I'm going to use this post to track planning for a trek in Nepal. I'll update as I get more information.
Jump to:
It looks like there are at 3 options to consider:
Annapurna Circuit Trail
I believe that this is the Trek which mum did. This is supposedly the most beautiful trek; more strenuous than ABC (Annapurna Base Camp), with lots of stairs.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
This looks to be the least strenuous trek
Everest Base Camp Trek
This is the most iconic (Everest, after all!), but also the most strenuous, most crowded, and most expensive.
The Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a plane ride from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, which apparently is one of, if not the most, dangerous airport in the world. Take a look at this video:
Best time of year to do a Trek in Nepal:
The best times for an Everest Base & Annapurna Base Camp trek are the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November)
The best times for the Annapurna Circuit are autumn (September–November) and spring (February–April). October is generally considered the best month, but earlier in the year offers the opportunity of seeing lots of flowers in bloom.
Costs to do a Trek in Nepal:
Although you can do these trips independently at a lower cost, I am inclined to do an organized trip, so that we don't have to book accommodations, guides etc. by ourselves.
Everest Base Camp
Obviously we need to do more research in terms of costs. I've done more research on this trek than the other two, mostly because this is what I was planning to do on my sabbatical.
Adventure Consultants - one of the first companies to offer group trips to summit Everest; they also offer treks to Everest Base Camp.
Cost:
US6,000
Duration:
18 days
Inclusions:
The price of your trek includes the following:
- Qualified and experienced trek leaders
- Helicopter flights Kathmandu-Lukla and return
- High end lodging
- Overnight at Everest Base Camp (pre-monsoon)
- Small groups
- Comprehensive pre-trip support from their New Zealand office
Annapurna Circuit Trail
Bookatrekking - no research, other than a brief Google search
Cost:
10 days: starting at US$1,199 | 15 days: US$1,314
Duration:
Two options: 10 days or 15 days
Inclusions:
The price of your trek includes the following:
- Balanced itinerary tailored to your preferences
- Finding, booking, and paying for your tea house accommodation
- All necessary trekking permits arranged for a hassle-free journey
- Professional, English-speaking guide for local expertise
- Porter service available—trek with just a daypack
- Three meals a day included during the trek
- 24/7 support from our local expert Dil Gurung and his team
- Pre-trek briefing and assistance in Kathmandu
Annapurna Base Camp
Advanced Adventure Tours - no research, other than a brief Google search
Cost:
US$1,090
Duration:
14 days
Inclusions:
The price of your trek includes the following:
- Cultural sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara with Trishuli River & Himalayan views
- Trek through lush rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and traditional Gurung villages
- Modi Khola Gorge – Dramatic valley walk
- Enough time to absorb the high-altitude beauty
- Soak in natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda
- Panoramic 360° views of Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhre.
- Sunrise view from Poon Hill – One of Nepal’s most iconic viewpoints
- Explore the vibrant lakeside city of Pokhara.