Detail Guide about Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Highlights

Trek on the foot of world 10th high Mt. Annapurna within picturesque sanctuary Adventure in the heart of massive, scenic Annapurna Himalaya Mountain range Lovely cultural, scenic walks around high mountain villages with glorious views Dramatic change of landscape, climate and vegetation on walks to base camp Mt. Annapurna the first world 8,000-meter peak ever climbed before Mt. Everest.

Introduction

Annapurna base camp trek, amazes every trekker once they set foot on picturesque Annapurna Sanctuary. Surrounded by an amphitheater of zagged snow capped peaks, on the both sides of walking trails on route Annapurna base camp. 

Certainly one of the most fascinating and exciting adventure destinations in the whole Himalaya region, as well on this planet. Where you will be walking with varied dramatic changes of landscapes, climate, and vegetation all in a weak duration of time frame.

Truly an exciting country to visit and to experience a lifetime adventure, wherein this world one can find so much variation on daily walks. From low warm subtropical of Pokhara valley to cooler Himalayan hills and ending at an arctic zone of ice and glacier amid Annapurna Sanctuary, at base camp.

Detail Itinerary

Starts from the beautiful and renowned touristic city Pokhara, after a scenic drive of a few hours, to reach rural farm areas at the bottom of Chomrong hill, and then walk begins with the climb through Jhinu village on a series of stone steps, with short down to reach overnight stop at Chomrong.

One of the largest Gurung villages around the Annapurna region, Gurung are the main hill tribes of Annapurna Himalaya.  Chomrong is the last permanent settlement on route Annapurna Sanctuary and base camp, where other places are temporary places with few lodges to cater to the needs of travelers. Walk from Chomrong takes you uphill and into a cool forest of rhododendron, oaks, pine, and fir tree lines as the route heads down to a gorge of Modi River, where a small settlement Bamboo is located with some good lodges. 

The name ‘Bamboo’ for a small temporary settlement due to its surrounding of dense bamboo grooves, from here follows the Modi River upstream (one of few treks in Himalaya where the route follows a river up to its glacial source at Annapurna base camp). A lovely and strenuous walk with few steep climbs to encounter as the trail leads through Deurali, Himalaya Hotel, and Deurali, a settlement with nice lodges for trekkers to stay overnight or a lunch stop.

From Deurali onward rise of altitude as the walk leads to steep-up above raging Modi River to reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp, known as MBC for short. It is above 3, 700 m high located beneath the North Face of towering and beautiful Machhapuchhre Himal the famous peak with twin summit, which appears like the tail of a fish, hence it is known as Fish Tail. 

Finally reached at Annapurna Base Camp

Where the walk finally leads you in the heart of magnificent Annapurna Sanctuary at Base Camp, the highest point of the adventure at 4,130 m / 13,628 feet high. Trekkers will be overwhelmed overlooking the spectacular panorama of Annapurna range of peaks that surrounds the base camp.

Annapurna base camp is the only 8,000 meter Mountain base camp where trekkers can find the comfort of a nice cozy lodge, with rooms facing excellent views of high peaks. At Annapurna base camp enjoy the panorama of Annapurna Himalaya range that includes, Annapurna-I (8,091 m) the first 8,000-meter mountain ever climbed in 1950, three years before Everest was conquered. 

Views of Annapurna Himalaya continue with Annapurna Fang / Vara Shikar, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna III, IV, and II with Machhapuchhre Himal, Gangapurna, Tent peak, and Singu Chuli. After enjoying a fantastic time at Annapurna base camp and scenic sanctuary, retrace the journey back on the same trail downhill to reach a road-head for a short drive to beautiful Pokhara.

Annapurna Base Camp can be visited in many ways as per your holiday time and duration, and can also extend for a few more days with a trek to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, a rewarding and scenic walk. Below we have set a general and short outline itinerary as just a guideline where trekkers can request for more days to add on the itinerary to make it more enjoyable and flexible. 

Short Outline Itinerary

Day 01:  From Pokhara drive near Jhinu village, and begin the trek to Chomrong  2,170 m – 06 hrs.

Day 02: Trek to Dovan 2,630 m – 06 hrs.

Day 03: Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp 3,700 m – 06 hrs.

Day 04: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 4,130 m – 03 hrs.

Day 05: Trek from Base Camp to Bamboo 2,345 m – 06 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Jhinu village 1, 780 m with Hot Spring – 06 hrs.|

Day 07: Trek to the road head and drive to Pokhara-04 hrs.

Best time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

For all adventure and treks around the Himalaya region, as well for Annapurna Base Camp, where perfect season and clear weather plays an important role on your adventurous holiday. Annapurna base camp can be visited nearly months of the year, however, the best time of the seasons is in spring, one of the most popular times where days are much warmer with longer sun-light hours.

As well for clear mountain views and pleasant walks in the spring season that starts from March to May, an enjoyable time for treks around Himalaya and to Annapurna base camp.

This is the right season in spring where trekkers can enjoy the beautiful scenery with seasonal wild-flower in full bloom, especially the Rhododendron flowers of various species from tall trees to a bush. Springtime morning and evening can be much cold, but day time is pleasant with warmer sunlight hours, where someday can be cloudy in the late afternoon with a chance of light rains and snowfall at base camp.

The next best time as weather-wise is in autumn/fall and pre-winter seasons from September to November and early December months, where days are crystal clear with blue sky. A perfect season for Clear Mountain views as well for scenic and pleasant walks to Annapurna base camp, where base camp and sanctuary will be in the peak tourism season with the main flow of trekkers due to nice weather of the season.

Autumn/fall and pre-winter of early December month can be cold with minimum temperatures of -5 to -10 degree Celsius, especially in the morning and late afternoon till night time, with bright starry nights. Chances of snow sometime, where sunlight hours are shorter due to autumn and winter season.