What is the best time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp for 10 Days?
The best times to undertake Annapurna Base Camp Trek are during the spring and autumn seasons. Spring spans from mid-March to the end of May, and autumn spans from mid-September to the third week of November. These two seasons guarantee the best weather, less rainfall, and splendid scenery of the surroundings.
Trekkers can undertake Annapurna Base Camp trek throughout the year. However, winter and monsoon seasons often present harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, snowfall, wet or slippery trail, and landslide that make trekking difficult and risky. So, it is best to do this trek during autumn or spring.
What are the physical conditions and experience requirements for this trek?
The 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is a moderate trek. Unlike Everest Base Camp Trek, the highest point one can reach in this trek is 4,120 meters. There is a less or low risk of potential altitude sickness. However, trekkers can encounter physical issues such as fatigue that are common during long treks.
One must be fit mentally and physically for this trek. Previous experience in high-altitude trekking will be useful, although not a mandatory requirement.
The trek begins at the altitude of 1,010 meters at Nayapul and climbs through a lush forested trail towards the rugged mountainous terrain. The trek materializes at an altitude of 4,120 meters. You can get enough acclimatization along the trek.
To better prepare beforehand, you can train for endurance, strength, and altitude. While training for altitude, mustn’t climb over 1,000 meters in a day, and should always practice sleeping at a lower altitude.
What is a typical day on the trek?
A typical day in the trek begins with a delicious breakfast at the teahouse while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Pack all the necessary gears and items, and then embark on the trek. The journey begins at around eight in the morning. The advantage of starting early offers a chance to explore the surroundings and reach the destination on time. Each day brings unique experiences. The guide provides insight into the villages, settlements, local landmarks, etc. that you pass by.
After three or four hours of trekking, everyone stops for lunch at any of the nearest teahouses. After an hour-long lunch break, the trek resumes and continues for another two to three hours. The length of the trek depends on the distance and altitude to cover.
The day ends at a teahouse, where you can freshen up and relax while sipping tea or coffee. Enjoy dinner around six or seven in the evening. The conversations can continue even after dinner. Everyone sleeps off early during the trek to get enough rest.
What kind of accommodations do I get during the trek?
The accommodation of the trek includes two nights at Thamel, two nights at one of the finest hotels in Lakeside, Pokhara, and eight nights at comfortable teahouses (lodges) along the Annapurna trail.
10 days ABC trek is a well-developed trail with the availability of quality lodges in almost every major stop. The first two nights of the trek at Ghandruk and Chhomrong, offer accommodation with an attached bathroom. Most teahouses in the lower Annapurna region offer free-of-cost hot-shower facilities. The rest of the nights at the villages of Himalaya, Machhapuchere Base camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Sinuwa offer accommodation with basic facilities.
Each teahouse along the trail offers room on a sharing basis. One may find two single beds in every room. The option for booking a group room for group travelers is also available. Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara offer quality rooms with an attached bathroom, hot shower, television, and laundry service.
How about meals and drinks during the trek?
A balanced and nourishing diet is important during long journeys on foot. This trek offers three meals a day with the choice menu—the items on the menu range from Tibetan, Nepalese, and Continental to Indian cuisines.
The trek includes a total of nine breakfasts, eight lunches, and eight dinners.
Breakfast menu
Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, French toast with Jam-Butter-Cheese- Honey, Tibetan bread or Chapatti, Local tsampa porridge, Hashed-brown eggs, Varieties of egg items, Pancakes, Muesli, Bread, Fruits and Vegetables, Caffeinated drinks, Hot chocolate, etc.
Lunch Menu
Dhal Bhat and Tarkari (Rice and lentils), Tibetan bread, Varieties of soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (Dumplings), Thenduk, Spaghetti/Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta and Macaroni, Vegetable curry, Varieties of potato items, Vegetable and salad, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad or Prawn), Desserts, etc.
Dinner menu
Dhal Bhat and Tarkari (Rice and lentils), Tibetan bread, Varieties of soups, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Sandwiches, Momo (Dumplings), Thenduk, Spaghetti/Noodles, Thukpa, Pasta and Macaroni, Vegetable curry, Varieties of potato items, Vegetable and salad, Pizza (Tomato, Mushroom, Mixed), Snacks (Papad or Prawn), Korean Ramen, Desserts, etc.
Enjoy hygienic, nutritious, and tasty meals. Each menu is a combination of traditional (local), Asian, and western cuisines. As the altitude starts to increase, the choices in the menu start to decrease. Drink more fluid and liquid-based drinks such as green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup to keep your body hydrated and ensure proper acclimatization.
One must pay the expenses for alcoholic drinks, mineral water, and cold drinks that are not included in the itinerary.
What are extra personal expenses on the trekking?
The trek package covers three meals a day, transportation, lodging, guide and porter cost, and permits. Anything other than these accounts for extra or personal expenses.
Extra personal expenses on the trek may include meals or beverages other than the one specified in the package. The trekker must cover any additional expense for bottled water, souvenir shopping, and tips. Tipping the guide and porters is not compulsory. However, you can tip them at the end of the trek as a kind gesture.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel Insurance is mandatory for every tourist. One must obtain appropriate travel insurance before undertaking the 10 days of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The travel insurance must cover emergency evacuation, ground rescue, and medical support. Get insurance worth at least USD 100,000.
Trekking members are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information to Alpine Eco Trek before embarking on the trek. In an emergency, we will contact the insurer using the information provided by the trekker.
The trek may encounter many unforeseen situations such as injury, illness, natural calamity, etc. Travel insurance is a significant part of trekking. In many cases, helicopter rescue is the only way out of dangerous mountain areas. Travel insurance comes in handy during medical emergencies or disappearances.
Please ensure that the insurance company covers the cost incurred for mountain rescue in an adventure activity, and conducts helicopter rescue and evacuation up to 6,000 meters in altitude.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping does not form any part of the wages for the crew members. In Nepalese culture, tipping is a way of conveying appreciation or Thank you (Dhanyabad) for rendering great service.
Always tip at the end of the trek. For group trekkers, collect the total tipping sum from everyone and offer it to the guide and porters. In the case of a solo trekker, they can pay a guide and porter accordingly.
Although there isn’t a fixed margin for tipping, the trekker can be generous enough to tip them as much as they want. The amount depends more or less upon the quality of the service offered, the length of the trip, budget, etc.
How much Luggage do I take during the 10 days ABC hike?
The weight limit for the luggage depends on the number of porters available. Every two members of the trek can share a porter. As the porter comes with a limit, the combined luggage of two trekkers should not exceed more than 20kg.
It’s a bad idea to overload the porters in the trek. To help minimize overload, trekkers can carry a backpack to keep their immediate personal items to themselves. The porter carries heavy items such as thick clothes, gear, equipment, and other accessories.
For a solo trekker, a guide cum porter can be the best option to help save expenses on an individual porter. A guide cum porter can carry up to 10kg at most. Read more about the ultimate packing list for this trip.
Is there communication access during the trek?
Most teahouses are well-equipped with Wi-Fi service. You can rely on the Wi-Fi offered by the teahouses by paying extra. To use the internet on the go, trekkers can buy data packs through any national telecommunication authority. You can buy a local N-Cell or NTC sim card at Kathmandu before embarking on the trek.
You can also access social media or email either through Wi-Fi provided by the teahouse or through cellular data.
Most sections of the trail offer a wide range of cellular coverage. Making a call at home is possible during the trek. The guide ensures to update the central office at Kathmandu throughout the trek. SAT Phone or Satellite Phone is available on request.
Is electricity available during the trek?
Electricity is available almost everywhere throughout the trek. Each teahouse consists of necessary electrical ports to charge cellphones, cameras, or other electrical accessories.
how about battery recharge?
As you trek higher, you can charge your phone or camera at an additional cost. Do not forget to carry a three-pin electrical plug during the trek. Many lodges offer two-pin electrical ports.
Most lodges in the lower Annapurna valley have access to hydroelectricity. Lodges located at higher altitudes have access to electricity through solar panels. Almost every teahouse relies on solar power to heat water for the shower. You can enjoy a hot shower by paying a certain fee.
Can I buy water on the trek?
Bottled water is available throughout the trek. However, trekkers can use iodine tablets or water-purifying tablets to save the extra cost instead of buying bottled water.
Do you also offer Tailor-made Departures?
Yes, we do offer Tailor-made Departures, if our holiday packages are not perfect or the group departure dates are not convenient as per your travel plan.
Do I have a pre-departure meeting?
Yes, at first, our staff will receive you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel and our tour leader will brief you regarding the trip. The briefing will cover the itinerary and introduce your trek guide and helpers.
Is someone going to meet me at the airport? Are transfers included?
Definitely, our Airport Representative will come to the airport to pick you up. We will be displaying a playing card of the company with your name on it. Airport transfer is included.
How can I book Annapurna base camp trekking?
Once you confirmed the trip, we need a photocopy of your passport along with a 20 percent down payment of the total price for advance flight tickets and hotel booking and permit process.
Can I extend the trip?
After completing the 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the trekker can choose to extend the trip by adding any other activity such as a city tour, Chitwan Jungle Safari, paragliding, rafting, and sightseeing tours around Nepal or a trip to Bhutan or Tibet.
