Are you considering an Annapurna trek but unsure of how challenging the hike to Annapurna Base Camp will be?
Before deciding to begin your journey in the Annapurna Region, read this article about the difficulty of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. If you go on any additional hiking trips in the Himalayas, this might be useful.
The climb to the base camp of Annapurna 1, the tenth-highest peak in the world over 8000 meters, is challenging due to the repeated ascents and descents on stony steps.
This walk is one of the hiking paradises for adventure seekers thanks to the local ethnic communities of Thakali, Gurung, Pun, and Magar with the breathtaking mountain vistas from Poonhilll, Tadapani, Chhomrong, and ABC.
According to the category of trekking, ABC Trek is one of the world’s most popular sites for moderate trekking. After the Everest Base Camp Trek, it is the second most well-liked trekking location in Nepal.
Trekkers with average fitness levels who can walk 6 to 8 hours uphill and downhill at higher elevations can easily accomplish this trek. You should research the trek’s difficulty before signing up, so here are some ABC Trek Nepal challenges.
-
- How Difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Difficult of Right Trekking Gear:
Annapurna Base Camp is situated at 4130m which is in the Himalayan region and the weather always changes there. During the daytime, the temperature increases but in the evening it falls. The temperature is always 0 or less than zero degrees centigrade in Annapurna Base Camp at night and early morning. So you must prepare clothes properly which keep you warm.
If you do not have well-packed clothes then you can feel difficulty trekking. Like in the winter season, ABC is covered by snow so you must bring a warm jacket with crampons for trekking and sunglasses for protection from snow refraction. There is heavy rainfall in June and July so you must bring a waterproof jacket and pants or Umbrella for this trekking. Here is the gear list for Trekking ABC. For detailed clothing information Please Read Here: Nepal Trekking Equipments.
We request you to bring a sweater and warm clothes that can be fast-dried and lightweight for your best trekking.
1. Camera and extra battery and memory.
2. Battery charger 2 pins and power bank, Mobile.
3. Headlight with an extra battery.
4. Sunglasses.
5. Trekking poles.
6. Sunhat and a warm hat.
7. Sandals for teahouse wear.
8. A pair of woolen gloves.
9. Trekking boots.
10. Down jacket(negative 10 degrees).
11. Rain trousers and a rain jacket.
12. Hiking shirt- 2 pairs.
13. 2 pairs of underwear.
14. Water bottle one for hot water and another for cold water with some iodine purification tablets.
15. Insurance copy and passport.
16. Sleeping bag(negative 10 degrees).
17. Snacks, chocolate, and energy bars.
18. Toiletries like toilet paper and wet tissue.
19. First aid medicine.
20. Bath gel and shampoo two in one.
21. Sunscreen SPF 50 and lip balm SPF 50 as well.
22. Soap and towel.
23. Nail cutter.
24. Toothpaste and brush.
25. Moisturizer and hand sanitizer.
26. enough cash (cannot be exchanged in the mountain and no ATMs).
Unable to take the holiday in the best season of trekking in Annapurna:
Nepal ABC Treks can be undertaken all the time but Autumn and spring are the best time to trek in the Annapurna areas. At that time weather was stable and the sky was clear every day. This season from March to May is called spring or the pre-monsoon period and has a timeless chance of rainfall and flowering during the ABC Trek. So it’s one of the right times to trek at Annapurna Base Camp.
Another best season is the post-monsoon period or September to November. At that time a lot of festivals occur here and the weather becomes very stable. It’s another best time in Nepal. These two seasons are the best time to Trek Annapurna. Besides this, there are Monsoon and Winter.
In monsoon, trekkers are unable to see the Himalayas peaks and a lot of leeches during the trails. During wintertime, snow covers the area, and is sometimes closer to Annapurna base camp hotels, which makes the environment very cold. Landslides may occur from Deurali to MBC Trails as well.
-
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty – Right Season
Hiking, trekking, or walking Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty:
If you haven’t done any trekking at the higher altitude or mountain regions, then be sure Annapurna Base Camp Trek will take the shit out of you. The trek isn’t so hard for the people who trek once a week or a month. The main part of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek’s difficulty in trekking is that you have to walk with your heavy backpack for about 7 to 8 hours a day with that heavy trekking boot of yours.
It already sucks right? Now imagine yourself with all that heavy backpack and boots climbing up almost 3000 steady stairs. Felt better? And if you are not a person who walks around normally, or does some exercises then it’s the real deal for you.
But take a chill pill. Well, this can help you out. Before the days of trekking, go run or walk with a heavy backpack that will prepare your shoulder for the upcoming days. Along with that, wear your trekking boot frequently, believe me, you are not going to take it off until the day ends for a week.
And if you have some extra days off at Kathmandu or Pokhara, go a day hiking to get a teaser of what your trek will feel like.
Altitude Difficulty in ABC Trek:
The next thing that hits up when we go to the mountain region is its altitude. From Kathmandu (1400 m ) above sea level or from Pokhara (800 m) which is even lower than Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) is not an easy journey.
The thin oxygen level makes it difficult to grasp our breath. So, we should plan our itinerary and acclimatization day carefully. This altitude difficulty can be in all of Nepal’s higher-elevation trekking destinations.
Apart from the altitude, you also have to be careful about trekking. You shouldn’t trek long and reach a higher altitude at once. Just step slowly in your trek. Enjoy the surreal beauty it holds and move accordingly. The small layups in the altitude will help you to accommodate better at a higher altitude.
Altitude Sickness Difficulty:
Altitude Sickness is not so common in the Annapurna Region. However, it should not be taken lightly too. Referring to itself as mountain sickness, if not treated well in time it can be scary.
You can check out the symptoms of Altitude Sickness and be cautious.
Symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness and poor sleep.
- Effects similar to a hangover.
- Difficulty in catching a breath
- A High rate of heartbeat.
- Difficulty in stopping cough.
- Foam in saliva
- Saliva might contain blood.
- Your lips, nails, and tongue might slowly turn blue.
- Unclear vision.
- Confusion in simple things.
- Difficult to walk heel-in-toe on a straight path.
If you feel any type of these symptoms please take enough rest. Consult the medical personnel or the local guides they can help you with those situations.
If you didn’t feel well descend lower and spend a night. In some cases, people feel better after staying in the lower areas for the night and trek up after they feel good. Besides that, if you still feel unwell you need to leave your trek.
Some tips that might help you to stay away from altitude sickness are listed below. Hope these points will be your great help.
Preventive Measures
- Strengthening your body with appropriate training before the ABC trek.
- Maintain a high level of hydration during the trek.
- Avoid alcohol while trekking.
- Go slow during your trek.
- Have low altitude gains.
- Maintain cleanliness
- In case you observe the symptoms, make a descent to lower altitudes.
And a pro tip for you. Take a bit of garlic in your mouth and ascend further. This will help you to cut the sickness. And for your information, some of the locals will advise you to do so if you feel difficult. So, yeah don’t forget the garlic if you are going to a higher altitude.
Trek Duration makes this trek difficult:
The base camp trek is nearly a week long. Depending upon how much you spend your time on the itinerary. Else it can take up to 10 to 12 days.
Altogether, you have to travel a total distance of 115 km all in the trek. This particularly means you have to travel nearly 10 km to 20 km each day. The trails are well-managed and can be accessed without difficulties. However, it depends on which season you are visiting the Annapurna Base Camp.
Before you reach the Annapurna Base Camp, you will be staying at Macchapuchre Base Camp. Yeah, you heard it right. You will be visiting the base camp of two splendid mountains at the same time. Yeah, the double fun, the double adventure, the double thrill, and the double challenges.
Seasons And Their Difficulties During Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
The beauty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek is that regardless of the season you do the trek. Annapurna Base Camp will blind you with its uniqueness and beauty always. The beautiful sunrises, magnificent wilderness, and the steady paths of highs and lows, ups and downs never fail to mesmerize the trekker with their beating beauty.
Autumn season in ABC Trek:
To begin what the Autumn season at ABC Trek feels like I would like to start with a quote. “The best view doesn’t afford a single crowd.” Yeah, you heard me right. The autumn season which lasts from September to November is the peak season to trek for Annapurna Base Camp.
The clear skies, calm weather, maybe a bit of rainfall, and the surreal view of mountains are everyone’s weaknesses. So, if everything is at its best, then what’s with the Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty right?
Well, due to a large number of people flowing towards the Annapurna Base Camp for its exceptional scenarios. The tea shops, hotels, and even the trail will be overcrowded. Imagine going on a trek for peace, and you never get it. So, if you are an ideal peace lover, the Autumn season might not work for you.
Also, the hotels, are filled with travelers. So, if you don’t go without an agency you might be in a mess. The rooms must be pre-booked and the services will be served late due to more guests in the hotel.
Besides the amazing view, it might be not good for an Annapurna Base Camp Trek if you plan to enjoy your vacation.
Summer Season:
Starting with June of the year and going through July and August, the summer season has the hottest and the highest rainfall effect on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The lower altitude regions are difficult to trek because of the high temperature and humidity. Also because of the regular rainfall, the trails are slippery and have more chances of a landslide.
Trekking in the scorching sun isn’t fun at all. Plus the risk of landslides and uncertain rainfall may interrupt your itinerary for a day or two. So if you are trekking to Annapurna base camp in the summer season then be sure to have two or three fine extra days.
Additionally, not sure about the beautiful views of the mountains but dark clouds appear often in the summer in the upper region. So, you can get a bit disappointed by the view it will block.
However, besides the hast, uncertainties, risk, and food and accommodation become a little cheap at that time of year. Greenery and peace are everywhere. Not too many people do the trek in the Summer season. So you and your squad enjoying the whole route.
Winter Season in Annapurna Base Camp:
The winter season in Nepal starts at the beginning of December and lasts till February. The best thing about the Winter season is that it’s the best time to watch mountains being snowcapped and shining like a diamond.
The trials might be covered with falling snow which can give inexperienced trekkers a hard time. Behind that, you can also get off-season discounts in different hotels and homestays.
But the freezing weather can knock you down so, get warm clothes, jackets boots everything you have. The Macchapuchre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp will be goddamn attractive at this time of year.
Summarizing that up, every season has its kind of Annapurna Base Camp Trek difficulty. If you want to get knowledge about how difficult the trek is ABC trek then you can probably do the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek or Mardi Himal Trek which provides you with an excellent view of the sunrise that shines over the Annapurna Ranges.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
