The trek to Annapurna Base Camp is a stunning journey around some of the worlds highest peaks. The trek leads you through the famous Annapurna Sanctuary, giving you a wold class mountain viewing trek, from relatively lower altitudes. First of all, you need to understand the difference between the Annapurna Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit trek, so that you can decide which is the right option for you.
Most of your trek to Annapurna Base Camp is spent below 3,000m/ 10,000 feet. However, the terrain is challenging, with thousands and thousands of stairs. This trek is achievable for any trekker who is ready to put in the preparations and training needed. However, you will have to do the specific training to fully appreciated and enjoy this stunning Himalayan Adventure!
Annapurna Circuit vs Base Camp
The two trips are very different. Not only is the Annapurna Circuit trek a longer and more challenging trek, but a lot more of the Circuit trek includes more time at high altitude. The Circuit trek goes around the northern side of the Annapurna Mountain Range, ending near Pokhara. You do not actually enter into Annapurna Base Camp when you are on the Circuit trek. Also, you reach an altitude of 5,420m/ 17,782 feet on the Circuit trek, and on the Base Camp trek, the highest point reached is at 4,131m/ 13,553 feet.
Both options are wonderful experiences to take on, however the Circuit trek will definitely be a more physically challenging option. Personally, we love the Annapurna Base Camp trek! Some of the best mountain views in the world are from the Annapurna Valley and around the Annapurna Base Camp. All this viewing is done at lower altitude. Therefore, you will generally have warmer temperatures and less chance of altitude related issues. You do need to be physically prepared as this trek has a lot of stairs up and down hills.
Get the Right Physical Preparations
From the start of your adventure and throughout, you will be walking on stairs up and down. There will be short steps, long steps, up-hill steps and down-hill steps. Especially lower on the trail, as you move up to Ghorepani, Poon Hill and over towards the main Annapurna Base Camp Trail. This trek does require you to come physically prepared so make sure you are doing the right training for this trip. We have completed this journey many times and have the information you need to make sure you come prepared.
Train on Stairs
If you are planning a trip to Annapurna Base Camp, then you need to train on steps up and down. The terrain is steep and filled with steps. Therefore, you need to remember this as you prepare for the trek into this region of Nepal. If you know that you will be going up and down stairs on the trek, then you will want to make sure that this is incorporated in your training. Putting your weighted backpack on, and training going up and down stairs, will be essential to your training.
Read some REVIEWS from our trips and then CONTACT US. We can help you get the correct information about this exciting adventure.
Can I Make this Journey
This trek does require very specific training. Having excellent leg strength, balance, a strong core, and used to walking up and down long sets of stairs with a backpack on, is critical. We encourage you to train on a stair master with a weighted backpack at least four days a week. If you can do this as well as incorporating a longer hike with your weighted backpack, one day a week, you should be ready for this adventure. Make sure you come with the right physical conditioning in the legs so that you can enjoy the trek, not just endure it!
We have a wealth of information on this stunning Himalayan Region. We are here to help you get the information you need to be successful. CALL US or E-MAIL US and get the best information available.