Overview

Annapurna base camp trek located in Nepal. This is a moderate to difficult level trek covering about 90 kilometers over 7 to 8 days. Its vibe will hit you differently, your soul will get strengthened by each and every adventure you will pass through. Nepali landscape and road quality make it a very long drive. That's why many travelers opt to fly. 

The route:

Depending on your preference you can choose to start your trek from Nayapul or Ghandruk. You can save a day if you start from Ghandruk, but if you do choose to start from Nayapul then you will be in for a treat with all the greenery around you, and a chance to experience the local village life. On day two, you will be going from Ghandruk to Lower Sinuwa covering about 13 kms and gaining around 260 meters in altitude. 

Majority of the first half will be a descent through forest cover and then you will cross your first major hanging bridge which is 280 meters long over the Modi river. After the bridge, the ascent will most likely be in the noon hours and it felt like one of the steepest ascent on  the trek. The rest of day 2 is going to be a mix of ascent and descent till you get to Lower Sinuwa on your way you will pass a village by the name chum wrong and it will be one of the most beautiful villages on the trek. And the views that you'll get from the International guest house are simply amazing. On day 3 you will be going from Lower Sinuwa till Deurali covering about 14 kilometers and gaining around 900 meters. And there are four highlights for the day. First, one having hiked a little bit you'll reach Upper Sinuwa, it is a good spot for taking some amazing pics especially in the morning light. Second you will pass through a village called Bamboo, named as such because there are a lot of bamboo trees growing in the area. Third, the waterfall in the evening you will get is the best thing you will ever see without a doubt is a real gem. Try to spend a bit more here. It is peaceful indeed. 

How to reach?

Most likely you will not find any direct flight to Pokhara- the city the trek starts from. So, you will have to take a flight to Kathmandu airport in Nepal and then either a 25 minute flight or a six hour bus ride to Pokhara. Do note- the domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara can be canceled due to weather fluctuation  and the like. So, keep enough time as a buffer just in case you have to take the bus instead. You can take a tourist bus, a local bus, a shared cab or a flight between Kathmandu to Pokhara. If you’re flying from Delhi, the round fair could be anywhere between 15k to 30k depending on when you book your flights. If you need something on the budget side then you can get to Delhi, take an overnight train to Gorakhpur and then a 12 hour cab ride to Pokhara. You will be crossing into Nepal through the Sunauli border without saying if you are going by air or road that you need to carry an ID.

Best time to trek

Spring and autumn see the maximum number of trekkers, while snow makes it difficult to trek in winters and rain makes it difficult to trek in monsoons. To be specific during March - April are the best months to trek when snow patches are relatively easier to walk on. The temperature varies between 20-25 degree celsius during the day and 5 to 10 degree celsius at night. And during autumn, October and November are the best months to enjoy the clear skies right after the monsoons. The temperature will be a little colder as compared to spring, varying between 15 to 18 degree celsius during the day and -5 to +5 degree celsius at night. In the trekking community October is definitely the most popular month to do the Annapurna  base camp trek. It is the most unusual trek you would have done so far in the Himalayas. This is because of many reasons. Firstly in the winters, you'll get to experience snowfall at the top and that too in October. Secondly, on your back you can jump in a hot spring, cannot think of a better way to relax after a trek and this was one of the clearest hot springs you've ever been in. and if this wasn't cool enough, there are not just one, two but seven hanging bridges on this trek. And one of them is as long as 20 meters. They offer panoramic views, the thrill itself of walking over the bridge. Looking at the rivers in full flow or a little fear of that height. It was as if the inner child will come out every time you'll be crossing one. There will be so many moments that'll make this trek special.