Overview
Annapurna Base Camp trekking is a trek all by itself that a fervid trekker should not miss out on in his lifetime. The climax is the glacier amphitheater. Besides being the central point from where climbers come to ascend Annapurna, one gets a circuitous view of other peaks such as Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna, besides others that make it a natural amphitheater .
It is from here that the Annapurna sanctuary gets its name and the Modi Khola (large stream) makes its tortuous descent, creating the deepest gorge (12,000 feet) in the world. The scintillating view of glaciers, hanging pinnacles of ice, and the sonorous booms of crashing ice and gushing water, plus the wildlife and vegetation, makes the arduous trek to Annapurna base camp a memorable eco-adventure.
This gorge gives way to fertilizing the valley below, occupied by the Gurung community. Despite the colossal height of the surrounding peaks, camping is a nearby comfort.
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Itinerary
You will be met at Tribhuwan International Airport by a representative of Green Lotus Trekking holding a welcome placard and taken for your overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu and to freshen up. Prior to dinner, a briefing will be held. You could spend the rest of the day resting or wandering around the city of Kathmandu, sightseeing.
We first get to Phedi by bus, and after a two-hour trek uphill, we get to Dhampus, where we halt for the night. Stay at the Lodge.
You are rewarded with a mountain view, which gets better as you get higher on the ridge. The trail then follows a paved stone trail till Pothana (1990m). The view of Machhapuchhare comes into sight. Then a paved stone trail moves through a forest to Deorali (2150m). Descending into a forest clearing, it is Bhedi Kharka, from where we descend to the head of a canyon, over a stream, and then along it into the Modi Valley. After a short while, we hit Tolka (1790m). Stay at the lodge.
The day starts by descending a stone staircase to a suspension across Tigu Khola and then a hike along it. After several streams and crossing the Ghora Khola, we get to Landruk. After descending stone steps again, the downhill trail leads to the river and a bit of climbing, passing terraced fields and a forest, it is Himal and ahead the river at Naya Pul, after which it is a steep climb to Jhinu Danda, Taglung. The trail bends around the corner and we get to Chhomrong. Stay at the lodge.
Again descending along a stone trail, we cross a swaying suspension bridge. We pass through a bamboo, rhododendron, and oak forest after climbing out of the valley. Then, after climbing over a rocky trail, we get to Sinuwa. After climbing further for an hour through a forest, the trek enters the upper Modi Valley. We descend a long, steep, slippery stone trail until we get to Bamboo. Stay at the lodge.
The day’s trek begins with a steep climb through bamboo groves and rhododendron forest, frequently crossing streams and narrow bridges and sometimes stretches of snow; we finally get to Doban (2540m). Climbing and traversing high above the river, we get the sights of rushing rivers and, a while later, to our day’s destination. Stay at the lodge.
Climbing over an avalanche area, through forests and ravines, we get to Deorali. It is here that the south peak of Annapurna comes into view. The trail descends to Modi Khola and along it gets us to Bagar (3270m). After an easy and pleasant trail over, we get to Machhapuchhare base camp, and after a two-hour pleasant climb over snow, we finally get to the camp.
We trekked back along the same trail to the base camp, finding it much easier on the way up. Stay at the lodge.
We again trek back the way we came to Doban and then make a steep climb back to Chhomrong. O/N stay at the lodge.
The trek first gets us to Taglung, and walking west through potato and wheat fields, we get to Dhiklyo Danda (2180m) and the trail drops to Khumnu, Komrong. A side trail west of Komrong along a steep descent through boulders to a bridge over Kyuri Khola, where we join the trail to Ghandruk. Stay at the lodge.
The day’s trek first takes us to Chane, then Kimchi, Kehone Danda, Shauli Bazaar, Chimrong, Lamakhet Birethanti, and finally to Naya Pul for our drive back to Pokhara. Stay at the lodge.
We first fly to Kathmandu and then either rest for the remaining part of the day or go sightseeing in the capital city of Nepal to buy souvenirs for folks back home.
The trip concludes—our airport representative will drop you off at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
US $899 Per Person
Cost Includes
- All airport to hotel to airport transfers.
- Two nights Kathmandu hotel in 3 star category hotel with daily breakfast.
- One night Pokhara hotel in 3 start category hotel with breakfast.
- Pokhara-Kathmandu airfare ($91 per person).
- Local English speaking guide and porter(s) and their insurance,
- Use of trek pack (i.e. sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel/kit bag).
- Annapurna Conservation Area and TIMS permit.
- Local land transfers (Kathmadu-Phedi, Nayapul to Pokhara).
Cost Excludes
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa fee.
- Travel or trek insurance.
- Kathmandu and Pokhara lunch and dinner expenses.
- On trek meal and accommodations (allow US $20 to $25 per day).
- Gratitude or tips (allow $3 per day per person).
You can find good places to trek somewhere in the Himalayas at anytime of the year. However, for most regions, the best time is from October to May, with October to November having the best weather for trekking. During the autumn, nights are cold in the high Himalaya, but the bright sun makes for a pleasant daytime temperature (20 degrees centigrade to 5 degrees centigrade in the night). Above 3500m, the temperature range goes down to -10 degrees centigrade, and in winter (Dec-Jan), it is about 10 degrees colder.
While you do not need to be super-fit, you need to be fit enough to comfortably walk for 5–6 hours per day in the mountains on reasonable trails. Most of our customers have an interest in walking in the hills or countryside of their homeland and are used to similar daily trips.
We pride ourselves on our small group approach to adventure travel. Small groups allow you to share great company without crowding your experience. Our typical groups range in size from 2 up to 8. One of the attractions of such a trip is the chance to meet people with different backgrounds and personalities.
If this is the case, we can organize a personalized trek for you. Additionally, if you want to spend more time in Kathmandu before or after a trek, we can organize the hotels and quote you a price.
If you are a group of two or more, the trip is guaranteed to run.
Usually, our clients simply bring their existing clothing and equipment and, if necessary, supplement this with some extra items purchased cheaply in Kathmandu.
What gear to bring?
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Photos for Nepal visa on arrival:
- Travel insurance (with photocopies)
- flight tickets (photocopies)
- Daypack for daily personal items
- For Trekking:
- Walking boots
- Light sandals or plimsolls to wear in the lodges
- 2 pairs of underwear.
- 2 pairs of walking socks.
- 2 thick fleece or warm shirts
- 1 pair thin thermal underwear
- Long trousers for walking (or a long skirt for women)
- T-shirt
- Shorts
- Gloves (it’s cold on the Thorung La, Laurebina Pass and Cho La)
- Warm hat which covers your ears (for the Kali Gandaki and Thorung La – it’s windy)
- Base ball caps or broad brim hats to keep the sun off (Australian Barmah recommended)
- Sunglasses (vital)
- Sun cream
- Soap dish and soap
- Small Towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
- Hand sanitizing lotion
- Head torch
- Moisturizer, Lip balm
- Tampons are hard to buy in rural areas.
- Ear plugs for light sleepers
- Toiletries
- Sheet of plastic (use as a poncho if it rains)
- 1 toilet paper roll. (You can buy more on the way.)
- 2 large plastic bags. One for smelly clothes, one for things that must be kept dry.
- A small, good quality padlock
- Water bottle
- Iodine tablets for water purification
- Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies, and snack foods.
Notes: All of the trekking items are available in Kathmandu at nominal prices. However, we suggest you bring hiking boots from your home country if you decide to purchase these items in Kathmandu .
Yes, all hotels provide storage facilities for free.
Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price. It is a condition of booking a tour with Green Lotus Trekking, and your responsibility to ensure the type of tour you are undertaking; the policy must include satisfactory cover for repatriation, high altitudes, trekking and climbing, and helicopter rescue. Please forward your insurance details (e.g. policy number, 24-hour emergency telephone number, and name of insurance company) to Green Lotus Trekking when available.
Yes. You can apply in your home country through the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or obtain it at the airport on arrival by paying a fee as below:
- Multiple entries for 15 days: $25 USD
- Multiple entries for 30 days: $40 USD
- Multiple entries within 90 days: US $100
- Notes: We suggest you bring the exact change. You also need to bring two passport-size photos.
Tourist Visa Extension
The visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency, and the visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day.
A tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January–December).
Gratis (Free) Visa
A gratis visa for 30 days is available only for tourists from SAARC countries.
Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.
Normally single trekkers have no problems fitting in with a group. Normally single trekkers share rooms or lodges with other trekkers of the same sex, but if we have an odd-number we ensure that a room or lodge is organised accordingly.
To confirm your booking, we will require a deposit of $250 for treks and $300 for peak climbing, which can be made by bank transfer or online through paypal.com (the leading transaction site). The balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu with cash or traveler cheque. Alternatively, the balance can be paid by bank transfer or PayPal shortly before arriving in Kathmandu.
The following details are needed to process your trekking permit, national park permit, flight booking etc.
- Gender:
- First Name:
- Last Name:
- Passport number:
- Expiry date:
- Issue location:
- Nationality:
- Year of birth:
- Occupation:
- Your arrival details (time, date, flight number, airline):
All the above info can be sent electronically via email.
You will typically walk 4–9 miles (5-8 hours) each day. Some days may be rest days for impromptu exploration. In high and steep areas, you may move more slowly. Most people begin to feel the effects of high altitude over about 2000 meters, and your trekking pace is always adjusted to permit safe acclimatization. Our treks follow established trails used by local people. You will probably carry only a light daypack.
You can hike at your own pace, stopping when you wish. There is ample time to cover the necessary hiking distance each day with lots of stops. If you are on a private trek, you may wish to take more or fewer days to cover a given distance, or add in rest days. If you like to hike fast, your guide will be concerned that you acclimatize to high altitude effectively. You may wish to reach camp at a measured pace, but take a side hike after arriving at camp. Your guide is always interested in learning about your personal interests and accommodating those interests as the trip permits.
Altitude sickness, often known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:
- nausea, vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness, light headaches, confusion,
- Disorientation, drunken gait
- Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs, slight swelling of hands and face.
- Breathlessness and breathing irregularly
- Reduced urine output
These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In the event of the appearance of any of the above symptoms, any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious problems can occur, which can cause death, sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for altitude sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS.
Our itineraries are designed so that our clients ascend at a sensible and safe rate. The effects of altitude are felt by everyone, even the Sherpas, but most people find that gentle acclimatization allows them to reach their high point without any problems.
Accommodation: There are a number of lodges along the popular trekking routes in the Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions. These lodges are called “Tea House Lodges” and are managed by local people. Private rooms, dormitories, toilets, shower rooms with hot and cold water, and one attached restaurant are among the basic requirements for overnight accommodation at these lodges.The quality of food offered might vary from lodge to lodge, but most serve simple and hygienic meals. The teahouse trek provides you an opportunity to feel the warm hospitality of friendly Nepali hosts. The money you spend goes to the local community.
Camping Trekking
In a typical camping trip, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious mountain tent with a durable rain fly and full insect netting. The tent is fitted with foam mattresses. When your campsite is near villages or lodges, you may be invited to sleep in the lodges or homes of local people.
Breakfast options include oatmeal,French toast,Chapatti, Tibetan bread, eggs, pancakes, muesli, and for lunch or dinner you can have sandwiches, soups, momo (dumplings), macaroni dishes, pizzas, noodles, steak, dal bhat (rice, lenthal, veg platter), pasta, etc.
Our trekking guides are carefully selected for their ability and are generally from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and other communities from remote mountain villages. Each guide is trained in eco-friendly trekking methods and safety measures. They help to maintain your health and your happiness as well as the crew members. Our guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an enjoyable trek, come back safe and are overwhelmed by their experience. Your guide will be a friend and companion, who takes pleasure in showing you his country’s specialties and, perhaps, meeting his home and family too.
The majority of the fees our clients pay go directly into the community where you trek.
Tipping is at your discretion and always appreciated. A good rule of thumb is anywhere from $2–5 dollars per day for the guide and $1.5–3 dollars per day per porter. The total amount can then be divided among the group.
Please have them contact us at any of the following numbers:
Cells: +977-9841250258, +977-9841269376
We check email frequently throughout the day, so you could also write to our email: info@green-lotus-trekking.com if it’s not urgent.
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