Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Best Time to Visit Annapurna Base Camp Trek

You can visit Annapurna Base Camp throughout the year, but the best feasible time to visit is Autumn and Spring. Autumn season starts in September and lasts till November. Spring season starts in March and lasts till May. Autumn and Spring are the coziest seasons to trek Annapurna Base Camp.

Autumn has a moderate climate with vivid views of landscapes and mountains. The temperature is comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold.

Spring also has a moderate climate with little rain, but the trail is ideal for walking with the best views.

Whereas Summer has the highest temperature, more downpours, leading to slippery roads and landslides are dangerous. Winter is very cold in this high altitude, making the temperature fall to -10 degrees, which is intolerable. 

The best part about Summer and Winter is the less crowded due to weather conditions, which is more peaceful than in peak seasons with lots of people. If you are a beginner, then choose the Autumn and Spring season. But if you are a well-experienced trekker and prefer a smaller crowd, you can also nail it during Summer and Winter. 

Trek Difficulty

The world’s 10th highest peak, Mount Annapurna, has an altitude of 8091 m; climbing this mountain is impossible for us, as it requires lots of passion and years of training and is very risky. You need not climb the mountain to experience its heavenly view. You can trek to its base camp to get a view of it.

To make this trek successful, you need to consider many things. You must make pre-preparation by physical training and mental affirmation. You must be well prepared because the journey ahead is like a roller coaster. It’s really important to be aware of difficulties before your trek.

The difficulties of trekking at Annapurna Base Camp are:

Duration of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

It takes from 11 to 14 days to trek at Annapurna Base Camp. You have to walk 5 to 6 hours daily. The trail of this trek is quite difficult, with endless stone staircases, ups and downs, twists and turns. These endless, long, tiring walks can lead to anxiety.

To overcome this difficulty, you need to prepare yourself beforehand. Try exercises to increase your physical stamina, walk daily in up and down trials, and go hiking in the hills. This will prepare your body for the trail of this trek. You can also try some yoga to stay mentally calm.

Distance of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The total distance of this trek is 115 km, which means you need to walk for 10 to 15 km daily. This may be very frustrating as walking on difficult trails is tiresome. Though it is less distance than other base camp treks, it is still difficult for beginners to achieve this goal.

So, maintain your walking habit. Try to stay calm and patient no matter what. Build up your stamina, both physically and mentally. Remain unbothered with distance and destinations; focus on your journey. Take enough rest during the trek. Stay hydrated as well.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness is very common in high altitudes above 2000 m due to lack of oxygen. While you feel difficulty breathing or dizzy, these are the symptoms of altitude sickness. If not treated in time, it can take your life.

So, you must rest while trekking. If there is any difficulty, inform your guide quickly, and they will help. This is when a local guide is helpful. Though they are not medics, they are familiar with this situation.

Once your guide is aware of your condition, they will take necessary measures and help you descend for good oxygen intake, which is the best solution for altitude sickness. For an emergency, you should use oxygen masks. Give importance to your overall health during the trek.

Trekking Trails of Annapurna Base Camp

The trails of Annapurna Base Camp are relatively easy compared to other trails of Nepal. But still, it has its difficulties. The trails to this Camp are full of stone staircases, ups, downs, twists, and turns.

The trails make it difficult to walk on our own. So, you should bring trekking gear with you that helps to withstand your body. Take enough rest. Carry some energy drinks with you.

Weather of Annapurna Base Camp

The weather at Annapurna Base Camp depends on the season. The most suitable season for trekking is Autumn and Spring. Autumn starts in September and ends in November. Spring starts in March and ends in May.

The temperature is very moderate during autumn, unlike winter, with extreme cold. Many places are not allowed to enter during winter due to safety reasons. During Spring, the temperature is warm, with no downpours, leading to the best path without slippery trails.

Without Guide and Porter

A guide is a person who is a certified professional with previous trekking experience and a license. They will help you with the permits, tickets, and hotels and ensure your health during the trek. As altitude sickness is most probable in the high altitude region, having a guide makes you feel safe.

Hire a local guide as they are familiar with the culture and tradition of this region. Not only that, they know all the teahouses and their owners, which makes it easier for night stays. Booking a room is quite difficult, so having a local guide beside you helps to ease this difficulty.

A porter will help you carry your baggage, build tents, and cook food. The guide and porter are both necessary for a journey to be fun. They will be very helpful for our knowledge and health as well.

Hence, there are many difficulties in trekking at Annapurna Base Camp. But there are ways to overcome it as well. Believe in yourself and make yourself capable of completing the trek. Prepare both physically and mentally. Have a safe journey to the beautiful destination.