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Annapurna Base Camp Trek – NABC15
Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary offers up some of the most spectacular mountain scenery with fascinating insights into the lives of people in the Himalaya. The Base Camp, at 4,130 m (13,549 ft), is a rudimentary campsite on Mt. Annapurna I, 8,091 m (26,545 ft). The trek takes you through the Oak and Rhododendron forests that complement the culturally rich Gurung and Magar villages of the region. The splendor of Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna I and Hiunchuli (6,441 m) yield stupendous views, and will remain with you for years to come.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft.)
Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative welcomes and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After check-in and a bit of rest, you’ll be picked up to enjoy a welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu.
Day 2 Kathmandu
After breakfast the day will start with a guided trip to cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley; the pilgrimage sites of Hindu temple Pashupatinath, the world’s biggest Bouddhanath stupa and Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as monkey temple. After exploring the surrounding areas, visit historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with temples, unique architecture and Kumari (living goddess). Evening pre-trip discussion and introduction to our trekking staff for your adventure trip.
Day 3 Pokhara Valley (823m/2,700ft)
Your guide will greet you in the morning and transfer you to the tourist bus station for the 7 hour scenic drive, along rivers and Nepalese countryside. Arrive at Pokhara lakeside in time to explore the surrounding lakeside areas before resting at your hotel.
Day 4 Tikhedhunga (1,577m/5,173 ft), 4 hrs walk
Today we drive for 1hour to Naya Pul and commence our trek to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town beside the Modi River. We head up the main trail to Sudami where we climb gradually up the side of the valley, before pushing on to Tikhe Dhunga.
Day 5 Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft). 5-6 hrs walk
Prepare for a long uphill walk, starting with steep ascents on the long stone steps to Ulleri village, with amazing landscapes. We spend a pleasant day’s trekking through rhododendron and oak forests. After a few hours of walking, with several breaks in between, we reach Ghorepani where we can enjoy the fantastic views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Himalayan range.
Day 06 Tadapani (2540m/8332ft), 6-7 hrs walk
An early morning start to Poon Hill (3210m/10530ft), to a brilliant viewpoint, providing an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and the wide range of panoramic scenery from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna, including Mt. Machhapuchre (Fish Tail) all the way to Manasalu. Return for breakfast and continue trekking to Tadapani for overnight.
Day 7 Chhomrong (2,210m/7,249 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Dropping down from Tadapani to Kimrong Khola offers good views of the upper Modi valley. After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail leads up to the Gurjung village for your lunch stop. Carry on uphill for half an hour and we arrive in the village of Chhomrong (2210m), tucked at the very base of Himal Chuli. Chhomrong is the biggest Gurung settlement in this valley.
Day 8 Dovan (2,600m/8,528 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
After breakfast our trail descends to the Chhomrong Khola and then to a small place, Sinuwa hill. Continue to the upper Modi Khola valley. After lunch we continue our trek going down to Bamboo, through an uninhabited forest area, and to Dovan for overnight stay.
Day 09 Machhapuchre Base Camp (3,700m/12,139ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Our day starts with a climb to Himalaya Hotel (2840m). On the way we can explore the Hinku cave, where the trail crosses a ravine and major avalanche track. Carry on to Deurali (3,000m/9,840 ft) for lunch. After lunch the trail continues into the Machhapuchre Base Camp and the closest view of the Machhapuchre along Annapurna I and Gangapurna.
Day 10 Annapurna Base Camp (4130m/13550ft) 3 hrs walk
Today will lead you to the heart of the sanctuary of the Annapurna Base Camp for overnight stay. The trail leads uphill for few hours, passing a few roofless shepherds’ huts alongside moraine forest. This area is windy and often snowbound. Superb scenery of the Himalaya will greet you, with amazing panoramic views of snow-capped mountains. You have the rest of the day to explore and relax at the base camp as you wish.
Day 11 Bamboo (2,300m/7,544 ft), 5- hrs walk
Arise with a glimpse of sunrise over Mt Annapurna I and retrace the journey back to Bamboo. Rest and relax during the evening with views of the many snow-capped peaks instilled in your memory.
Day 12 Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
After breakfast our trail leads to the Khuldi Ghar and Sinuwa hill, with continuous walking up to the Chhomrong. After lunch, the trail descends steeply towards Jhinu for overnight stay. You may have a chance to visit a natural hot spring today.
Day 13 Pokhara (823m/2,700ft), 6-7 hrs walk
This will be a long day following the river Modi, via Landruk village where the route then goes downhill to Syauli Bazaar. The walk is pleasant most of the way along the river until Birethanthi and then an easy trek to Nayapul. Our trekking ends here and we drive back to Pokhara for overnight.
Day 14 Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft), 5-6 hrs drive
Early morning drive, by tourist bus, from Pokhara through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, your guide will transfer you to the hotel for a well earned rest.
Day 15 Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free for last minute shopping or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure. End of services.
High Altitude Climbing and Altitude Sickness
Included services and equipment:
- Airport transfers Kathmandu
- Deluxe twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Welcome & farewell dinner in Kathmandu
- Sightseeing trip with city tour guide in Kathmandu as per itinerary & monument entry fees
- Domestic airfare per itinerary
- Full board meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) during the trek
- Comfortable accommodation in teahouse/lodges during trek
- Everest National park entry fee and necessary permits
- All government and local taxes
Safety Equipment
- Gamow Bag’ (High altitude chamber bag) as a precautionary measure on request
- Rescue assistance
- Exclusive medical kit bag
Staff
- Trekking guide training from NATHAM (Nepal Government)
- Intensive wilderness first aid training
- Eco-trekking workshop
- Rock and Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Expedition Leaders)
- Ratio of at least one guide (English speaking) and one assistant guide
- One porter for each group of two trekkers
Mountain Cuisine
While on the trek, 3 good quality meals a day are provided. For breakfast, you can expect porridge, cereal, toast or chapatis, omelets and a range of hot drinks. All meals are provided from the tea house menus during your trek.
Accommodation
While trekking, accommodation is in basic tea houses, usually with shared facilities. Showers are available in some of the guest houses, and others will offer bucket baths.
Visas
All visitors require a visa to enter Nepal. You can obtain your visa from a Nepal Embassy beforehand, or upon arrival in Nepal. You will need 2 passport photos and $25 – $100 US cash, depending on length of stay.
Climate and Weather
Nepal has two distinct seasons, a dry one, which lasts from October to May, and a wet monsoonal one from June to September. The traditional trekking season is October to May. During the trekking season the nights can be very cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant daytime temperatures up to about 25 degree Celsius, falling to 5 degree Celsius, at night, between 1000m and 3500m. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20 degree Celsius down to – 10 degrees Celsius. Mornings are usually clear, and then clouds can build up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. After May, summer (Jun, Jul and Aug) is monsoon so visibility and rain are an issue. Mornings are usually clear with cloud build-up occasionally bringing afternoon rain. Treks can last from two days to a month or more, and the first consideration will be to choose a trek that fits into your available time and physical condition. You’ll also need to strike a balance between trekking in the best weather for the area you wish to trek in and avoiding the crowds the good weather attracts.
Social Conventions & Customs of Nepal:
Be careful to respect local customs:
- Never step over the feet of a person, always walk around.
- Never offer food and drink that you have tasted or bitten; never offer or accept anything with the left hand, use the right or both hands.
- It is considered rude to point at a person or statue with a finger (or even with a foot).
Often when people shake their head, it means ‘yes’. Footwear should be removed when entering houses, especially kitchens, or shrines. Do not stand in front of a person who is eating. Shaking hands is not a common form of greeting; instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture (Namaste).
Casual wear is suitable except for the most formal meetings or social occasions. However, bikinis, shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. Men only remove their shirts when bathing. Overt public displays of affection, especially near religious places, are inappropriate. Seek permission before entering a temple, and do not take leather articles inside them.
Photography: Always ask permission first. In general, it is allowed outside temples and at festivals, but not at religious ceremonies or inside temples; however, there is no hard and fast rule and the only way to be sure of not giving offence is to ask first and accept the answer.
A number of faiths and religions have merged in Nepal and exist simultaneously. Nepal is a country with “Unity in Diversity”. This diverseness in culture makes Nepal a unique country in the world with a lot of different customs and traditions. Traditions and rituals in Nepal have become an integral part of everyday life. Customs of Nepal are a major attraction for the tourists coming here.
Right from birth to death, a Nepalese keeps on performing various customs and traditions. Almost every occasion in Nepal (birth, engagement, marriage, death and so on) has a ceremony attached to it.
