Annapurna Base Camp

“NEPAL” the name itself evokes memories of high snow-clad mountains, lush green pastures, free flowing ferocious rivers, long and strong suspensions bridges, smiling and warm faces. Pokhara situated around 200 Kms west of Kathmandu on the eastern shores of beautiful Phewa Lake, at height of 850 mt. / 2,789 ft., is the starting and ending point of many treks in the Annapurna ranges. Ekai Kawaguchi, way back in 1899, was the first outsider to visit Pokhara. He wrote “In all my travels in the Himalayas I saw no scenery so enchanting, as that which enraptured me at Pokhara”. Modern day visitors are no less impressed. Mt. Annapurna, at 8,091 mt. / 26,545 ft, is the world’s 10th highest mountain. This was the first mountain standing above the barrier of 8,000 meters, climbed in the epic adventure by Maurice Herzog in 1950.

As the country of Nepal was just opened to outside world before this expedition, the maps of the area were so inaccurate, that the first problem was simply to reach the mountain. This French team had set out to climb Mt. Dhaulagiri, finally went ahead to climb the unknown north side of Mt. Annapurna I, as they were unable to find a viable route up Dhaulagiri. On 3rd Jun 1950, Maurice Herzog with his teammate Louis Lachenal reached on top of Annapurna I and managed to have a look at the Annapurna Sanctuary on the opposite side. But the mountain took its toll; as they had to pay back by severe frostbite, due to bad weather conditions. Herzog lost most of his fingers and toes and had to quit climbing. But his indomitable spirit made him the Minister of Sports in France.

ANNAPURNA CONSERVATION AREA PROJECT (ACAP) :
As trekking got momentum in this area after the first expedition, the whole area faced the problem of severe deforestation, due to ever increasing demand of fuel, for locals as well as trekkers. To tackle this problem, ACAP was set up in 1986 with a detailed programme of reforestation and forest management, promoting alternate energy sources, educating locals about wild life, flora and fauna and development projects. Over the years it has turned out to be one of the most successful conservation projects ever. On this trek we can have glimpses of Annapurna I, II, III and IV, Machhapuchhare or Fish Tail Mountain, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Hiun Chuli peaks. The shape of Machhapuchhare or Fish tail is most beautifully seen from Chomrong or Modi Khola. From here we will see the striking similarity between the name of the peak and fish tail. This is a holy mountain to Gurungs and nobody has been allowed to climb on top of it. From Kathmandu we will fly to Pokhara and rest. The next day we will hit the trail. From Kande after a steep ascent, we will reach Pothana. From here it’s a slow upward journey going through prosperous Gurung villages of Landruk, Chomrong etc. On the 8th day of the trek, we will reach ABC.

Itinerary for Annapurna Base Camp Trek (13 Nights & 14 Days)

Day-1
Reaching Kathmandu (1,300 mt. / 4,290 ft.) Visit to Pashupatinath Temple. (L, D) Stay in Hotel Royal Singi or similar

Day-2
Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara and rest. Overnight stay in White Pearl or similar at Pokhara.

Day-3
Pokhara to Landruk. Pokhara to Kande (1,770 mt. / 5,807 ft.). About 1 to 1 ½ Hours’ drive. Kande to Pothana (1,890 mt. / 6,201 ft.) Via Australian Camp. Then from Pothana to Landruk (1,550 mt. / 5,085 ft.) (B, L, D) Overnight stay in Guest House.

Day-4
Landruk to Chomrong (2,050 mt. / 6,726 ft.) Around 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D) Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-5
Chomrong to Bamboo (2,400 mt. / 8,530 ft.) Around 4 ½ to 5 hours of walk. (B, L, D) Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-6
Bamboo to Deurali (3,200 mt. / 10,499 ft.) Around 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D) Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-7
Deurali to Machhapuchhare Base Camp OR MBC (3700 mt. / 12,139 ft.) Around 6 to 7 hours of walk. (B, L, D). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-8
MBC to Annapurna Base Camp / ABC (4130 mt. / 13,550 ft.) Around 2 to 2 ½ hours of walk. (B, L, D) Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-9
ABC to Bamboo (2,400 mt. / 8,530 ft.) Around 7 to 8 hours of walk. (B, L, D)o. Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-10
Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1,770 mt. / 5,807 ft.) Around 6 to 7 hours of walk. (B, L, D). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-11
Jhinu Danda to Naya Pul Via Kimche Khola. Around 7 to 8 hours of walk. Then drive to Pokhara. Around 2 hours of drive. (B, L, D). Overnight stay in White Pearl or similar at Pokhara..

Day-12
Pokhara to Kathmandu. Early morning flight to Kathmandu; so the group gets some time in Kathmandu. (B, L, D). Stay in Hotel Royal Singi or similar

Day-13
Rest day in Kathmandu, which can be utilized for remaining sightseeing programme (If people have energy left) OR can-do Mountain Flight. (B, L, D)

Day-14
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. (B…)

Where Will I Stay?

3 Nights in Hotel Royal Singi OR in similar hotel in Kathmandu on FB plan (On twin sharing). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) (Vegetarian)
2 Nights stay in Hotel White Pearl OR a similar hotel in Pokhara on FB plan (On twin sharing). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) (Vegetarian)
8 Nights in good guesthouses on twin sharing FB Basis.

How willI travel?

Visa is not a requisite for the Indian Citizens; however, a valid passport is a mandatory for all Indian citizens.
For non- Indian citizens, the passport must be valid till after at least 6 months of the trek. They are also required to carry 3 photocopies along 3 passport size-coloured photographs. They should get their visa done on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
The travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back would be by flight.
The trek entails about 5-6 hours of walk every day on various terrains.
With the trek leading up to 13,550 ft, high level of fitness is a pre-requisite for all the travellers.
The luggage will be carried by the local porters who normally carry a maximum load of 30kgs per person. We allot one porter for two people so it’s advisable that you carry a maximum of 15 kgs.
If there is a requirement of an extra porter, the cost of that will be borne by the traveller.
In case of un-avoidable/ un-favouring conditions, Hills and Trails reserve the right to make on-the spot changes in which case the group leader’s decision will be considered as the final word.

What about my health?

A health certificate is mandatory for all the travellers. It should clearly certify that the traveller is physically fit to carry out a high-altitude trek to Annapurna Base Camp.
We do take medical precautions, however, due to high altitude traveller can suffer through headache, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and loss of sleep. These ailments are temporary and disappear as soon as the person gets acclimated to the weather conditions.
4-5 litres of water intake is a must to avoid altitude related sickness. A tablet of Diamox comes handy to help acclimatization.
In case of sever medical emergency, all the cost incurred by us on treatment are to be borne by the traveller immediately in cash.
To ensure safety at all points of time, it is highly advisable to follow the instructions of the group leader.
Hills and Trails does not offer any type of insurance against losses. It is recommended that every person gets his/her international travel insurance which is valid in Nepal and covers evacuation, if needed.