Annapurna Base Camp

This trek showcases a variety of Himalayan atmospheres and the legendary Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trail. Your adventure begins with views of Mashhapuchre (6993 m), Annapurna III (7555 m), Annapurna II (7937 m) and Annapurna IV (7525 m)... Enjoy the hot springs of Jhinu Danda, venture through landscapes formed by the terraced cultivation and discover charming towns and villages like Pokhara. Hike through an enchanting rhododendron forest, follow hidden paths in the heart of a gigantic bamboo groves and emerge at the sumptuous Gurung village of Gandruk. Discover the heart of Nepal. Discover the Annapurna Sanctuary and climb up to 4130m where a magnificent panorama will reveal 360 ° views of the Annapurna Massifs: 13 iconic summits.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Kathmandu

    Kathmandu Arrival in Kathmandu (1360m): Welcome to the capital of Nepal. If your arrival time permits, you can enjoy a walking tour of the bustling city of gods. Your local guide can introduce his hometown with its old streets, temples and shops offering a first glimpse into Nepalese life.

    Overnight: Hotel
    Meals not included

  • Day 2 Road Katmandou - Kande then trek to Australian Camp

    Road Katmandou - Kande then trek to Australian Camp Today we leave Kathmandu through Thankot pass (1400m) and drive through beautiful hills up to Kande (1660 m). From Kande, an upward trek leads to Australian Camp (1900 m) and our first views of the most beautiful peaks of the region: the Machapuchare (6993 m), the Annapurna III (7555 m), Annapurna II (7937 m) and Annapurna IV (7525 m).

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Drive: 6 hours
    Trek: 1 hour
    Ascent: +350m

  • Day 3 Australian Camp - Landruk (1565m)

    Australian Camp - Landruk (1565m) After breakfast, we start our trek with a short walk downward then the trail climbs slowly upwards. Our route crosses several small villages like Pothana and Tolkha where Gurung people live on the fertile southern side of the Annapurna Mountains and cultivate the terraced fields. Our cook prepares lunch for us in Tolka and then we continue towards the pretty village of Landruk with a beautiful view of the valley.

    Overnight: Lodge
    Trek: 4 hours
    Ascent/descent: +250m/-500m

  • Day 4 Trekking Landruk - Jhinu Danda – Chomrong (2170m)

    Trekking Landruk - Jhinu Danda – Chomrong (2170m) Enjoy the Himalayan scenery as we follow a trail down into the gorge. We cross the Himalayan River Modi Khola on the 'New Bridge', journey through small forest and trek up a slope to Jhinu Danda. Optional: we can walk another 20 minutes down to the natural hot springs for a warm bath. Lunch at Jhinu Danda before the final leg of our journey up a steep trail to the Himalayan village of Chomrong in front of Annapurna South (7219m).

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 6 hours
    Ascent/descent: +850m/-300m

  • Day 5 Chhomrong - Bamboo (2320m)

    Chhomrong - Bamboo (2320m) Our trail from Chhomrong heads down stone steps and crosses the Chhomrong Khola. From here it is an uphill climb to the village of Sinuwa. Next, we continue through a beautiful enchanting forest before an easy downhill walk to Bamboo where we will spend the night.

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 5 hours
    Ascent/descent: +600m/-500m

  • Day 6 Bamboo - Deurali (3200m)

    Bamboo - Deurali (3200m) Today we trek through the bamboo forest. This unique jungle is sometimes dense, our trail is dotted with countless glittering waterfalls and includes some steep sections. After crossing a small Himalayan village, we emerge from the forest to sunshine and fabulous views. Then we begin the steep climb to Deurali. As we climb upwards, the trees disappear and the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. The views of the valley from up here are just magical, with the river rushing by below and the gentle roar of the waterfalls...

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 5 hours
    Ascent: +900m

  • Day 7 Deurali - Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)

    Deurali - Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) Today we tackle the steep and somewhat strenuous trail to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). From here, we get truly rewarding views of the majestic Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna. There is very little vegetation as we climb further up way to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) where splendid views of the towering south face of Annapurna 1 (8091m) await. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama of these iconic giant mountains.

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 6 hours
    Ascent: +930m

  • Day 8 Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo

    Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo Early this morning, we can enjoy a fabulous display of colours which light up the walls of the Annapurna First Mountain (8091m). After breakfast, from the Annapurna base camp, we go down the same way we climbed up. The stunning scenary along the descent to Bamboo is not to be forgetten - the views are truly breathtaking.

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 7 hours
    descent: -1800m

  • Day 9 Bamboo - Chomrong (2170m)

    Bamboo - Chomrong (2170m) From Bamboo, it is an uphill trek to Sinuwa Danda, and then a downhill walk to Chhomrong Khola. Then we climb the stone steps to Chhomrong. We enjoy the afternoon taking some rest at Chhomrong.

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 5 hours
    Ascent/Descent: +500/-700

  • Day 10 Chomrong - Gandrung (1950m)

    Chomrong - Gandrung (1950m) After a brief series of short climbs and downhill sections, we cross the Khimrung Stream. From here our trail climbs up through a beautiful forest to the Khimring village where we have lunch. This afternoon the hike continues to Gandrung, a beautiful Gurung village with its fabulous dry-stone houses. Superb views of the Annapurna and the Machapucharé are waiting for us.

    Accommodation: Lodge
    Trek: 4h 30 hours
    Ascent/descent: +200/-350

  • Day 11 Gandrung - Pokhara

    Gandrung - Pokhara After breakfast, once more in front of the lofty Annapurna peaks, we trek down to Birethanti and our lunch spot on the bank of the Modi River. Then we take the bus from Nayapul
    to Pokhara. Afternoon at leisure to rest in Pokhara.

    Accommodation: Hotel by the lake
    Trek: 4 hours
    Descent: -850m

  • Day 12 Road to Katmandou - Bhaktapur Sightseeing

    Road to Katmandou - Bhaktapur Sightseeing Early this morning, we begin our scenic drive to Kathmandu. Enjoy the the beauty of the mountains and a lunch break on the way. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the Nepalese capital city.

    Overnight: Hotel
    Drive: 6 hours

  • Day 13 End of stay

    End of stay Depending on your plane schedule, free time and airport transfer for your international flight.

The details in this programme are updated regularly but imponderables and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the programme may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation in this programme at any time if your technical level or fitness are deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those around you. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.

Dates & prices

International departures:

No departure for now

Trip code: NEPSAN-EN

Included

  • All transfers by private vehicle as detailed in itinerary
  • 3 * hotel and B&B accommodation in Kathmandu (Hotel Tibet, Manaslu or similar) 
  • 2 * hotel accommodation in Pokhara (Hotel Lake View or similar)
  • Full board for the trek
  • Accompaniment by an English speaking Altaï Guide
  • Visits as per itinerary: with a cultural guide and a private vehicle
  • Luggage: up to 12kg maximum per person during the trek
  • Trekking support team: assistants and porters
  • Trekking permits: ACAP and TIMS
  • Staff Insurance

Not included

  • Entrance to historical sites, monuments and museums
  • Meals in Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley
  • Nepalese visa: US $ 25
  • International flights
  • Insurance: Repatriation, Medical & Helicopter Services
  • Drinks, tips and personal expenses

Additional Options
Supplement Flight: Pokhara - Kathmandu: 115€

Notes

For many years, we put our know-how and our experience of Himalayan destinations to the service of travelers from different horizons. You may find yourself in an international group with participants from our various partners.

Terms and conditions

Inscription

Booking a trip with Altaï Nepal implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 35% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Facturation

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Altaï Nepal reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Annulation

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Altaï Nepal require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.

Please note that fees apply according to the date Altaï Nepal receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Modification du contrat

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact us in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Nepal may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Prix et révision des prix

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. Altaï Nepal reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Cession du contrat

If you are unable to travel with Altaï Nepal for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your trip with Altaï Nepal as soon as your booking is confirmed. We advice you to purchase a travel insurance policy which covers flight cancellations, luggage loss and emergency health care. Please look carefully at which activities are covered by your insurer and do not forget to bring all necessary documents and information with you (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number...)

Practical info

Staff

Based in Kathmandu for many years,  Altai Nepal guarantees you an active travel experience, thanks to our guides and our logistical infrastructure. During your trip, you are accompanied by our Altai trekking guides, 100% mobilized to help you discover unusual places in the heart of nature. Let yourself be guided…

• This trip is led by an English-speaking Nepalese trekking guide
• A local team assists you during the trek. Here is its composition (variable depending on the size of the group and the logistics required):

- Porters: during the trek, our belongings are carried by porters. Porterage is a historical tradition in Nepal, necessitated  by the very rugged topology of the place. Thus, it is not uncommon to come across locals carrying loads of more than 50 kg on the trails! Being very concerned about the working conditions of our teams, we ensure that our porters work in the best possible conditions (a fair salary, limited charges, insurance, and suitable equipment are made available to all). On our trips, we provide one porter for every two travellers. The load is limited to 30 kg per carrier on our trips to lodges.

- Assistant-guides: in addition to the guide, assistant-guides are present too. They are responsible for providing active assistance to travelers, and make sure all participants to walk at their own pace.

 

Food

The traditional Nepalese dish is 'dal bhat', rice and lentils, accompanied by some spicy vegetables. In Kathmandu, it is possible to eat a good variety of dishes, but in the mountains, the choice is relatively limited: the lodges (local tea houses) offer menus that are often similar and less varied (e.g. dal bhat, fried noodles, mo:mos, fried rice, pasta with tomato sauce, fried potatoes, etc).

On our group trips: three meals and a snack per day will be served. On long trekking days, you will also have an energy supplement (cereal bars and/or dried fruits).

During lodge treks, we try to offer you the most varied meals possible, with the dishes or ingredients available in the lodges. Some examples: dal bhat (Nepali daily meal), stir-fried rice with vegetables, potatoes with cheese, fries, pasta with tomato sauce, and sometimes even pizza! Note that fresh meat is rare and sometimes not recommended for Western stomachs.

Here are examples of the meals served on our trips:

• Breakfast: toast, pancake or Tibetan bread with butter/jam/honey + eggs + tea or coffee.
• Lunch: a main dish.
• A small snack at the end of the day is offered (biscuits and tea).
• Dinner: a soup, a main course, and a dessert (eg fruit in syrup)

+ a cup of tea and/or coffee is offered with all meals.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, we often exclude meals, so that everyone can enjoy the variety of restaurants in the cities according to their tastes.

In the mountains, you can fill your water bottles at the tap or at the water sources (on the advice of the guide), but it is essential to filter it or treat it with purifying tablets. The purchase of bottled mineral water may also be possible in lodges, in town, or in restaurants. However, we encourage all to minimize plastic consumption: there is no recycling on site.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu and in cities in general, you are accommodated in a 3* hotel. On a trek, depending on the programs, you sleep in a lodge or at a homestay. A "Nepalese lodge" is a Nepalese house - an improved homestay - offering meals and accommodation to hikers. Of variable comfort, they are certainly not hotels but they allow trekking in appreciable conditions, even at altitude: bed, mattress, tables and chairs, toilets, etc. In addition, the use of lodges makes it possible to considerably reduce the number of porters and therefore to lighten the trekking infrastructure.

Transportation

Transport/transfer by bus, private minibus & plane.

Budget & exchange

The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee NPR.
Visit http://www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates.
You can withdraw Nepalese Rupees from in-country ATMs in Kathmandu and credit cards are accepted except in shops and hotels. Please budget for meals in Kathmandu, drinks, tips and other personal expenses.

Tips

Tipping is very present in Nepal. It is an integral part of the 'tourism' culture of the country: independent of salary levels, your tip is seen as a sign of appreciation. The amount depends on your satisfaction with the services rendered and your generosity. Your guide will help you on this subject. Like money, if you have clothes to give, do not hesitate to seek advice from your guide who will make a fair distribution. We advise you not to give sweets and / or energy bars  / chocolate to local children as there are virtually no dentists here in the mountains. The same rules apply to medicine, western medication is not necessarily adapted for the Nepalese and, moreover, following the correct dosage is extremely important. And of course, do not forget to bring medicines that you take regularly, if any.

Vital equipment

  • Warm Sleeping Bag
  • Water purifiers (micropur, aguatabs ...)

From head to toe:
  • A cap or sunhat
  • 1 or 2 sets of thermals: long-sleeved thermal tops and full-length long johns
  • Long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts, preferably in quick-drying technical material
  • A light fleece or equivilent (plus extra warm layers if necessary)
  • A breathable wind proof, waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex...)
  • Lightweight waterproof over trousers
  • Suitable shorts
  • Walking trousers
  • A pair of high-rise walking boots - strength, good grip of the foot and ankle (high stems) and impermeability are essential. Choose shoes with non-slip soles (vibram).
  • A pair of trainers/sandels or equivilent casual shoes for cities, villages and evenings
  • Thick walking socks
  • Warm gloves, hat and scarf (it can be chilly in the mountains)

Material

  • Your personal toiletries and a fast drying towel
  • Water bottle(s). Min. 2 litres, light and isothermal
  • A good pair of sunglasses (think min. category 3)
  • Sun-cream, face and lips
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • A pocket knife
  • A pair of hiking poles
  • A waterproof bag cover (or plastic bags) to protect your belongings
  • Toilet paper
  • Anti-bacterial hand gel
  • Your camera
  • A notebook or travel journal

Helpful equipment

- Walking sticks
- Waterproof bags to protect your belongings
- Notebook or travel diary

Luggage

Your luggage must be divided into two bags:
  • A rucksack (35-40L or 45-50L) for use as a day bag. This will contain your (vital) personal belongings for the day (sweater, spare t-shirt, water bottle, picnic-lunch, sunglasses, small things ... )
  • We use porters to transport our other belongings when trekking. Please bring a flexible travel bag with zips for easy access max 80L and max 13kg (16kg with camping gear). Please do not bring suitcases or other hard bags which the porters cannot transport.
  • You may also be able to store some belongings securely at the hotel in Kathmandu.
To protect your bags, we will provide solid waterproof Altaï Bags.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

Your passport should be vaild for at least six months after the last day of your stay. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required.

Visa

It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements. Please bring valid passport photos with you to obtain a visa upon arrival.
To obtain trekking permits, your passport and photo ID is also required. Please provide us with good quality scans of your passport and 2 photos of identity.
For an individual visa, obtained on the spot as you arrive in Kathmandu, rates are as follows:
- 15 days : 30 US$
- 30 days : 50 US$

Mandatory vaccines

No mandatory vaccinations are required. Recommended vaccines include Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and Influenza.

Health information & recommendations

It is your responsibility to check that your personal health insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip and we advise you to visit your dentist too as untreated cavaties have an annoying habit of waking up with altitude.

Hygiene Recommendations
Water is not drinkable in Nepal. It is always possible to buy bottled water but in order to limit pollution and preserve natural areas, we strongly recommend that you drink purified water. For that, think to bring a water bottle of minimum 1.5 liters and purifying tablets (micropur, agua tabs ...). Consume only treated water or water which has been boiled for 30 minutes and then filtered.Be sure to wash your hands frequently, and definitely before each meal (anti-bacterial hand gel is recommended) and take care to disinfect any skin wounds. Avoid drinking natural drinks like pressed fruit juice and do not consume ice cream or "lassi" (a milk-based beverage) bought in the street. Meat and fish / shellfish should be well cooked before consumption.

Weather

From the eternal snows of high peaks to the tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.
- In autumn (October to mid-December) the days are very beautiful but can be fresh at altitude. At 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C (14°F) at night.
- In winter (mid-december to mid-february): The nights are generally cold and the climate is dry. If night time temperatures drop easily below 0 ° C (31°F) to 3000 m, the days are often sunny. Treks below 4000 m are very pleasant. There are very few tourists at this time.
- In spring (March to end of May): in this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom and the rhododendrons are magnificent. The weather is pleasant, it is getting hotter with some night storms. Temperatures vary between 10 and 28 ° C (50 - 83°F), but can rise to over +30 ° C (+86°F). Between 2000 and 3000 m, temperatures rarely drop below 0 ° C (32°F). A few rare frosts or snowfalls are possible in March from +4000 m.
- In summer: it is the monsoon season. This interrupts the majority of trekking from June until the end of September. However, certain regions of the "Trans-Himalayan" zone, Mustang and Dolpo remain sheltered from the monsoons - these are the only circuits available in Nepal in the summer.

Electricity

In recent years, due to a lack of hydropower facilities, electricity and water outages are becoming more frequent in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu (mainly in winter and spring). The hotels have generator but the electricity is limited. It is the same for the consumption of water.

Local time

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +5.45. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not observed here.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously. We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

Since the beginning, we have advocated for responsible tourism and the importance of equitable and sustainable principles. Harmonising these fundamentals ensures a fair distribution of economic benefits, improved working conditions for local teams and an increased awareness of the importance and practice of environmental protection. We hope that all of our clients will respect our philosophies and embrace these attitudes.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...
1.    Be prepared
2.    Stick to trails and camp overnight right
3.    Stash your trash and pick up waste
4.    Leave it as you find it
5.    Be careful with fire
6.    Respect wildlife
7.    Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.

Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
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Anurodh

My local agent
Anurodh

  • From Kathmandu
  • More than 25 years of experience in tourism
  • Himalayan Travel Logistics Specialist
  • Languages: English and French
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Region
Annapurnas, Manaslu & Dhaulagiri
Activity
Trekking
Duration
13 days
Group
2 to 15 people
Code
NEPSAN-EN
Price
From €1,090
Level
3/5
Comfort
2/5
Language(s)
English

Strengths

  • Trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4100 m.
  • Discover Nepals famous high mountains in just 14 days
  • Breathtaking views, local culture and rewarding hiking await

Required level

This trips demands a very good physical condition, suitable clothing and good hiking boots. Regular and serious training (running, swimming, brisk walking...) during the 2 to 3 months prior to your trip is recommended. This trek includes an average of 5 to 6 hours of hiking per day and daily elevations of +/-1000m.

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