Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek) is a tremendous mix of spectacular mountain vistas, traditional mountain village life and thick rhododendron and bamboo forest ecosystems.
We begin in the pretty lakeside town of Pokhara and head to Tikkhedunga, Ghorepani and beyond through lush forests and farmland to narrow gorges overlooked by the mighty Hiunchuli and Machhapuchru. (Fishtail Mountain.)
This route will introduce you to the Gurung and Magar cultures and their warm and welcoming personalities. You will see local people living a simple life where Buddhism influences each and every action.
En route to Annapurna base camp Trek, many species of birds and wildlife can be seen, happily living in this lush environment, whilst you enjoy breathtaking views of the snow capped mountains of the Annapurna Range. Our destination is Annapurna Base Camp where we will be encapsulated by a mountainous wonderland, being surrounded by the icy peaks of some of the word’s highest and most beautiful mountains. You cannot help to fall in love with this region and be blown away by its crisp serenity.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek route visits another popular route, Poon Hill Trek, giving unparalleled mountain vistas and some perfect photo opportunities. There are certainly some challenging days to reach the altitude of 4130 meters, including rocky trails and an ascent of 3000 stone steps to Ulleri, but your efforts will be rewarded by the majestic mountains, all the way to Annapurna Base Camp over an array of different and exciting landscapes. To finish off the trek nicely, on the way back down to Pokhara, we stop at Jhinu where you can replenish your tired muscles in the natural hot baths.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an amazing journey into an infamous region of Nepal, what more could you ask for?
Itinerary
Hours of walking: 5.5.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Elevation reached: 2070 meters/6790 feet.
Terrain: Gentle inclines, well defined paths, riverbank trails, 3000 steps from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri.
Views on offer: The towering, snow-capped Annapurna range.
Highlights: Tasting the sweet local oranges, walking alongside the Bhurungdi Khola, famous 3000 stairs.
What’s to see: Orange groves and rice fields.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours walking: 5.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation reached: 2810 meters / 9220 feet.
Terrain: Stone staircase, steep inclines.
Views on offer: Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain), Gandharba Chuli and Annapurana II and III.
Highlights: Rhododendron and oak forests, langur monkeys and musk deer.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 6.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Elevation reached: 3210m/10530ft at Poon Hill and 2700/8858ft at Tadhapani.
Terrain: Steep, hilly descents and jungle paths.
Views on offer: Panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
Highlights: Reaching the top of Poon Hill for amazing, panoramic views.
What’s to see: The village of Deurali and lots of langur monkeys.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 6
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation reached: 2310 meters/7580 feet.
Terrain: Steep descents, ascents, forest trails.
Views on offer: Mount Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.
Highlights: The warm welcome of the Gurung people in the traditional villages.
What’s to see: Farmland and local Gurung villages.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 5.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation reached: 3230m/ 10600ft.
Terrain: Steep descents, dirt and forest tracks.
Views on offer: The Annapurna range.
Highlights: Crossing the Chomrong Khola on an impressive suspension bridge.
What’s to see: Rhododendron and walnut trees, wild bamboo.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 4.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
Elevation reached: 4110m / 13485ft.
Terrain: Steep inclines, rocky tracks, there may be snow depending on the time of year.
Views on offer: Once you reach base camp, you will be encapsulated by snowy mountains as far as the eye can see.
Highlights: The Annapurna sanctuary, an area of pristine natural beauty.
What’s to see: The Annapurna Glacier.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 6.5.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Elevation reached: 2340m / 7675ft.
Terrain: Steep descents, rocky tracks, forest and riverbank trails.
Views on offer: The Annapurna Range.
Highlights: Watching the sunrise bathe the Annapurna sanctuary before we begin our descent.
What’s to see: The Annapurna glacier and the Modi Khola river as we descend.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of Walking: 5.5.
Difficulty: Easy to difficult.
Elevation reached: 1780m / 5840ft.
Terrain: A hilly ascent to Sinuwa then well defined tracks, descending to Jhinu.
Views on offer: The River Valley and snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Highlights: Bathing in the natural hot springs at Jhinu.
What’s to see: Chomrong Khola, thick forests, the village of Chomrong and natural hot springs.
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse.
Hours of walking: 2.5 hours. (2.5 hour drive.)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Elevation reached: 1070m at Nayapul and 850m at Pokhara.
Terrain: Gentle descents, riverbank trails.
Views on offer: Distant snow capped peaks and mountains
Highlights: Last day of walking in the Annapurna region, time to relax! Congratulations on completing your trek.
What’s to see: The Modi Khola River, last glimpses of the mountains.
Availability
Join Our Fixed Trip Starting Date
TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT |
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The Cost Include(s)
- Pokhara (Lakeside area) to Nayapul transfers.
- An English speaking professional/licensed guide.
- Teahouse accommodation (twin/double and dorm rooms at higher elevation)
- All your standard Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek.
- A Porter (one porter between 2 participants / maximum 20 kilos carried by a porter / 10 kilos from each participants).
- Required trek entry permits.
- Siwai – Nayapul – Pokhara (Lakeside area) transfers.
- Government imposed taxes.
The Cost Exclude(s)
- Personal expenses such as laundry, wi-fi, battery charging, sweets, snacks etc..
- All kind of beverages (tea/coffee, bottled/filter water, coke, etc).
- Travel Insurance (Recommended as you are trekking in remote area / not mandatory to join trek).
- Personal trekking gears and clothing.
- Tipping (expected by guide and porters but not mandatory).
- Any loss arising due to unforeseen circumstances that is beyond Mosaic Adventure control.
Frequently Asked Question(s)
Expand/CloseOn Day 1, start day of the trek we will arrange a pickup service free of charge from your hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside area. We will request your hotel details once you book this trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is considered to be a moderate trekking route in Nepal. It has some long days and steep inclines. You do not require any previous trekking or mountaineering experience. It is not required that you have any technical experience, only that you be in good physical condition and are able to walk for four to six hours per day over hilly terrain with a light bag pack. If you are not an experienced trekker or do not exercise regularly, we recommend that you embark on a training program well in advance of commencing this trip. You will be given plenty of time to rest throughout the trek and the pace will be slow to help you acclimatize safely to the increasing elevation.
On your trek, you will be staying in “Teahouses.” Accommodation is limited, especially the higher you get, so your room may vary from a twin/double room to a bed in a dormitory. Bed mattresses are usually firm, not sprung mattresses that you may be used to at home. The accommodation is very basic and there will usually be shared shower and toilet facilities. There is a communal dining hall in all teahouses offering limited meal choices. Although basic, the teahouses are clean and are a welcome, friendly and warm resting place after a day trekking.
We ask that all our customers bring water purification tablets and a water bottle with them. (They can be bought in Kathmandu/Pokhara if forgotten.) Mosaic supports responsible tourism so we do not encourage trekkers to buy bottled water when in the Himalayan region, although it is be available, there is no proper disposal system for plastic bottles and we would like to keep our mountains clean and trash free. There will be plenty of water available along the way to fill your bottles and most brands of purification tablets take just 30 minutes before you can drink your water. We recommend that you drink a minimum of 3 to 4 liters of water per day whilst on your trek.
Any luggage that you will not require during your trek can be kept securely in your hotel in Pokhara.
Walking poles are not essential but can be useful especially on the way down. Poles help you balance on the way down and take the strain off of your legs (quad muscles) on some of the steep climbs. You can buy poles in Pokhara and they easily collapse so you can attach them to your back pack when they are not needed.
There are plenty of trekking shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara selling equipment inexpensively compared to the prices you would normally pay at home, although, the quality of these products cannot always be guaranteed. If you do not want to take the risk, we recommend you buy major items such as trekking shoes, before you arrive in Nepal. It is also recommended you buy your shoes well in advance of your trek so you can “break them in” and avoid blisters during your trip.
Yes, you can, in the teahouses. Please remember that plugs might be different than at home so don’t forget to bring adapters with you or buy them in Kathmandu before the trip. You may need to pay for the use of the electricity to recharge your electrical items in some teahouses, usually at a cost of $2-3 US per hour.
Showers are available at the teahouses. They will usually be shared bathrooms in most teahouses, especially the higher up you go. You will have to pay for a hot water shower per person. The higher you are, the colder it gets and you may find that you do not want to shower as often so you can wait just a few days until your descent.
Local currency in Nepal is rupees. We recommend you bring US dollars with you to Nepal and exchange them here as this is easily done and is a widely accepted currency. The amount of money you will need on a daily basis depends on your spending habits. A guide would be $10 per day for extra drinks (tea/coffee etc).
You will need to carry a reasonable sized daypack, big enough to carry personal items, water, camera, snacks, sunscreen, hat, a fleece jacket and gloves for higher altitudes. The porters will carry the bigger packs with your clothes etc…. They will carry packs up to 20kg. (10kg per person)
It depends on the nature of the sickness. Usually, if you become sick, you will descend to a lower altitude with the help and support of porter. If you are seriously ill, we will arrange an emergency helicopter evacuation service. Our guide will take immediate action according to the situation. Please ensure you arrange travel insurance that covers you for an evacuation service and trekking at high altitudes. *Altitude sickness can affect everyone whilst trekking including young and healthy people and is a genuine concern in higher altitudes. If you feel dizzy, suffer palpitations or severe headaches, return immediately to a lower altitude. Do not take altitude sickness lightly. It can be fatal! Please familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness before your trek. Do not ignore even the mildest of symptoms, inform your guide immediately. Our guides carry basic medicine and first aid equipment including simple painkillers, altitude sickness tablets, bandages, balm for muscle ache and medication to treat diarrhea and vomiting. These are the questions we are often asked and we hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.