Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 13 Days

Arrival and Visas

• Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival?

  Yes, our airport representative will pick you up at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Our team member will be waiting outside the airport terminal, displaying “Trekking to Nepal” signboard. After meeting up, you will be taken to your respective hotel in our private vehicle.

• How do I get Visas to Nepal?

  You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. There are electronic registration machines in Kathmandu airport which read your passport, take your photo and print out visa form for immigration purposes. Further, we suggest you bring 2 copies of passport size photos (not necessary at Kathmandu airport), but it might be needed for documentation.

  You can also apply online within 15 days of your date of arrival in Nepal. For that, you require a valid passport, your hotel address and a recent digital version of passport size photo (size 1.5”x 1.5”). You can print out the confirmation receipt and show it to the Immigration officer along with visa fee in Kathmandu airport.

  A 15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please read this link about Tourist Visa.

  Also, you can follow this link- Department of Immigration to fill up online Tourist Visa form.

• Do I need special travel insurance for trekking in Nepal?

  Yes. Our company only covers insurance for our team members. We recommend you buy a travel insurance in your country. Make sure your travel insurance covers adventure activities over a certain altitude (4000 m) and covers emergency medical as well as helicopter rescue and evacuation.

  Most importantly, if you are trekking in the mountainous region of Nepal, then you should plan ahead about possible challenges, especially altitude sickness, ill related health issues, accidents, flight delays etc. In such cases, the only possible way out of the mountains is helicopter rescue. So, we recommend you to have a travel insurance policy that covers the helicopter evacuation cost and medical services in hospitals while trekking in Nepal.

• Do I need any extra documents?

  All you need is a copy of your travel insurance, a copy of your passport and 2 passport size photos while travelling in Nepal. You are required to bring photos for trek permits.

Expenditures and Travel

• How much spending money do I need for Annapurna Base Camp trek?

  Well, our 13 days Annapurna Base Camp trek is inclusive of your accommodation, trekking permits, transportation, meals and other official expenses. (see price inclusion for more details). Besides this, the extra money you need during Annapurna Base Camp trek depends upon your spending habits. You can spend USD 10-15 per person for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. In addition, you can allocate USD 20-30 per day to buy meals, bottles of water, chocolates, pay for the hot shower and a few drinks during the ABC trekking.

• Is it possible to reserve a trip now and pay a deposit later or do I have to pay a deposit at booking/reservation?

  You are required to pay 30% deposit at the time of booking and rest of the amount prior to the trip departure date. For this trip, you need to complete an online booking form along with 30% non-refundable deposit. You can pay the remaining amount in cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express Card) upon your arrival in Kathmandu, at our office in Thamel. Note that a 3.5% levy will be added as card processing fee by banks. (We are not liable for those 3.5% bank transaction fee).

  Read more details in “terms and conditions”.

• What is your Cancellation Policy?

  Cancellation notice is required, a minimum of 20 days prior to trip departure. If the reason is valid the trip shall then be termed as cancelled and a cancellation charge of 30% of the trip amount would be deducted from the advance paid.

  If you do not cancel your trip prior to 20 days due to whatever reasons, you must be aware that the trip you’ve already bought is completely non-refundable as per our terms and conditions. If you cancel the trip and need to submit a claim to your insurance company, we can help with the supporting documentation such as a receipt for monies paid. If your trip is cut short due to weather/illness/personal reasons, there is no refund for unused accommodations.

  Moreover, you can postpone or transfer your booking to another person, if you have genuine reasons for not taking the trip. For instance: serious illness, death of a close relative or friend etc. In such cases, if all the requirements are met, you can postpone or change on another date, but an extra fee of $200 is required.

  For more details please read “terms and conditions”.

• Can I use credit cards in the places I visit in trekking?

  Most places on the trekking route don't accept credit cards. So we highly recommend you to convert currencies into Nepalese Rupees or withdraw money from ATM in Kathmandu or Pokhara before heading to ABC trek. Also, note that money exchanges do not accept credit cards in Nepal. Besides, few shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara can accept credit cards to some extent for your purchases.

Preparation and Fitness level

• What should be my preparation and fitness level for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  If you are moderately fit or do physical exercise on a regular basis, then Annapurna Base Camp Trek will be easier for you. Also, this trek is suitable for people of all ages who don't have prior trekking/hiking experience. However, we suggest you to get into some fitness activities like running, swimming, hiking to enhance your stamina and endurance for the trek. On the other hand, people with preexisting medical conditions are advised to consult with a doctor before you embark on the trek. Otherwise, some discomfort may appear due to medication or hiking along the journey. To prepare for ABC trek, you should start fitness training prior to two or three months before the trek commences. Going to the gym or an hour of aerobic exercise three to four times a week will help you develop physical and mental strength required for the trek. Also, we suggest you do short hiking or get into bushwalking that includes steep ascent and descent in the trail. If you do this training, you can comfortably trek in the Himalayan trails and get the most alive experience out of this journey.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty

• How difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  It’s all relative. Moreover, it depends on your preparation and fitness levels. If you frequently hike long distances, do regular exercises or backpacking, then Annapurna Base Camp Trek may not be so difficult. On the other side, if you are not used to trekking, any outdoor activities or physical exercises, then you will find this trek difficult. This means Annapurna Base Camp Trek is achievable for most people if you are really obsessed about accomplishing it and you are maintaining a good level of physical fitness.

• Are there any age limits for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  There's no age limit for Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The ABC trek is suitable for people of all ages with good physical and mental wealth. For children below 16 or elderly people, we recommend you to come with families, friends and groups or schedule a private trek with a few extra days for convenience.

Accommodation and Communication

• What kind of Hotel can I expect in Kathmandu and Pokhara?

  We use three star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You will be accommodated in a standard room on twin sharing basis for 2 nights each in Kathmandu and Pokhara, including breakfast during your stay. Furthermore, if you need to stay extra nights in the hotel or transfer to a 4 or 5 star hotel, we can arrange you for an additional cost.

• What sort of accommodation conveniences is available during the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

  We provide twin sharing three-star hotel accommodations in Kathmandu (2 nights) and Pokhara (2 nights) along with breakfast. Similarly, if you need a single room accommodation, it can be made available to you in payment of extra charges. Along the trekking routes, the accommodation conveniences at lodges/guesthouses would remain very basic. In general, it consists of double/twin sharing room or dormitory rooms including mattress and a quilt or blanket. Furthermore, you can rent Ace the Himalaya sleeping bags and down jackets, if needed, on a returnable basis. Please note that in case of loss or damage, you need to reimburse the cost of the same. Generally, local families managed the tea houses. Sometimes, dining at tea houses will be around a bonfire.

• Will there be a place to store items/clothing not required for the trek?

  The hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara provides free locker facility. So, you can place all the luggage/clothing items you don’t require in the hotel during the trek.

• Are the guesthouses heated?

  The guesthouses are not enabled with the heater or air conditioner in all trekking regions. However, most guesthouses provide bonfires or heating facilities in the dining area using kerosene or metal heaters. Also, note that some guesthouses charge an additional cost for the heating services.

• Is camping allowed in the trek?

  No. There is no need for camping as we can find many tea houses for food and lodging in the trek.

• Is there a possibility of getting separate rooms during the ABC trek? If so how much extra will this cost?

  Although Annapurna region is a popular tourist destination, the single supplement cannot be guaranteed earlier due to overflow of trekkers in peak season. Again, when there is a decline number of guests, the tea houses can easily provide a private room without any additional cost. In particular, the accommodation during the trek will remain very basic with twin sharing basis. On the other side, we can assure separate room in Kathmandu and Pokhara for an additional cost.

• What type of toilet/bathroom facilities are available in the teahouses/guesthouses?

  You can find western style flushing toilets as well as adjacent squat toilets in the teahouses/guesthouses. Mostly, the bathrooms are not attached to the individual rooms and are shared.

• Where do we go toilet along the trail?

  You can use the toilet facilities provided by guest houses along the trail. Otherwise, if you arrive in places without guesthouses or public toilet in those regions during the trek, then you need to find some privacy and experience outdoor toilet adventure.

• Do I need to bring toilet paper for the trek?

  We suggest you to bring toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a towel for your convenience. In addition, you can buy toilet paper on the guesthouses in the Annapurna region.

• Are hot showers/wash facilities available during the ABC Trek?

  Well, most guest houses provide proper running showers in lower altitude regions. At higher elevation such as Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp, the water gets frozen most of the time. So, you can get bucket showers at a price USD 2- USD 4 each bucket for the showers.(In general, one bucket is enough to shower for a single person).

• Are there any laundry services available during Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  Yes, tea houses provide laundry services for payment of additional cost. But, we suggest you pack enough clothes and wash them after the trek for your convenience.

• Can I charge my electronic gadgets during the trek?

  Yes. There are tea houses and lodges that provide charging facility for electronic gadgets upon paying extra fee.

  Note: The power plugs and sockets used in Nepal are type C, D and M. The standard voltage and frequency of electricity in Nepal is 230 V and 50 Hz respectively. This means if your electronic appliances state ‘INPUT: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz’, you can used to recharge in every country all over the world. Otherwise, make sure you bring universal travel adapter that is compatible for all kinds of devices in the trek.

• Is there any means of communication and Internet access while trekking to Annapurna Base Camp?

  Yes, there are telephones services and 3- G coverage in all villages of Annapurna region. Also, our trekking guide have cell phone from which you can make an International call. Most villages in Annapurna Base Camp trek route has been equipped with internet access and telephone services. We highly recommend you to buy a local sim card, Ncell, in Kathmandu and use it for communication and using internet en route.

Foods and Drinking Water

• What kind of food can I expect during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  Most tea houses (lodges) offer a delicious range of healthy, highly nutritious vegetarian meals such as pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, dal bhat (rice and lentils), fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season), bread, soup to name a few. Likewise, you can have desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and hot drinks like tea, coffee, hot lemon, hot chocolate as well as soft drinks. You can find garlic soup on the menu that helps you with acclimatization. In addition, you can have meat dishes on the menu. Every day, breakfast and dinner should be taken on the lodge where we spend our night whereas lunch is taken at best possible places during the trek. You can have meals as per your interest and choice. Please note that meals are not included in this ABC trip. You need to allocate USD 20 - USD 30 per person each day for all standard meals while trekking in the Annapurna region.

• Is the food in the mountain region prepared to international standard in terms of safety?

  Yes, the food prepared in the Annapurna region guesthouses are very safe and hygienic. We recommend you to take vegetarian meals for your health reasons, and follow the suggestions of our guide during the journey.

• What is drinking water facility in the Annapurna region?

  Bottled water is available for purchasing at the cost of USD 2-4 at the lodges and tea houses till you reach Chhomrong. Above the Chhomrong region, use of plastics is banned by the Annapurna Conservation area, so plastic bottled water is not available in this region. So you can buy boiling water or use purification methods such as adding chlorine, iodine to make it pure and drinkable. We highly suggest you bring your own pet bottle along with purification tablets from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Besides, you can use SteriPEN for purifying water.

• Is there any problem regarding foods for vegetarian/vegan during the ABC trek?

  This is not a problem at all because mostly the mountain tea houses serve vegetarian/vegan meals. In addition, all the meals we serve during the trek include vegetarian and vegan dishes. Moreover, we highly suggest our trekkers to avoid meat dishes during the Annapurna trek as they take a long time to digest. Also, the meat in mountain regions are not hygienic and may cause you food poisoning or other health problems.

Transportation

• Do we book our own international flights to and from Nepal?

  Yes. You should book your own international flights to and from Nepal.

• What mode of transportation do you use?

  For Kathmandu airport pick up and drop off, we use our private vehicle. Moreover, it depends on group size, and we mostly use cars, minibus, vans or 4WD SUV as means of transportation for reaching domestic airport and city sightseeing tours. In addition, we use tourist buses for travelling to and from Kathmandu-Pokhara. Similarly, we use private vehicles from Pokhara to Nayapul (the starting point of ABC trek) and when returning back to Pokhara.

• Do you use yak/porter on the trek or do we carry all of our own gear?

  During the trek, our porter will carry your duffel bag. Similarly, you need to carry your backpack for your personal belongings like cameras, water bottle, sun cream and other daily essential items. We provide 1 porter services for 2 people each. Note that the weight limit for a porter is 15 kg/33 pounds for each person. So, we suggest you pack your personal belongings carefully without exceeding the weight limit.

Season, Weather and Temperatures

• What is the best time to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  The following months are the best time to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek: February, March, April, May, June, October, November, and December.

• What is the temperature rating of the sleeping bag that you lend to trekkers?

  The temperature rating of the sleeping bags that we provide to trekkers are about -10 degree Celsius (14 degree Fahrenheit). Also, our guides can provide you liners or extra blankets if needed.

Health and Safety

• What safety measures are in place? What safety equipment do your guides carry with them on trek to deal with sickness/accidents?

  Our trekking guides are highly experienced, professional and well trained for higher altitude first aid training and related problems. They can measure your oxygen level in blood using oximeters and provide first aid if needed. Our guide carries medicine and a first aid kit during the trek. Besides, our guides carry a cell phone and keep on updating about the trek in our head office Kathmandu every day. If you deal with sickness or accidents, our guide will accompany you throughout the trek and ensure your safety and wellness. In case of emergency, our guide will manage helicopter rescue for your medical treatment in Kathmandu. However, the cost of helicopter charter is solely borne by trekkers.

  Make sure that your insurance policy covered medical expenses and emergency helicopter rescue in high altitude regions above 4,000 m; otherwise the cost is expensive in the mountain region. Only if you have purchased a valid travel insurance policy that covers helicopter charter and medical evacuation, then you can claim for reimbursement with your travel insurance company. In that case, we can help you with providing money receipts for your claim.

• What immunizations will I need?

  Vaccinations are not mandatory for this trip. Still, we recommend you are vaccinated against diphtheria TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus for your safety. We suggest a dental check up prior to the trek and be aware of your blood group type. Likewise, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions we recommend you to inform us while booking the trip.

• If I am sick can I continue the trek next day after a day rest?

  Well, it depends on your sickness level. If you get sick in higher altitude, you need to descent at lower altitude and take rest (3-7 days) for recovery. For solo trekkers, you can discuss with your guide about your health condition and take necessary measures. For group participants, you should talk with your guide about your health condition. Depending upon your situation, our guide will put you in the next trekking group coming up in Annapurna Base Camp trek. Your health matters, so you can take a rest until recovery and catch up with the next group.

• Do you guys have a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC)?

  Yes, we do have PAC. Annapurna Base Camp trek is around 4000m level, so it may not always required. Surely, we can provide PAC if necessary with additional fees on payment. Besides, you can hire oxygen cylinder from guest houses if it’s needed. Please note: if you are using oxygen cylinder in the Annapurna region, it can be expensive. So make sure that you have travel insurance that covered your emergency medical expenses at higher altitude.

Trekking Guides

• Do your guides have trekking guide certificates from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center? Have they received first aid training for high altitude?

  Yes, all our guides have received a 45 day training from Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management. Also, they have received Intensive Wilderness First aid Course from Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP). Furthermore, they are highly experienced, skillful and speak English fluently.

• Are Trekking to Nepal staff insured?

  Yes, all Trekking to Nepal staff are insured that includes trekking guides, cooks, Sherpa and porters.

• Do I need to tip my guide and porter? How much would that be?

  Well, tips/gratuity is customary in Nepal and highly appreciated. Moreover, it’s personal and a great way to show admiration for all those members involved in the trek, their hard work and devotion to make your journey a pleasant one. We have seen our previous clients tipping from USD 20 – USD 1000 per person for trekking crews. In general, we suggest to spend at least 10% of the cost of the trek for tipping guides and porters.

Trip Departure and Extension

• All your departure is guaranteed to run?

  Yes, all our trips are guaranteed to run. We never cancel the trip due to not having enough participants. Also, we make arrangements for one person and a private trip as well. You can make inquiries while booking the trip.

• I would like to extend my holiday, any recommendations?

  Yes. There are so many options and choices available to extend your holiday before or after the trek. Please visit our website for more information about treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet.

• Can I add extra days to my trekking trip?

  Surely, you can add extra days during Annapurna Base Camp trek. You need to pay extra cost that includes additional cost to cover food, accommodation, guides and porters. If you are interested in adding extra days for the trek, you can consult with your guide. so that he will update us in head office, Kathmandu. After getting all the details regarding your individual choices from our guide, we can make the necessary arrangements accordingly. This option is more convenient and feasible for an individual or a private trip. On the other hand, if you are in a group, this option is limited, and often should be arranged properly. So we highly encourage you to ask us in advance or talk with your guide or trekking group members so that we will manage it accordingly.