Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp

[Traveler]

1st day: Nayapul (Nayapul) 1070m. - Ban Thanti (Ban Thanti) 2210m.
2nd day: Ban Thanti - Tadapani (Tadapani) 2630m.
3rd day: Tadapani - Chomrong (Chhomrong) 2170m.
4th day: Chhomrong - Himalaya (Himalaya) 2900m.
5th day: Himalaya - Annapurna base camp (ABC - Annapurna base camp) 4130m.
6th day: ABC - Bamboo (Bamboo) 2325m.
7th day: Bamboo - Jhinu Danda with hot springs (Jhinu Danda) 1780m.
8th day: Jhinu Danda - Pitam deurali pass (Pitam Deurali) 2100m.
9th day: Pitam Deurali - Fedi (Phedi) 1130m.

Annapurna base camp was our first trek in the Himalayas. Unfortunately, we did not keep any records at that time, and this adventure took place back in 2009. However, there are photos, and thanks to them you can restore the chronology of events.

In the morning, frosty Annapurn Base Camp

We went through this trekking in early March in 9 days. Although it would be optimal for 10-12 days, with hanging for a day in especially beautiful places, and places of power. For me, this place was one wonderful loggia in Chamrong. I don’t remember her name anymore, she was located at the beginning of the village, apart. It was quiet like a mountain, almost deserted (except for the hostess, the two of us, and no one else, a tired, silent Japanese), everything was blooming and full of greenery, and at night there was a huge starry sky.

Rhododendron flowering trees cover the slopes of the Himalayas in spring

In general, at this time of the year in the Himalayas, at an altitude of up to 3000 meters, it was warm, rhododendron trees and orchids were strewn with billions of bright flowers, and there were many other flowers whose names I do not know. The sun was hot, I had to use sunscreen. Above 3000m - during the day it was tolerable. And at night it is very cold and dank, a slight plus or minus. In the absence of heating and insulation in the loggias, I had to sit longer in warm canteens, and then sleep in a puff and in a sleeping bag . In the area of ​​the base camp at 4100m, it was snowing, the frost was -5, strong wind. There we spent the night in an ice room. In powder puffs, sleeping bags, and under the blankets there was even nothing like that, there was still no choice.
Everywhere along the way came across enough loggias and cafes where you could spend the night and eat. The food there is adapted for Europeans, not always tasty, but satisfying. We collected water in the villages, where the locals are. But in general it is recommended to buy bottled.
We went like this: Nayapul - base camp. Annapurn - Phedi. We were brought to Nayapul by taxi from Pokhara, in Phedi we were also met by taxi and taken back to our guesthouse. You can also not order a taxi, but get to Pokhara on a local bass, cheap and authentic. In Pokhara, we lived in the "Kiran" guest house - before and after trekking, where we left extra things for storage that we did not consider it necessary to carry on ourselves in the mountains.

On the hike, we took cosmetic and hygiene products (among other things generally accepted, sunscreen is a must), linen, special mountain sun glasses, T-shirts to change, polar suits and windbreakers with hoods plus thermal underwear and warm socks, as well as Nepalese puffs bought in Tamele. These puffs (packed in bags and taking up very little space and weight in a backpack) saved us from freezing in a frosty base camp.
For a snack, we also took sweets and dried fruits from Kiev, but this is not necessary. There are many shops and cafes along the way where you can eat and buy chocolate, chips, water, tea, coffee, beer, etc.; who likes what.

Himalayan restaurant

Prices for meals, accommodation and showers depend on the height, the higher the more expensive. The approximate cost is from 150 to 450 rupees per dish, soup is cheaper, pizza with tuna is one of the most expensive dishes. For example, garlik soup turned out to be a tasteless muddy water with pieces of garlic. But with a chapati (cake), and after a long day of walking, it went well. The use of the shower was sometimes included in the price of the room, and sometimes you had to pay extra.
I was lucky to visit the Himalayas in spring, autumn and winter. I love the sun, blue sky, flowers, birds, butterflies, so in my opinion spring is the best time for trekking. Visibility was excellent in March, with only one day of snow on the way up to ABC. And in the morning we were already able to admire the Annapurnas in all their splendor. There were no fogs or other precipitation that made it difficult to admire the mountains.

[Traveler]

At the beginning of the journey, we met a check-post in Nayapul, where they checked our permits. Allowing us to trek to the Annapurna shrine.

Suspension bridge at the beginning of trekking

the path passes through the village

The trail with so far insignificant descents and ascents, which allows you to calmly explore the world around you. We are all new here. First close encounter with the Himalayas...

Himalayan villages

Himalayan trail

rest on the road

we climb higher and higher. Unusual views are pleasing to the eye

Himalayan roads

such bunnies can be found on the way

majestic beauty all around

yaks - trekking assistants

drinking morning lemon tea - nyamochka

[Traveler]

The approaches to the base camp were hampered by a strong frosty wind, heavy snowfall, and poor health due to the high altitude - 4100m. Nevertheless, we somehow got to the human structures. And we were greeted with applause and smiles of our brothers in spirit - trekkers, who reached the warm and safe diving room, a little earlier than us.
They spent the night in an unheated dank little room, in their puffs, warm pants, sleeping bags and under a blanket. And in the morning we were rewarded with beautiful clear weather and a grandiose view of Annapurn.

at the base camp

Base camp

[Traveler]

From the base camp we returned to Pokhara via Phedi (Fedi in the pronunciation of the locals).

how I "love" suspension Himalayan bridges.
I went through about 20 of them, I guess. Always with mantras to the Himalayan gods and tears of tenderness in the eyes :-)

views in trekking

small but creepy suspension bridge

sunset mist

downhill on the last breath

pokhara lakeside

Relax in Pokhara

in this cafe on Lakeside we ate delicious grilled fish in garlic sauce. It's been almost 8 years since then, but I still remember. This is what it means to cook with heart.