The Annapurna region is an area in western Nepal where most popular trek Annapurna Base Camp is located. Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which literally means “full of grain” and known as “Goddess of the Harvests”. Annapurna is a subrange of the Himalaya. Annapurna I reaches 8,091 meters (26,538 ft), making it the 10th highest submit in the world.
Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most frequented trekking destinations in Nepal. People from the every corner of the world want to explore and discover the pleasant scenic view of high range Himalayas.
The trekking expedition to Annapurna Base Camp gives you most appealing views of some gigantic peaks that include Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhre Himal, the Annapurna Fang known as Baraha Shikhar Peak and Annapurna south at 7219 meters.
To captivate some of the natural experience you can also go for Poon Hill expedition at elevation of 3210 meters as it is one of the best viewpoints for a sun-rise view and mountain panorama. Mount Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna Range and Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) to the northern part are all visible from a top of Poon Hill.
The locals you will encounter during our trekking trails are mix ethnic groups; there are Brahmans and Chhetris in lower elevations and Mongoloid Himalayan people in Himalaya. Mostly there are Gurung and Magar people in this area.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek trails run across country’s most beautiful natural spots. During trekking you should try to avoid some of the common mistakes such as not wearing the right clothing or overestimating their physical abilities.
While you are in trekking expedition you are highly encouraged to have experienced companions since you will be travelling a long distance on foot and it is very necessary to take precaution during your trekking trail to avoid any kind of difficulties.
Our guides are well trained, experienced and authorized license holder so you are in the correct and professional hand and assure you for your safety throughout the journey.
How Much Does It Cost to Trek Annapurna Base Camp?
Below are some of the necessary costs that you will be incurred during the whole period of the trek.
Best Time to Go Annapurna Base Camp
The best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp trek is spring (February to May) and autumn (September to first week of December) as the temperature is moderate with outstanding views in these seasons.
June to August is the monsoon season so will be affected by rain but sometimes rains clear the sky. But if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy some alone time with nature then taking this trip during winter (December, January and February) could be a better option. During winter temperature is very low to minus degree which might not be suitable for everyone.
However, Annapurna Base Camp trek is possible and doable throughout the year with the right preparation and equipment.
Hiring a Guide and a Porter for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
As Annapurna Base Camp trek is very moderate and everyone can enjoy and take pleasure of nature walking during this trek but if professional guide is there to inform you and advise you about everything it will be more convenient for you.
During trekking period it will not be possible to do everything by yourself such as taking permits everywhere, searching for good tea house lodges and you’ll be also more endangered to accidents and sickness in the high mountains so experience professional guide is recommended.
On average, the cost of hiring professional guide including the guide’s food, accommodation and insurance is roughly about USD 20 to 30 per day. Porter will cost about the same per day each will carry about 15 kg.
For your own safety also, we would like to recommend you to hire professional guide.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Accommodations
Most of the popular trekking routes of Nepal like Annapurna, Everest, Langtang or Helambu areas have tea house lodges which will provide bedding and food. Himalayan Discovery offers well budgeted teahouses offering clean accommodations and good food. The cost of stay at teahouses depends on remoteness and altitude of the place together with the standard of the rooms and services it provides.
Over the past few years the teahouses standard of food and stay have improved remarkably. The presence of teahouses in regular intervals has also eased a burden for trekkers to carry many supplies such as tents, towels, food and so on.
Himalaya Discovery will arrange rooms with attached washrooms; however only some of teahouses shared washing and toilet facilities. The things you should remember is that single room are easily available in Kathmandu and trekking region at lower elevation but it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Accommodation ranges from USD 3 to 5 a night.
Food on Annapurna Base Camp Trek
During the journey of Annapurna Base Camp trek, you can enjoy typical Nepali Food, mountain foods and other cuisines including international cuisine like Indian, Italian and Continental. In case of meals you can always make your own choices from the food menu available there.
There will also be selected farewell dinners. While on trek, you will have a breakfast and dinner at the same tea house lodge where you spend the night and lunch on your way to next destination.
As Annapurna region have a well-established tourist infrastructure so variety of food will be available generally at lower price in compare to Everest region. Normally you can estimate roughly of USD 3 to 5 per meal on daily basis. But this would vary according to your choice of appetite.
Getting to Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts and ends in Pokhara which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. The means of transportation are aircraft, private vehicles and tourist bus. Pick up and drop from airport to hotel and hotel to airport will be done by the private car, van or bus of Himalaya Discovery.
You will drive to Pokhara by tourist bus which will save your expenses. From Pokhara, you drive to Nayapul and walk all the way to our destination. While returning back to Kathmandu you will take same track again by taking tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu early morning.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit Costs
Generally you will require a permit to enter the Annapurna Conservation Range. There are two permits you will need TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) card and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation are permit).
These permits are available from Pokhara or in Nayapul (Base Village for the trek). The permit cost of green TIMS card for individual trekkers will be about USD 20 per person and blue TIMS card for group trekkers will be USD 10 per person.
Trekkers can apply for the permit with two passport size photographs. The permit fee for SAARC National is NPR 200, while for nationals other than SARRC countries are NPR 2,000. This permit is valid for a single entry only and you must carry during entire trail and show to the concerned person at every check posts, upon request. This permit is non-transferable and non refundable.
How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a moderate trek in Nepal. The highest altitude on the trek is Annapurna Base Camp (4130m).
This trek to the base camp of the 10th highest mountain in the world is relatively easier. All levels of trekkers who are physically fit to walk for 5 to 7 hours a day can easily do this trek.
How long is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
In the heart of the magnificent peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441m), the setting of the Annapurna Base camp at 4130 m is remarkable and absolutely spectacular.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes 8 to 12 days, depending on your travel plans and duration of trekking days.
Other Necessary Costs
Beside these above mentioned costs there are other additional costs which you should consider while preparing your budget.
Being at the high mountain region for a quite long time, you will need portable solar battery charger or portable power bank or charging your electronic gadget such as Camera, mobile phone or anything will cost you a few dollars at the mean time.
During your trekking period, you will not get chance to take full bath/shower every day. It is not just practical so obviously you get smelly because of lack of shower. So you can use another alternative likes wet wipes and use that instead of the shower.
In lower elevations lodges provide blanket but as you go higher towards the base camp there are limited lodges so trekkers are expected to have good sleeping bag.
Tips are generally expected by your guide and porter but it is not mandatory.
Highlights of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek has fantastic trekking route it can’t be described in words. Snow covered mountains, thundering rivers and streams, towering waterfalls, blossoming forests, green trees and hot springs are some of the major attraction of the trekking route.
Villages like Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Landruk etc are very interesting so you will get chance to indulge the breathtaking views of these villages. Walking upside hill and downside hill adds extra joy in your trekking trail.
During trek inside the forest you will get chance to observe white langur, monkeys, different types of birds, different types of wonderful rhododendron, pines, oak and bamboo trees and so on.
During the trek period you will be visiting two different base camps: Annapurna Base Camp and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
Conclusion
If you are planning for any kind of trek then trekking budget can be debatable issue. To clear these issues we have briefly describe the cost that can be incurred during the whole period of trekking in above sections.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost heavily depends upon facilities and standards you choose and cost of food and accommodation in the route. Generally the higher the altitude, the higher will be the cost.
If you have any further enquiry regarding Annapurna Base Camp Trek cost. Please feel free to send your enquiry through our contact page here
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