Annapurna Base Camp trek difficulty & terrain
- ABC Trek is a moderate trek with numerous ups & downs. There is no technical climbing during the trek. Anyone can do this trek with good physical fitness. Previous trekking experience is not needed for ABC Trekking. you can check Travel Advise and About Us.
- The trail goes through dense forests. You will walk on steep, rugged, and rocky paths. You have to walk 6 to 7 hours a day. The region you will be trekking in is remote. The unavailability of transportation has made everything along the trekking route limited. Therefore, you have to be mentally prepared to survive cramped services.
- This trek also has the possibility of altitude sickness because of the high altitude. We have written in detail about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and preventive measures here.
- To prepare for the trek, you can exercise and focus on cardio. Likewise, work on building your stamina and increasing core body strength. If possible, go on a few hikes before the beginning of the trek.
The best time to go to Annapurna Base Camp Trek via the Ghandruk Village
You can trek to ABC and Ghandruk Village Trek in spring and autumn. March to April and October to November have the most stable weather throughout the year, which makes these months the perfect time of the year to trek in the Himalayas.
The moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 0°C, is ideal for the trek. The days are warmer than mornings and nights. Likewise, the sky is clear most of the time and offers breathtaking views of the mountains. You can also trek to Annapurna base camp in winter.
Even though, rain brings many obstacles and challenges, you can still enjoy the Annapurna Base Trek in Monsoon as well. Other aspects, like flower blossoms in spring and the biggest festivals in autumn, make trekking in these two seasons fantastic. Travelers from all around the world hit the trail in the Annapurna region in spring and autumn. weather and climate. Click here
Food & Accommodation
During the ABC and Ghandruk Village Trek, what types of Food and Accommodation will stay overnight in tea houses? Teahouse accommodation is quite basic. Small rooms with twin beds, an attached washroom, and a few pieces of furniture are usually seen in the rooms. The rooms will be clean and comfortable. If you want a single room, let us know during the booking. Single rooms are usually hard to get, especially in the peak trekking season.
In Pokhara and Kathmandu, you will get a bed and breakfast with a welcome and farewell dinner. During the trek, we offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meals are served as per the menu of the teahouses. You can see Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, and Continental dishes on the menu.
The dishes range from Dal Bhat Tarkari, a typical Nepali meal to pizza, pasta, Tibetan bread, porridge, etc. You can also get momo, noodles, Thenduk, Thukpa, veggies, curries (veg/non-veg), eggs, toast, sandwiches, chapati, mashed potatoes, and many other dishes.
PAYMENTS & EXTRA COST
When I pay the remainder of the money on arrival in Kathmandu, how do you take that money? US cash or credit card?
We accept all major currencies. You can pay the balance in cash or with a credit card. Please note that we charge a 13% fee for credit card payments, so paying your balance in cash is much better.
Can I use credit cards in the places I visit while trekking?
Generally, most places in Nepal don't take credit cards, so they are of limited use. There are ATMs in Kathmandu, and you can get a good exchange rate by withdrawing rupees. The ATMS in Kathmandu generally charges a USD 5 service fee in addition to any charges that you might incur from your bank. These ATMs also often have a limit of 25,000 rupees per day (about USD 215).
What extra costs can I expect?
Our trekking packages are pretty much all-inclusive from the time you arrive in Nepal. We generally suggest you plan on spending about $300 or $600 for extra expenses, including tips. Extra expenses include items such as Your Nepal Visa, sleeping bag or down jacket rental, showers, WiFi, snacks, and charging electrical devices at tea houses along the way. We also suggest you plan on having extra funds available in cash or on a credit card in case your flight to Lukla is canceled and you decide to charter a helicopter, which is your personal choice.
What physical criteria will ensure I'm fit enough to trek?
Good overall fitness, flexibility, and health will ensure you trek safely and comfortably. Those with acute or chronic health conditions impacting their stamina, range of motion, coordination, or balance may have difficulty completing the trek. If you are in doubt about your physical readiness, consult a physician well in advance of booking your trip! General hiking experience and comfort with multi-day hiking will also ensure you are 100% ready to trek!
How will we deal with altitude acclimation?
Lower oxygen density affects your cardiac and pulmonary systems at higher altitudes, which we frequently experience on our treks. Our bodies must adjust to the mountain elevation gradually, or we can become ill. Physical symptoms can range from general breathing difficulties to acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness, soroche, or "the bends"). To avoid altitude-related maladies, we pace our treks appropriately and incorporate acclimatization days throughout the Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary. There are points throughout many treks during which trekkers may choose to either tackle additional hikes/day trips or rest and relax as their bodies demand.
Annapurna Base Camp Weather and Temperature
The Annapurna Base Camp weather is cold in winter and moderate in other seasons. You will experience a daytime temperature of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, while at night the temperature may drop below -10 degrees Celsius.
High Altitude Sickness
The Annapurna Base camp trek takes you to an altitude of 4300 meters from sea level. This will be a lifetime memory for you, so you must be physically fit to complete your journey. Your mental and physical health depends on whether you will suffer from altitude sickness or not. So, we recommend you bring Diamox, which will help you in case you suffer from altitude sickness. In addition to this, medical insurance will help you in your emergency rescue if your condition worsens while trekking in high altitudes, so you must have insurance that covers helicopter service.
Flight, Transportation, and Luggage
When you are planning for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you should have a visa and passport. There is availability of an arrival visa for some countries in the airport, while others have to book previously. You must have planned transportation, pre-booked flights, and packed luggage. You can carry luggage weighing only 23 kg and a handbag on your international flight to Nepal. If you travel to Pokhara via plane, then your luggage must be within 15 kg.
We will start helping you with transportation as soon as you arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport. We provide transportation in Kathmandu and Pokhara until you reach the start of the trekking trail. We will provide private bus, car, and jeep facilities throughout the road journey.
Trekking Grade
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you across the deep forest and right into the high mountains. The long trek duration makes this trek strenuous physically. You need to walk more than 6 to 7 hours while trekking. Anyone with good mental and physical health can complete this trek. No experience is required for it but you must do some regular exercise and cardio and practice walking uphill and downhill.
Toilet & Shower facility
The toilet and shower facilities in Kathmandu and Pokhara are free in your hotel. In the higher altitude areas, the toilet is shared with other guests and is built in a squat design. You need to pay an extra charge for showering in hot water in the hotel and tea house while trekking. they charge you US $2 to US $5 per shower in the higher altitudes.
Telephone, Internet facility, and Electricity
There is an abundance of telephone, mobile networks, internet, and electricity in the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys. As soon as you start trekking, there will be a shortage of telephone, internet facilities, and electricity. So the tea houses and lodges in higher altitudes depend on solar; they charge you US $2 to US $5 per hour for wifi service and US $1 to US $5 per charge for charging your gadget. There will be no electricity facility in the base camp so you must come prepared with extra power banks.
Trekking equipment
The necessary trekking equipment for Annapurna Base camp is available a reasonable rates in Kathmandu and Pokhara Valley. So, you can buy it here, which will help you avoid extra baggage charges at the airport.
Customize itineraries & Trip extensions
If your work schedule prevents you from booking an available trekking package, We will organize a trip to the Annapurna Base Camp trek according to your free schedule. We, Mystic Adventure Holidays, also provide tailor-made trip packages for Langtang Trekking, Everest Trekking, Manaslu Trekking, Upper Mustang Trekking, Mountain Flight, water rafting, Jungle jungle safari, City tour (Kathmandu, Pokhara or Lumbini ), homestay Tour, Nepal Cultural Tour, Tibet tour, Bhutan tour or India tour, etc. extension as per your time frame.
Tips to make the journey smooth:
- Before the beginning of the trek, our trek guide will help you with the final packing and double-check the gear list Click here.
- If you miss anything, you can shop for high-quality gear or trekking clothes in Nepal instead of carrying them from home.
- Your travel insurance should cover emergency air evacuation and medical bills.
- You can charge your electronic devices at charging stations in teahouses. It may cost you a few extra bucks. Extra batteries or solar charges will be so helpful.
- It is better to be mentally prepared, as there are no internet or communication facilities at the highest points of the trek. The connection will be unstable at most parts of the trekking route.
- The higher you go, the fewer services and things you will get. So, carry your favorite snacks and bars and do not rely on buying them on the trail.
- You will need extra cash to buy services out of the package like hot showers, snacks, and beverages during the trek, and the shop owners only accept cash. So, withdraw enough cash from the city to use during the trek. There's no ATM on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route.
- Carry a reusable water bottle and water purification tablets for extra safety.
- Hydration is the key to keeping yourself away from altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
- If you get confused about tipping, then follow this advice: USD 100 to the guide & porter, USD 5 to the tour guide, and USD 2 to the driver (for each member of the group).
- Locals are very friendly, so don't get shy about talking to them.