When you think about the most important things to do in Nepal, ABC is always on the second after EBC and why not? It has always been every trekker’s dream to explore the stunning scenery ABC offers. Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an adventure that every trekker must attempt to achieve during their lifetime of trekking. Reaching ABC is comparatively easier than Mount Everest Base Camp trek, however things must not be taken Easy! Mother nature as always is unpredictable, you might run through some tough times while on the route. Hence trekkers are strictly advised to take all the basic equipment, food stashes just in case for emergency situations and the most importantly stay cautious at all times.
Trekking to Annapurna base camp normally takes 7 to 10 days (up and down), depending upon trekker’s pace. The route to ABC is filled with gorgeous landscapes, bamboo forests and mesmerising thick Rhododendron forest. Trekkers are bound to view the endless Breath taking sceneries and experience diverse tribe cultures along the way. Trekking in Nepal is always a life time experience where people not only get to feel the adventure and thrill of undisputed mountains, they get to absorb various tribal cultures and embrace national diversity.
Now, let’s go to the basics of the ABC trek! First things first, trekkers will be dropped at Pokhara through flight or by bus from Kathmandu. It normally takes about six -seven hours by bus and 30 minutes by flight, both of the commute medium is comfortable, so there is no hard choices to be made! Once trekkers arrive at Pokhara they will be taken for a 3 hours’ drive to Kimche and from here, the official trek begins. After a short one hour walk from Kimche trekkers will arrive at Ghandruk village, final destination for the day.
The next day is a rough one! On the second day trekkers will walk for about six to seven hours, they will start from Ghandruk to Komrong Danda and from there to Chomrong village. There will be numerous climbing and downhill walking at this phase of the route, finally after all the ups and downs trekkers will reach Sinuwa (2340m). Trekkers will spend the night at a lodge and prepare for the next day.
After a good night sleep, trekkers will now head to Deurali! The third day is mostly uphill walk, trekkers are advised to warm up and have enough food for the trek. As the day is mostly filled with uphill climb, trekkers might get exhausted and it would be a good idea to take sufficient water and snacks for the road! Basically trekkers will walk from Sinuwa to Himalayan via Bamboo and Dovan and finally they reach Deurali (3200m) whichis 7-8 hours walk.
Now on the fourth day, trekkers will move from Deurali to ABC passing from Machhapuchhre Basecamp. It is minimum of 6 hours walk from Deurali, depending upon the pace that trekkers are willing to put on! This whole journey is a full uphill walk and trekkers will find themselves at 4,130m. Now having reached ABC, trekkers can enjoy the full view of Machhapuchhre, Himchuli, Gangapurna and other various famous mountain ranges.
Well done trekkers; you have now reached your destination Annapurna Base Camp, now all you need to do is enjoy the view and relax for the night. Get your selfie-sticks and cameras out and start bursting! Get a good night sleep and embrace the view as you will be heading back on the 5thday and it is all descend from here on. Trekkers will head down from ABC to Bamboo, from Bamboo to Kyumi on the sixth day and finally Kyumi to Pokhara or Kathmandu!