How hard is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is perhaps the most famous trekking in Nepal. Because of its natural and cultural attractions, thousands of international tourists visit the Annapurna Region every year.

When you plan to visit Nepal, the first option that you might think about is ABC Trek. And in fact, you would ask “How difficulty is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?”

This trek guides you through the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Thus, it is also called Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. It is situated in the vicinity of the world’s 10th highest peak, Mount Annapurna (8,091m).

There are many other snowcapped peaks of the Annapurna Massif and some of the Dhaulagiri Massif.

You would love observing the culture and tradition of Gurung, Magar, Chhetri, Bahun, etc. The home stay sites of the classical ethnic villages provide you an opportunity for cultural studies as well.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is not as hard as Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek, and Everest Base Camp Trek. Thus, it is classified as a moderate type of trekking in Nepal.

To know how difficulty Annapurna Trek is, let’s discuss the factors responsible for trekking difficulty. In this blog, we have tried to shed light on:

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
• Weather and Climate of Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Region
• Food and Accommodation Services of Annapurna Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Height
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Distance
• Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Hours per Day

ABC Trek Itinerary

There are variations of ABC Trek itinerary that extends from 7 days to 15 days. For those having less than a week’s vacation in Nepal, we recommend Annapurna Base Camp Short Trek.

Short trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) starts from the Lake City, Pokhara and ends in the same city. This is one of the short treks around Pokhara on the basis of itinerary. However, this trek can also be done in 5-6 days.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 Days

• Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m)
• Drive to Pokhara (950m) – 6/7 Hrs
• Drive to Nayapul (1,100m) & Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,700m) – 5/6 Hrs
• Trek to Dovan (2,130m) via Chhomrong (1,950m) – 6/7 Hrs
• Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) – 5/6 Hrs
• Trek to Sinuwa (2,540m) – 5/6 Hrs
• Trek to Tolka (1,700m) via Ghandruk (1,500m) – 5/6 Hrs
• Trek to Dhampus Phedi (1,050m) & Drive to Pokhara – 3/4 Hrs
• Drive back to Kathmandu – 6/7 Hrs
• Departure Transfer

Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days

• Drive to Syauli (1,170m) & Trek to Kimrong Danda (2,100m) via Ghandruk (2,012m) – 4/5 Hrs
• Trek to Sinuwa (2,130m) – 4/5 Hrs
• Trek to Deurali (3,230m) – 6/7 Hrs
• Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) –5/6 Hrs
• Trek back to Bamboo (2,310m) – 6/7 Hrs
• Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,780m) – 6/7 Hrs
• Trek to Kyumi (1,299m) & Drive to Pokhara (950m) – 4/5 Hrs

Weather and Climate of Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Region

Weather and climate condition of the Annapurna Region tells us more about challenge of ABC Trek. The temperature remains maximum 19 degree Celsius in the summer while minimum -20 degree Celsius in the winter.

Nevertheless, the higher region remains considerably colder and the lower region remains warmer or even hotter throughout the year. Likewise, rainfall, slippery trail, thunderstorm, and lightning increase the difficulty of ABC Trek in the summer.

Heavy snowfall and freezing temperature might hinder trekking to the base camp of Mount Annapurna (8,091m) in the winter. Thus, these seasons are not much recommended for trekking in Nepal.

The weather and temperature of the Annapurna Region remains considerably mild in the spring and the autumn. As the weather is static and predictable, you can enjoy the excellent Himalayan views lighting up the entire region. The spring and the summer are the best time of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Food and Accommodation Services of ABC Trek

To know challenge of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you must know about food and accommodation services available there. The Annapurna Region trek is famous for teahouse trekking in Nepal.

Teahouses provide basic services of food and accommodation for the trekkers in their regions. If you want luxury facilities while trekking in Nepal, it may not be possible all the time.

However, these teahouses provide you typical Nepali dish comprising dal-bhat-tarkari-achar. The typical Nepali food is said to be the best dish while trekking in the Himalayas.

You most often hear a quotation: “Dal-bhat power, 24-hour!” Because of the high calories, you can walk for longer hours along the rugged terrain.

ABC Trek Height

Annapurna Base Camp Trek height ranges between 1,100m and 4,130m. Beginning from the outskirts of the Pokhara City, the Nepal Trekking Route gradually gains altitude and reaches the base camp of Mount Annapurna (8,091m). Then, it gradually descends along the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) to end in Pokhara.

Altitude gain is a factor that defines how difficulty is ABC Trek. The higher the altitude, the more probability of acute mountain sickness (AMS)! When trekking route reaches higher than 2,500m from the sea level, you might get some symptoms of altitude sickness.

In Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 days, you spend 2 nights above 2,500m while in Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 days, only 1 night.

The most common altitude sickness symptoms are:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath

When you take some preventive and curative measures, altitude sickness can be beaten. But they say “Prevention is better than cure,” ain’t it? The common safety measures of altitude sickness are:

• Don’t fly directly to higher altitude unless a must.
• Enough acclimatization
• Limit the ascent up to 500m per day.
• Have enough water, hygienic balance diet, and short break while trekking.
• Stay away from smoking and alcohol
• No strenuous exercise
• Medicines like acetazolamide, ibuprofen, paracetamol, and promethazine, etc.

Given you follow the safety measures, ABC Trek height and its consequences are no a challenge.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Distance

The total Annapurna Base Camp Trek distance is 67 km from Pokhara. To begin it from Kathmandu, you have to travel 200km along the Prithvi Highway. However, you can fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara in about 25 minutes.

Daily distance to cover determines how difficulty is ABC Trek. From this perspective, the longer the itinerary, the less the distance to cover! Obviously, you can cover shorter distance easily.

In Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 days, you have to walk about 9 kilometers per day. Contrarily, if you book Annapurna Base Camp Trek 10 days, you should walk about 6 kilometers every day.

If you are a beginner trekker in Nepal, we recommend you to book longer itinerary. In longer itinerary, you have to walk for fewer hours, so you get to take pauses in the middle of the journey.

But if you are skilled and experienced in trekking in Nepal, you can choose shorter itinerary as well. The choice is all yours and you know whether you are an experienced trekker or a beginner one!

ABC Trekking Hours per Day

Trekking hours per day is one of the factors that tell you the challenge of Annapurna Base Camp trekking. Of course, it is hard to trek longer hours than the shorter ones.

You have to walk for 4/5 hours per day during ABC Trek. For a couple of days, you must walk for 6/7 hours as well. However, the well-defined trail, short distance, and gradual altitude gain help you walk for the given hours.

Conclusion: Annapurna base camp trek difficulty

This blog is an answer to the question: What is the challenge of  Annapurna Base Camp Trek? As we have tried our best to describe the most responsible factors for trekking difficulty, this will be really informative blog.

After reading this blog, you will definitely book one of the most beautiful treks in Nepal. Located nearby the Tourism Capital of  Nepal; Pokhara, ABC Trek can also be combined with Mardi Himal Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Sunrise View Trek, Ghandruk Trek, etc.

Due to the well-defined trails, favorable terrain, moderate altitude, and mild temperature, Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty can also be beaten by even the beginner trekkers.