The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is a route into the high amphitheatre below Annapurna I, with no technical ascent of the summit. It suits a first big journey in the Himalaya better than many routes above 5000 m, but it is not an easy stroll: stone steps, daily ascents and descents and a night at around 4100 m all call for preparation.
The 13-day programme to Annapurna Base Camp links Pokhara, Poon Hill, the rhododendron forests, Machapuchare Base Camp and the main amphitheatre. After sunrise at base camp the group descends towards the lower villages and the Jhinu hot springs area.
What you actually reach
The goal of the trek is Annapurna Base Camp at about 4100 m. It is the place where climbing expeditions begin, not the summit of Annapurna. Crampons, an ice axe and a harness are not needed for the basic programme unless the guide says otherwise because of unusual conditions.
Poon Hill and base camp serve different purposes. Poon Hill gives a panorama of the massif early on, while the high amphitheatre is the main objective. Cloud can hide the summits on any given morning, so the value of the route should not be reduced to one guaranteed photograph.
Why the route is tiring even without much altitude
A large part of the path runs over stone steps. They put the strain on your calves going up and on your knees coming down. Several walking days in a row demand steady recovery, even when the daily distance looks moderate.
Preparation should include long walks, climbs up stairs or slopes, and controlled descents. In the last few weeks before the trip you must not increase the training load sharply: fitness is built gradually. Trekking poles help to take the load off the knees, but they do not make up for a lack of training.
Altitude and acclimatisation
The highest night is lower than on the classic trek to Everest, yet altitude sickness is possible here too. The guide sets the pace, and each participant is obliged to report a headache, nausea, unusual weakness or disturbed sleep. Hiding symptoms for the sake of base camp is dangerous.
Going up gradually, and the order of the overnight stops, matter more than athletic speed. If your condition worsens, the highest point of the trek can be lowered. Reaching base camp is not guaranteed if the weather, the path or a participant’s health calls for a different decision.
Lodges, meals and showers
On the mountain part of the trek the group stays in lodges. In the lower villages the choice and the facilities are wider; higher up they are simpler. A hot shower and somewhere to charge your devices may cost extra; a heated bedroom and reliable internet are not guaranteed.
Meals on the trek are usually ordered from the lodge menu according to the rate you have chosen. Appetite can drop at altitude, but recovery needs regular food and water. Dietary restrictions are notified in advance, although nobody can promise that a particular item will be available in every village.
The Jhinu hot springs
Bathing depends on the state of the route, on the time available and on whether the springs are actually accessible. It cannot be counted on as a guaranteed way to recover, or as a medical service. After a long descent, what matters more is not getting cold and following the guide’s instructions.
Who the route suits
- Newcomers to the Himalaya with good general fitness
- Participants with no technical mountaineering experience
- Anyone ready for a great many steps and several days of walking
- Anyone who wants a lodge-based trek with no pass above 5000 m
If you want to cross several climate zones and go over the Thorong La at 5416 m, compare this route with the Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. That is a higher and physically harder undertaking.
What to confirm before you travel
Check how many nights are in the city, the internal flights, the meals, the porter, the baggage allowances and who accompanies the group. Buy the international ticket only after the programme is confirmed, and leave margin for changes to the internal travel arrangements.
A comparison of base camp and the circuit is published in the practical guide to Annapurna, while the requirements for fitness and equipment are in the article on preparing for trekking in Nepal.
Common questions about Annapurna Base Camp
Is this a good first trip to Nepal?
Yes, for someone in good shape who is ready for the steps and for an altitude of around 4100 m. The absence of technical ground does not remove the strain of several days’ walking.
Can you go without a porter?
You can, if the rate allows it and you are prepared to carry your own load. That decision is taken before the trip, not after the first hard day.
Which is harder, base camp or the circuit?
The circuit is higher and includes the Thorong La. Base camp is lower, but the many steps and descents need training too.