Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Open for Travelers?
If you ever have heard about the natural and cultural beauties of Nepal combined with adventure, you might have made a Dream of tour, mountaineering, and trekking in Nepal, right? In the course of finding the right package of Nepal visit, you might also have visited Annapurna Base Camp Trek blog.
Then, your dream must have raised a question to yourself: Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek open for travelers?
Yes, Tourism Industry of Nepal was banned for considerably longer time when the second COVID infection case was identified in the country. For about 2 years, tour, mountaineering, and trekking in Nepal packages were banned due to suspension in domestic and foreign flights.
Moreover, the halt in inter- and intra-city transportation services added more challenges to the travelers in Nepal from all around the world. The early and repeatedly erupted COVID-19 waves shut down the tourism industry of Nepal just as around the globe.
Annapurna base camp trek difficulty level
Nevertheless, the Nepal government decided to officially reopen the tourism industry from September 24, 2021. The Immigration Department of the country decided to provide visas on arrival for the travelers who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19. The international travelers to Nepal don’t need quarantine on their own or any other sources.
Since its opening this year, hundreds of tourists have done Annapurna Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Likewise, many of the national and international travelers in Nepal have made Annapurna Sunrise View Trek, also called Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.
Also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) is the best trip in Nepal. It is not less popular than Everest Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Dolpo Trek, etc.
ABC Trek is the most done package of trekking in Nepal because of its wonderful nature, adventure, and culture.
The reopening of Annapurna Base Camp Trek will definitely contribute a lot for reaccelerating the ravaged tourism industry in Nepal.
All the rules and regulations including the permits and other factors are as same as they were in the post-COVID era. They are more beautiful nowadays because the effects of COVID-19 pandemic created the situation to ban on doing the Annapurna Trek and many more.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost
The cost of trekking is Nepal is determined by transportation modes, food and accommodation, permits, transportation, and the Nepal trekking itinerary.
Also, the type of trekking: teahouse and camping; free individual trekking or restricted area trekking plays a vital role in the total trekking price. Annapurna Base Camp Trek price is lesser than a camping trekking in Nepal such as Upper Dolpo Trek or Lower Dolpo Trek.
For a camping trekking, you have to pay for the crew consisting a team leader, cook, waiter, and porter. You have to manage miscellaneous expense for the crew members although it is not mandatory.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) is a free individual trekking (FIT) area. So, it is less expensive than a restricted area (RAT) trekking because RAT permit should be paid extra fees.
For doing ABC Trek, you just need ACAP permit besides TIMS Card. The permits of Annapurna Base Camp Trek are not much dearly, so that wouldn’t add up to the cost of ABC Trek.
To begin this trip, you have a couple of options: trek right from the beginning or take roadway transportation to most of the trail. Using the means of transportation along the off-road might cost more than trekking or vice versa.
Likewise, you can either use domestic flights to or back Pokhara or the driving services along the Prithivi Highway. Obviously, the domestic flights cost in Nepal is higher than the roadway services.
Last but not the least, the length of itinerary is also the determining factor of Annapurna Trek price. The shorter the ABC Trek itinerary, the less the cost of trekking in Nepal!
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Route Map
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route Map begins from Syauli after a drive from the Pokhara Valley. Then, it moves higher to Kimrong Danda, Sinuwa, Deurali, and Annapurna Base Camp.
After spending a night at the lap of Mt. Annapurna (8,091m), the 10th highest mountain of the world, you trek back gradually. From the Annapurna base camp (4,130m), you come down to Bamboo, Jhinu Danda, and Kyumi. Then, you take a private jeep or a public bus to reach the Lake City Pokhara.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route Map moves up and down through the Annapurna Sanctuary. While traversing along the trekking route, you will enjoy the 360 degree panoramas of the snowcapped mountains and the Pokhara Valley.
Moreover, the birds, butterflies, and exotic animals of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) play hide and seek with you.
The route map of ABC Trek also includes Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m). From the base camp of Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993m), the panoramic vistas of the Annapurna Massifs allure you more than anything else.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary ranges from 7 days to 15 days in general. The itinerary can also be lengthened or shortened on various bases.
Obviously, Nepal trekking itinerary are designed by the local tour operators so that you can book the best one for your comfort.
If you combine Mardi Himal Trek with ABC Trek, it goes up to 18 days itinerary as well.
For your comfort, NTR has designed Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 days. Within a week’s time, you will explore the Annapurna Valley, Machhapuchhre Base Camp Trek, and Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days package begins from and ends in the Pokhara Valley. If you want to do Kathmandu Valley Excursion and then, ABC Trek, the itinerary becomes longer.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek 7 Days
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty
To assess Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty, we need to focus on the most responsible factors associated with the trip.
The difficulty of ABC Trek is classified as moderate to adventurous package of trekking in the Himalayas. It is completely a teahouse trekking close to the Tourism Capital of Nepal. You can find from normal to luxury food and accommodation services during the trip.
Altitude gain is another factor determining the difficulty of Annapurna Trek. Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp begins at 1,170m and reaches up to 4,130m. The gradual gain of ABC altitude doesn’t make much risk to even the beginner trekkers in the Himalayas.
If you have previous experience of hiking or trekking higher than 3,500m, it will definitely become a plus point.
The average trekking hours per day of this trip is 6/7 hours. The well defined trail of the route helps you beat the challenges of ABC Trek. However, you must take some precautions to stay away from acute mountain sickness (AMS). To overcome Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty, consider doing the following things:
- Walk rather gradually.
- Take enough rest in the middle of the journey.
- Have enough hygienic food, pure water, and good sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcoholic substances as far as possible.
- Walk with your fellow trekkers and the team leader.
- If any symptoms, share it with your team leader.
- Above all, keep some medicines in your backpack.
Conclusion: Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Open for Travelers?
We believe that this blog will be helpful in answering your question: Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Open for travelers? This Annapurna Base Camp Trek blog will surely be of your use to book the right package of trekking in Nepal at the most reasonable price.
Since 24 Sept. 2021, Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) has been opened by the government of Nepal. Although blocked for about two years, you can do ABC Trek for a lifelong memory.
