Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty

The trek in the Annapurna region is from the south as you make your way up into the world famous Annapurna Sanctuary.It is the world’s 10th highest mountain which lies in Gandagi Zone in Nepal.This is one of the great treks in the world. Unique and the diverse landscapes, a culture of the local ethnic group, views of the world iconic mountain are the main attractions of this trek. The Annapurna base camp trek offers you the beautiful views of the stunning mountain vista from the different attractions and the beautiful viewpoint, which takes you through the terraced field surrounding the village and valley, the charming village of Gurung and Magar, breathtaking views of the Himalayan flora and fauna. This aspect will rejoice you during the adventure walk to the Annapurna Base Camp.

So how difficult is it to trek to the Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4130 meters and the route of this trek is the one of the most popular and the beautiful trekking trails in Nepal after Everest Base camp. It is also very popular for the solo and the group trekkers experienced trekkers as well.

Annapurna Base Camp trek is not considered to be a difficult trek because this trek is very adventurous and the key factors of the trek are to walk slow and steady. So this trek is considered to be a moderate trek. Like Everest Base Camp Trek it is also demanding and the beautiful trek but with a bit of patience, this trek is very enjoyable and achievable.

It is the most frequently asked question among the traveler and the visitors.So, here are some of the list why visitors/trekkers feel difficult to trek to Annapurna base camp.

1. Altitude Sickness
2. Weather and Temperature
3. Lack of Training
4. Budget
5. Guide and Porter Difficulty
6. Clothing

Altitude Sickness 

It is the major problem and the difficult situation in the mountainous region. The atmospheric pressure and the oxygen is lower than the sea level in the higher altitude location.With the thinner level of oxygen and the high altitude, it will take time to adjust to the surrounding environment at such high altitude. During the altitude sickness, you may get symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, insomnia and other. High altitude can be moderate for some trekkers but it can be serious for others.  you find some symptoms of altitude sickness while making the adventure hike, you should immediately return back to a lower altitude region. Do not ignore these types of symptoms which may result in serious problems or the death of the traveler while trekking to the high altitude.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol at such a high altitude. Though there is some medicine available to prevent altitude sickness, you are suggested to take rest and take precautions rather than medicine.

Weather and Temperature 

Weather and Temperature is a major factor that can create a major difficulty in Annapurna base camp trekking. Change in the temperature drastically is based on the weather , altitude , climate and seasons. The average temperature at the Annapurna Base Camp region is about 15 to 20-degree centigrade on a sunny day during the autumn and spring whereas, in the summer, the temperature ranges from 20-25 degrees centigrade.The temperature is normal and moderate during the day time or under the sun time.  In winter, it is the most dangerous and the challenging season in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. In this season, there is the possibility of heavy snowfall and the temperature can be below 0 and can be decreased to minus 17 degrees centigrade at the night time. Autumn is the picking season to trek Annapurna Base Camp because of the good and calm weather condition in the mountain at this time of the year. After Autumn season, the spring season is also best season to trek in Annapurna region because the days are very beautiful and charming, we can experience the green and beautiful Himalayan flora and fauna, walk through the green terraced field, with the gorgeous and the heart touching views of the snow painted mountain peaks.The best part of the trekking in Annapurna Base Camp is you can trek here in monsoon too as there will be less chance of rainfall in this region. This whole region is rain shaded, so the monsoon does not affect too much while trekking in the Annapurna region.So,before trekking you should take all the essential and seasonal clothes for the drastic change in weather and temperature.

Lack of Training 

The most reliable, legendary and classical trek is the Annapurna base camp as the route of this trek is not so difficult. However for the new mountain hikers it will be a challenging trek. Therefore, best preparation is needed for the adventure hiking if you are trekking the mountain region for the first time. First of all the trekkers should take 6 weeks of training before making a trip to the Annapurna region to make the body healthy as well as physically and mentally fit and fine.At the higher altitude walk or the walk-in uphill, even a short period of the walk will make you feel tired. Descending towards the lower region is comparatively easier than ascending uphill to the higher altitude as in the high altitude there is very less amount of the oxygen up in the mountains.If you are perfectly trained, you can trek any kind of trekking trial easily. To maintain your fitness, you have to perform difficult works, even simple exercises such as stretching, jogging, swimming, skipping can be helpful for you.

Budget 

The country of Nepal is one of the most inexpensive trekking destinations in the world. However, the price of the goods and things you use will get more expensive as you reach at a higher altitude than at the lower altitude. The cost of the food and accommodation get tripled or more than it is in normal rate this due to the lack of good transportation and communication facilities in the mountain region.

Guide and porter difficult 

Most trekkers do trekking with a guide but not a porter and there are some trekkers who trek to Annapurna base camp on their own without any guide or porter. Annapurna base camp is absolutely doable without a guide or a porter. However hiring a guid means you are always on a safer side.The trek doesn’t involve any technical sections but there are some steep and rugged sections. Also, walking up and down the stone stairs is not so easy. So, hiring a porter is also useful.But if you think that you have good physical conditions, you can carry your backpack on your own.

Clothing 

The temperature in the mountainous region changes day to day due to higher altitude location from sea level. In the mornings are colders for most of the seasons while the day time is a bit warmer. So, you need to wear clothes according to the weather conditions. 

Here are some of the list of clothings that should be carried while trekking to Annapurna base camp:

For Spring and Autumn

• Lightweight hiking shirt
• Full or half Pants/ Trousers
• Hiking underwear
• Thermals 
• A pair of good quality trekking shoes
• Wind-cheater Jacket and trousers
• Lightweight down jacket
• A pair of hiking sandals
• Gloves
• Lightweight hiking socks
• Shorts
• Light underwears
• Comfortable Sports Bras (for girls)
• A Sun Hat
• Sunglasses

For Winter

• Warm Shirt and Trousers
• A woolen cap
• A woolen scarf
• Layered clothing
• Lightweight woolen jumper/ sweater
• Down jacket or down vest
• Fleece or wool trousers
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens
• Thermals
• Thermal underwears

For Summer/Monsoon

• Full sleeve trekking Shirt
• Windproof/ waterproof trekking trousers (long)
• Windstopper Jacket (waterproof)
• Anti-leech Socks
• Down Jacket for cold nights
• A Rain jacket
• A Rain Pant
• Waterproof trekking boots