Annapurna Base Camp Budget Trek
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- Competitive Price
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- Expert Local Guides
Trip Information
Trip Duration
10 Nights 11 Days
Difficulty Level
Moderate
Destination
Nepal
Maximum Height
4130 m
Guiding Method
Trekking
Best Season
Spring & Autumn
Highlights
- Striking beauty of the Annapurna Himalayas including Annapurna I (8091m), Machhapuchhre (6997m), and Annapurna II (7937m).
- Experience the unique culture of the Gurungs.
- Journey to the base camps of the stunning Machhapuchhre (6,997m) and Annapurna I (8,091m).
- Witness the bio-diversity of the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Annapurna Base Camp Budget Trek is a journey to the Annapurna Base Camp which delivers a magnificent blend of natural and cultural beauty. The trip offers glorious panorama of the Annapurna vistas while introducing the ethnic Gurung community on the trail. Traversing the Annapurna Conservation Area, the trek leads to the Annapurna Sanctuary, the abode of the Annapurnas. But the best part of the trip is that it is one of the best budgeted trip across the Himalayas. So, if you find yourself on the short end of both money and time, Annapurna Base Camp Budget Trek is your answer.
Our Himalayan journey begins as you arrive in Kathmandu. A drive along the Prithvi Highway settles down at Pokhara. Located at the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, the city offers stunning natural beauty and cultural delight. After a short drive to the hamlet of Kyumi, we begin our trek heading to the hamlet of Chhomrong for our first night on the go. Chhomrong is a Gurung village in en route to the classic trail to the Annapurna Base camp. Entering the lush green forests, the journey quickly ascends towards the Gurung hamlet of Dobhan. The next day takes us to the foothills of the Himalayas as the icy trail reaches Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The base camp does offer elegant views of the surrounding Annapurna Himalayas and the Mt. Machhapuchhre (6997m). With the majestic Annapurna Range guiding the journey, we make our way over to the Annapurna Base Camp. The base camp is equally majestic in nature evident by the panorama of the Annapurna Himalayas on the skyline. Enjoying the views of sunrise from the camp, we make our way down to the hamlet of Bamboo leading onto Jhinu village. Here, we can enjoy relaxing natural hot spring bath. The final stretch of our journey takes us back to Kyumi and then back to Pokhara which concludes our adventure.
We, here at Nepal Ascent Treks, are always up to enjoy a lovely stay in the Himalayas. With well-trained guides and meticulously planned itineraries, we assure you a memorable journey. We also allow you to customize the trips according to your demands.
Route Map
Altitude Graph
Itinerary
After touching down at Tribhuvan International Airport, our office representatives will welcome you and drive you to the hotel. Freshening up from the day's journey, you will be introduced to your guides and other members of the staff. Once the briefing session comes to a close you are free to make your way down into the valley enjoying the pleasant evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation
Tourist Standard Hotel
Transportation
Private car
The day begins early as we make our way out of Kathmandu heading towards Pokhara for the night. Escaping the early morning rush of the valley, the journey exits through the Tribhuvan Highway. The drive finds the winding paths of Prithvi Highway from where a scenic drive ensues. Surrounded by the lush green forests and massive hills, we continue our pleasant run before finding the banks of Trishuli River. We reach Pokhara just in time to witness Himalayan sunset over the Machhapuchhre (6997m) and Annapurna ranges. Overnight in Pokhara.
Accommodation
Tourist Standard Hotel
Meal
Breakfast
Transportation
Tourist Bus
The day begins early as we make our way out of Pokhara. Crossing Nayapul en route, the drive takes us to the starting point of our trek at Kyumi. Getting off at Kyumi, we begin our trek entering the lush green forests the region is well known for. Past a majestic waterfall lies the hamlet of Ghandruk. Here, we take some time off to learn about the local Gurung culture and their unique way of life. Also any excuse to witness the stunning beauty of Mt. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail (6,997m) is a welcome one. Ascending through the hilly tail we make our way to Kimrong Danda and reach the hamlet of Chhomrong. Overnight in Chhomrong.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Public Bus / Walking
Another one of the long days today, we make our way towards the hamlet of Dovan. We are crossing several vibrant hamlets en route beginning with the hamlet of Sinuwa with its stunning Himalayan views. Mostly, the trail takes on an ascending route through the dense forests adorned with pine and fir trees. Reaching the Bamboo hamlet marks the trek's final stretch from where we continue our ascent reaching the hamlet of Dovan. Overnight in Dovan.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
Heading out of Dobhan we gradually ascend through the valley reaching the hamlet of Deurali from where we leave behind the forests in favor of the icy trails leading towards the Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Located at the altitude of 3,700 meters the base camp of Machhapuchhre provides glorious views of the enchanting Fishtail (6,997m. Neighboring the mountain are sights of other Himalayas like Annapurna South (7,219m), Hiunchuli (6,441m), and Gangapurna (7,454m). Overnight stay in Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
A short and more scenic day awaits us as we make our way over to the Annapurna Base Camp. Wrapping up our tents at the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, we continue our way through the desolate snowy landscape. Ascending for most parts of the trek, we reach the foothills of the majestic Annapurna Himalayan Range. At an altitude of 4,130m, the Annapurna Base Camp grants delirious views of the entire Himalayan range beginning with Machhapuchhre (6,997m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna South (7,219m), and Gangapurna (7,454m) amongst others. Overnight stay in Annapurna Base Camp.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The day begins with a lovely view of the sunrise form the base camp as we prepare to make our way back to the valley. Crossing the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the journey descends with the Himalayas to our back. Entering the lush green valley, we cross the scenic hamlet of Deurali after a brief rest at the village. Continuing on the hilly trail, we pass Dobhan and descend all the way down to the hamlet of Bamboo. Overnight in Bamboo.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse/Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
The final stretch of our trek today we make our way towards the hamlet of Jhinu for the day. Descending through the pleasant hilly trail, the journey reaches the hamlet of Sinuwa before crossing over to Chhomrong. Enjoying the pleasant landscapes, we continue our journey reaching Jhinu. The hamlet of Jhinu is well known for its hot springs and is a perfect place to shed all the tiredness from the travel. Overnight in Jhinu Danda.
Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Transportation
Walking
A short day of trekking as we make our way out of Jhinu reaching the hamlet of Kyumi which concludes our trek. After a brief rest at Kyumi, we head back to Pokhara crossing the hamlet of Siwai en route. Back at Pokhara we head directly to the hotel. You are free to enjoy the rest of your evening. Boat on the Phewa Lake or walk around the Lakeside area. Overnight in Pokhara.
Accommodation
Tourist Standard Hotel
Meal
Breakfast | Lunch
Transportation
Walking / Public Bus
The final day of the trek, today, we make our way back to Kathmandu. From Pokhara, the trail once again finds the winding pathways of Prithvi Highway alongside the Trishuli River. As the rising hills eclipse the majestic Himalayas, the journey enters the lush green forests continuing on to Kathmandu. Back at Kathmandu, we head directly back to our hotels. You are free to spend the day as you wish and do make sure you shop for souvenirs before leaving Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Accommodation
Tourist Standard Hotel
Meal
Breakfast
Transportation
Tourist Bus
Our representatives will once again drop you back to Tribhuvan International Airport just in time for your flight back home. We hope you had a lovely time with us and we look forwards to seeing you again.
Meal
Breakfast
Transportation
Private car
Are you dissatisfied with this itinerary?
You can customize your holiday. Let us help you tailor-make your precious Vacation.
What's Included
Meal
- Breakfast,Lunch and dinner during the trek.
- Fresh seasonal fruits after the dinner (while on the trek).
Accomodation
- Accomodation at finest hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Lodge expenses during the trek.
Staffs & Crew
- A porter and his entire expenses.
- Licensed, experienced and English speaking trekking guide.
Transportation
- Pokhara - kyumi - Pokhara Travel in a public bus.
- Airport pickup and drop facility.
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu travel in a deluxe bus.
Permits & Paperworks
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)
Other
- Down jackets and sleeping bags (provided upon request).
- First aid medical kit
- Nepal Ascent Treks duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map.
What's Not Included
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Airfare for domestic and international flights.
- Cost for additional trips.
- Nepal arrival visa.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tipping to staffs (as an appreciation).
- Travel insurance which covers emergency rescue and evacuation.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
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Essential Info
Physical Fitness
Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.
In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.
Trekking Seasons in Nepal
There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places. Winter is dry, but extremely cold and high passes become inaccessible due to ice and snow conditions. The temperature doesn’t usually fluctuate to a greater degree and the daytime temperature is around 20-25 degrees. However, the temperature starts to decrease as you gain altitude. The temperature can drop to around 0 to -10 degrees at night when staying at tented camps in Himalayan regions. However, it does not change as much in lower hilly regions and the nights are slightly colder than days.
Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.
Trekking Day
A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.
Meals and Accommodations
During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.
Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.
Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.
Travel Insurance
Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.
Nepal Visa Entry Procedure
For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions. There are a number of entry points where you can obtain the visa upon arriving by land, but Tribhuvan International Airport is the only one for air transport.
Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa
Three options are available for entry
15-day single entry: US $30
30-day single entry: US $50
90-day multiple entries: US $125
Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.
For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.
Drinking Water
Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.
Arrival Instruction
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you to pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.
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Katy Walsh
IEAmazing trip!
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