Head
Warm Hat
Cap
Face Mask / Muffler
Annapurna Basecamp trek starts from Dampus Phedi after a 6 6-hour drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara and a 45-minute drive from Pokhara to Dampus Phedi. This trip is a moderate trek suit for all people because of the easy trail and not that much altitude will be gained. There are many routes to get to Annapurna base camp. Khumbu Alpine Travel prefers to take the route through Dampus Phedi. Our trail follows the rhododendron forest through Landrung following Modi Khola(River). Our trip can not be headed up without having an amazing natural hot spring shower and following the trail through Chomrong big Gurung village while exploring jungles, and beautiful mountains around. It is an amazing walk through diverse landscapes and a wide variety of flora and fauna. After getting to the Annapurna Basecamp, would get a chance to explore Annapurna 1, Machhapuchre, Tent Peaks, Singu Chuli, and Gangapurna from very near. After having explored of beautiful mountains around, will be following down the same way to Chomrong and will enter to Popular Gurung village named Gandruk.Our reserved Jeep will stand near Gandruk, and within 2 hours we will get to Pokhara. Pokhara is a place where there are many activities such as Paragliding, ultralight flying, bungee Jumping, Zip flyer, sightseeing around the city, and Boating as per your interest. The next morning early in the morning departure for Kathmandu.
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Our airport representative will be there with a name board and drop us in the hotel. After checking we may be roaming out in Thamel, the tourist hub in Kathmandu for some shopping for clothes or gear. There will be a full trek briefing this evening. After that, We will host the welcome dinner in an excellent Nepali restaurant.
Day 2
After breakfast, our city tour guide with a luxury vehicle will come to pick you up for the city sightseeing of some UNESCO world heritage sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world for half day. After that your free time for leisure and gear preparation for the trek. ( Exchanging the money, shopping, gear check etc)
Day 3
Duration: 6 hours drive to Pokhara and 1 hour drive to Phedi then 2 hours trek
Walking Dis: 3 KM
Elevation gain: 850 Mtr
Our Journey begins today to the western side of Nepal by driving in a luxury vehicle to Pokhara, It takes about 6-7 hours. After getting to Pokhara we head northward via Vehicle for 1 more hour till Dampus phedi. We stop there for a while, Our trek begins from Dampus Phedi and begins to steep climb up in the forest. There is also a motorable road, we follow all the motorable roads until Dampus. Dampus is a pleasant Gurung village from where spectacular views of Himchuli, Annapurna South, and Fishtail mountains can be explored. We going to stay in Dampus tonight.
Day 4
Duration: 3 hours trek
Walking Dis: 5 KM
Elevation gain: 50 Mtr
After breakfast, we move forward in cool air, our trails move up through Pothana village with the beautiful scene of Mount Annapurna South, Mt Dhaulagiri. Then our paths descent down to Baisikharka through the thick forest then ascents up to Tolkha from where outstanding scenery of Annapurna Himalayan range can be explored. We stayed overnight in Tolkha.
Day 5
Duration: 4 hours trek
Walking Dis: 7.5 KM
Elevation Loss: 250 Mtr
After breakfast, We start to descend to Landruk through terraced fields and forest. From Landrung trails go gradually down in thick forest until we cross the suspension bridge. After crossing over the river, our trail goes steep up with a zigzag up to Jhinu Danda. Jhinu Danda is located on a small ridge in a thick forest, where there is a hot spring 15 minutes' descent down from Jhinu on the bank of the Modi river. After we have lunch we go down to take Hot Path hot spring. We stay overnight in Jhinu Danda.
Day 6
Duration: 3 hours trek
Walking Dis: 5 KM
Elevation Loss: 890 Mtr
After breakfast, our day starts with a steep climb for the first two hours. Then we arrived in a big town located downhill, which is one of the big Gurung villages called Chomrong. This is the last permanent settlement in the valley. From Chomrong we have good views of Annapurna south. Then we descend by the stone staircase to Chomrong Khola ( river) where we cross it by a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, again we climb steeply up with a zigzag till to Lower Sinuwa where we spend the night.
Day 7
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 9 KM
Elevation gain: 960 Mtr
From Lower Sinuwa the trail ascends steeply up to Upper Sinuwa, then descends on stone steps through dense forest. The forest around us is full of bamboo thickets. These bamboos are used to make "Doko" which is used to carry grass, luggage, and whatever is carried in the back. The trail continues up through the forest, passing the lodges at the place named Himalaya Hotel. From here the trail gets steeper and rockier crossing a ravine, the trail continues to climb steeply among boulders, leaving the trees behind us, and we reach Deurali where we spend the night.
Day 8
Duration: 4.5 hours Trek
Walking Dis: 8.2 KM
Elevation Gain: 900 Mtr
Going to be a bit tougher days ahead because of the altitude. The trail continues through some forests steeper and rockier for the first hour. From Deurali there are two trails. We use the trails to see the condition of the trails. Both trails finally meet In Machapuchre basecamp. After one hour trail goes on flat lands along the river until we have a steep climb up to Machapuchere basecamp. We turn to the left side with climb gradually up on grassland to Annapurna basecamp for the night stay. This is the highest point where we sleep on this trip. The sunset and sunrise are truly magnificent in this mountain arena.
Day 9
Duration: 6 hours trek
Walking Dis: 7.5 KM
Elevation Loss: 1630 Mtr
We wake up quite early in the morning to take a picture of the sunrise of panoramic views of Mount Annapurna, Gangapurna, Machapuchre, Ten Peak, and so on. The main attraction of the Annapurna Basecamp trek is to explore the views of the mountain very closely. After exploring and taking photos we have breakfast then we retrace our steps towards down valley, Entering the forest, we descend slowly and carefully on a rocky trail through Himalayas and Dobhan where we spend the night.
Day 10
Duration: 4 hours trek
Walking Dis: 7.5 KM
Elevation Loss: 550 Mtr
Our walk begins with lots of up and down, climb up to Sinuwa then a steep descent down until the river to cross the suspension bridge, and again climb back up the stone steps to Chomrong where we spend the night.
Day 11
Duration: 5 hours trek
Walking Dis: 10 KM
Elevation Loss: 10 Mtr
Our day started with descending Jhinu Danda where we spent the night on the way up. From Jhinu we descend for 30 minutes then we take the trail on the right side gradually straight up to Gandruk, where we spend the night. Gandruk is one of the beautiful Gurung villages.
Day 12
We still have to go down till Nayapul, and sometimes get a chance to ride the Jeep from Gandruk as well. From there we directly go to Pokhara. Pokhara is one of the most beautiful cities in Nepal, having lots of beautiful natural features as well as many kinds of adventure activities such as ultra-light flying, boating, paragliding, bungee jumping, Zip flying, and so on. We can roam out for these varieties of activities in Pokhara.
Day 13
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu. The trip is over now, you can take your own time for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing in Kathmandu. Thamel area is full of shops restaurants and coffee shops for those who want a more relaxing day. We will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with Nepali cultural music and dances to celebrate the successful completion of our journey.
Day 14
You will be transferred to the airport for final departure.
Warm Hat
Cap
Face Mask / Muffler
Wind stopper/Waterproof Jacket
Down Jacket
Fleece Jacket/ trousers
Thermol
T-shirts
Woolen gloves/Water/wind proof gloves
Trekking Trousers(light weight long Paint)
Underwear
Wind stopper/waterproof Paint
Fleece or woolen pants
Trekking Trousers(light weight long Paint)
Underwear
Wind stopper/waterproof Paint
Fleece or woolen pants
Thin Lightwear/heavy poly or wool Socks
Sandals
Trekking Boot
Gaiters
Spare Shoes
Medium Rucksack (50-70 Ltr)
Small Day Pack
Personal Medical Kit
Chapstick/Sunscreen
Water bottle
Large Duffel bag
Trekking Pole
Spare batteries for Camera and Flash Light
Hand Towel
Head lamp with extra Batteries
Sun Glasses with UV protection
Suitcase (For stored in Kathmandu hotel for not needed items for trek)
Annapurna region in Nepal is a popular destination for trekkers and climbers from all over the world. Every year thousands of trekkers and climbers come to Annapurna region to explore the beautiful Himalayan range as well as wonder natural beauties. Altitude wise it is not that high, the highest point of this trek is only 4130 Mtr, from where you can view the giant Annapurna mountain from very near. Normal people can do easily this trek.
In Nepal, there are four different seasons as Spring, Summer, Autumn, and winter. Spring and Autumn are most popular for trekking in Nepal. But the best season of your travel might differ as per your purpose and your suitable time for traveling in Nepal.
To enter in Annapurna area, we have to take several permits as follows.
1) Annapurna conservation area project permit
2) Trekking information and Management services (TIMS)
Safety is our first concern. As we provide the experienced guides and leaders for the particular trip who are well trained about the high altitude sickness, first aid ,friendly attitude and ability to provide useful and important instructions. All our itineraries are designed with proper acclimatization days in order to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. In every group we provide the first aid kit bag incase of any injury and emergency.We make the proper decision according the regular updated weather report, if there is any chances of big snow falls or stroms, we decide and do the action as per the situation.
Along the trail to Annapurna basecamp and Gorepani , there are well facilited lodges are available with various types of foods. We provide you three meals a day with your own choice. We always provide the seasonal fruits as well. We always book in lodges with well management and facilities. if you buy single supplementory package you will get single room. But in high season, especially in Annapurna basecamp side, above chomrong, number of lodges are limited, single rooms are very hard to get, sometimes we should share with another person/group.
After your arrival in Kathmandu airport, we recommand to buy One ncell sim card. In Annapurna region, Ncell works in some parts, but internet services is available in every lodges.
You can pay by oriegn currency as well, but the exchange rate will not be same as Kathmandu, so we recommand you to exchage the money in kathmandu and take a nepalese Rupees. In annapurna region credit cards are accepted only in some place.
Spring season starts from March, but until third week of march tempreture will still be cold even in day time. But actually tempreture depends on weather, if weatheris mild tempreture ranges from 10-15 Degree Centigrate.If the weather is clear, days will be warm.After the April it will be warm with sunny weather. Especially in Morning and Evening time will be little cold.
Autumn season starts from September, September will still be warm even the weather is not good. From october normally in morning and everning will be cold.
(1) Physical Fitness
One should be physically fit before to do the any trekking and mountaineering. It is long hike so without any training the first two/three days will tough for you. So some basic physical fitness like squat, Mountain climbers ( which can be done in home),running,biking , stair climbing,and swiming will help lot to do trekking in the mountains, so it is highly recommanded 2/3 months before you depart for the trekking or mountaineering.
(2) Foods and Drinks
While in the mountain, it is highly recommanded you to drink plenty of fluids like water,soups, teas as well as foods. We will provide the sufficient and hygiene food as per your choice in whole trek.However some private snacks as chocolates bars, cookies are also highly recommanded which you can take from kathmandu or you can buy on the way in lodges or in shops.
(3) Drinking Water
One should drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day to get hydrated the body which helps lot to be away from altitude sickness.Although bottled waters are not highly recommanded as well as we are environmentally sensitive. But in Annapurna region the bottled mineral water is not in. We highly recommend you to carry the reusable water bottle and buy boiled water in lodges/teahouse which also makes your sleeping bag very warm while going to bed, to use sterpin or take chlorine or iodine tablets to purify the drinking water and there is facility of filtered water on the way for Rs 50 Per litre( equivalent to 50 Cents).
(4) Best time to Travel
Spring ( Mar-May)and Autumn ( Sep- Nov) are known as best months to trek in Nepal becuase of the stable clear dry skies which permits to enjoy the spectacular mountain views but mostly lodges, hotels and trails are busy and crowded. Spring season is pleasant and suitable with warm tempreture for trekking and climbing the big mountains as well. At this time in every mountain there will be groups to climbing and conquering the summits. Untill end of october, the tempreture will be mild cold. Weather will be stable with clear blue sky, dry at the same time you will get the chance to experience the many hidus festivals like dashain and Tihar. In spring the rhododendron forest covering the whole area in Annapurna basecamp and Gorepani area.Winter and summer are also good if you would prefer less crowdy, and ready to face the some challanges like snow, cold, and rain.Even in winter weather will always be clear but the these three months are coldest month of the year and sometimes snow falls. In Summer, It is very good to do trekking, tempreture will be warm, those who are keen to botanist, summer is the best but the due to unstable weather the views of mountains are very rare.
(5) Altitude Sickness
Trekking in Annapurna basecamp is one of the popular trekking in world.In high altitude , the mass of oxygen will be less, so everyone feels difficult to breath as well as mild headache, dizziness etc.This is one of the biggest challanges in mountain.In the altitude, there are many rules to make our body adaptable to the altitude. Acclimatization is one of the important factor to adjust our body get used to the altitude. All our itineries are designed with proper acclimatization.The most important rules that we have to follow in altitude is walk slowly, keep drinking plenty of fluids as water , soups etc to make our body hydrated, and keep our body warm. Our staffs and guide will always do their best as they can, eventhough incase of any sickness,injury one should avoid their rest trip and should come down.
(6)Travel Insurance
It is compulsory to buy the proper travel insurance policy with genuine insurance company, it should cover the emergency helicopter evacuation as well as medical treatment incase of severe injury or sickness and Policy should include coverage at the altitudes up to 5000 Mtr if you are doing just trekking and if you are doing mountaineering should be 6500 Mtr.
(7) Bag pack and duffel bag
Our duffel bag should be maximum 15kg including hand bag. Only the neccesary things should be packed and the stuffs which are not neccesary on trek will be stored in hotel in Kathmandu.One porter will carry max 30 Kg,among two clients one porter will be provided.
(8) Internet Connectivity and cell phone Signal
As per your arrival in Kathmandu airport, there you can buy nepalese Sim card ncell or you can buy anywhere around city. In Annapurna region Ncell signal works for phone call as well as internet connectivity in some part of places.But there is well facility of internet wifi in every teahouses or lodges so You can enjoy with social media or connects with your family, friends or loved one.
(9) Flight/ Road to Pokhara
Pokhara is entry gateway to trekking to Annapurna basecamp region.There is regular fligt to Pokhara from Kathmandu daily which is much more comfortable and easy . It takes only 35 minutes to get to Pokhara.In other way there is highway connected between kathmandu and pokhara, it is pleasant but takes min 6-7 hours to get to pokhara from kathmandu.
(10) Sanitation
In most places toilet are common and need to use the same toilet using by everyone else. Mostly place there may not be available of hand washing water, so highly recommend to take hand sanitizer by yourself and most importantly toilet papers or wet tissue paper should always be in your day bag.
(11) TIMS and Conservation Area permit
To enter in Annapurna region you have to buy Annapurna conservation Area project (ACAP) entry permit and TIMS permit,the cost will be included in trip cost.Your guide will manage everything. For that you have to provide 2 passport sized photos.
(12) Guiding and staffing
In Annapurna region average walk per day is 6-7 hours. Leisurely and pleasant guiding will definitely take you to destination. More you gaining altitude more hard to walk. Your experieced guide and porter will always be there to help you in every moment.Guide is the key factor for the every challanging in mountain so one should follow the instruction of guide pleasantly.Every day after dinner your guide will do brief about the next days trip.
(13) Budgeting
Budegeting depends upon many factors specially in Kathmandu where there are too many choices.Hotels in Kathmandu include in trip cost on basis of BB plan. So average expenses per day in Kathmandu will be Rs 2000 for lunch and Dinner, if you prefer some other activities as drinks, to do massage, or to go in bar/pub Rs 5000 ( equivalent to USD 50 ) is enough. On the trek, all the meals and hot drinks will be provided by company, Extra expeses as Hot shower, battery charging, wifi, boiled water for bottle, extra snacks bars, Soft drinks and hard drinks should borne by oneself,In average Rs 2000(eqivalent to 20 USD) is enough on the trek. Finally few tipping is highly recomended and compulsory in the last day to your guide and porter as per your budgeting.
