Trip
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
Trek
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Explore the Himalaya as you trek to Annapurna base camp on this 14-day Nepalese adventure
Experience the best that the Himalaya has to offer on this trek to Annapurna Base Camp, one of the most popular treks in Nepal with our partners at Ace the Himalaya. Mt. Annapurna, 26,545 ft, is the 10th highest mountain in the world and the journey to its base camp, at 13,550 ft, combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery with 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.
You’ll start in Kathmandu and explore the city on a guided tour, then take the breathtaking journey to Pokhara and travel to the start of the trek. Here you’ll hike through green forests filled with rhododendron, rice paddies, and the terraced farmland. Along this Nepal hiking trip, you’ll pass Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world and criss-cross through many beautiful waterfalls as you ascend to the heights of the Himalaya. Not only is the trip beautiful, but you’ll also get to take in the culture of Nepal as you walk alongside the Thakali and Loba people and visit their small beautiful villages. Staying in tea houses along the way, you’ll experience Nepal in a way you only can on foot!
Please note many 2020 and 2021 dates available. See FAQ.
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Itinerary
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1
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu where you will meet an Ace the Himalaya representative. You will then be transferred to your respective hotel in a private Ace the Himalaya vehicle. You will be introduced to your guide at the pre-trip meeting. For the meeting, please make sure you bring you passport, three copies of passport-size photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. -
2
Your first day on the trip is all about taking in the sites of Kathmandu. After a hearty breakfast, your sightseeing trip will start. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal. Today we will visit some heritage sites, including The Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. -
3
Eat breakfast and board the bus to Pokhara which leaves around 7:30 am. A beautiful valley set on the banks of the Phewa Lake, Pokhara is also known for its panoramic views of Annapurna and Machapuchare (shape of fish tail) in the north, Dhaulagiri in the west and Lamjung Himal and Manaslu in the east. It is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu, hence providing the perfect starting point for our trek. -
4
We begin our trek at Nayapul after an hour's drive in a private vehicle from Pokhara. After a short 15-minute walk along the banks of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (3,300 ft), a large village with many shops and teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. The trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 4,900 ft. After a short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga. Today’s walk is relatively short, 4 hours, and easy, a prelude to the trekking experience in the Annapurna region. -
5
We move on towards the steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village. The trail ascends more gently from this point, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons, towards Banthanti at 7,400 ft. Then we trek towards Nangethanti at 8,000 ft. After an hour’s walk, we arrive at Ghorepani (9,320 ft). Today our hike will be about 5 hours. -
6
Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hike to Poon Hill at an elevation of 10,500 ft, a brilliant mountain range spectacle; this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of the sunrise over the high Himalayas. We will enjoy the scenery for an hour and return to Ghorepani, where we’ll have a hot breakfast. Then we make a climb along ridges, and through pine and rhododendron forests, towards Deurali (9,700 ft). After that, we descend to the Banthanti, then turn off to Tadapani after a long 7-hour trek. -
7
The day starts with a steep downhill through rhododendron forests. Leaving Tadapani, we descend through the forests and then the trail eases as we reach Gurjung which is the village of Gurung people. From here it is an easy walk to Chomrong at an elevation of 7,020 ft. We’ll hike for about 5 hours before reaching our guest house for the night -
8
Today the trail drops down to the Chomrong Khola and again we continue climbing to Khuldighar at 7,800 ft. where there used to be an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) check post. There is a clearing in the forest a little further on, from which, the route travels very steeply down a rock bank, then levels out, running through thickets of bamboo at the bottom of the gorge, keeping always on the west side of the river. We walk through bamboo and rhododendron forests to the Himalayan Hotel. Today’s trek is about 6 hours long. -
9
After breakfast, we climb on past the Hinko Cave, Deurali and then Machapuchare Base Camp, which isn’t really a base camp since climbing Mt Machapuchare is not permitted. Since it is totally surrounded by mountains, this area is known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. Two hours trek from Machapuchare Base Camp takes us to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at an elevation of 13,550 ft. There, we will take in unobstructed views of the spectacular mountain scenery and soak in all the Himalaya has to offer. Today’s trek to ABC is about 7 hours -
10
We follow the same trail down today for about 6 hours. The trail drops by 5,500 ft to the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo at 7,700 ft. where we can explore the local village. -
11
We follow the same trail until Chomrong. Once we have passed Khuldighar, there is a sheep farm. The trail continues through rhododendron and bamboo fields. From Chomrong, the trail descends very steeply to the Jhinu, where we can bathe in natural hot springs, about a 5-hour trek from our starting point. -
12
From Jhinu we walk at the right side of Modi Khola for 4.5 hrs to Birethanti which can be considered one of the best and the most relaxing walks of the entire trek. We reach Nayapul. Then an hour drive will take us back to Pokhara. After we check into the hotel, we will then walk to the Fewa Lake for our boating trip to Barahi Temple. Dinner is not included this evening and you are free to explore the local area. -
13
We will be driving back to Kathmandu in the morning. If you are interested in extending the trip, there are many options such as Chitwan jungle safari, river rafting adventure, Kathmandu shopping tour, mountain biking, and other activities, just ask Ace the Himalaya staff. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. -
14
The trip concludes today. Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your flight departure from Nepal.
Trip Package Includes
- Roundtrip airport transfers & all transfers listed in the itinerary
- Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights only) and Pokhara (2 nights only) including breakfast
- Guesthouse accommodation during the trek in twin-share and dormitory-style rooms ( 8 nights only)
- All standard meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Farewell dinner with cultural dance program
- Local Ace the Himalaya licensed, English-speaking trekking guide
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu
- Necessities for field staff
- Local porters to carry your luggage during the trek
- Down jacket and sleeping bag rental
- Free Ace the Himalaya duffle/kit bag and sun hat
- All official expenses (government taxes, vat, tourist service charges), trekking permits and sightseeing entrance fees
- 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Not Included
- Airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Travel Insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Nepal entry visa
- Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks
- Personal trekking equipment
- Tips for trekking staff and driver
Questions? Call or email us!
Area Information
Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp sits at 13,550 ft and is surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the world, creating a spectacular vantage point of the Himalaya. It is surrounded by the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (26,545 ft.), Annapurna South (23,684 ft), Machapuchhre (22,943 ft.) and Hiunchuli 21,131 ft.). 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 the trip and the views do not disappoint! From the glaciers that line the peaks to the tremendous size of the mountains themselves, reaching Base Camp will surely take your breath away.
Gallery
Gallery
Trip Planning
Trip Planning
This is a porter-supported trek. Two clients share one porter. Ace the Himalaya will supply you a 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. Ace will provide a sleeping bag rental but feel free to bring your own down bag.
The weight limit for the porter is 30 kg or 66 pounds and 15 kg or 33 pounds for each client. So, we recommend you pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking items at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.
The weight limit for the porter is 30 kg or 66 pounds and 15 kg or 33 pounds for each client. So, we recommend you pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking items at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.
General Gear
Clothing
Personal Supplies
Miscellaneous
Optional
FAQ
FAQ
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Is my departure guaranteed?
Yes, all of our listed departures are guaranteed. The price is for a minimum of two people traveling, if there is only one person booked for a particular departure, the customer has the option to either pay a fee of $175 to maintain solo departure or postpone the trip to a different date at no additional charge. If the two-person minimum has been met, then there is no additional fee. Please contact evo and Ace the Himalaya before you book your international flights. -
None of the listed dates work for me, are other dates available?
Yes, other 2020-2021 departures are available on request. -
Can I change or cancel my trip?
evo upholds Ace the Himalaya’s policies regarding change and cancellation. In order to be flexible regarding the challenges presented by COVID-19, if you no longer wish to travel on your confirmed departure, you can rebook travel for anytime through 2025 with no penalty. We strongly encourage you to postpone instead of cancel. Cancellation notice is required a minimum of 20 days prior to trip departure and must be made in writing, such notice commences from the day notice is received. Cancellation shall be valid with approval from the company after receiving documentation. The Trip shall then be termed as canceled and a cancellation charge of 30% of the trip amount would be deducted from the advance paid. There will be no refund to clients that provide less than 20 days notice, before trip departure and if a passenger leaves a trip for any reason whatsoever, either voluntarily, involuntarily or if you commit any unlawful act after the trip has commenced. We will make no refunds for any meals, accommodation or services not used. -
Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?
You can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (A multiple-entry 30-day tourist visa can be obtained for $40 or equivalent. Similarly, a multiple-entry 90-day tourist visa costs $100. Please have 2 passport-size photos. USD in cash is handy) -
Do I need any extra documents?
Please bring a copy of your travel insurance, a copy of your passport and 3 photos (passport size) with you for your trip to Nepal. You will need photos for permits. -
What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me?
This trek is suitable for average people who are moderately fit - no previous experience is required. Some physical fitness regimen such as running, swimming, or hiking is recommended before you embark on your journey. Whilst on the trek, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized. To prepare for a strenuous trek like this you should begin training at least two to three months before your departure. In order to ensure the ascents feel as comfortable as possible, we recommend an hour of aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times per week. This will ensure you are able to enjoy the trek to the fullest. -
What sort of accommodation can I expect in Kathmandu, Pokhara and while trekking?
Ace the Himalaya uses standard rooms at three-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, teahouses/lodges generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket and it is a good idea to always have your own sleeping equipment (Ace will provide a rental if needed). The lodges in trekking routes usually provide single and double rooms, or occasionally a dormitory. At times when possible, dining will be around a log burner. -
Are the guesthouses heated?
The guesthouses do not have heaters or air conditioning. However, as it gets colder above 3,500m, they can heat the dining area by providing a kerosene or metal heater. USD 1 to USD 3 per person would be applicable to use this service and this is payable directly to the guesthouse. -
Is there a possibility of getting separate rooms for the trip? If so how much extra will this cost?
Normally the lodges have twin sharing and dormitory-style rooms. The lodges will provide a private room for one person when available. In Kathmandu, USD 45 per room per night would be added as a single supplement fee. The single supplements are always guaranteed in Kathmandu but not in the mountains especially during peak time.
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What sort of food can I expect in trekking?
Most tea houses (lodges) cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian fare. Pasta, tuna bakes, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety dependent on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization – eat some every day. In many larger villages, you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always get hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and chips. -
What are the drinking water facilities in the mountains?
Bottled water is easily available at the lodges and teahouses till Chhomrong, which you can buy at the cost of USD 2 at lower elevations to USD 4 to higher elevation per liter. Above Chhomrong you have to purify water or buy purified bottle water as the plastics are banned by Annapurna Conservation area. If you are planning to drink normal water all the way during trek, purifying water with any sort of purification tablets or drops is a must. You can bring your own purifier or can purchase it in Kathmandu or Pokhara. -
What opportunities will I have for showering along the trek?
In major places, we arrange guesthouses with proper running showers, this is not possible at Machhapuchare Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. In these places, water in the bucket will be provided for the shower at the cost of USD 2 to USD 4 per bucket (Roughly one bucket is enough to shower for one person). -
Can I use credit cards during the trek?
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, yes – to some extent. Once you are out of the cities, you need cash. Please change the currency in local Nepali Rupees before you go to the mountains. -
How much additional money do I need per day?
It depends on your spending habits. Generally, in Kathmandu, you can allocate USD 10 to USD 15 for lunch and dinner. USD 15 to USD 18 per person a day will be enough to buy bottles of water, chocolates, pay for hot showers and a few drinks during the trek. Please note, the higher you go the more expensive products are. -
Do I need to tip my guide and porters? How much would that be?
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 20 to USD 1000 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters thanks them for their help. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. -
What immunizations will I need?
No vaccinations are compulsory for traveling in Nepal, but we do recommend you are covered for diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio, and tetanus. We also recommend a dental check-up prior to traveling, that you know your blood group in case of emergency, and that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour you make these known to your tour leader and Ace the Himalaya at the time of your booking. -
Do I need travel insurance?
While it is not required, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, theft and/or accidental damage while traveling. We recommend World Nomads.
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