Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty
With a bit of patience and determination to complete the trek, we believe anyone can do Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Of course, it's a trek in the Himalayas, and the route is bound to involve difficulties, but the challenges Annapurna Base Camp Trekking offers are manageable.
With our experienced on-field crew, one can smoothly complete the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 14 Days. Previous trekking experience is not mandatory for this trek, however, you have to be able to walk 5 to 6 hours on a daily basis. The terrain is rugged and steep at some places. There will be many ascents & descents throughout the trek.
You will be traversing at a high altitude and in a remote area, so there are other underlying challenges like inadequate services, disconnection with the modern cities, limited food menu, etc. So, the trek also demands you to be mentally ready for remote survival. Things will not be super tough but not convenient as well.
If you are a new trekker, then take your time to prepare for the trek. Increase your walking hours with a bag. You can hike or do other activities like cycling, swimming, and running to increase your stamina. Focus on your cardio and core body strength. Make your legs strong.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
Acclimatizing your body with the rise in elevation is very important if you do not want to suffer from altitude sickness. Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek package 2022 has a steady increase in elevation every day. It offers ample time for your body to adjust to the environment.
Altitude sickness is also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). It usually happens during the high-altitude journey or if the body sees a sudden elevation change. You have to be aware and careful of it because in the worst case, you may have to return without completing the trek or air evacuate to a nearby hospital.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
- dizziness
- loss of appetite and insomnia
- difficulty in breathing
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
Our trekking guides are very experienced, license holders, and have certificates for first-aid, rock climbing, etc. During the Annapurna Base Camp trek, our guide will keep in check the health condition of every trekker in the group.
The safety of our clients is the topmost priority for us. Therefore, we have a series of protocols we follow during the trek to monitor every step of the group on the trail. Be assured you will be guided by professionals.
Preventive measures of altitude sickness:
- If you see early symptoms of altitude sickness, then drop down to lower elevation. Spend some time there to relieve the symptoms. Depending upon your situation, the team leader will decide whether you can trek further or not. You are requested to follow his orders as he is responsible for your and the group's safety.
- Check our itinerary and make sure there is a constant increase in elevation during the trek. Ask the trekking agency if acclimatization days are needed or not, and join an ideal itinerary that will serve your body.
- Do not drink alcoholic drinks or smoke during the trek. It will dehydrate your body and increase the risk of AMS. Keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids and water.
- Maintain a balanced diet. Fill yourself with the best possible meal option.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Solo/Private/Group
You can do Annapurna Base Camp Trek solo, but we do not recommend trekking alone in the Himalayas even to experienced trekkers. What we can offer close to a solo trek is a private Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You can depart as per your time availability and make an itinerary as per your wish. You will trek with a professional guide and porter. They will introduce locals and villages to you, offer you great insight into the region, and help you mingle with the natives.
Similarly, you can also join one of our departure dates to ABC. Trekking in a group with people from all around the world offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will get to know new people and possibly make travel buddies. Or, if you have your group, then trek with them, and we will give you full support during the trek.
Feel free to contact us anytime if you want to have a private trek or group trek with us.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Best Time
There are two perfect seasons to go on Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, spring and autumn. Trekking in the off-season like winter and monsoon/summer only increases the difficulty level of the trek and involves furthermore risks like landslides and avalanches. Therefore, choosing the right time of the year to trek Annapurna Base Camp is crucial for a pleasant experience.
Trekkers usually prefer spring and autumn to trek in the Annapurna region. These two seasons offer a great view, stable weather, and moderate climate. You can see many fellow trekkers on the route too.
Spring (March to April) and Autumn (October to November)
Spring and autumn is the season of mountain lovers. Hundreds of travelers explore the Himalayas in these seasons and a large number of trekkers visit Annapurna Base Camp. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 0°C. The daytime is warmer in comparison to night and morning.
Trekking in spring lets you enjoy a range of flora on the way. The trail gets covered with teeming flowers and lush green forests. The sky is clear and bright with fantastic views.
The mild crisp wind and festive vibe of autumn make trekking soothing. Thanks to the gone monsoon season, the air is fresh and the region is vibrant and colorful.
Winter (November to February)
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in winter is strenuous but possible. Trekking in winter has its own perks. The views are probably the best. Heavy snowfall covers the mountains and the route. The trail has this winter fairytale kind of vibe. It's so beautiful.
However, beauty comes at a cost. You have to experience extreme col. The temperature drops below -10°C. And there are high chances of the trail getting blocked because of snowfall. You will need strong crew support and guidance. Not many people trek in the winter season, therefore you will have the entire nature to you.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek permit
Annapurna Base Camp Trek demands two permits- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS Card. Both of these permits are available in Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. Once issued, you cannot refund the refund or transfer the permit to others' names. Likewise, the permits are for single entry only.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit cost for foreigners: Nrs 3,000 per person
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit for SAARC nationals: Nrs 200 per person
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit for children below age 10: Free
- TIMS Card cost for trekkers going with local agency: Nrs 1000 per person
- TIMS Card cost for independent trekkers: Nrs 2000 per person
- TIMS Card cost for SAARC nationals: Nrs 600 per person
*Note: If you are trekking with us, then we will arrange all the permits for you in advance, and the permit costs are included in the package cost.
Accommodation
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 14 Days includes an overnight stay in a teahouse or lodge during the trek. We make sure to book you the most comfortable accommodation along the route. The rooms are typically small and shared between two trekkers. There is also a provision for a single room if you want, but you have to let us know about it in advance.
You will not get modern services like tv, hairdryers, or even hot water facilities at some places. The washroom may or may not be private. Annapurna Base Camp Trek is all about surviving in bare minimum modern facilities and copious natural conveniences.
The night and morning can get quite cold with a blanket provided by the teahouse/lodge, so carry a nice sleeping bag. In Kathmandu, we will book a three-star hotel for you to stay. In case of early or late departure, trekkers have to bear all additional costs.
Food during the trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking takes a lot of energy to do, and you will need nutritious food to fuel your body to move ahead. The meals during the trek are not fancy like cities but delicious enough to keep you going. You will get breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek.
There are many options to choose from for breakfast like porridge, soup, toast and jam/butter, chapati and veggies, sandwich, eggs, oatmeals, has brown, etc. Likewise, rice, curries (veg/non-veg), steak, pasta, momo, noodles, thukpa, thenduk, burger, soup, etc are available for lunch & dinner.
Make sure to have dal Bhat (rice, veggies, and lentil soup) for at least one meal in the day. It will maintain your balanced diet and fill you for long hours. Plus, it's an inexpensive and favorite meal of Nepalese.
Trek Responsibly
We are huge advocates of responsible and sustainable travel. As much as we love traveling and showing sumptuous Himalayan nature to people all around the world, we also earnestly work towards preserving and protecting it.
Our tours and treks are eco-friendly. We support the local community and promote Nepali brands as far as we can. It is all our efforts. However, we also believe that travelers have to equally participate when it comes to eco-friendly trips.
There are so many little things that you can do to trek responsibly. A few of them are listed below.
- Do not throw waste on the trail. You can carry a trash bag and collect it to decompose properly. Our crew will help you with that during the trek.
- Use sustainable products.
- Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles.
- Purchase souvenirs and crafts to support locals.
- You may have a cultural shock at some places, but it's okay. Try to understand the natives and respect their culture.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Insurances
Travel insurance is necessary for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking as it entails the risk of high altitude sickness and other unforeseen events. Moreover, travel insurance is an essential Annapurna Base Camp trek booking condition with us. To confirm the booking, the trekkers have to send us a proof copy of the travel insurance, which covers emergency helicopter rescue and medical bills.
In case of the absence of proper travel insurance, we may not confirm the trip booking. Travel insurance helps us to give immediate medical attention to our guests in case of any emergency. A high elevation journey involves many unseen risks that can occur even with our best efforts.
*Note: Before getting the travel insurance, do call and check with the company. Confirm the clauses and make sure it includes helicopter rescue up to 6,000 meters.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Safety
The experienced and professional crew members of Scenic Nepal Treks make any venture safe and reliable. We give the safety of our guest's topmost priority during any trek. The treks are led by well-certified and licensed guides. Likewise, our crisis protocol guarantees the safety and security of the entire team on any journey.
Not only during the trek, but before the beginning of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, we offer full support in the preparation and packing. Our team representative will assist you with the preparation physically and mentally. On-field, the team leader will take care of you and the group.
Last Minute Booking for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
If you want to book the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 14 Days before a few days of the commencement, then you have to pay the Annapurna Base Camp Trek package cost 100%. After the trip gets approved from our side, the payment should be made in 24 hours for a confirmed departure.
Our team will try their best to arrange everything at the last minute and provide a smooth venture. In case of any delays, troubles, and cancellations because of bad weather or unavailability of lodging (beyond our control), the company will not be responsible.
We highly recommend you have a few weeks in your hand to prepare for the trek to have the best trekking experience.
Travel Tips (electricity, internet, ATM, luggage, tipping, personal expenses)
- You can find charging booths in every lodge and teahouse where you can charge your electronic devices in exchange for a few bucks. Extra batteries or a solar charger will help you a lot.
- ABC trek will make you half paralyzed when it comes to the internet. You will get an internet connection from time to time as per the weather condition. WiFi or cellular data both are unreliable.
- You will need cash on hand to use the charging booth, WiFi, hot shower, or buy extra snacks. Do know that there is no ATM lounge along the Annapurna Base Camp trekking route, so withdraw enough cash in the city.
- The weight limit for a duffle bag for each trekker is 10 kgs. Our porter will carry the duffel bag during the trek. The trekkers carry a day pack with essentials.
- Feel free to tip our on-field crew members for their service if you are satisfied with it. It's the best way to show your appreciation. Every group member can tip USD 5 to the tour guide, USD 2 to drive, and USD 100 to the porter/guide.
- Personal expenses like shopping, drinks, additional night stay, etc, are not covered in the package cost.