Trekking remains one of the most popular adventurous activities throughout the world. It has already gained immense popularity in recent years and has been attracting a lot of trekkers across the globe to take part in an adventure sport that showcases their daredevil nature, determination, and willingness to do the impossible for inner satisfaction.
The Himalayan nation of Nepal is home to beautiful mountains and lovely terrains that lure adventure enthusiasts from across the world to visit this place and quench their adrenaline rush. Indeed, Nepal is considered a paradise for trekking lovers because they enjoy an unparalleled experience of trekking here at the high-altitude treks besides experiencing steep slopes that are the select few difficult ones to climb as compared to those in the rest parts of the world. It is perhaps the primary reason that a large chunk of trekkers worldwide keep flocking to Nepal each passing of day.
It is worth noting that due to being home to several beautiful mountain ranges like the famous Annapurna region, Gokyo Ri, Manaslu, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Om Parvat, and many more, Nepal always remains in the limelight on the global sphere.
Whenever we talk about the best trekking places in Nepal, the first destination which tops the list is the famous Annapurna region. It is the home of some of the most popular mountain peaks for trekking lovers.
Here you get everything clear about your trek to beautiful Annapurna. At first, let’s know a bit about Annapurna massif for better understanding, and then we head towards preparation for Annapurna Base Camp!
About Annapurna
Annapurna is a group of mountains in the Himalayas in the North Central region of Nepal. The mountain got its name Annapurna after the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment – Goddess Annapurna, who is believed to reside here.
The Annapurna Mountains have been considered one of the most popular mountains to climb. It also remains one of the most famous locations among the trekking lovers. The peaks in the Annapurna region include Annapurna I (8091m), Nilgiri (7061m), Machapuchare (6993m), and Dhaulagiri (8167m), amongst others.
Why choose Annapurna as a trekking destination?
With its worldwide popularity, Annapurna is already a heaven for trekking lovers from around the world. It is considered one of the best trekking destinations due to having a plethora of trekking options available for trekking lovers that range from easy to difficult levels. This place is also a home for all kinds of trekkers, whether they are beginners or professionals willing to indulge in adventure sports activities.
Annapurna offers a lot of unmatched challenges through the narrow and steep elevations. Trekking here will definitely satisfy the thirst of all types of trekkers.
Apart from trekking, there is also a scenic beauty surrounding the mountains. Such a beautiful appearance of mountains also needs to be admired and explored during a trip. The snow-laden mountains, high-altitude villages, and crystal-clear lakes will definitely leave you awestruck while you are here and trekking for your momentous memories to preserve for a lifetime.
Preparation for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek can be one of the best experiences for you to ever enjoy during a Nepal voyage. It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional trekker or just a beginner, you should make foolproof preparation for Annapurna Base Camp Trek to enjoy the adventure to its best.
Remember that with meticulous preparation and fully readying yourself for the trek, you will definitely make your trip a joyful experience and the easiest of the adventure activities you indulge in.
Trekking or traveling at any place which is at a higher altitude requires some sort of preparation. You should look for the details of everything that can ascertain the best preparation. You should have proper and better knowledge with thorough preparation to accomplish any task. Similarly, while trekking to Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you must prepare yourself for the same.
Here are certain preparations that need to be done at your end before you are going for trekking:
Physical Fitness
Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is not so challenging. There is no need for any pre-trekking or previous climbing experience for it. You don’t require special physical fitness or technical skills for this purpose. It is a moderate-grade trekking route; therefore, those of you who can walk around 5-6 hours daily may do this trekking easily and effectively.
Prepare yourself by just walking one to two hours daily before you are going for trekking. You can even do swimming, exercises, or even yoga to make your body and mind fit for trekking.
Best Time to Trek
The first thing to be done while planning any trekking adventure is to choose the right time for trekking. The perfect time to trek in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is during the Spring season (March to May) and the Autumn season (September to December).
Both the timings are the best time to visit this place to have a crystal-clear view of the mountains and colorful landscapes. It is better to avoid visiting this place in the Winter season as there is heavy snowfall during wintertime, and so in the Rainy season, landslide remains quite frequent and therefore not suitable at all. You must also do proper research to choose only the best time to go trekking.
See also: Annapurna Base Camp Trek in January
Trekking Permits and Entry Fees
To enjoy trekking in Nepal smoothly, a few trekking permits are to be obtained. One of them is the Transport Information Management System (TIMS). It is necessary to be obtained by every trekker who is willing to go trekking in Nepal. This card costs all foreigners $20 per individual trekker and $10 if you are part of any group. If the trekker is a SAARC national, then $3 is charged for the group trekkers while $6 for the individual trekkers.
Secondly, for those going trekking in Annapurna Region, they must also have the Annapurna Conservation Area Entry permit (ACAP), which is $30 for foreigners and for SAARC nationals it costs $10.
These permits can be obtained in Kathmandu as well as Pokhara. At the location also, you can get it but here charges would be slightly higher. It is mandatory to buy such cards as there are checkpoints where you have to show such permits all the times.
Trekking Staff
Trekking to an unknown place can be a challenging and daunting task. But if you are well prepared and have proper help from a guide, it would become an easy and comfortable experience for you. It is advised to hire only professional trekking staff or guides who are well aware of the place and its history. They will not only prevent you from getting lost but will also share lots of information about the history and culture of the local place and the region.
Hire a trained and professional trekking guide or staff so that they offer you ample guidance to improve your overall trekking experience. They will also help you minimize your trekking expenses as they are well aware of the region and would suggest you for economical options instead.
Read more: HIRING GUIDE AND PORTER FOR ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK
Travel Insurance
Trekking at any high altitude is not 100% safe and secure even if you follow all the safety measures and have a guide along. It is therefore always advisable as best advised to get travel insurance done that covers trekking and everything associated with it because mishaps can happen anytime and every time.
It is also advised to have the insurance done to save you from the hassles like a loss of luggage or travel documents or medical expenses including emergency evacuation packages. As the weather in Nepal can be unpredictable at times, you should get yourself covered under the travel insurance schemes.
Food and Accommodation
Wide range of accommodation options are available while you are staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The hotels will have all the modern facilities required for your stay to make it cosy and best comfortable. Due to the frequent trekkers, there are a lot of food options available there. You will even get to taste some of the authentic Nepali dishes during your stays.
But as the altitude increases, the hotels usually offer just basic amenities required for your stay. They are usually referred to as tea houses or lodges. Minimum price which is charged for such lodges is between $2-4. The rooms are smaller but they are quite comfortable for stays.
Check Your Health Status
It is highly recommended that before you are going for trekking, plan a visit at your local doctors’ place and get yourself a medical health check-up done. If there is some illness for which you require certain medications, get that done well in advance. Take your medicines along with you on the trip rather than visiting the place and not able to go for trekking due to your unfavourable health conditions. It will prove highly disappointing at that juncture.
Be Mentally Prepared
Be mentally prepared before going on trekking rather than ending up disappointed due to having too high expectations. Remember that there will not be any luxurious hotels for you there. You may have to stay at the tea houses and also have to even compromise on your sleep timings. Therefore, you should remain mentally prepared for all such things.
Itinerary
Choose an itinerary(you’ve options from 12 days ABC to 5 days short ABC) that you are comfortable with. And, use the maximum of the days you plan to trek. Planning the right itinerary will help you comfortably and safely enjoy your Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
High Altitude Sickness
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) also known as Altitude Sickness is a common symptom while trekking at a higher altitude. It can be a life-threatening case as well. Therefore, if you have headache, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite, don’t ignore such symptoms; they might even worsen if not taken care of at the right time.
It is better advised to stop ascending or just stay at the same elevation for one day to adjust yourself. The highest elevation of this trek is 4320 metres so it is advised to keep yourself hydrated and make sure you eat well while trekking.
Plan Your Necessities
For Trekking in Nepal, you need to be fully prepared with your packing list too. Here are some of the essentials:
- Best quality hiking shoes to have the perfect grip while trekking
- A sleeping bag, as nights are colder here and tea houses hardly have heaters
- A good quality jacket to prevent your body from the cold air
- Water bottle, sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and basic medicines
See also:
- Annapurna Base Camp Heli Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Nepal: FAQs and Insights
- Short Annapurna Circuit Trek
Therefore, it is always advised to go well prepared for any treks or travels that are at a high altitude. Going prepared means you are making your journey a totally stress-free experience to enjoy the most of it.