Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek) is known as the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. This trek is one of the best trekking trails in Nepal and brings you face-to-face with the tenth-highest mountain in the world, Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m). This trek is perfect to satisfy your thirst for mountain views. With every few hundred meters of walking, you witness distinct scenery and get better. And unlike the Everest Base Camp Trek, you get to spend the night at the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). ABC Trek offers a close glimpse of the locals's lifestyle and culture. You come across the villages often along the trail.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an unparalleled trek in the western Himalayas that showcases heavenly views of mountains and offers a peek into rich Nepali culture. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal is an adventurous and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking starts in Pokhara. Pokhara, the city of lakes, is a very beautiful place. The panoramic mountain views from Tal Bahari Temple and the World Peace Stupa around Pokhara Valley are breathtaking. You drive to Nayapul, from where your trek starts. You reach Ghorepani on the second day of hiking by passing several villages and dense rainforests. Poonhill is one of the most beautiful and highlighted places, offering the best sunrise with a panoramic view of Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) and the Annapurna range, including Mt. Fishtail.
Continuously walking uphill and downhill, you reach Chhomrong, a big settlement village in the Gurung community. From there, you walk through to reach Annapurna Base Camp via Dovan, Deurali, and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, which offers incredible scenery. The section from the Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is dangerous because of the avalanche. In return, you get rewarded for spending your time at the hot natural springs at Jhinu Danda.
What can you expect in ABC Trek Route
- Trek in the rich Annapurna Sanctuary, home to hundreds of flora and fauna.
- The trail ascends through dense forests of rhododendron and oak.
- It's an adventurous trek that offers a peek into Nepali culture and tradition.
- Meet with locals from diverse communities in different villages along the way.
- Enjoy a gorgeous sunrise from Poonhill.
- Enjoy breathtaking mountain views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Dhampus, and Hiunchuli throughout the trek.
- Spend a night at Annapurna Base Camp, on the lap of the tenth-highest mountain in the world.
Views in Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is a paradise of mountain vistas. The first view of the mountain you get to see is in Pokhara. From here, the views get better and closer. Along the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, Himalayan mountains like the Annapurna range (8,091 m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m), Gangapurna Peak (7,455 m), Dhampus Peak (6,012 m), and Fishtail (6,993 m) are seen.
Similarly, you are rewarded with stunning sunrises from Poon Hill (3,210 m) and gorgeous landscapes throughout the trail. Lovely waterfalls, rivers, colourful prayer flags, bridges, and lush green hills make the foothills of the giant mountains tempting.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek difficulty
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a moderate trek with a beginner-friendly trail. Even with a high elevation (above 4,000 meters), the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route has a gradual rise in elevation. The route does not ask for strong physical fitness or previous trekking experience. The terrain is doable with children too.
In the first four days of the ABC Trek, you walk through lush forests of rhododendron, bamboo, and fern. From Sinuwa (2,210 m) onwards, the trail ascends through the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the forests get prominent with tall oak trees. Trekking through dense forests, you come out to alpine terrain amidst grass patches and boulders.
ABC Trek route
ABC Trek route has two sections that pass by forests so dense that at some points, even sunlight barely seeps through. From Tikhedhunga onward, the trail goes through lush forests up to Sinuwa via Ghorepani village. From Sinuwa onwards, Modi Khola passes right next to you, but because of dense trees, you might not notice it. The last dense forest part is after bamboo, which climbs up to Dovan.
These many vegetations mean the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route is rich in wildlife. On a lucky day, you may spot exotic birds, including animals like marmots.
Following our Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary of 13 days, you get to pass by fine mountain villages like Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Sinuwa, and Deurali before we reach the Annapurna Base Camp. What makes our Annapurna Base Camp Trekking even more exciting is that, while returning, we will be taking a different route that descends to Bamboo and Jhinu Danda.
Best time for Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
To enjoy trekking in the Annapurna region to its fullest, we recommend spring and autumn. These two seasons are the ideal time of year to trek to Annapurna Base Camp and relish the stunning mountain panorama.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) generally have the most stable weather, so you will be able to follow the itinerary without any weather disturbances. The climate is moderate too, which makes the luggage light.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Package Cost for 2024
Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary of 13 days is well-designed to make the overall journey safe and smooth. And the second thing is that we are a team of active trekkers who love exploring a hidden corner of the Himalayas.
With us, you get the most exciting and diverse ABC itineraries and packages at an affordable price for 2024. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek Package Cost for 2024 starts from USD 1020. The cost of Annapurna Base Camp Trek Package 2024 depends on the number of days of trekking, the standard of service, and hotel accommodation.
You can do a budget trek to Annapurna Sanctuary, a standard trip to ABC, or a luxury trip to Annapurna Base Camp as per your requirements, which can be customized.
Our ABC Trek Package 2024 is a standard trip. It covers accommodation, transportation, the required permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, guides, porters, and necessary taxes, etc.
Other famous trekking packages are - Mardi Himal Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Gokyo Lake Trek etc.