Annapurna Base Camp Budget Trek – 10 Days

Kathmandu, being the busiest and the most famous city of Nepal, is located right in the heart of Kathmandu Valley. When you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, you feel the thrill of adventure and discovery, making sure that the adventure begins. The airport surely looks quite small, but it does have a look that will leave you with a certain sense of nostalgia, that of the traditional architecture and the warm atmosphere. You will definitely feel the difference in the atmosphere—fresh, cool, and full of the excitement of exploring.

Upon arrival, you will go through the immigration process, get your baggage from the luggage pick-up area, and then you will be greeted by a local representative or a guide who will give you a helping hand with your hotel transfer. The ride to the hotel will be your first opportunity to see the city. You will go through busy streets which are filled with all kinds of vendors, with all different shades of bright colors, and then at the background of such a picture, you can clearly see the high and snowy mountain of Himalayas.
The roads in Kathmandu are very noisy but they have an incredible vibe, where you can experience the fast pace of the city and the ancient rites together. You will be surrounded by people in a hurry, vehicle horns will sound while pedestrians wend their way down the narrow streets.

Once you have completed the check-in procedure at your hotel, you are free to spend the remaining hours of the day in various ways such as simply relaxing or taking a light walk through the city just to get a sense of the local culture. Some people might like to have a look at Thamel—a bustling street with shops, restaurants, and cafes where you will have an opportunity to taste the local food for the first time, such as momos (dumplings) and dal bhat (lentils and rice).

The transfer to Pokhara, which is a mesmerizing place and the initial stage of many Annapurna treks is scheduled for the second day of the tour. The ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes nearly 6 to 7 hours. It stands as one of the most beautiful and refreshing journeys that you would have in your life in Nepal.

Starting in the wee hours of the day, the trip usually kicks off at around 7:00 A.M. Here and there, the roads may be jam-packed with local traffic. But, they give you a lively exposure to the everyday-life concerns of the Nepalese people. The tour traverses through the Prithvi Highway, the main road to reach Pokhara. As you can spot most of the city of Kathmandu from a distance, the space quickly goes from urban to rural.

During the way up the liked asphalt, the natural views modify from city clusters to enriched, green mountains. Terraced fields, small settlements, and woods are found by the roadway sides. In the background, you can see the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges, which are your partners during the following days.
There will be small rivulets on the way, for instance, the Trishuli River, known for its fast and furious white waters which are often frequented by daredevil rafters. In between, the road also drifts through small community areas e.g. Kurintar and Dumre making you have a slight feel of a country. Life scenes function taking their shape in front of you such as a farmer working in the field, or children walking to school, or acceptance of locals in colorful buses and trucks, etc.
At noon, your driver will call at one of the roadside restaurants or a petite hotel for lunch. Trekking etc. people find these places to be the most. The list of items will usually consist of the basics like dal bhat (lentils and rice), momo (dumplings), and noodle soups. It's also some time off your seat to enjoy the local dishes.
You will arrive in Pokhara after a few more hours of travel, typically in the late afternoon. The city is located near the tranquil Phewa Lake, which has the best views of the Annapurna Range covered in snow. Pokhara is generally more laid-back than bustling Kathmandu, and this will immediately strike you as you check into your hotel or guesthouse.

You have leisure time to relax and explore the lakeside area. You can take a boat ride if you want to be on Phewa Lake, or have a peaceful time walking the shore, or you can just have a nice cafe with a view of the mountains. This day actually introduces the next days of great freedom, focusing on the positive side. Here you experience the beauty of tranquil Nepal, which invigorates you and at the same time motivates you for the upcoming trek to the Himalayas, the reporter said.

Day 3 is the starting point of your trekking journey in the Annapurna region. Now it is high time to say goodbye to civilization and embrace the wilderness. The day begins with a picturesque drive to Nayapul. You can either walk to Tikhedhunga or Ulleri, which is the best option.

Once you have had breakfast, you can relax in Pokhara and then take a 1.5-hour trip to Nayapul, which is the first stop of your trek. Though the trip is not long, along the way, you will be able to see typical rural villages, small rivers, and terraced fields, which is the first view of a trekking landscape. This is just the starting point of the trek, and it comes to an end at Nayapul, which is a small town on the riverbank of the Modi River.
Starting the trek from Nayapul, the actual trek begins on a wide, relatively flat trail. Walk through the rhododendron forest with stunning views of the mountain and across the small and charming villages where you can meet locals who are carrying goods to the local shops or working in the field. The trail goes along the river, along which it is also possible to enjoy views of the hills and the valley.
As you go further ahead, the path gradually starts to ascend, making the trek a little harder. You come across the Birethanti village, probably the busiest of the places, where people buy and sell goods and there are teahouses and bridges over the river. Here, you will pause for the checkpoint to show your permits. From Birethanti, you will continue onward, across a few small bridges and a slow climb until you reach Tikhedhunga or Ulleri, and the trek gets even harder.
Tikhedhunga: If you prefer a bit more relaxed experience then Tikhedhunga may be a good choice to spend the night. It isn’t a long list of things with few teahouses only to live the whole life. It provides a serene and tranquil setting for the evening.
Ulleri: You can set off to continue for an hour or so to Ulleri if you are eager for a longer first-day trek. The village is situated on a hillside and the scenic beauty you get to witness from here is all beautiful including the stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna South and Machapuchare. Besides that, it is located at a high place for trekkers to stop by and rest.
You will be walking uphill, climbing the stairs, which can be quite tricky going even as much as you’ll encounter narrow ones that ascend towards the village. Once at the top, you will be met with a panoramic view and a feeling of fulfillment that will make it all worth it.

After you arrive, you shall stay at a family-run lodge where you will be given good rest, food, and time to prepare for the next day's trek. The tea houses have food as simple as porcelain, but very strong, with foods such as rice and lentil curry, pasta, as well as momo, and many others. After enjoying a delicious and filling dinner, you can relax and look at the bright sky that probably gives no notion of the possibility that you are on the first day of your trek.
The sunset will be like God giving you the permission to play with fire to the beauty of the surrounding peaks, to Machapuchare and Annapurna South. The fall, however, will begin and so, bundle up with your warm layers as you recline together with other hikers and local people and then go to bed early so as to be ready for the next day’s walk.

One of the big days in the adventure event to the annapurna base Camp trek where an easy first and a magnificent landscape of the hills and mountains will be visible takes place on this day. This is a favorable time to ease into the trek i.e. there is enough time for you to get used to the increased altitude as you will climb up in the next few days.

During day 4, you will go deeper into the Annapurna region by visiting one of the most recognizable villages in the region called Ghorepani. You might have heard that Ghorepani, known for its outstanding view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, is a trekkers' paradise and the stop really provest that. Up & down but beauty and joy throughout the day are certainly worth the effort you put upon yourself.

After breakfast at the village of either Tikhedhunga or Ulleri, you'll start your day's walk. First, it involves a steep ascent that is particularly strenuous for travelers starting from Tikhedhunga because the hikers have to take many stone steps. The trail is scaled in about 2-3 hours, but it's easy-peasy when the tempo is slow and the team remains concentrated. This segment of the route is a bit difficult for some travelers, as there is a slow rise to altitude but isn’t the rich green and the peacefulness of the forest simply marvelous.

The more you ascend, the more you can see the beautiful rhododendron forests that bloom (the more in the spring), and the air you inhale will become cleaner as you reach a higher elevation. As you hike around exploring the scenery, you might see the snow-covered mountains in the distances and the locals farming in the terraced fields which are indicative of rural living.

Having walked uphill for hours, you finally arrive at the village of Ghorepani situated at an altitude of about 2,860 meters (9,383 feet). Ghorepani is a well-known resting point for trekkers on the way to Annapurna Base Camp which offers a wonderful view of Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare (the Fish Tail mountain) among other mountains. Arriving at Ghorepani, one must check-in at a nearby teahouse for a quick rest. These teahouses are usually small but comfortable and serve warm meals like dal bhat, momo, and noodle soups. You will be able to relax, have a cup of tea, and enjoy the sight of the village.

Now that you have been settled, you will have free time to explore the quiet atmosphere in Ghorepani. The town is tranquil, and you can take in the serene surroundings. You will get the first spectacular view of the Annapurna Range, as it starts to appear in its complete splendor, from here. A clear day will give you a magnificent view of Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Dhaulagiri in the distance.
If you feel like walking more, you can do a short walk in the village or a visit to the nearby spots that are perfect for more mountain viewing. Otherwise, this can be your relaxation time in the teahouse and it will be a proper prelude for an early Day 5 start when you are the one to climb the hill for a morning trek before sunrise.

After a day of trekking, you will have an early dinner and some time to chat with other trekkers. You will wake up early the next day to catch the sunrise at Poon Hill, so being well-rested is crucial.

Poon Hill (3,210m / 10,531ft) is the Annapurna region due to the most well-known trekker's spot that they reach through early morning hikes to catch the sun. While the surroundings are mostly misty and chilly, the hiking is carried out by hikers who wear head-lamps and layers and climb through the rhododendrons, and the summit is reached in time for the sunrise.

Anything the first morning rays kiss is worth seeing like the snow-capped mountain chain, which appears in all its grandeur. The Himalayas always stand out in the best light possible; however, some quiet, idyllic moments would hardly even be possible at other times. Most of the tourist traffic is already headed back to the base while the spectacular sunrise gives an incentive to wait. After about one hour, we need to fuel up with a power breakfast and make our way back down the same path that we had climbed up SLEEPING.

After breakfast, we proceed to Tadapani (2,630m / 8,628ft). The trail at first goes upwards in the dense forests, then makes a zigzag way down along the ridges with the forest trees giving us slight glimpses of Annapurna range. During the trekking, one will take a trip through the Deurali Pass (3,090m), which is located in the middle of the routes of charming villages, dense woodlands filled with birds, and sometimes, animals. The path includes a mix of steep inclines and less strenuous descents with rest stops in between at tea houses. Done! An incredible, small hill that was in an area filled with the woods and which had the name Tadapani filled the trek's target spot in the afternoon. The point of the above places is that you are closer to the mountains. Either way, they are always the primary targets for trekkers and mountaineers.

After having their dinner, trekkers relax at their lodge, where the staff give them a warm meal and a peaceful environment in the evening. The Himalayas are a lovely and peaceful place to be as the sky darkens.

First, start your day with a walk down from Tadapani (2,630m / 8,628ft) through the thick green forests where we encounter lots of plants including the rhododendron, oak, and bamboo. The pathway leads down the hill to Chhomrong where we can admire the beauty of the Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli. Chhomrong, a lovely Gurung village, is a quaint, perfect spot to stop by for the night and get an awesome view of some bulk massifs of the Annapurna South when trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.

The trail then goes up hill Kimrong Khola, at the spot where you cross Kimrong Khola (a river) to push your way through to Chhomrong (2,170m / 7,119ft). At this intersection, there is a charming village which is also the starting destination for mountain trekkers to Annapurna Sanctuary, the gateway to the Annapurna Base Camp hike. Here you are left almost breathless by looking at the grand mountain peaks and it is a perfect spot to take a break and grab a bite to eat.
So, at this point, we are Chhomrong and the next step is to go down through the stone steps following the Chhomrong Khola (river) and then again upward through the dense bamboo and oak woods to Sinuwa (2,340m / 7,677ft). To our left was the pebbled pathway that led us down, until we reached the bottom of the lush river valley, at which point we had to start ascending again. Sinuwa is a tranquil location that offers travelers breathtakingly beautiful views of the surrounding hills and represents the transition from the lower Himalayan foothills to the rugged and less populated retreats of the Annapurna Sanctuary.

When in Sinuwa, we check-in to one of the teahouses to eat a hearty meal before getting some sleep. It is then this time that people have enough space to look around the serene view of the mountain and reflect on the journey of the day before finally retiring to the warm and cozy beds at which point you can sit back and relax.

When the trekkers descend down the same trail, which they take to the top to see a beautiful view of the Annapurna massif, then experience an amazing sunrise, it usually starts at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m /13,549ft). The practice in ABC is usually magical in the morning, with the golden light that shines the snow-capped peaks of Annapurna I,Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South.

A trek to MBC retraces the route through Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and gradually descends along the Modi Khola valley, passing through Deurali, Himalaya, and Dovan. The descent is not as strenuous as the ascent but requires care, particularly in dealing with rocky and steep sections. During The trek, hikers wander through thick bamboo and rhododendron forests. They enjoy the lush greenery and spot animals like Himalayan langurs and colorful pheasants now and then.The journey goes on until it reaches Bamboo (2,310m / 7,579ft), which is a small settlement in a thick forest.
After a long day of walking, trekkers can spend some time in a teahouse, have a hearty meal, take a rest and then fall asleep to the calming sounds of nature.

The day of trekking begins with an early click-out from Bamboo (2,310m / 7,579ft), and you wave your way back via Sinuwa, Chhomrong, and Jhinu Danda. The trek involves ascents and descents, with a 160m/525 ft steep climb up to Chhomrong (2,170m / 7,119ft) , followed by a long descent towards Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 5,839ft).
Once the Siklis trek is over, Jhinu Danda is an option that is offered to the trekkers to take a hot natural spring bath by the Modi Khola River which is a proper way to calm down your exhausted muscles after days of trekking in snow.
From Jhinu Danda, as the trail follows the Modi Khola valley, the attempt and success to reach the end point of Nayapul (1,070m / 3,510ft) will seem very good. The town will have small villages and terraced farmlands along the way and will be the last stop of your trek.
Then, upon reaching Nayapul, one of the trekkers or groups' jeeps or buses will arrive at Pokhara city within a time span of 1.5-2 h. You can see the beautiful countryside as you marvel at the wonderful journey through the Annapurna region.

Once you are back in Pokhara, you will be staying at a hotel, taking a nice shower and having a great meal by Phewa Lake to celebrate your success and to enjoy what Pokhara has to offer.

In the end, "." in Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,593ft) after having wonderful trekking in the Annapurna region, the journey starts very early in the morning.you can either go by a tourist bus, in a private vehicle, or an alternative option is a short flight to the city.

If driving, it takes 6-8 hours to travel 200 km (124 miles) along the road on the Prithvi Highway. The peaceful way at Trishuli River flows through the picturesque valleys which are full of green, terraced fields, and old villages are the best way to go. You'll also have an opportunity to taste a cup of tea, snacks or a meal at some of the places around the road along the way ,drinks and sodas including the food with Chicken.For the people who would want to use the air transport to fly, a 30-minute internal flight will be exceptional because they will get a chance to see the Himalayas one of the best ways before landing at Kathmandu.