Background

Oct 2025, I chose Annapurna Base Camp as my first ever trek. It was a solo journey and honestly, I didn't have much idea what to expect, or how beautiful it was going to be.

I learned that solo trekking to ABC is expensive compared to going in a group, so I went on Facebook looking for options to go with a group and found a page called ABC Trekking Nepal. That's where I met two experienced travel buddies, and they ended up becoming my trek partners for the rest of my journey.

Looking back now, it has become one of the best decisions of my life, where I got to see and experience things which I'll carry as beautiful memories with me for rest of my life.

Overview of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

 Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek is one of the most beautiful, popular, and accessible trekking destinations in Nepal. It is in the Kaski district, within the Annapurna Conservation Area. The altitude of Annapurna Base Camp is 4,130 meters. This trek is approximately a 65 to 75-kilometer (40 to 47-mile) round trip. The best thing about this trek is that we can experience nature at its most stunning, while also enjoying organic local food and ethnic culture.

The trek is full of beautiful landscapes. Throughout the trek, as you progress, you will encounter dramatic rivers and waterfalls cascading from big Rocky Mountains into a deep gorge. We passed through a beautiful traditional Magar village featuring stone houses and terracotta roof. Along the way, we saw vibrant wildflowers, monkeys swinging through trees and listened to birds’ songs. As we approached the base camp the mountains grew larger and closer, with iconic peaks: Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna Fang (Varaha Shikhar) and many more, making us feel tiny, standing Infront of magnificent giants.

We finished the trek in 5 days (5D4N). Every day we walked around 6 to 7 hours, and the difficulty stayed moderate throughout. Honestly, I don't think you need any technical experience for this trek, but if you're a beginner, it helps to do 3 to 4 small hikes beforehand with a slightly heavy backpack. Also focus on your cardio and practice walking on stairs a lot because the trek is full of steep stone steps.

ABC trek is famous within Nepal and among outsiders, so every year thousands of trekkers choose to trek the ABC. It is accessible for beginners and families.

Planning and Preparation

Before deciding to trek the ABC, I prepared by reading travel articles and blogs, checking the budget required for completing the trek, watching itinerary videos on social media, researching about hotels and accommodations, arranging transportation to reach the trailhead, and looking into gears and equipment needed for the ABC. Doing Physical and mental preparation for the trek is necessary.

Challenges during my trek

Throughout the trek my biggest challenge was climbing hundreds of stone steps for which my body was not prepared.  Every day we walked for 6 to 7 hours for 5 days on paths of stone steps. If you are a beginner and do not have any physical and mental preparation, it might be challenging for you.

 Another major problem was altitude sickness; on my third day as I got closer to the base camp, I felt totally exhausted.

 In the tea houses, beds are quite small, which might be limiting to your restful night.

What’s in my Backpack?

Clothing: Two jackets are essential, 1 windproof jacket for active trekking, and 1 down jacket for extreme cold at higher altitudes. A t-shirt as a base layer which absorbs sweat. Carry 3. A sun protective glass and a hat against intense sun reflections. Good trekking boots and multiple pair of trekking socks are needed for foot comfort. Thermal pants and a thermal vest underneath the trekking pant and jacket are needed to make you warm. Your aim should be for balanced warmth, weight and ease for the trek.

 Medicine: I carried paracetamols, anti-diarrhea, anti-nausea, altitude sickness medicine, pain relief spray, and band aids.

Skincare items: Sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm are essential during the trek. Sunscreen protects your skin from strong sun rays. Moisturizer prevents dryness on your skin from the cold wind. Lip balm helps you to protect your lips from chapping in the cold.

Carry your toothbrush, hair shampoo, bodywash gel, towel, handkerchief, toilet papers, and sanitizer.

My experience on tea house

Tea houses are the station where we spend our nights. There are tea stations in Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dhovan and Deurali. From every station, the views of mountains and waterfalls are stunning. You'll be graced with planted flowers at the tea stations. Basic internet connectivity, hot water shower and a good variety of food and drink items are available.

 In tea stations, varieties of food items like pizza, pasta, Dal Bhat, and cold drinks are available.

 Rooms were clean and neatly managed and every room we stayed in had a charging point except base camp tea stations. There is a shortage in electricity, and tea houses depend fully on solar energy.

In every station, on average, I spent maximum of about NRS 2500 on lounging and food.

Best thing I got to experience in tea stations was spending time in the dining room, where I met many travelers returning and going up the trek. In the station, we exchanged travel stories, our lives' funny moments, and played cards which was truly one of my best times in the whole trek.

A day-to-day overview of ABC trek

Day 1 Kathmandu to Pokhara: I took a night bus, and the bus fare was Rs 1500. I reached Pokhara at 5 o'clock and stayed at a hotel, enjoying the day in Pokhara.

Day 2 Pokhara to Upper Sinuwa: From Pokhara to Jhinu Danda we took a taxi, I paid NRS 800 for taxi fare. From Jhinu, we walked for 6 to 7 hours and reached Upper Sinuwa at around 4:30 PM. Along the way, There's a monastery, a river, a Magar village, and beautiful green landscapes. From Sinuwa, we can see the beautiful view of Machhapuchhre Himal. Staying at Upper Sinuwa cost me NRS 2200.

Day 3 Upper sinuwa to Deurali: To reach deurali from upper sinuwa it took us nearly 6 to 7 hours to pass by bamboo, dhovan, Himalaya and reached deurali at 4 PM. We saw many waterfalls, birds and monkeys. we ate our morning breakfast at Himalaya it cost me NRS 750. At deurali,I was awestruck, right in front of our hotel, there was a large, picturesque waterfall. In deurali I spent NRS 2300 for food and lodging.

Day 4 Deurali to ABC base camp: we started our trek at 7 AM and reached ABC basecamp at 2:30 PM, it felt quick compared to yesterday, but when I got closer to the ABC, I got a little sick from the altitude. The mountains made the walk from MBC to ABC a wholesome experience.

Day 5 ABC base camp to Upper sinuwa: After a restful night at the basecamp, we woke up at 5 AM to see the sunrise. I can’t explain in words how beautiful it was to see the sunrise from the Annapurna Base Camp with sunrays behind Machhapuchhre and rays of reflection at south Annapurna. I spent NRS 2400 at the basecamp. After that we started our journey back to Upper Sinuwa starting at 8: 30 AM and reaching there at 6 PM.

 Day 6: Upper sinuwa to Pokhara: We reached Jhinu at 12 PM and ate our dinner. From Jhinu we took a taxi and reached Pokhara at 2 PM.

Day 6 Pokhara to Kathmandu: Same day in the evening I took a bus for Kathmandu. it cost me NRS 1500.

ABC Trek Itinerary and Expense Report

What I Learned from This Trek

After completing the ABC trek, I found something truly important, that, our lives are made up of so many things that we often take for granted and I’m so grateful I chose this trek as my first. This trek showed me what nature has given us, and I believe, we should protect it. One thing that will stay with me forever is how much respect the local people deserve, because of their hard work, carrying heavy loads from station to station, along with the horses and donkeys who share that same burden so that we can enjoy all the facilities. Also, I found myself reflecting on my situation, living in the city made me feel anxious about not fulfilling a luxurious life, while someone living in the remote area is doing so much for their basic needs.

Best season for Annapurna base camp trek

Mid-March to mid-April:

This is one of the most prime times to go for the ABC trek. flowers bloom (mainly Rhododendrons) right at that time, with moderate climate and great mountain view.

Mid-October to Early-December:

At this time, you can see a clear blue sky with a stable weather. It is also the best time to have clear view of the mountains.

Rules That Keep the Trail Clean and Safe

·       Don’t litter

·       You will get to know about rules and regulations at the checkpoint. Please follow those properly

·      You'll be instructed at the checkpoint to not carry any meat related items from Himalaya due to religious beliefs.