Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek 

Autumn and spring seasons typically see the best weather conditions for an Annapurna Base Camp Trek, with mid-October to mid-November and mid-March to mid-May being the optimal months for trekking. 

The autumn window from October to December is considered ideal as crystal clear skies provide the best views of the mountains, and peak vantage points have stunning views of the Annapurna massif. 

The spring months of March/April/May see mild weather, although April sees the full bloom of rhododendron forests for spectacular floral views. 

The pre-monsoon months of winter and summer have good weather but are borderline for treks – winters can be colder, and summers may bring more rain and risk of snowfall at higher altitudes, obscuring views and making hiking trails difficult. 

So, regardless of the level of difficulty, autumn or spring periods are the absolute best times for Annapurna Base Camp treks to fully enjoy the experience, views, and floral beauty.

Trek Difficulty during the Annapurna Base Camp trek

The Annapurna Base Camp trek typically takes between 7-10 days and is considered moderately strenuous, requiring a decent level of fitness. The trail gains a total elevation of 4130m, which means trekkers will encounter steep stone staircases up and down mountainsides and hike 5-7 hours most days. 

No technical climbing skills are necessary, and the trek is feasible for amateur hikers willing to train before tackling the route. However, the rapid elevation gain combined with mountainous daytime temperatures and cold nights makes the trek extremely draining. 

Building endurance through cardio workouts and strength training for 3 months prior allows one’s body to acclimate better. While Annapurna Base Camp isn’t the toughest Nepali teahouse trek, trekkers should be prepared for challenging sections walking through rain, snow, freezing temperatures, and high winds. 

Permits Required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Two main permits are mandatory to obtain before embarking on an Annapurna Base Camp trek – the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card and the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit. 

TIMS card

The TIMS card registration is required for all trekkers in Nepal and helps authorities coordinate rescues and monitor tourism impact. It can be obtained in Kathmandu for around USD 10 after providing passport and visa details. 

ACAP permit

The ACAP permit grants access to trek within the Annapurna Conservation Area and costs USD 30 for foreign nationals and USD 10 for SARRC nationals. Most tour operators help secure permits in advance via online forms before starting the ABC trek. 

Having both permits on hand is essential when passing through check posts and helps conserve the delicate Himalayan environment.

Guide and porter hiring process for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

Hiring a guide and porter: 

Decide early: independent or through an Agency?

Trekking  agency (most reliable):

• Offers licensed, insured guides and porters.
• Handles all logistics: flights, permits, accommodations, etc.
• You pay more, but it’s stress-free and safer.

Independent guide/porter

• Slightly cheaper, but you’ll need to ensure they are licensed and experienced.
•  You’ll need to coordinate everything yourself ( permits, itinerary, bookings)

Recommended: Use a government-registered trekking agency in Kathmandu or online ahead of time for verified and insured staff. 

2. Verifying Credentials and Experience

Guide: 

• Must be government-licensed.
• Should have basic English and first-aid knowledge.
• Experience in high-altitude trekking is a must.

Porter:

• Usually from the local sherpa or rai communities.  
• Can carry 20-25 kg of loads.
• Often have limited English but are incredibly strong and helpful.

If you’re booking independently, ask for their trekking licence, insurance details and past client reviews.

Altitude sickness during the Annapurna Base Camp trek

Altitude/ elevation sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), occurs when you ascend to high altitudes too quickly and your body struggles due to a lack of adequate oxygen. It typically affects people after ascending beyond 2500 metres (8,200 ft) and can escalate if ignored.

Common signs and symptoms.

Symptoms usually begin 6-24 hours after ascent and to help control the situation can range from mild to life-threatening. It’s crucial to recognise early signs to take the situation under control.

Mild Symptoms

• Headache (Most common)
• Nausea or Vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fatigue or unusual tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping.

Moderate to severe symptoms:

• Persistent, worsening headache.
• Confusion or disorientation
• Shortness of breath, even at rest.
• Difficulty walking (ataxia)
• Tightness in the chest.
• Severe fatigue.
• Bluish lips or fingernails.

Serious Symptoms

• High-altitude cerebral edema.
• Swelling of the brain.
• Symptoms include Confusion, hallucinations, poor coordination, Drowsiness or even coma.
• Life-threatening and requires immediate descent.
• High altitude pulmonary edema.
• Fluid builds up in the lungs.
• Symptoms include breathlessness at rest, coughing (Possibly with pink froth), Tight chest, and blue lips.
• Fatal if untreated.

Preventive measures.

• Ascend gradually.
• Stay hydrated and avoid. Beverages like alcohol and caffeine, especially in the early days of the trek.
• Consume a high-calorie diet with carbohydrates. Avoid overeating and spicy food that could lead to stomach upset.
• Climb high, sleep low.
• Consider medication. Often recommended for the high elevation trekkers, Acetazolamide is often taken 1-2 days before reaching high altitudes.
• And most importantly, know when to stop or descend.
• And most importantly, report about even the slightest uneasiness to the guide or fellow companion.

Currency details for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

Currency used.

• The official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee.
• Notes come in denominations like 1/2/5/10/20/50/100/500/1000.
• Coins are rarely used and not accepted in remote trekking areas.

Exchange rates.

• Exchange rates fluctuate, but as of early 2025,1 USD is equivalent to NPR 130-135.
• Rates are slightly better at authorised money exchanges in Kathmandu compared to airports or hotels.

Where to exchange.

• Kathmandu (especially the Thamel area) As numerous licensed money changers offering competitive rates.
• You can also exchange it at banks, but they often require passport copies and may charge a small fee.
• ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu for you to withdraw cash.

On the trail

• No money exchange facilities either- Cash is the only way.
• Only a few lodges accept foreign currency. (USD/EUR) at low exchange rates.

Important tips

• Budget for daily expenses, buffer for emergencies, and a tip. (Suggested 3000 to 4000 per day)
• Dividing your money into smaller denominations is easier for transactions.
• Some lodges and shops might not have changed for NPR 1000 notes at higher elevations. 

Equipment list for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

First aid for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

For altitude.

• Altitude sickness medicine/Diamox 
• Ibuprofen or paracetamol
• Oximeters.

For cuts and wounds

• Antiseptic liquids. (Betadine/Savlon)
• Alcohol swabs or antiseptic wipes.
• Band-aids, gauze pads, adhesive tapes.
• Tweezers and small scissors.

For stomach issues.

• ORS (oral Rehydration salts)
• Anti Diarrheal. (e.g. Loperamide).
• Probiotics or activated charcoal tablets.

For a cold and a cough.

• Lozenges and a nasal spray.
• Cough syrup (Non-drowsy type)
• Lip balm, petroleum Jelly, cold cream.

Miscellaneous

• Blister plasters (e.g., Compeed)
• Elastic bandage for sprains. 
• Pain-relieving balm or spray
• Eye drops.
• Thermometer.
• Surgical/ latex gloves.

Hands

• Mittens 
• Hand-warmers
• Trekking poles
• Fist wraps
• Woollen gloves

Footwear

• Four pairs of woollen socks 
• well-gripped waterproof boots
• Flip-flops
• Crampons

Toiletries 

• Soap bars 
• Shaving kits
• Nail kits
• Hand-sanitisers
• Toothbrush
• Mid-sized towel
• Sanitary napkins
• Shampoo sachets

Additional

• Notebooks 
• Cameras
• Water bladders of min. 2-liter capacity 
• Chargers and power banks
• First-aid kits
• Regular medicines 
• Multi-purpose Swiss army knife

Other medical advice for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

• Hydrate constantly at altitude; dehydration is dangerous.
• Rest if the symptoms of AMS start.- Don’t push higher. If your body is warning, (Motivation isn’t always the solution to reach the destination, your life matters)
• Avoid alcohol or smoking- it worsens acclimatisation.
• Consult your doctor about high-altitude medication and possible side effects before the trek.

Note: If you are under regular medication, then please bring an adequate amount of medication to avoid shortage, as some medications might not be available in the trial.

Also, have enough quantity of Nepali money in smaller denominations for personal expenses, despite the availability Atm at ATMs might not function properly. 

Food/snacks during the Annapurna Base Camp trek

The menu at Ghorepani

The company provides you with three meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner while on route for the Annapurna base camp (ABC) trek enough to sustain and provide you energy to keep going forward, but does not provide you with extra energy bars, chocolates and refreshing drinks while trekking including mineral water bottles rather provides you with refill if you have a tumbler.

If you want a mineral water bottle, then you are supposed to purchase one for yourself, and in case if you want to buy sealed mineral water along with other snacks, you should buy at a lower elevation as the price inclines with rising elevation and the price of the food on menu might also fluctuate as depending on location, once in twice a year.

Drinking water on the  Annapurna Base Camp trek

Drinking water will be available for you throughout the trek in different local shops to buy and refill at tea houses but it’s advised for foreigners to buy mineral water bottles or at least boil the drinking water as the water straight from the source might not settle well with their physiology due to new environment despite the water being clean and drinkable.

There are different methods to obtain water to drink as follows:

Bottled water:

The most convenient way to get water is to buy bottled water available easily at local vendors. It’s advised for you to buy water at lower elevations if you want to save costs, as the price of bottled water spikes with rising elevation. A bottle of water costing Rs. 100 at Lukla might cost Rs. 400+ in Gorakshep.

•  Despite being convenient, travellers are advised to carry a refillable personal water tumbler to avoid plastic waste.

Boiled water:

Most tea houses offer boiled water for a small charge, but getting the boiled water is worth it cause it’s safer from untreated water, and since usually the region is visited during cold weather, it’s advised to avoid drinking cold water to avoid the body from losing heat and energy.

Tap or stream water:

Water from these sources is available to drink, but just like suggested before, it needs to be processed through some sort of viable treatment in order to filter pathogens.

Water Filtration process for Annapurna Base Camp trek

There are several purification methods that travellers can use for water purification besides the mentioned ones, which can be useful even in times of emergency, particularly for solo adventure travellers to know about them, such as:

Water purification tablets:

• Lightweight and effective.
• Safe but slightly chemical taste.

Portable water filters:

• Mechanical filters (Life Straw, Sawyer Mini) 
• Ideal for stream and tap water.

UV sterilisers (Steripen):

• Quick and efficient (takes around 90 seconds)
• Needs batteries and works best with clear water.

Annapurna Base Camp trek for beginners

Beginners who are planning to do the Annapurna Circuit trek must be aware that they should have good physical and mental strength, as the route is challenging and the high altitude with mountain passes makes this route more adventurous. You should consider having enough preparation and consultation before departing for this trek. Apart from that, a suggestion for first-time high-elevation trekkers, it’s better if you do better fitness training and exercise and weight-bearing training as the trail is beyond 8000 m and requires a good level of strength and endurance of cardio. 

Electricity and power supply Annapurna Base Camp trek

Power supply on the trail is available, and charging facilities are available at teahouses for a minor charge for communal charging services. But since it’s a high altitude beyond and around 4,500m, the weather might be unstable at times, causing power outages due to winds. So, it’s advised that you bring a power bank for charging your devices on the go.

Internet services/SIM card for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

As for the internet, the teahouse offers wifi services, but just like electricity, it might be affected by altitude and weather at times. So it’s better if you subscribe to an internet package, or you can even acquire an eSIM for internet services that come with the internet acquisition process.

As for the sim card if you want a physical sim you’ll need to provide a passport copy and a PP-sized photo to the retailer Service provider and as for the e-sim you can visit the official site of any cellular service provider and acquire the E-sim as per the instructions and as for the data acquiring process, you’ll get small manual with the sim card paper which you can use to follow the process of data purchase.

Tips for the Annapurna Base Camp trek

• Always carry a bottle or two with you. Some stretches between villages can be long.
• Insulated bottles help with cold water at higher altitudes.
• Purification tablets wait at least 30 minutes before drinking. 
• Many trekkers prefer to stay in tree-houses and purify by themselves, as it is cheaper and sustainable.

Note: Anyone who needs to be under regular medication, please bring an adequate amount of medication while on the route and also have insurance in case of emergency evacuation by helicopter.