Annapurna Base Camp

Overview

Annapurna Base camp which is also known as Annapurna sanctuarylies on the lap of Annapurna I (8091m) and Dhaulagiri district of Nepal. TheAnnapurna base camp itself lies at the height of 4130m, 40 Kmdirectly north from Pokhara. Mount Annapurna was first climbed by Maurice Herzog in 1950. Thetrail to Annapurna base camp takes you through all the different vegetation. As Annapurna base camp (ABC) is situated in Annapurna conservation Area youfeel yourself surrounded with Rhododendrons, ferns, bamboo, dense oak forest, alongwith a tree with thick bark Called Daphne. Daphne is used by local peopletomakepapers. Annapurna Conservation area was established in 1985 but eventuallygazetted in 1992. Here you can also witness different culture and traditionof gurung, Magar and chetri people as they are the most predominant casteinthearea. On being successful to attract national and international tourist ABCdefinitely has gained a lot of popularity and counts for almost 60,000 tourist peryear. 

Temperature 

Average temperature in spring (March, April, May) is 4-14 degree Celsius whileitcan fall to 0 to -8 degree Celsius at night. In summer (June, July, August) theaverage temperature is 16-19 degree Celsius. It can fall around 7-3 degreeCelsius. In Autumn(September,October,November) the average temperature is 11- 20degree Celsius. It can fall from 0 to -10 degree Celsius. In winter the averagetemperature is 6-9 degree Celsius and can greatly fall around -14 to -20 degreeCelsius. 

Best season to go ABC 

The best seasons to go ABC is no other than spring and autumn. Here thetemperature is warm and it’s dry. As snow starts to melt away the weather isverygood. You can see flowers blooming everywhere and greenery along withclearblue sky. Summer is quite rainy so trails are muddy and slippery. If youwant togoon summer just be prepared enough for frequent rainfalls. You can alsogoinwinter seasons even there is lot of snowing and extreme cold with all thenecessary precautions.

Food and accommodation in ABC 

Accommodation – Food and accommodation is one of the important factor toconsider before going on any adventure. Thankfully being the most commondestination to people, Annapurna region provides some best facilities. Youcanget proper lodges with good facilities like hot shower, Wi-Fi, electric blanketsetc. on the other hand, you can also get enough Tea houses to stay. They aresmall lodges which typically accommodate 20-25 people. These tea houses arerunbylocal people of ABC. People there can speak English so communicationis not much of a problem which makes environment friendlier. In tea houses youcanget a small room with two single beds. Clean blankets, bed sheets and pillowisavailable. They also have solar and electric heater shower. In places wheretheydon’t have these, can still offer you bucket of hot water to shower. Youneedtoknow, on peak seasons the tea houses are usually very crowded and it gets difficult to find one. so you need to book it or talk to your travel agencies earlier. price for food and accommodation in ABC entirely depends on the season, altitude and level of accommodation you want. Normally on season youcangetrooms for 2-5$ (200-500 NRS), while in off seasons the price is cheaper andmightcost you 2-3$. (200-300). 

Food – You can get enough hygienic and delicious traditional Nepali foodandIndian foods. This includes Dal, Bhat and vegetables for meals and pasta, noodles, breads and eggs for breakfast. The meal might cost you 4-7$, (400-700 NRS) alongwith 60-150 NRS for breakfast, tea and coffee. The drinking water here might costyou 70-100 NRS. 

Transportation facility in ABC 

Bus– Bus is certainly a cheaper yet comfortable way to travel. If you aregoingbybus you can take a ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes approx. 4-5hours. It might cost you 400-600 NRS. From Pokhara you can take ride toKimchi which take approx. 4 hours and 400-500 NRS. You have to start trekking fromthere to your destination.

Helicopter- To those who are short or are in limited time helicopter tour is best way to explore the beauty of ABC. This tour offers you astonishing viewof Himalayas, and small villages along with green forest. For the helicopter rideyouneed to start your journey from Pokhara Airport or Kathmandu Airport. This tourapproximately takes 2 hours with 30 minutes of one way flight. Helicopter tourisdefinitely a luxurious and expensive one. This might cost you 500$ per personfrom Pokhara or Kathmandu. 

Permits for ABC 

ACAP (Annapurna conservation Area Permit) – this is required for every peoplecoming to Visit ABC. This cost you around 3000 NRS (30$). And only 15$toSAARCcountries. 

TIMs- TIMs card include all the details about the trekker so that it wouldbeof great help in some medical emergencies. This card is needed for every onewhichcost 1000 NRS (10$) to foreigners. 

You can get all these permit in Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara. 

Guide/porters for ABC 

Being a popular destination you can see lot of people on the way to ABC. Theyalso have sign boards for the directions and to know which village are youon. Guides are really just an option for you in this trek. If you feel risky to trekaloneyou may hire a guide but it is not really necessary to have guide with you. if you decide to hire a guide they might charge you 25-30$,(2500-3000 NRS) . Meanwhile if you have lots of belongings you can always hire a porter whowill carry all your stuff. They might charge you 15-20$. (1500-2000) per day. Youcanalways share your porter if you don’t have much stuff.

Communication and electronics in ABC 

Several villages in ABC have hydro plant and you may get electricity enoughtocharge your phones or electronics. You can also get Wi-Fi in many lodges or teahouses. Though it may not be fast enough it will definitely connect youwithyourfriends and family. You need to take some extra batteries and chargers for yourelectronics. In some tea houses at higher altitudes you may have these facilitiesbarely and have to pay extra for it. 

Safety/security for ABC 

Travelling to Annapurna base camp can be quite challenging. Lying at theheightof 4130m, you may experience some troubles in your health. You must bephysically and mentally fit to travel there. You can walk, run and do simpleexercise 20-30 days earlier for your practice. You need to do some simplefitnessexercise and build your knee strength just to be ready for the day. It’s not mandatory to be 100% fit. As long as you can travel in slightly high altitudes andstay hydrated you must be fine. It’s likely to suffer from altitude sickness whichiswhy you need to stay hydrated throughout the journey and keep checking your oxygen level. It’s better to carry one hand held oximetry 

Other requirement for ABC 

Travel insurance- You can always purchase your own travel insurance. It usuallycost around 150$(15000 NRS) good for 30 days. It is important to mentionor cover high altitudes since trekkers sometime really needs to be evacuatedfromhelicopter. Travel Insurance depends on the details you have provided that’s whyit’s important to notify them earlier about the altitudes you will be reaching. 

Visas/passports – Foreigners other than Indians need to have valid visas andpassports prior to visiting Nepal. The passport must hold minimum6 monthsof visa validity from their date of arrival. They can have the Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport.