Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost and Itinerary

If any trek takes you to a mountain’s base camp, that stroll ultimately becomes an adventurous and beautiful trek. Annapurna Base Camp Expedition is one of such treks and the most popular also. Mt Annapurna, the tenth tallest peak in the world, which lies on Nepal’s northern side, is a gorgeous mountain. And there is this trail that ends up you to the base camp of it, known as Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Just like you, thousands of adventure-seeking souls have inquiries about the trek. However, one of the most frequent questions is “ How much is Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost?. Someone has to answer that question for you, so we took charge. This blog will help you find all the answers related to that question. Let’s jump in!

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is not a big-budget trek. However, it can turn into a costly one only if you spend more. Also, it is you and your spendings that makes any of the expeditions cheap and expensive. If you look at Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the trek is not about great hotel nights, expensive breakfast, and high-priced transportation. Instead, it is about basic tea houses, economical meals, and affordable transportation. That is why it is accurate to say, “Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost is not that high.” Still, as stated earlier, you are the decider.

To perform Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you need to spend on certain basic things. That can be expenses of visa costs, cost of guides and porters, cost of permits, food and accommodation fees, and more. Alongside, you may have to splash out your cash on some miscellaneous heads also. In fact, a total Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost will be the sum of both the basic costs and the various costs.

Furthermore, you surely would want to know each of the possible expenses on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Do not worry; this blog will consider and mention all of the trek expenses. Moreover, you will also get to go through the trek’s outlined itinerary and its significant highlights. Reading all of that, you will know the round cost of Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Significant Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Start the tour with a visit to Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Enter the Annapurna Region and experience its limitless beauty.
Move through the traditional villages of the locals.
Enjoy the mountain views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges like never before.
Make it to the two base camps: Annapurna Base Camp and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.
Experience the loaded vegetation and natural resources of Annapurna Conservation Area.
Relax in the backdrop of the world’s tenth tallest peak, Annapurna.
Make countless memories in the most beautiful part of the Himalayas.

Breakdown of Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

Let’s turn our focus to the main point of the blog: Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost. As you know the total trekking cost is a sum of various cost overheads. We will discuss each of the cost heads of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. However, the below-listed prices are not the limit but the basic ones of the trek. It depends on your spendings, to sum up the total cost of the expedition.

Costs of Trekking Permits

We will start with the most basic cost of ABC Trek, the trekking permit costs. Yes, Annapurna Base Camp Trek requires trekking permits. You will need two different licenses for doing this trek as this region is a protected area. The initial one is the TIMS(Trekkers Information Management System), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is the second.

You can get these permits from two places only: Kathmandu and Pokhara. To get the licenses, you have to visit the tourism office located in one of the cities or contact your trekking agency to get them for you. TIMS Permit costs NPR 3000(USD 30), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is at NPR 2000(USD 20). These permits are valid for only time entry.

Cost of Guides and Porters

Trekking with guides and porters is quite helpful in Nepal. In addition, they can lead the right way, and they can carry your heavy loads. But you have to pay them a specific salary, and they won’t come free. You can hire an experienced and licensed guide at USD 25 per day and a porter at USD 20 per day. Guides and Porters are highly suggested to novice trekkers; they make your trek so easy and safe. All you have to do is hire experienced heads for yourself by giving their services a salary.

Transportation Cost

To make the trek happen, you have to use transportation as well. It is not that you will be trekking all the time. For example, you have to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu and vice versa. You have to use the bus or jeep or plane a couple of times during the trek for those purposes.

The normal fare for the bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara is NPR 1000(USD10). However, you can also reach Pokhara via plane from Kathmandu. Similarly, the airfare for the Pokhara flight is around USD 40 to 80. Likewise, you will use a jeep or taxi to reach the starting point of the trek, Nayapul. Also, the cost for such rides is anywhere from USD 3 to 8.

Note: The fare as mentioned earlier may not be the same at the time of your travel.

Accommodation Cost

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a classic tea house trek of Nepal. That means you will not find any fancy and luxurious accommodation on the trail of the expedition. Especially, you have to settle in those basic lodges providing basic facilities like food and lodging. In fact, it is pretty cheap to stay in these tea houses. But you will get a twin-sharing room in most cases. You also have to use the shared bathroom as well.

However, you can get much-needed services like the Internet and Hot Shower only by paying a certain fee. Also, the tea houses on the trial of ABC Trek cost around USD 2 to 5. Likewise, the extra services like Hot shower cost USD 2 and WIFI around USD 3. But the Internet speed is okay to use but do not expect it to be super fast.

Food and Water Cost

The food menu on the ABC Trek is much like in the other parts of Nepal. There are tea houses along the route that serves food across different cuisines. You can expect food items like pasta, fried rice, dumplings, porridge, noodles, boiled eggs, bread, and more.

Yet the most popular item is the local Dal Bhat, the trekking food in Nepal. It is composed of fried lentils, rice, curry, pickle, and vegetables. The most satisfying part about this recipe is, you get to add rice and other items until your stomach is full. This particular food item can cost from USD 5 to 7. The other things are also not that cheap. Moreover, you can expect other food orders around USD 3 to 7.

Water is a significant expense on a trek like ABC. Generally, you will need water more than the rest, and buying it in the higher areas can cost some money in total. Also, the more altitude you gain, the cost of processed mineral water becomes more expensive. That is why many trekkers use purification tablets to filter the tap water and save money.

Trekking Equipment Cost

Trekking is not an ordinary thing to do. You need specific clothing and gear to make it happen. And it is even necessary when you are walking in the Himalayas. Gears can be down jackets, trekking poles, hiking boots, hats, trekking pants, etc. For this, you have two options: one to buy whole of the things and another is to buy some and rent some.

Yes, there are many places inside Kathmandu and Pokhara from where you can buy or rent trekking gear. To purchase all of the equipment, you will need around USD 2000 for quality and durable gear. However, renting gear will cost at least USD 1 per day in Nepal. It is better to buy the most basic trekking gear and rent other gear. So yeah, trekking equipment cost also differs overall Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost.

Miscellaneous Annapurna Base Camp Trek Costs

Electronic Charging

You have to pay for electronic charging on the trek. The tea houses do provide these facilities but at certain charges. The Annapurna region’s higher areas do not have accessible electricity services, and the owners have to arrange solar panels for charging service. And that is why you have to pay extra costs for charging in the tea houses. In short, the charging cost is around USD2 to 5, and you have to charge your gadgets in the communal area, not in your room.

Donations and Tip

You may think of giving donations to locals of the region to support or inspire them. Or you may also get impressed by your guide and porter’s service, and as a reward, you would want to give some money. Overall, expenses like this can happen on the trek.

Gift and Souvenirs

While on the trek, you may find certain local and ethnic goods, and you want to take them for your loved ones. Nepal, a culturally diverse country, has many things around the country that you could not take your eyes off. And you would want to spend some money on buying gifts.

Some Tips to save Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost

Do not just buy everything you see along the trail. Have a tight budget and spend accordingly.
It is economical to buy gear and clothing in Kathmandu than to buy later on the trek. The higher you go, the higher the price will be.
Buying mineral bottled water can be a little bit expensive. You can use water purifying tablets to purify the quickly and freely available tap water.
Avoid unnecessary expenses. Spend your cash wisely on the necessary things only.
Do not forget to get some extra fully charged batteries for your cameras. This way, you will not have to pay for additional charging costs.
Eating vegetarian meals is cheaper and healthy than the non-veg in the mountains. So prefer veg over non-veg meals.
Do not buy all of the equipment if you are not going to trek regularly. You can just hire some rentable gear and clothing from Kathmandu.

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Outlined Itinerary of Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and drive to Hotel for rest.

Altitude Gain: 1400m, Kathmandu.

Safely land at the home of Mt Everest, Mt Annapurna, and more. Get a quick hotel transfer from the team from the airport to your hotel. Rest and get refreshed before heading out for the short exploration of Kathmandu city. Finally, overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02:Indulge in a half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu

Altitude Gain: 1400m, Kathmandu.

Go for the city’s main tourist sites including several world heritage sites. After the excursion, spend some time shopping and trek arrangements. Get back to the hotel of Kathmandu for a night’s rest.

Day 03: A scenic drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu to start the trip.

Altitude Gain: 1400m, Pokhara.

Drive Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Get yourself ready for the adventure. You will do a bus ride of 6 to 7 hours to Pokhara, the entrance of Annapurna Region’s Treks. Explore the touristic city and city of Lakes a little bit. Overnight in Pokhara’s hotel.

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek up to Ghandruk 4-5 hrs.

Altitude Gain: 1940m, Ghandruk.

Drive Duration: 1 hour.

Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours.

Leave the ambiance of Pokhara by joining a car ride of 1 hour to Nayapul(1,070m). Start the trek from Nayapul for Ghandruk and also start viewing breathtaking mountains and landscapes. Reach Ghandruk, a beautiful Gurung village, after the trek of 5 hours. Thereafter, spend the evening by the view of various mountains from the village’s lodge.

Day 05: Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong

Altitude Gain: 2170 m, Chhomrong

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

You’ll leave Ghandruk early in the morning to reach Chhomrong. It will be an enjoyable trekking day where you will trek for 5 to 6 hours. The astonishing views will keep coming at you while on this day. Besides, Chhomrong is another traditional scenic village by the mountains. Overnight rest in Chhomrong.

Day 06: Trek from Ghandruk to Himalaya

Altitude Gain: 2920m, Himalaya

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

From Ghandruk, the trail will head upwards toward a beautiful stop called Himalaya. You gain some heights today from 2,170m to 2920m by reaching Himalaya. En route to the place, you’ll witness the rich vegetation of the region. Overnight in Himalaya’s Tea house accommodation.

Day 07: Trek from Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp(3,700m)

Altitude Gain: 4,130m, Annapurna Base Camp

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

This will be an important day of the trek when you will start the day to trace Annapurna Base Camp. After 5 to 6 hours of leaving Himalaya, you will reach Annapurna Base Camp. Also, you will also pass via the base camp of Mt Fishtail(Machhapuchhre). Upon reaching the Annapurna’s foothills, you will spend one whole night there to celebrate the realization.

Day 08: Trek to Bamboo from Annapurna Base Camp

Altitude Loss: 2,310 m, Bamboo

Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours

From here onwards, it is home calling trek. You have successfully reached Annapurna Base Camp and it is time to return home. Joining the trials that are mostly downhill, you will reach Bamboo by nightfall. Night rest in Bamboo’s tea house.

Day 09: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda.

Altitude Gain: 1,780 m.

Trek Duration:5 to 6 hours.

You will slowly leave the picturesque Annapurna Region. Retracing the earlier trail, you will find the way that ends up at Jhinu Danda. The place is so famous for its natural hot springs. Taking a bath here is a treat to your body after a long trekking day. Overnight in Jhinu Danda.

Day 10: Trek to Naya Pul from Jhinu Danda and drive back to Pokhara

Altitude Loss: 822m, Pokhara

Trek Duration:6 hours

Drive Duration: 1 hour

After a downhill trek of 6 hours from Jhinu Danda, you will reach the expedition’s starting place, Nayapul. From there, you will join a car ride of 1 hour to reach Pokhara again. Take rest in Pokhara’s hotel after completing the worthy but long and tiring Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Day 11: Leisure and tour day in Pokhara

Pokhara is a place that needs some days to explore entirely, maybe more than that. As a success of doing the trek, you will spend an entire day in Pokhara to explore its essential places. Another night in Pokhara.

Day 12: Bus drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Altitude Gain: 1400m, Kathmandu

Drive Duration: 7 to hours

A comfortable bus will take you to Kathmandu from Pokhara. It will be a scenic ride of 7 to 8 hours to reach the capital of Nepal. The 12 days long Annapurna Base Camp Trek will officially end here. Overnight in Kathmandu’s hotel.

Day 13: Final Departure

In this way, you will complete the trek and return to your home.

At Last

In conclusion, Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost is quite an affordable one. If you are a wise spender, you can complete this trek in much less money than what others spend. You are the guardian of your money. Hence, the way you spend it is the way you save it.

ABC Trek is a worthy trek to do. Likewise, it will be worth every penny you will spend during this trek. For your money, you will get adventure, beauty, experience, and insights on this trek.

This entire blog has just provided a basic overview of the various possible costs. If you want to know about it in more detail, contact us.