Annapurna base camp trek is a materialization of every traveler’s dream for exploring life in the wilderness, tasting high Himalaya and challenging one’s mental and physical endurance. As you prepare yourself for this amazing trek, you may have may questions regarding the trek. Here are some frequently asked questions for Annapurna Base Camp trekking.
Photo – Matt Zimmerman via Flickr
#1 What is the best season to do Annapurna Base Camp Trek
September and October are considered to be the best season to visit the Annapurna region. The sky is clear after the monsoon and you can see the magnificent mountain ranges during the trail. The pre monsoon or March and April are also an ideal time for the visit to the Annpurna region as the weather is warm and you can see the beautiful hills covered in rhododendron. In winter, You may encounter snowfall which may hinder your trek and the base camp is closed during the winters. Monsoons are wet, rainy and carries high chances of landslides.
# 2 What Permits are required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek requires two types of trekking permits
- The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit(ACAP) and
- Trekkers Information Management System(TIMS card)
These permits will be regularly checked on the trail. You can obtain these permits in either Kathmandu or Pokhara prior to your trek. You will be requiring 2 copies of Passport sized Photographs and copies of your passport for each of these permits.
ACAP Fee:
SAARC Nationals – Rs. 200 per person per entry (Approx. US $2 per person)
Non-SAARC Nationals – Rs. 2,000 per person per entry (Approx. US $20 per person)
TIMS Fee:
Organized Trekker: $10
Free Individual trekkers: $20
#3 Do I need to book ahead?
If you are thinking of hiring a trekking agency for your trekking adventure, you may wonder whether to book the trek or not. The peak season may be very crowded and may require some kind of pre booking will surely help you confirm your trek to the Annapurna base camp. However, you may manage it without a pre booking if you give yourself a few days in Kathmandu or Pokhara to prepare for the trek.
#4 How should I physically prepare for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Annapurna Base Camp trek is considered to be a moderate level trekking trail and takes 7 to 11 days, depending on the itinerary and length of the walking days. If possible, do some trekking and spend some time in higher altitudes prior to beginning the trek. Regular exercises will definitely help you cope up with the long walkings.
As Annapurna base camp trek takes place over the altitude of 2500 meters and carries risk of Altitude sickness.Be aware of the symptoms of AMS and treat it promptly. If symptoms worsen, please go to lower altitude and seek a medical help.
To help avoid altitude sickness, it is best advised to keep oneself hydrated and to walk steadily while enjoying the spectacular view of the Annapurna region. You can also take drugs like Diamox to treat altitude sickness.If you wish, you can also add few acclimatization days during the trek.
#5 What is the food like during Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
You will get quite a variety of Nepalese dishes during the Trek, the most famous remaining the obnoxious Dal Bhat. But, don’t limit yourself with Dal Bhat, try other varieties of dishes during the trek. Menu throughout the trek is almost same in all the teahouses. However the price seems to rise as the altitude rises. It is best advised to avoid non vegetarian and alcohol for maintaining your health during the trek.
