comes the part about this region’s ethnicity and cultural aspect. Their richness in their ethnicity is as much as the region’s natural beauty. It’s uniquely diversified and well-preserved. There is a range of ethnic castes like Thakali, Gurung, Magar, etc. These tribes have such a typical lifestyle. Even in such rural circumstances, they bring their traditions to light. They even welcome you wholeheartedly to be a part of their celebrations as well.

Moreover, you also get to learn their historical stories, cultural background, etc. All the villages you visit are authentic villages that give a live cultural tour. You can closely watch their daily lifestyle, traditions, food, and beliefs. Some of them also preserve historical entities of their respective ethnicity. For instance, homemade equipment, dresses, cooking utensils, old pictures, musical instruments, and more.

On these 12 days of delightful journey of Annapurna Base Camp, you’ll follow a great travel route. As mentioned, you’ll start it from Pokhara. Then, you first head to Poon Hill via Hile-Ghorepani. Poon-Hill is indeed one of the major attractions of the trek to view the majestic peaks.

Likewise, you pass via delightful villages like Sinuwa, Himalaya Hotel before reaching ABC. Afterward, you head down to Bamboo, Pothana, and then Phedi. Again, these settlements have their typical identity and you’ll find a lot more to explore there. Here, we present the clockwise route to reach the base camp. The journey transitions from tropical to alpine climatic regions and you’ll enjoy all those phases.

Lastly, don’t forget the itinerary we show is just one of many options. We, Nepal Eco Adventure, provide you a flexible adjustment to the schedule. So, do contact us if you’ve any sort of queries or add-on ideas on this trek’s itinerary.

Wondering about the ABC cost? With Nepal Eco Adventure, the cost for the Annapurna Base Camp trek is USD $1000 per person. You can check below for what the price includes and excludes

Things to Experience in Annapurna Base Camp 12 Days:

• Full exploration of on-point vantage points like Poon Hill (3210m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
• Experience the world-class adventure on high glacial basin around the Annapurna Sanctuary
• Closely view the world’s 8th & 10th highest mountains in the world; Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m) respectively
• Enjoy the 360-degree panorama of other beautiful peaks like the Manaslu range, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, Himchuli, and many more
• Visit charming & ethnic villages like Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, Hile, Pothana, Landruk, etc
• Soothing & refreshing natural hot spring, Jhinu danda, located beside the glacial river
• Explore two famous base camps in one i.e Annapurna Base Camp and Machhapuchhre Base Camp
• Delve into the rural yet welcoming community of Gurung, Thakali, and Magar ethnics
• One of the best treks fitted for people with moderate stamina and less trekking experience
• Have a cultural exploration & sightseeing in Pokhara and Kathmandu like Durbar Square, Lake Side, Swayambhunath, Bindabasini, etc

Best Time to Visit Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The best part about the Annapurna Base Camp trek is its year-round availability. Yes! You can go for this trek anytime around the year. But amongst the four seasons, Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) are the main trekking season in the Annapurna region.

Spring Season: Spring is an ideal time for the ABC trek as the days are warm with moderate temperature. There are rare chances of rain and other weather disturbances. The best part is the natural serenity that only appears in springs. The whole region is colorful with blooming buds of rhododendrons, orchids, and many wildflowers.

In every trail, there is a natural floral decoration that makes your journey more enjoyable. Due to the moderate weather, the faunal environment is stable. Thus, you can spot migratory birds, butterflies, and other rare species too. If you could make it to ABC in spring, the journey will be extra mesmerizing.

Autumn Season: Likewise, for the Autumn season, it’s the best time to spot crispy scenery. The skies are clear and the visibility of the mountains is at its peak. About the temperature, it’s moderate but the nights & mornings can be a little cold. There are also chances of occasional rainfall & snowfall towards the end of the season.

Overall, the season is the best choice because of its stable climate and scenery. Also, the trails will welcome you with seasonal floras. So, with full preparation, you’ll explore the diversity of the region in this season.

Winter & Summer Season: However, the seasons of Winter (December-February) & Summer (June-August) aren't that bad either. For instance, summer can be a good choice for botanical enthusiasts. Whereas, winter sees less number of visitors, so you can have the whole region on your own. Plus, you can make a good deal on food & accommodation during both seasons. With all this, you’ve to make sure you’re well prepared with proper gear.

How is Food and Accommodation in ABC Trek?

The concern about food and accommodation in any trek is a common thing. Similarly, in ABC trek, many trekkers might have some sort of queries on it. Simply to say, food and accommodation in ABC trek are basic with a few options in some places.

First, let’s talk about accommodation. Because the Annapurna Base Camp trek is a popular trek, you’ll find good places for an overnight stay. There are plenty of standard teahouses and lodges on the trek.

i) Teahouse Accommodation: The teahouse accommodation is quite popular and the best choice. Basically, their accommodation service is basic. Your room will have a twin-sharing wooden bed with a mattress, pillow, and blanket. About extra facilities, some of them also provide hot & cold shower service, electric heater, attached bathroom, etc. But, the services may vary as the altitude increases. You may have to use squat toilets and even use cold tap water.

ii) Camping Accommodation: This type of accommodation is mainly done by the climbers planning to go for the Annapurna expedition. Here, you'll stay in the tent and carry all the stuff throughout the route. You will need a cooking staff and porter crew for different jobs. Thus, it’s a kind of hassle and only feasible in places where there are no teahouses or lodges. However, if you wish for such an adventure, we can arrange camping accommodation in ABC as well.

iii) Hotel/Lodge Accommodation: There are a few luxurious hotels & lodges en route to Annapurna Base Camp. If you have a budget to match it, then you can go for it. You will be getting the best services available for accommodation in deluxe hotels. Better and more comfortable beds, electric blankets, hot & cold showers, free wi-fi, charging plots, increased road access, and more. Here at Nepal Eco Adventure, we arrange the best hotel/lodge accommodation for the ABC trek.

Food in ABC Trek
ABC trek is the best trek to explore local delicacies of Nepal i.e Dal Bhat (rice pudding with pulses) and seasonal vegetables. You will have it for your lunch and dinner every day whilst on the trek. The options for a non-veg set of Dal Bhat are available as well. Because this set has all kinds of nutrients, there is a famous saying ‘Dal Bhat = Unlimited Power’

Besides the dal bhat, you can find some western food options in some teahouses like pizza, spaghetti, noodles, eggs & bread, boiled potatoes with chili sauce, meat stew, etc. Likewise, you can try local dried meats as well. The best option is to go with Dal Bhat but if you want to try other varieties, it’s available as well.

The meals we include in our package are Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Breakfast will be ready by 8 am and you will have options like Eggs (fried/boiled), omelets with toast, pancakes, muesli, noodles, muesli, porridge, tea, coffee, etc.

Likewise, the options for lunch/dinner includes dal bhat, vegetable soup, curry w/rice, macaroni, spring rolls, momo, pizza, fried potatoes, chips, steaks, lasagna, etc

Some of the teahouses even have options for desserts like apple pie, chocolate pancakes, pudding, fruits combo, pie, chocolates like snickers!

Permits Required for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Any trekkers will need trekking permits to trek in all the trekking regions. Such permits are issued by the Government of Nepal and distributed by associated bodies. And the type of permit will depend on the trekking area.

Annapurna Base Camp trek lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. So, you will need two permits and fees to trek in this region. One is an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit and a TIMS card. ACAP is for trekking in the conservation area while TIMS is for ensuring safety, security, and avoiding illegal trekking.

You can easily obtain trekking permits at Nepal Tourism Board at Kathmandu. Make sure you’ve all the necessary documents like the original passport and its copies, visa copies, passport size photos, and cash for the permit fees.

The permits for Annapurna Base Camp are available on the tourism board of Pokhara too. The office is unavailable on Saturday and local holidays. It’s a thing to remember if you’re arranging the permits by yourself.

However, with us, you don’t have to worry about them at all. As a fully registered travel company in Nepal, Eco Adventure will handle & arrange them for you.

For visa: You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You will need two copies of your passport size photos. The cost of the tourist visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days is USD 50 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, a tourist visa with Multiple Entries for 90 days costs USD 125.

How Difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is the most popular trek in Nepal after the Everest Base Camp trek. It sees thousands of trekkers every year. And one of the reasons for its popularity is its moderate grade. Yes, even a novice trekker with average physical fitness can opt for this thrilling adventure.

In the whole trek, you’ll cover a total distance of about 85 km in 10 days of the trek. So, on average, you’ll walk about 8.5 kilometers per day. The trails are however full of steep ascents and descents. Also, it contains stone stairs on most of the stretches.

Regarding the altitude, the trek is safer. You’ll spend most of your days in places with less than 3000 meters of elevation. The trail rises over 3000m at two points i.e Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) and Poon Hill (3120m). With that said, we can’t confirm that there aren’t any chances of altitude sickness. You’ve to be well prepared and take the necessary precautions.

Hence, anyone with normal hiking/trekking experience can go for ABC trek. It doesn't require any technical preparation or climbing gears. The trails can be challenging at times for you can handle that with the gears listed below.

Now, as we've already mentioned, this trek doesn’t require any specific training. But, just to be on the safe side, you can practice for physical activities like hiking, basic gym training. Focus on strengthening your core, legs, back, and balance. You can go with a treadmill and stair machine for it. Also, you can do several sets of lunges and squats for building leg muscles.

Also, while you go for a hike, carry backpacks of measurable weights. If feasible, choose the places where you have to ascend and descend on significant heights. It will prepare you to adapt to increasing altitudes during the trek. Also, it will help to develop endurance and break difficulties over time.

Likewise, sound mental health is an important factor. If you’re heading to such altitudes for the first time, it’s understandable that you might get nervous. So, try to be calm and careful throughout the way. If you feel any discomfort, share that with your teammates, and they will take the necessary actions. For stronger mental health, yoga or meditation are the proven ways that’ll help you.

Hence, it’s always best to start early and give yourself enough time to prepare. Having said that, make sure you don’t push yourself over the limit. Make sure your body isn’t drained. Take proper rest, stay fresh, you don’t want to show up as a tired person on the trek.

Lastly, whilst you follow all these routines, remember to watch your nutrition. Since you’re burning your calories, you will need more proteins. Try to balance that with other nutrients that will make you healthy and strengthen your muscles.

Safety Tips for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

As mentioned already, Annapurna Base Camp trek is a moderate level of trek. You don’t need any special preparation or any technical trekking knowledge. Rather, you can simply focus on developing your core strength, endurance, and altitude adaptation.

Along with good preparation, there are certain safety measures that you need to follow for Annapurna Base Camp trek. They are as shown in the list below:

Tips to Follow Before Annapurna Trekking

• Before you head for the trek, it’s always better to research the places. Know about what are the probable challenges, how the environment, and how you should prepare for it. You can either do it on your own or contact us.
• Getting travel insurance is a must. While you do that make sure they cover trekking over 3000m, search & emergency evacuation if needed.
• It’s always safer to never go on a trek alone, especially if it’s your first time. If you hire us, you will travel with experienced guides and porters.
• Letting your loved ones know where you’re going is important. You can even share the details of your family with us as well.
• Carry all the necessary documents with you like passport and its copies, photographs, copies of travel insurance, your permit cards, etc
• Don’t try to risk your life to save money. Reducing trek durations to reduce budgets or by any other means may impose a serious threat on your life.
• Be prepared for one or two extra days of travel. Yes, sometimes due to climatic conditions, things may not go as planned. So, having the extra travel days will be a safer side.

Tips to Follow During the Trek

• It’s your trek, your adventure, so don’t take it as any sort of race. If traveling alone, never try to keep up with other trekkers. Whereas, if in a group, try to walk together and at a normal pace.
• Never ignore it if you’re having some troubles like headaches or dizziness. Share your trouble with your guide immediately. Sometimes taking rest for a night or two will help. Else, you will have to descend to lower altitudes.
• Don’t ever lead your guide or porter or wander off to distant places. If you want some alone time, do inform your fellow members.
• Hiring a guide is a must. You won’t have to struggle to know about places and to deal with locals. If you need help with the baggage, hiring a guide is a good idea too.
• Drink plenty of water while walking. Staying hydrated will also help to adapt to the changing altitudes.
• Along with water, you can carry instant energy-providing bars or snacks. They are saviors for treks like this!
• Wear comfortable & properly broken-in trekking shoes. You don’t want any blisters while traveling.
• Having a minimal yet sufficient packing list will help to reduce loads. Also, make sure the trekking gears you carry are reliable.
• Be mindful that you’re trekking at one of the rural places. There, you may not get whatever you wish for. So, you need to adapt yourself socially too.
• Be respectful to everyone, the locals are super friendly and welcoming. Being rude to anybody won’t be good morally and it may affect your whole trip too.

Flight and Travel Information For ABC Trek

Pokhara is the starting point for trekking in the Annapurna region. And you can either take a flight or private vehicle to get there. The flight will take about half an hour whereas the road travel will be 7-8 hours.

Both of the travel options have their own benefits. You will be enjoying the mesmerizing aerial view from the flight. Similarly, you’ll encounter beautiful scenery on the road trip. After you decide what you choose, we’ll plan the tour accordingly.

Also, if you have less time to travel but want to observe the Annapurna region closely, there is Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour too. This tour will take you on a private helicopter flight over the Annapurna mountains. You’ll fly over the beautiful Gurung & Magar settlements and even to some of the most heavily glaciated regions.

On this trip, you will land on Annapurna Base Camp and explore its surroundings for a while. You will have a quick breakfast there and return to Pokhara. This whole trip will just take two hours but in that little time, you’ll have a wholesome experience.

For further information on either of the travel information, you can get back to us. We will take any type of travel queries you have.

What Should You Pack for Annapurna Base Camp?

• Sleeping Bag
• Trekking Bag
• Duffel Bag
• Trekking poles
• Water bottle
• Hiking shirts
• Long-sleeved t-shirt
• Lightweight thermals
• Down jacket
• Waterproof shell jackets
• Waterproof pants
• Hiking boots and socks
• Sun hat or scarf
• Toiletries (Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hand sanitizer, Wet wipes, Medium-sized quick-drying towel)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglass with UV protection
• First aid kit
• Lip balm
• Water purification tablets
• Binoculars (optional)
• Headlamps & Torches

Why with Nepal Eco Adventure?

• Six-time consecutive TripAdvisor Excellence Award from 2015 to 2020
• Five-star rating and good reviews by the trekkers who traveled with us in past
• We believe in serving the best services to clients for their satisfaction
• We feature a team of experts full of trekking experiences & knowledge of the Annapurna region
• Flexible planning of itinerary according to your availability
• We hire fully professional & licensed guides who can fluently speak English
• We book good hotels for your comfortable stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Even in the trek, we go with the teahouses that provide good services & flexible options
• Eco-friendly trekking and travel option for Poonhill and Annapurna
• Flexible add-ons on your trek at the best price possible