11 days Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu

For a medium length trekking to Annapurna base camp is well known for natural and cultural beauty of Annapurna with magnificent view of Annapurna and Fishtail. This is one of the most beautiful trekking routes in Annapurna, reaching to a height of 4200 m in 10 days Nepal ABC trek. In order to experience a mix culture of Gurung and Magar with the magnificent views of the Annapurna and Fishtail, this is the best trip. ABC is easily accessible trekking from low land villages to high mountains with hot springs. We also have 10 days Annapurna base camp trek package if 11 days Annapurna base camp trek does not suit you. Solo male and female backpackers and small group trekkers can join on 11 days Annapurna base camp trek.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara (910m, 200km, 6 hours) 
We leave early in the morning from Kathmandu and make our way along river valleys, pass terraced fields to Pokhara which takes 6-7 hours drive.
Day 2: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga (1540m)
Breakfast in Pokhara and drive to Nayapul by private cab/car or local bus takes 2 hours covers nearly 46km. Start trek to Tikhedhunga ascend slowly through terraced fields and classic mountain villages.
Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani (2750m)
Breakfast, and start steep uphill trek in the morning until Ulleri, and comparatively easy uphill trek to Ghorepani through delightful villages, beautiful dense rhododendron forest.  If the weather is clear you will see stunning mountain views from Ghorepani, making the climb well worth it.
Day 4: Poon Hill sunrise, trek to Tadapani (2710m)
Wake up early and hike up to Poonhill for sunrise, Annapurna/Dhaulagiri Himalayan Panorama view. Breakfast back in Ghorepani and continue trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forests.  If you are lucky you will see some wild animals, such as langur monkeys climbing through the trees. There are excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare from Tadapani.
Day 5: Tadapani trek to Chhomrong (2100m)
Breakfast and downhill trek Chhomrong for 5/6 hours. Chhomrong itself is a beautiful village, typically Gurung in style, situated in the lap of the great Annapurna massif. Chhomrong is the highest permanent settlement in the valley.
Day 6: Trek to Dovan (2430m)
Breakfast and trek descends to Chhomrong  Khola , and the steep uphill trek to Sinuwa. The trial follows the river through another tiny settlement known as Bamboo which has some tea houses and crosses three streams before arriving at Dovan (2430m) and overnight rest.
Day 7: Trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m)
Trek through intermittent bamboo forest. The valley becomes increasingly hemmed in by ever steeper slopes and there are regular streams crossing on the trial. You can also have some rest at Himalaya Hotel (2873m) before climbing to Hinko(3139m), a short path to Deurali(3231m) and on through Bagar to reach  Machhapuchhare Base Camp.
Day 8: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) (4130m, 2 hours)
This is a short a hike of around two hours following the left hand tributary of the Modi khola to reach the destination of the famous ABC.
Day 9: Trek to Bamboo (2300m, 6/7 hours)
It is around 7 hour’s mostly downhill walk.
Day 10: Trek to Jhinu Danda
Look forward to 5-6 hours up and down hill walk mostly through forest and village to Jhinu Danda.You can even go visit the natural hot spring.
Day 11: Trek back to Nayapul - on to Pokhara
We can enjoy a final downhill walk through forests and villages for about 6 hours to Nayapul. From here we drive for about 1 hour back to Pokhara where our trek ends and we can enjoy a shower and relax on this stunning Lakeside town enjoying the memories!

Season for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
You can go to Annapurna Base Camp trek any time of the year. Yet, the monsoon is not a good time. There is heavy rainfall during the evening or night but the dark clouds are ever present. This means bad too, no view of the beautiful peaks. It also means leeches, mosquitoes, possible landslides and slippery roads. But, this is the time when animals are most active. If you are a keen biologist, then monsoon is best for you.

Autumn Season-Autumn is the best time to do this trek. Autumn is a dry season that offers clear blue sky and moderate temperature. This is the best time do any trek in Annapurna and is, therefore, very crowded.

Winter Season-You could go during December if you would like it to be quieter. ABC is possible in winter as well. Dry air and clear sky with the  best visibility but, during winter, it will be very cold and will snow. If you plan to trek in December, you need to prepare well with appropriate packaging.Starting from January, you need to be careful about the avalanche when traveling from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. This stretch is prone to avalanche. Trekkers should be careful no matter what time in a year they are trekking when trekking from Deurali to MBC.

Spring Season-Spring is another best time to do Annapurna Base Camp trek. Watch out for the avalanche though. Listen to the locals for the news about the avalanche ahead. In spring, the trail will bloom with red and white rhododendrons and many other exotic flowers found in this region, a good time to go for botanists.

Electricity and Charging Battery-You can charge batteries en route. For this, you need to bring your charger. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for it.

Money Matter-There are no ATM on this trek route. You have to draw enough cash from Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are many ATMs in these cities. Everything you do is in Nepali rupees. So, you need to carry enough Nepali currency before you set off for the ABC trek.

WiFi and Internet-You will have enough Internet access in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you in your home country and at losing connection is very common at times.

Guide and Porter Cost- For ABC trek, pay for guides range from $25 to $35 per day and porters take $20 to $30 per day.

Tipping-People have become used to receiving tips. However, there is no set amount as tipping is a westerner created culture. They will be happy to receive what you see fit to give. If you feel confused, trekkers have taken 15% of the total pay as the standard.

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Equipment
Here is a general idea of what you should bring to Annapurna Base Camp trekking.What to pack for the trek is one of the important questions. Not having proper gears can prove troublesome. It may cause health issues or ruin your mood.
-A few pairs of Thermal tops
-Fleece jacket/pullover
-Windcheater - waterproof shell jacket one pair
-Down jacket -( It will be provided by the company if you do not have your own)
-Comfortable Fleece/wool trousers
-Trekking pants- at least 2 pairs
-Mittens/woolen gloves
-Warm Hiking socks
-Trekking sue with spare laces
-Pair of flip flop
-Underwear & Swimming costume
-Hiking Cotton trousers/t-shirts
-Sun hat/scarf
-Sunglasses
-Sleeping bag -( It will be provided by the company if you do not have your own)
-Trekking poles (Not 100%)
-Day bag above 40 L
-1 set- Headlamp
-Small lock for the day backpack
-Reusable water bottles- 2 liters
-Water purification tablets/ electric light
-Wash towel
-Toiletries (wet tissue, quick-drying towel, toilet paper, moisturizers, lip balms, sunscreens, sanitary pads, hand sanitizer, nail clipper, small mirror, toothpaste & brush, etc)
-Rain poncho
-Basic personal first aid kit

Travel Insurance-For safety reasons, Travel insurance is mandatory for trekkers participating in any trek and tour programs in the mountains. Getting travel insurance, especially while traveling in the mountain areas, is like security on which you can rely and enjoy your trip without any worries. We highly recommend getting good compressive travel insurance that covers things like emergency helicopter rescue, and medical evacuation expenses. It will be an assisted protection tour to cover personal injury, injury, repatriation expenses, and any kind of illness will be covered. Having good travel insurance will not only guarantee you peace of mind while you travel with us but also provide you with complete coverage for anything that may go wrong.

Solo Travelers-Single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Minimum Age-You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a our tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

High Altitude Sickness-Travelers to altitudes higher than 2,50 m are at risk of altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). This can be life-threatening and affect anyone, even people who are very physically fit. There is a higher risk for those who have had altitude sickness before, who exercise or drink alcohol before adjusting to the altitude, or who have health problems that affect breathing. If your tour travels to high altitude, see your doctor for advice specific to you and your situation before you depart. It is important to be aware of the normal altitude symptoms that you may encounter BUT NOT worry about:
1.Periods of sleeplessness
2.Occasional loss of appetite
3.Vivid, wild dreams at around 2500-3800m in altitude
4.Unexpected momentary shortness of breath, day and night
5.Periodic breathing that wakes you occasionally
6.Blocked nose
7.Dry cough
8.Mild headache
If you are feeling nauseous, dizzy, or experience other symptoms, please be sure to let your guide know immediately so that we can monitor your condition. Please be aware that should your guide deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time, they will arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude.

Medical Facilities and Treatment-Medical facilities in Nepal are very limited, particularly outside Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, treatment at international-standard clinics is expensive and up-front payment for services is generally required. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment, including evacuation by helicopter.

Alcohol and Caffeine-Alcohol and trekking don't mix. We highly recommend that you limit your alcohol consumption in Kathmandu prior to your trip. Celebrate your achievements after your trek. Both alcohol and caffeine increase dehydration. Limit your intake of both when hiking at high altitudes.
Monsoon-The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.

Departure Tax-All departure taxes should be included in your international flight ticket.

Safety and Security-We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately. Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. Swimming, including is always at your own risk.

Drugs and Smoke-Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is not acceptable for our travellers, also illegal in Nepal. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. We have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Money Matters-Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.As currency exchange rates in Nepal fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. As of June 2022 the exchange rate for NEPAL was 1 USD = 122 NPR (Nepalese Rupees). There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and MasterCard but these are limited to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Namche Bazaar. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 4%-6% transaction fee.

Laundry- Laundry facilities are offered by some of tea house and hotel for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports-As a general rule, your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the passport details you provide are accurate. Any errors provided may result in extra fees for making corrections in bookings. We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leave copies at home with family or friends.

Nepal Visas-All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport. If getting the visa at the airport be prepared for long queues. You will also need to provide one passport photo and the following fees in US dollars cash only: Multi entry visa valid for 15 days - US $30: Multi Entry Visa for 30 days - US $50 and multiple entry visa valid for 90 days - US $125. All travellers are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to get visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport.