Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Renowned for its toughness and beauty, Annapurna Base Camp is an exclusive trekking package. Also known as the ABC trek, it covers rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of Nepal. After arrival in Kathmandu, you will spend your first day wandering among ancient monuments and bustling colorful marketplaces and squares.

Moving on Annapurna Base Camp welcomes you with degree dramatic views of the Himalayas. During the trek, each day welcomes you with a set of new exhilaration that rewarded as one of the vast range of diversified landscape on earth. As you further move inside the Annapurna region within every few kilometer distance you will be passing through subtropical to high alpine vegetation zones. About 101 mammals, 39 reptiles, 22 amphibians, 478 species of birds, 9 types of rhododendrons, 38 orchids and 1226 varieties of wild plants are well protected.

Days: 13

Highest point: Thorung La (Pass) – 5416 m

Difficulty Level: Easy

Highlights:

·         One of the top ten trekking destinations in the world

·         Classic walk right into the heart of the mountains

·         Himalayan Mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara return

·         Fascinating glimpse into unique hill cultures of atmospheric village of Landrung

·         Expedition  into an uninhabited wilderness area

·         Ultimate thrill of trekking in the massif Annapurna Mountains range with some of the world’s highest Mountains; Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manalsu, and Mt. Annapurna

·         Passes through world’s highest Throng la pass

·         Spectacular views of 10 mountains above 6,000m and stunning 360 degree views at Annapurna base camp.

·         Comfortable accommodation, camp life and local cuisine

Trip notes:

A typical day: Generally, on camping trips, you will be woken up between 6-7 am with a cup of tea and bowl of hot water for washing. You wash and get ready, and before breakfast pack your gear into your kitbag which will be carried by a porter. You will get your kitbag in the afternoon when we reach camp. Breakfast will be outdoors or in the dining tent, and after breakfast you walk for 2, 3 hours. Lunch is generally served at 11 am on trail. You will get about an hour break during lunch when you can rest, write a diary, talk or do anything you like. After lunch, we walk for 2 to 3 hours and reach to camp late afternoon. All tents and gear are already set up by the time you arrive, and you are greeted at camp with tea and snacks. Stow your gear in your tent where your kit bag will also be waiting, and freshen up before dinner, again served in the dining tent. On teahouse treks, it’s pretty much the same routine but you have rooms to sleep in, a dining room to eat in (often with food you can order of the menu) and proper toilets with running water and showers. Lunch on teahouse treks are on lodges on the way.

Accommodations

All accommodations for the trek are on twin sharing basis with inclusive cost and are chosen based on standard of hygiene, standard of service and food, and location quality. We will spend four nights in Hotel Shanker and during our trekking we will spend nine nights in local tea house or lodge in which there are unheated rooms with wooden beds and foam mattresses. Tea houses or lodges generally have shared washing and toilet facilities.

Meals

During our Annapurna Base Camp Trek, 3 meals are provided a day where as during your stay in Kathmandu only breakfast is provided.  One can enjoy typical Nepali food, different ethnic cuisines as well as all types of international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) from pizza and Chips to apple pie. We can even enjoy hot chocolates, variety of breads, variety of drinks, and snacks. Breakfast of a day will be served from the tea house or from a lodge menu where we spent night. Lunch will be served on the way to destination, dinner and breakfast will be served in the tea house where we spend the night.

Acclimatization

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is one of the major threats while trekking in a high altitude region. People have lost their lives due to carelessness shown in regards to less prioritizing the acclimatization process. The program is designed understanding the geographical structure where we move up the trip with slow and steady pace. So for a safe trek, it is absolutely essential to allow sufficient time for acclimatization. We take frequent breaks and on the seventh day we completely rest for a day. Most importantly our guides and trip advisor keep a watch of the trekkers 24/7.

High Altitude Sickness: a trekker may suffer from altitude sickness in the region as the altitude varies drastically. Typical symptoms of altitude sickness are persistent headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, disorientation and loss of balance, persistent cough and difficulty in breathing.  As soon as the symptoms are seen immediate response needs to be addressed. A medical evacuation by helicopter or the use of a Hyperbaric chamber (Gamov bag) is the possible solution.  Our guides and tour leaders will be monitoring group health on all treks that take us to altitude, and though not common, it is sometimes necessary to take clients off trek and descend to lower altitudes for their safety.

Weather: The climate may be freezing or very low which may drop to -20 degree Celsius during the evening, night and early morning. The daytime temperatures may be generally between 20- 35 degree Celsius. The weather can change and snow fall may occur at any time at higher altitudes.

Health and travel insurance:
Visitors should visit their personal physician or health clinic 4 or 8 weeks before coming to Nepal and vaccinate themselves. Travel and medical insurance is a must, and should include coverage for emergency flights and medical expenses.

Vaccination: Visitors must visit their personal physician or health clinic 4 or 8 weeks before coming to Nepal and vaccinate themselves though vaccination is not compulsory. However vaccinations are recommended for the protection.

Note: Some vaccinations are prohibited for the pregnant women and people with allergies.

• Hepatitis A: The vaccination of Hepatitis A is recommended for all visitors which provide long-term immunity.
• Hepatitis B: This vaccination too is advised to all travelers. Three intramuscular doses are given in 0, 1 and 6 months.
• Influenza: This vaccination is given annually to prevent flu.
• Japanese B encephalitis (JBE): JBE vaccination is given three times over 3 to 4 weeks which avoids mosquito- borne vital encephalitis. Generally it is recommended for the travelers who travel to the Terai and other rural areas.
• Meningococcal meningitis:  This vaccination is recommended for the prolonged stays.
• Polio: Polio is generally given in childhood. But if visitors have not taken it at their childhood then it is recommended vaccination for them.
• Rabies: Rabies is especially transmitted by street dogs and monkeys. It is strictly recommended for children and other visitors who are at the high risk of animal bites or direct contact with bats.
• Tuberculosis (TB): Most people of the west are given this vaccination in their childhood. But if they are not vaccinated, it is suggested vaccination for them.
• Typhoid: Typhoid vaccine is available as an injection and capsules which is recommended for all visitors because Typhoid fever is growing problem of Nepal.
• Yellow fever: The travelers who come from Africa, America and other yellow fever infected area should take vaccine for yellow fever.
• Tetanus diphtheria: Tetanus or diphtheria vaccine should be taken in every 10 years.
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): This vaccination is recommended for all the travelers born after 1956 but not for pregnant women or severely immune compromised individuals.
• Cholera: Cholera is spread because of polluted drinking water. It is only recommended for the high-risk individuals like health travelers and people who travel to remote areas.

Packing tips:

• Warm clothes for cold weather, including a set or two of thermal inner wear.
• Water and wind proof outer shell jacket and pants.
• Walking clothes like lightweight loose trousers, shorts and comfortable and cool shirts.
• Rain ponchos, wool socks, broken in walking boots, long trousers, warm hats, gloves, bandana, trekking poles, cap/hat for walking in the sun
• Sleeping bags if you have them.
• Travelers wearing lenses should carry plenty of lenses solution and backup prescription glasses.
• Sunglasses or ski glasses if walking in snow or high altitudes.
• Basic first aid kit and personal medication.
• Sunscreen and sun hat help.
• Water purifiers like iodine tablets, filters etc.
• Headlamps with spare batteries.
• Hand sanitizers.
• Photocopies of passports and other important documents
• A travel guide book and map.
• Cameras and carrying cases
• For a comprehensive packing list, see (link to site on trekking FAQ)

FAQs:

 How do we enter Annapurna Region?

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from Pokhara which is about 25 minutes from Kathmandu by air and is 5 hrs away on drive. From Pokhara we drive to Kande, it’s from Kande where we start our trek inside the Annapurna region.

What is ACAP?

ACAP stands for Annapurna Conservation Area Project of 7,629 km2 area, the first and largest conservation area in Nepal. Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazette in 1992. It is implemented across Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi and Lamjung districts.

When is the best time to go to Annapurna Circuit with ABC Trek?

Trekking in the Annapurna reason is feasible during autumn (September to December) and spring (March, April & May) seasons. The winter Dec, Jan and Feb is also recommended for this trek as it goes maximum height of 5416 m, sometimes we may expect foggy weather as well.

What is the Visa application process?

Travelers can apply for Nepalese visa from Nepalese embassy or consulate office situated nearby. They can also get a visa from Tribhuvan International Airport or from any other entry point in Nepal if they have no time to visit an embassy, or are not travelling from their home country. Visitors should have a few sets of photos, a passport, and required money to apply for visa.

What kind of equipments do we need for trekking?

We highly recommend you to travel light; carrying loads of stuff can be hectic as well as energy consuming. We recommend you to bring only the necessary things that you need in your daily life. Following equipments are recommended like. Down Sleeping Bag, Down Jacket, Long sleeved shirt, Jumper or fleecy jacket, T-shirts, Trekking shoes or boots, Comfy shoes for around the camp, Polypropylene/wool socks, Light cotton socks for under wool socks, Rucksack, Sun hat, Woolen hat, Gloves, Sun block, lipbalm , Goggles or sunglasses, Long underwear, Thermal wear, Insulated pants Nylon windbreaker, Nylon wind pants, Water bottle, Sewing kit, Medical & first aid kit, Flash light, Batteries and bulbs, Swiss army knife, Towel and toiletries etc.

What if I get sick while on trek?

In any case of emergency or disease, our program associates first try to deal with general medicine. If the case takes chronic stage depending upon the time and situation we air lift the patient consulting with your Insurance Company and rescue you.