World Famous Annapurna Base Camp Trek
With eight of the highest peaks in the world, Nepal has been an interesting target for mountain lovers and trekkers. There are mountains in different parts of the world, but not many can beat the mountains here in Nepal. From the highest mountain in the world- Mt. Everest (8,848 m) to the most dangerous- Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), the country has everything a trekker can ever dream of. Not only one can encounter the rich flora and fauna in the Himalayas but one also runs into diverse cultures and lifestyles of people belonging to different ethnicities. Trekking in Nepal has to be a dream holiday for a large population of the world. On that point here is an excellent idea of where exactly you should go trekking on this vacation. Annapurna standing at the altitude of 8,091 meters is considered to be the most dangerous mountain in the world. Annapurna base camp trek is a world-famous trek admired by a huge number of tourists. This 13-day trek is that cold feet venture that leaves a mark forever in your mind.
The first few questions that pop up in the mind of someone who has decided to trek in Nepal for the first time are how difficult will the trek be? Do we hire a guide? How do we go about finding a good agency? Answers to all these questions, you’ll find it here. Remember it is never too easy to trek to the mountains and particularly in the case of Annapurna, you need to have enough knowledge about the vicinity and be physically fit and mentally prepared. It is undoubtedly going to be a tough thirteen days of your life that will pay off for sure in the end. As they say, where there is risk, there is reward. Your journey begins from Pokhara which serves as the gateway to many other treks. The route past Ghandruk, Chhomrung, Dovan, Deurali, and MBC is the popular route to the base camp.
Some trekkers go through Jhinu Dada skipping Ghandruk. Once you reach Pokhara, you can decide if you want to begin the expedition right away or take a rest. From Pokhara you move 55 km ahead to Nayapul then 30 minutes away; you’ll reach Birethati where trekkers are required to show their permit. A permit is essential if you’re trekking in the mountains of Nepal. There will be different checkpoints and the National Park Office along the trail where you need to show the police your permit and also the TIMS. Without these one cannot think of entering into the region because it is illegal. Both of these cards are for the safety of trekkers. They are asked for some information about their trip dates, itinerary, and contact number. They record the details on the Trekkers’ Information Management System.
It has only been nine years since this system came into effect with the consent of the Trekking Agencies Association (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Getting permits and a TIMS card has to be done by your guide. A trekker should take a Sherpa rather than just any guide in Annapurna. Sherpas are the main people of the Himalayas. They can tell you about the weather conditions just by looking at the sky and the movement of clouds. Booking a guide from a travel agency might or might not be reliable. It is highly recommended that you book them after you arrive in Nepal. Doing so not only you get to bargain the price but also meet the guides beforehand. And when the time comes for you to tie your laces to go up the mountains, you and your guide will already be comfortable with each other. After you reach Pokhara, you will have all the team members including your porters, guides, yourself, and your teammates. It is with these people now you will spend the rest of the beautiful days in the mountains.
Annapurna base camp trek is an intense trek with many challenges on the way. Now what makes Annapurna dangerous? The Annapurna massif consists of six peaks standing above 7,200 meters each viz. Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Gangapurna (7,455 m). Weather in the Annapurna region changes too often causing extreme cold and snowfalls to prevail almost throughout the year and sometimes unexpectedly. Another reason for Annapurna being perilous is because of its rocky and steep landscape. And moving forward to the summit is even more difficult as it gets more slope on the top. Avalanches are common here in Annapurna and on top of that this deadliest route does not allow any sort of signal. There is no such thing as a safer route to the Annapurna Base Camp trek. It is all the same everywhere.
The best thing to avoid it is to listen carefully to your guides or Sherpas. Trekking is more than just climbing up and down the vigorous hills and mountains. Make sure to listen to the instructions provided by Sherpas or your guides very carefully. To make your expedition successful, you need to be sufficiently knowledgeable about the area and which time of the year is the best to go for a trek. April and May are the best months to begin your trek to Annapurna Base Camp. In addition to the beautiful green terrace of paddy fields, amazing dense rhododendron forests, sparkling rivers, and glorious snow-capped white mountains passing along those ancient villages, there lives people and children whose innocence glitters in their eyes, completely unaware of the more advanced world outside just few hundred miles away.
Their life standard is basic yet they are the happiest. Do not worry about the accommodation. There are lots of tea houses on the way. While the cost of a room is cheaper, the cost of the food items in the Himalayas is expensive. You can decide to set up your own tent and sleep under the night sky watching the stars or try to find a local lodge at a cheaper rate. Teahouse treks have gained a lot of popularity recently. It is a lodge with limited facilities like a hot shower, electricity, and warm plus cozy beds. Annapurna Base Camp at an elevation of 4,130 m is the closest you’d get to the world’s most dangerous mountain. To get a good deal to be at the base camp, all you need to do is check the companies online and compare; both the price and service.