Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking Blog: The Ultimate Guide 2025

Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking Difficulty Level

Regarding the difficulty level of the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek, it is considered moderate. For individuals from every age group and from experienced to beginners, this trek is best for all. However, altitude is a concern here.

Despite the fact that the trial is not technically hard, it can still be tough sometimes, especially for the first-timers, because you'll make it up to the height of 4,190 m (13,747 ft). Also, there are not plenty of hotel businesses along the trail like in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But you don't need to worry that much, as there are also some tricks to avoid altitude sickness and availability of accommodations, which we discuss in detail later in the below sections.

Altitude Sickness On Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking

Altitude sickness is widespread when hiking at high-altitude locations like the Annapurna Region. You'll need to be concerned about this matter. Your single carelessness can lead you to serious conditions and might cost your life as well.

The most common altitude sickness that can happen to anyone is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It doesn't matter how experienced or physically fit you are. AMS can occur to anyone at any time when negligence reaches its peak.

Even after knowing that you've developed one of the symptoms of AMS and you still don't act carefully about it, then it turns to one of the other two sicknesses, High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). These two are life-threatening and have a high chance of losing life in such conditions.

Symptoms Of AMS, HACE, And HAPE

AMS

• Headache (most common)
• Dizziness and nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Insomnia
• Shortness of breath with exertion

HACE

• Severe headache and confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Hallucinations or altered mental state
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of consciousness

HAPE

• Extreme shortness of breath (even at rest)
• A persistent cough (may produce pink, frothy sputum)
• Chest tightness or pain
• Bluish lips and nails (cyanosis)
• Weakness and dizziness

What Are The Best Altitude Sickness Prevention Tips For Hikers On Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking?

You should be fully aware of everything, especially about altitude sickness when you're planning to go for an adventure in Nepal's Himalayas. Here, in this blog, we're discussing the Annapurna North Base Camp and its trekking trail, and also, you've already learnt about the kinds of altitude sicknesses and their symptoms in the above section.

Therefore, it's time for you to understand the best altitude sickness prevention tips for hikers while travelling to the North Base Camp of the Annapurna I now. This is because you'll be heading towards the elevation of 4,130 m, which isn't a joke or an easy game to make it up to such height if you're trekking for the first time or someone from the sea level.

We've provided you with some of the best practices you can do to avoid getting sick while trekking at high-altitude locations. They're listed below:

Slow Ascend

The more you gain height, the more oxygen gets thinner due to lower air pressure and that can lead you to altitude sickness, as your body feels hard to take in enough oxygen. Hence, you'll need to walk as slowly as you can with no rush to reach the next stopping point. Doing so will give you enough time to get familiar with the air and environment of the area.

Frequent Breaks

Also, take a break of at least 7 to 8 minutes frequently while hiking along with slow ascend because even if you walk slowly and patiently, your body gets tired when it reaches its limit and getting exhausted is getting weak. That's where altitude sickness stands a chance and unleashes on you. Thus, you'll need to recharge your body even if it's only for a few moments.

Eat Well

Preventing altitude sickness also varies depending on your diet. You must know what to eat and what ain't. Foods containing high amounts of carbohydrates like potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, etc. are the best meals to eat while trekking at high elevations.

High carbohydrates equal to high calories and calories provide excessive energy that lasts long in your body. In addition to this, you should also avoid drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and eating too oily and fried dishes.

Drink Enough Water

Your body should stay hydrated all the time at high altitudes. To keep it hydrated, drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water during trekking and also, prefer to eat foods that have high portions of water like cucumbers and apples.

Now, you might be thinking about how you could know that your body is safe and far from dehydration. Keep monitoring your urine every time you go to the bathroom and if you find it clean like water, then you know that you're on the right side of heaven.

Workout

To stay fit as a fiddle, all you need to do is worship your body like it's god by exercising at least an hour every day. Accordingly, if you're already a daily workout freak, you're doing a great job and ready for the hike to the Annapurna North Base Camp (ANBC) or anywhere else.

However, if you aren't, you should better start working out for an hour daily at least a couple of weeks before the date of your adventure. The ideal exercises to prepare for trekking are stretching, squatting, and running. These three workouts help you get your body flexible, strengthen your thighs, and boost your stamina, respectively.

Moreover, you won't get exhausted too easily and early. There'll be very little chance of altitude sickness developing in your body with the help of these exercises.

Apply Early Medications

If you're uncertain about how your body will deal with high altitude and also, want to minimize your risk, then you can take acetazolamide, the most suggested medicine for altitude sickness prevention. It's available over the counter in pharmacy stores under the brand name, Diamox.

Each tablet is 250 mg. The instructions are:

• 1/2 of a tablet (125 mg) after breakfast
• 1/2 of a tablet (125 mg) after dinner

Take it for one to two days before your trek to the Annapurna North Base Camp (ANBC) and continue daily after that. Once you reach 3000 m, take it for another couple of days, and then stop.

Please note that acetazolamide has some side effects as well like tingling, vomiting, frequent urine, etc. and also, not sure that it's effective for everyone else body. Consequently, you should better consult with your trusted doctor in your town before taking it.

What Is The Best Season For Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking

Two seasons are considered the best time to visit the ANBC for trekking and they are spring and autumn. Speaking of the months, March to May falls in spring, while September to November in autumn. These seasons are ideal for some reasons that are mentioned below:

• You'll have a long day to enjoy your trek with stable weather, warm during the day and cold at night.
• Skies are clear most of the time during both seasons, allowing mesmerizing views of the peaks in the Annapurna Mountain Range, including Annapurna I (8,091 m/26,545 ft), Tilicho Peak (7,135 m/23,409 ft), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m/22,943 ft), Nilgiri North (7,061 m/23,166 ft), etc.
• The possibility of facing weather-related challenges like heavy rainfall and snowfall, landslides, and floods is very low during these seasons.
• You'll witness the blooming wildflowers along the route during spring and lush green areas during autumn.
• You'll get the opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of Nepal, as festivals such as Holi (the festivals of colour), Nepalese New Year, and Buddha Purnima (the birthday of Lord Buddha) happen in spring and the biggest festivals of the country, Dashain and Tihar in autumn.
• The trails are nice and clean. All the hotel businesses are also open, providing hygienic and authentic foods at each stop.
• You'll get the chance to click as many pictures of the landscapes and mountains as you want while hiking.

What Are The Permits Required For Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking?

There are two different permits required for the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS). There are several reasons why you will need to have these permits in order to trek the ANBC. They are as follows:

• To help protect the flora and fauna and other natural resources found in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
• To help maintain routes and bridges and manage the waste produced by the tourist and tea houses.
• To track the trekkers along the way, rescue them in case they're lost or something bad happens to them, and manage the impact of the tourists' flow in the area.
• To control illegal activities and confirm safety standards are followed along the trail.
• To generate employment opportunities for the local communities in the area.

Now, you might be wondering about how to obtain these permits. Since solo trekking isn't allowed in the country according to Nepal's Government law, you'll need to go through local trekking agencies or at least, you must have a professional licenced guide with you.

It's for your safety because in recent times, many tourists have faced problems while trekking at high altitudes and some of them have even lost their lives. So, it's necessary to go through local tour operators here.

One of the best in the tourism business in the country is Ammonite Adventure & Treks Pvt. Ltd. You can directly contact us to arrange your trek to the Annapurna North Base Camp. It'll be very helpful and hassle-free for you, as we'll arrange everything needed for your trek from guide to permit. You don't need to worry about anything.

Annapurna North Base Camp Trekking Accommodation

The Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is an exceptional trail with breathtaking views of the Annapurna Mountain Range, rivers, and waterfalls. Yet, it is still lesser known. Very few visit the base camp.

But domestic tourists have already begun to experience this trek in recent times and gaining popularity among adventure enthusiasts gradually. Due to its less popularity, there were no single tea houses or hotels along the way. All those trekkers who've been there have camped on their own.

However, monitoring the recent flow of tourists in the area, the locals are now running a normal tent hotel business at every point to make our journey comfortable. With this simple initiation of the locals, they've made this trek even more convenient than it was before.

Hopefully, there'll be more tea houses with modern amenities such as electricity, hot showers, Wi-Fi connection, etc like in the ABC Trek along the way to north base camp in the coming days. For now, at least we can appreciate the effort the locals are making for us even though those tent hotels are not enough for us.

Before there wasn't even a tent house for overnight stay but now we have. At least, we don't have to arrange everything by ourselves like then and with their help, we can have hygienic meals and good sleep at night during the trek.

North Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Itinerary: Its Importance

When planning a trip that takes you far away from your home base, it is vital to develop an effective itinerary for your adventure. It can provide organization to keep your trip on track by providing an outline of where you are headed for each day of your trip.

Of course, you can always include other important information, such as projected dates, times, elevations, distances and driving times. Here are some reasons to think about why it is important to have one:

• It is an outline of each day with your planned stops with dates, start and stop times, elevations, distances and driving times!
• It allows you to plan your time so that you don't feel as rushed!
• It will allow you to budget in advance for things like meals, overnight accommodations, transportation and entry fees.
• It will help ensure the group is in the same spot, including guides.
• If things go wrong when you are on the trip, it can quickly help you solve your problem without added stress as you will know your normal schedule.
• It allows your family and/or friends to know and have a general outline of your itinerary so that they can track you down if things go wrong.

Short Itinerary Of The Annapurna North Base Camp Trek

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m/4593.176 ft)

Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to the starting point, Hum Khola (2,890 m/9,482 ft) via Pokhara and Bhurung Tato Pani, covering approximately 120 km in 15 hours

Day 3: Trek from Hum Khola to Sandhikharka (3220 m/10564.3 ft), taking approximately 5-6 hours

Day 4: Trek from Sandhikharka to Bhusketmela (3570 m/11,713 ft), taking approximately 4-5 hours

Day 5: Trek from Bhusketmela to the ANCB (4,050 m/13287.4 ft), taking approximately 3-4 hours

Day 6: Trek back to Hum Khola, taking approximately 7 hours and drive back to Bhurung Tato Pani

Day 7: Drive to Pokhara (822 m/2,697 ft)

Day 8: Return to Kathmandu

Note:This itinerary is our standard edition; it may be modified at your request. Furthermore, the trek times are estimated using the average walking speed but may differ depending on each individual's speed. You may hike some sections more quickly or slowly than estimated.