This blog provides a comprehensive guide to completing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek on a minimal budget.

• Starting & Ending Point: Gorakhpur to Gorakhpur
• Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights
• Estimated Budget: 12,000 INR (approximately $140 USD)

How is this itinerary different from the typical itinerary?

Who can follow this itinerary?

1. Physically Fit: This itinerary requires a good level of physical fitness and endurance. A simple benchmark is the ability to run 5 km without stopping in under 30 minutes.
2. Mentally Fit: Be prepared to sleep in dormitories and trek for up to 10 hours a day in freezing temperatures, especially at higher altitudes. This demands significant mental toughness and determination.
3. Prior Trekking Experience (Minimum 3000 m Elevation): Previous trekking experience is essential. While this trek is not highly technical, having prior experience helps you understand how your body reacts to high altitudes and prepare in advance.

Basic Preparations

Although this list is not exhaustive these are the bare minimum preparations you must make before the trek:

1. Physical Training:

   • Endurance Running: Focus on improving your stamina by incorporating regular long-distance running into your routine.
   • Climbing and Descending Stairs: Stair climbing is excellent for building leg strength and simulating uphill and downhill trekking conditions.
   • Ruck Walking (Optional): Practice walking with a weighted backpack (ruck). This helps condition your body for carrying loads during the trek and builds overall strength and endurance.

2. Medicine & Food Supply:

   Medicine	Use
   Paracetamol Tabs	Used for reducing fever and relieving mild to moderate pain
   ORS	Replenishes lost electrolytes and fluids due to dehydration, excessive sweating, or diarrhea
   Diamox	Helps in preventing and treating Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) by improving oxygen levels in the blood
   Avomine	Used to prevent and treat nausea, motion sickness, or dizziness, especially during travel to or from the trekking location
   Digene	Provides relief from acidity, indigestion, or bloating, which can occur due to changes in diet or eating habits during the trek
   Combiflam	A combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol, effective for relieving moderate pain, inflammation, or swelling caused by physical strain or minor injuries
   Volini Spray/Jel	A topical pain relief spray or gel for muscle sprains, joint pain, or sore muscles after a long day of trekking

   Food: Snicker Bars (20-25)

3. Trekking Gear:

   1. Trekking Boots: Provides protection, grip, and support for the feet during treks, especially on rugged, uneven, or slippery terrain.
   2. Trekking Poles: Helps maintain balance and reduces strain on knees and legs while trekking, especially during ascents and descents.
   3. Crampons: Metal spikes or traction devices attached to boots for walking on ice (found on higher altitude), snow, or slippery surfaces.

   Note: Trekking gear and clothing (down-jackets, lower, etc.) can be rented in Pokhara. Several rental shops are available at Lakeside, Pokhara, and the cost is approximately 2,500 NPR or more, depending on your requirements.

Day to Day Detailed Itineary

Day 1 (Gorakhpur to Pokhra)

• Total Expenses: 700 INR + 2100 NPR