North Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The North Annapurna Base Camp (North ABC) Trek is a hidden gem in the Annapurna region, perfect for trekkers looking for a quiet, adventurous, and authentic Himalayan experience. This trek takes you away from crowded routes and leads you to the remote north face of Annapurna, offering breathtaking mountain views, glaciers, and untouched landscapes.

Along the way, you pass through traditional Gurung and Magar villages, trek through wild alpine terrain, and camp under clear Himalayan skies. Combined with cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu and the natural beauty of Pokhara, the North ABC Trek is an ideal choice for those seeking real adventure, peaceful trails, and unforgettable mountain scenery.

How Difficult is the North ABC Trek?

Aside from having a good level of fitness, what you should know before embarking on this trek is that it is a relatively new trail so the paths are less well defined than in other part of the Annapurnas. And there are very few options for accommodation – camping being the main one. Camping itself brings challenges, as well as rewards. If you have camped before on a trek that would stand you well on this trek. However, if you have not camped don't worry – there is a whole crew behind you for setting up camp and cooking meals.

Fully Supported Camping Trek

This trek is for those who love not only nature but being more alone and peaceful in the landscapes of forests and mountains. To achieve this kind of peaceful experience, trekking through the areas which are still less visiting by hikers is recommended. The North ABC Trek provides you with wilderness, landscapes and mountain views along quiet trails with few, if any, accommodation options on route.

This trek is fully supported on six nights by our experienced camping crew. Our porters will carry the necessary equipment – tents, kitchen tent, toilet tents, dining tents and various essentials – and set up camp before you reach the location. Our camp chef will provide you with excellent breakfasts, lunches and dinners on this part of the trek, as well as boiled drinking water and hot water for washing.

We will provide you with a two man waterproof tent of the highest quality. We ask you to bring your own sleeping bag – which you can hire or buy in Kathmandu if you don't have at home.

Food on this Trek

Our camping chef will prepare fresh, hygienic food for each meal. With limited facilities along this route, many items will be brought from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Where possible we do buy from local communities to give something back to them.

The majority of the food will be vegetarian, with some tinned meat and fish. Please let us know if you are vegetarian or vegan. Because the porters are human, we do not carry alcohol or plastic bottles of water. Rather we boil water for drinking. Please do bring your own water bottle for this purpose. Beer, soft drinks etc can be purchased in the guest houses/ hotels at the end of your trek.

Is the Camp Kitchen / Food Hygienic?

Our camping staff are well trained on hygiene. However, please do bring sanitizer for your hands and use before eating. Do not eat leftovers of food cooked hours before. Drink only the boiled water at the camp and not from local streams/ rivers. You can bring your own sterilizing drops/ liquid for emergency drinking water on the trails.

Bring stomach medicines and electrolytes in your day pack in case you do need them. Strange environments and experiences can cause stomach upsets!

At the campsite, your day starts with a cup of hot tea, followed by breakfast. While you eat, the porters will be packing up the camp and moving on to the next location. You may be having a cooked lunch or, depending on the location, a simple 'packed' type of lunch. At the next overnight campsite, you can relax with more tea until dinner is ready. A campfire will keep you warm before you retire early to bed. Don't forget to spend some time gazing at the stars – so clear without the lights of a city around you.

Preparing for the Trek

This is a trek into a more remote area of the Annapurnas where the trails are not as well-established as in the busier sections. We suggest you be of good fitness before undertaking this trek. Although the daily walking time is not so long (average 4 – 5 hours per day) it is a camping trek so there are some limitations on facilities to relax in in the evenings.

Increase your time in the gym, swimming pool, hiking route around your home or fitness classes to increase your stamina before coming on this trek.

People of the Area

The area you will be trekking through is home to the Gurung and Mugar people.

Flora and Fauna

North Annapurna Base Camp lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area with rich biodiversity providing home to over 100 species of animals and over 1,200 species of plants, including orchids. If you are really lucky you may see a snow leopard or a Himalayan brown bear on your trek. More likely you will see blue sheep, langur monkeys and a host of birds. These birds include the Impeyan pheasant (also known as the Himalayan monal), crimson horned pheasant and vultures.

If you come in the spring, at lower altitudes the rhododendrons will be in bloom. Pass through rhododendron forests, oak and pine forests and bamboo groves.

Responsible Eco Conscious Trekking

We at Swotah like to ensure we leave no litter or damage behind us on our camping treks. Our guides and camp crew are instructed on how to deal with garbage and the likes.

We request our guests to be conscious too. Please be responsible for your own garbage, leaving nothing at the camp site or on the trail.

Weather and Best Time to Go

The time of year you plan going on this trek will influence a few things – such as what to pack.

What to Pack for this Trek

Please check our Packing List for general trekking items.

You will need clothes you can layer for this trek as the lower altitudes will be warm and the higher altitudes cooler/cold. Waterproof trousers and waterproof trekking boots are a good idea even if you are not coming in winter or monsoon – you just never know in the mountains!

Although you will get three meals a day when camping, it's a good idea to bring some of your favourite snacks. You will thank us later!

Bring a charger for your phone and a headtorch with extra batteries as you are on a camping trek with no access to electricity.

Along with your first aid kit do remember to bring extras of any medicines you require on a daily or regular basis. It's also a good idea to carry in both your main pack and in your day pack.

Money Matters

What Happens if I get Altitude Sickness?

The best plan is to try and avoid or mitigate any altitude related sickness.

Stay hydrated, walk steadily but not too fast, monitor your body, tell your guide if you feel unwell. Walk at a pace that is suitable for you. Please see the Signs of Altitude Sickness section for further details.

This trek starts at a low altitude - 820 m / 2,723 ft at Pokhara. The highest point is at the base camp - 4,130 m / 13,550 ft. Should you become unwell, it is important to slow down and rest for some time. If you feel better, then continue (under the recommendation of your guide). If you, or someone else gets worse it is always recommended to go down to a lower altitude for a night. Your guide will be carrying a phone (satellite if necessary) in case of a emergency. Should evaluation be necessary, it is important you have details of your insurance policy with you on the trek.

Our guides are all trained in first aid and altitude awareness and should be consulted at the first sign of illness.

Transport Alternatives

You will be travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara and return by Tourist Bus. This is very comfortable transport but if you would like more freedom to go at your own pace and stop where you like (for photographs for example) you can hire a private vehicle (at an extra charge). If you want to reach there quicker – by road takes around 8 hours – you can fly between the two cities in 25 minutes! Please discuss with us.

Permits Required

You are required to have the following permit to enter this area:

Extending your Visit

There is plenty to see and do in both Kathmandu and Pokhara so if you would like to extend your visit please let us know. You may wish to take one of our culture tours around heritage sites in Kathmandu, or you may wish to stay longer in Pokhara to relax or do some adventures such as bungy jumping, sky diving, zip lining etc. We also have treks (short and long) out of Kathmandu and Pokhara. Chitwan National Park is also a regular extension for trekkers. Wildlife spotting can be another adventure after the thrill of trekking through the mountains.

Please ask us!