Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty – How hard is ABC Trek
The quick answer to
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty is a Moderate Trek!
If there’s any classical trek in Nepal, then it has to be Annapurna
Base Camp Trek. The trekking route to ABC is so magical that you will find
a set of new surprises at every twist and turn.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers you the stunning
mountain vistas from different angle while walking through the terraced
cultivate fields, lush forest and ethnic groups.
Annapurna mighty ranges, Dhaulagiri Range and some part of
Manaslu range can be seen during the trek. Also you will get the close glimpse
of lifestyle and culture of Gurung and Magar community. There are known for
their bravery in British Gurkha Regiment.
From Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), you can enjoy the immense
wall of ices and rocks rising to the height of 4,000m – taking your feet as the
base.
Trekking to Annapurna will be an incredible experience. But
experience comes along with some hurdles which you have to face during the
trek.
These are the some
aspects that determine the difficulty of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek:
Elevation Difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek
One of the most difficult aspects of Annapurna Base Camp
Trek is its altitude. At 4,130m, Annapurna Base Camp will certainly make the
going more difficult.
In fact, if it were not about altitude, the ABC
Trek would be just a basic week-long hike. Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)
will hit you anytime; so we suggest you to do everything you can to stay away
from altitude sickness.
The trek starts from comfortable altitude 1,000m and then
makes a climb up to the base camp at 4,130m. On the way, you have to make sure
that your body well-adapted the thin atmosphere level.
The key to avoid altitude sickness is to walk on slow pace
and stay hydrated. Give enough time to your to react on thin atmosphere.
If you have any pre-medical issues, we suggest you to take a
medical council prior the trek. Pre-medical issues include blood pressure, diabetics,
heart and lung problem, and more.
Length and Geographic Difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek covers roughly around 115km and you
have to walk about 10-15 km per day to complete the trek in 10 days. In
general, you will cover 10 – 20 km distance per day.
In reality, 115km distance, even for novice trekkers, is
highly doable when you realize that average walking speed of a human is 5km per
hour.
Although 10 – 20 km a day is not long, the steep and alpine
geography will surely challenge you. Depending on your time of the trek, the
paths can be covered in snows.
Keep in mind that it is high altitude mountain trek and the
route has no paved sections at higher reaches. Often time, you have to
negotiate steep uphill climb and downhill descend and you have schedule enough
rest time to stay away from tiredness.
The tons of stone stairs at Chhomrong and Macchapucchre to
Annapurna Base Camp trail is the most difficult part of the trek.
Accommodation, food and Drinks difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The teahouse along the ABC trekking route is basic. If you
are someone who needs luxury, then this trek might be quite disappointing.
The teahouse along the route offers basic necessities like
food, drinks and twin-sharing bedrooms with blankets.
Also trekkers have to use the bathroom on shared basis and
lukewarm water is provided instead of hot showers.
However, some teahouse at lower altitude offers personalized
services with private bathroom and hot showers.
During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the choice of food
squeezes as we rise higher. Do not expect high on food. Eat local cuisine – Dal
Bhaat and Tarkari which is organic and hygienic. It is stable food with full of
healthy calories and remains filly. Drinks usually include a local wine, tea
and coffee.
Do not forget to carry a refillable water bottle and
purifier. It many even cost USD 1 or more per water bottle at some point of
trekking route.
Conclusion
If you are well-prepared for these factors then Annapurna
Base Camp Trek would be a pleasant experience.
Also note that
Annapurna Base Camp is the easiest trek among the base camp trek to 8,000m+
peaks in Nepal.
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