Annapurna base camp (ABC) trek is a classic trek into the heart of the impressive Annapurna Himalayas with unsurpassed views surrounded by enormous glaciers.
Trip Level: Strenuous
Max Altitude: 4,130 m/13,550 ft
Activity: Sightseeing and Trekking
Starts and Ends at: Kathmandu
Trip Route: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Chomrong - Machapuchare Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo - Nayapul - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Best Season: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November & December
Trip Highlights
- Sightseeing in the World Heritage Sites: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa
- Impressive sunrise view from Poon Hill
- View of the world’s highest mountains: Dhaulagiri I (7th) and Annapurna I (10th)
- Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp
- Spectacular mountain and glacier views from Annapurna Base Camp.
- Natural bath in hot springs at Jhinu
Trip Information
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. Mt. Annapurna (8091m) is the 10th highest mountain in the world and the journey to its base camp, which is at 4130 m/13549 ft. height.This trek combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery, providing a fascinating insight into the modern hill life of Nepal. This trek is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek because of the combination of views of mighty Himalayan peaks and great culture.
Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m has very unique and incredibly spectacular settings. It is surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m). This trek is extraordinary in terms of height and depths and the varied ecosystem it provides.
The base camp itself is the main attraction of this trip. It is fully covered with beautiful snowy landscape and glaciers there will surely take your breath away.
Price Includes
- Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle
- Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights only) and Pokhara (2 nights only) including breakfast
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara by a private tourist vehicle
- All standard meals during the trek (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Guest house accommodation during the trek in twin-share and dormitory- style rooms. (8 Nights only)
- Local Shivalaya’s licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
- Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permits and TIMS permit for trekking
- Down jacket and sleeping bag by Shivalaya (which need to be returned after the trek)
- Tourist bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara and private tourist vehicle between Pokhara and Nayapul
- Free Shivalaya’s duffel/kit bag and sun hat (yours to keep)
- Sightseeing/Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Farewell dinner in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performances
- All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges
Price Does not Include
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Travel insurance which covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation (See the travel insurance page.)
- International airfare and airport departure tax (See the international flights page.)
- Nepal entry visa; you can obtain the visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days can be obtained by paying US $ 30 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days can be obtained by paying US and $ 125 respectively. Please bring 2 copies of passport size photos).
- Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks
- Personal trekking equipment (Click on the Equipment tab.)
- Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected.)
- Any others expenses that are not mentioned in the Price Includes section
EQUIPMENTS:
The following gives you a general idea of the trekking equipment and clothing needed for this trek.
This is a porter-supported trek. Two clients share one porter. We will supply you a trek duffel bag where you keep your heavy items and this bag is carried by the porter. You will need to bring your own daypack to be carried by you. In the daypack, you can put money, important documents, water bottle/bladder, camera, toiletries, sunscreen, notebook, etc.
The weight limit for the porter is 30 kg or 66 pounds. 15 kg or 33 pounds for each client. So, we recommend you to pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking stuff at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.
General
4-season sleeping bag (We can provide one if you need it but has to be returned after the trek.)
Duffel bag.
Daypack
- Down jacket (Must have for mornings, nights and evenings, and for altitudes above 4,000 m; We can provide it if you need one but has to be returned after the trek.)
- Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes
- Sun hat (We will provide you a complimentary Ace the Himalaya hat.)
- Wool or synthetic hat that cover the ears
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp
- Neck warmer
- Hand
- Liner gloves
- Heavier shell gloves
- Core Body
- T-shirts
- Lightweight expedition thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Water/windproof shell jacket (Preferably breathable fabric)
- Synthetic sports bras (For women)
- Lower Body – Legs
- Lightweight expedition thermal bottoms
- Nylon hiking shorts
- Soft shell and hard shell trekking pants
- Water/windproof trousers
- Casual pants
- Feet
- Liner socks
- Heavyweight socks
- Waterproof hiking/trekking boots
- Light shoes/sneakers/sandals
- Gaiters (For monsoon and winter)
Medicines and First Aid Kits
(Please note our guide will carry the first-aid kit bag during the trek. However, we still recommend you to bring your personalized first-aid kit as well.)
- Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches
- Ibuprofen for general aches and pains
- Immodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea
- Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness
- Anti-infection ointments
- Band-aids
- Lip balm (At least SPF 20)
- Sunscreen (SPF 40)
Miscellaneous, but Important!
- Passport and extra passport photos (3 copies)
- Airline ticket (Please make a copy and leave one at our office in Kathmandu just in case if you need to change the date of your flight.)
- Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport
- Water bottle/bladder
- Water purification Iodine tablets
- Toiletry kit (Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.)
Optional
- Adjustable trekking poles
- Favorite snack foods (No more than 2 pounds)
- Paperback books, cards, mp3 player - Binoculars - Cameras (Memory cards, chargers and also batteries)
- Pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman
This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu for cheaper prices.
Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.