Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips

Hello people from across the globe, welcome to Nepal. Come and visit the foothill of the world’s 10^th tallest mountain Mt. Annapurna (8091 m). Walk in the trail which is one of the commercial and famous trails of Nepal. For this, you need all kinds of information from safety to amenities. Yes, today’s blog is about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips. Please check out our other blogs about the trek regarding distance, cost, difficulty, and best season. Don’t get surprised that the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the cornerstones of the Nepalese Trekking industry alongside the trails of the Everest, the Langtang, and the Manaslu region.

Today’s blog focuses more on the issues of altitude sickness. Remember that the biggest hurdle in the successful trekking trip in Nepal is the issue of the altitude. High up in the mountains, the air density is low and you hardly get enough oxygen. Therefore, you must plan well and prepare your body to cope up with this situation. We will talk in brief about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips.

How high does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek reach?

The maximum altitude a trekker reaches during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is 4130 m above sea level. This is also the altitude where trekkers spend overnight. Therefore, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips blog is very important. Moreover, the blog aims to become one of the trusted tools for trekkers to plan their walking holiday in Nepal. You can make sure that you are walking in the valleys, glaciers, and moraines of the trail without any worries of AMS.

What is Annapurna Base Camp?

Do you know that the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal is also called as the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek? Yes, the Annapurna Base Camp is surrounded by mountains on all sides including the world’s 10^th tallest mountain. The place feels like the most protected place naturally which is impossible to invade or encroach by any means. The Annapurna Base Camp is the foothill of Mt. Annapurna from where you get chance to witness the magical 360 degree view of snow – capped mountains. It takes about 5 to 10 days’ trekking journey to reach if helicopter flight is not used. Normally, the Annapurna Base Camp Tour by helicopter is also available for travelers to explore the region instead of trekking.

Information about Annapurna North Base Camp

Besides the regular Annapurna Base Camp from Poon Hill or Chhomrung route, there is another base camp of the same mountain. The North Annapurna Base Camp is at an altitude of 4190 m above sea level. The trail to reach the base camp is famously known as the Maurice Herzog Trail named after the first person who climbed Mt. Annapurna (8091 m). The route is still raw and has limited lodging facilities. Trekkers have to stay in tent or the temporary tea houses run by the locals. Moreover, the trail is famous among Nepalese trekkers than the foreigners. Therefore, you may find it crowded if you trek during the peak trekking season.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips

Let’s talk about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips. The trek doesn’t have the proper acclimatization days like in the Everest Base Camp Trek. Moreover, the trek has the route that plays like the acclimatization activity. For example, trekkers reach the top of the Poon Hill (3210 m) and then descend down to 2600 m before staying overnight in 3200 m place, the Deurali Village. The adjustment naturally happens during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek journey.

How does Poon Hill Hike help in acclimatization for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The altitude of Poon Hill is 3210 m. Trekkers explore the hill and they return down to Chhomrung via Tadapani and Chuile. The actual Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from Chhomrung and reaches the Annapurna Base Camp. The last night before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) is at Deurali Village which is at an altitude of 3200 m. The rule of the acclimatization is that you reach higher elevation place and return back to lower elevation place for overnight sleep. It’s simple that trekkers have already reached the place beyond 3000 m above sea level and they don’t have to worry about acclimatization. Therefore, the addition of Poon Hill holds special place among travelers who wish to have safe trekking trip in Nepal’s most popular touristic destination.

What are the ways to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal without risks of altitude sickness?

Make sure that you eat soupy food and stay hydrated. This is the biggest piece of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips. Avoid greasy foods, alcohol, and cigarettes. Most of the trekkers become complacent about altitude sickness in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route than in the Everest Base Camp Trek route. To those who are complacent about the trek, make sure to collect all authentic information before deciding the trek.

Can I evacuate to Pokhara or Kathmandu by helicopter from Annapurna Base Camp?

Yes, it is possible to evacuate to Pokhara or Kathmandu by helicopter from the Annapurna Base Camp. The private chartered flight from the Annapurna Base Camp to Pokhara costs around 2500 $ per chopper. Similarly, the price of the sharing seat in helicopter starts from 400 $ to 700 $ per person.

Do avalanches and landslides occur in the Annapurn Base Camp Trek route?

So far, there are little records of landslides and avalanches in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route. However, the section between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp is always sensitive in case of the avalanche and landslides.

Is Annapurna Base Camp Trek safer than the Everest Base Camp Trek in terms of altitude sickness?

If you are to compare the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in terms of altitude sickness, then the EBC Trek is more risky. Even if the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is relatively less risky, you must make sure to adopt the safe trekking approach.

I hope that you got the Annapurna Base Camp Trek altitude and acclimatization tips for planning. If not, make sure to contact this blogger or the travel planners of the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd.