Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The two most-asked-about treks in Nepal, often by the same person. The short answer:

If it's your first Himalayan trek and you're not sure how you'll handle altitude, ABC is the better choice. If you can spare 17 days and want the world's most famous trek, EBC.

Good general hiking fitness — capable of walking 5–6 hours a day for nine days, with a daypack of ~5 kg, on stone-paved trail and steep stairs. The Ulleri stairs (Day 4) are the single hardest section; everything after that is sustained but rarely brutal. We recommend training for 6–8 weeks before the trip with regular hill walks and cardio.

The high point of 4,130 m is below the threshold where altitude sickness becomes common. The itinerary is designed with a sensible ascent rate, and your guide carries a pulse oximeter. Mild headaches at ABC are common; serious altitude sickness is rare. Drink lots of water (4 L/day above 3,000 m), avoid alcohol, and tell your guide if you feel unwell — don't push through.

October and November are peak — clearest skies, most reliable weather, the longest queues at Poon Hill. March, April, and early May are the second peak, with the bonus of rhododendron flowering through the lower valleys. December–February is cold but quiet, with snow at ABC and clear views (some teahouses close). June–September is monsoon — leeches in the forest, clouds covering the peaks, and frequent flight delays; not recommended.

Family-run teahouses every night on the trail. Twin-share rooms with simple beds, shared bathrooms in most villages, hot showers available for a small fee at lower elevations (limited or absent at Deurali, MBC, and ABC). All meals are taken in the teahouse dining room around a stove — this is also where you meet the other trekkers who become friends for the duration.

The teahouses on the ABC route serve some of the best trail food in Nepal — partly because the trail is well-supplied, partly because Pokhara competition keeps standards up. Daily staples: dal bhat (refillable, local, what the porters eat), Tibetan momos, fried noodles and rice, soups, eggs, porridge, pancakes, and usually pizza/pasta at lower elevations. Above 3,500 m the menu simplifies but the dal bhat is still excellent.

Yes — and not just because it's now legally required. The trail is well-marked, but the guide handles permits, teahouse bookings (in October–November this matters), weather decisions, navigation in poor visibility, and altitude monitoring. They also know the families running each teahouse, which usually means better food, better rooms, and a hot shower when the next group is told they're out.

Yes. It's not a luxury spa — it's three concrete pools fed by hot mineral springs, on the bank of the Modi Khola, fifteen minutes' walk down a forest trail from Jhinu village. About USD $2 entry. After eight days of walking, it is genuinely transformative. Bring swimwear.

Common add-ons: 3 nights in Chitwan National Park (jungle safari, rhinos, occasionally tigers), an extra 2–3 days in Pokhara (paragliding, Phewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda), or a follow-on trek like Mardi Himal (4–5 days from Pokhara) or Ghorepani Poon Hill (3 days, if your group splits and some skip ABC).

A 25% deposit confirms your booking. Full balance due 60 days before departure. Cancellations 60+ days out: full refund minus deposit. 30–59 days out: 50% refund. Less than 30 days out: no refund. We strongly recommend trip insurance with cancellation cover.