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My 10-Day Trek to Annapurna Base Camp: A First-Timer's Himalayan Adventure in Nepal

I've dreamed of exploring Nepal since watching the captivating documentary Unmistaken Child, where a young monk searches remote Himalayan mountains for his master's reincarnation. When the Travelzoo Top 20 deal popped up for a 10-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp, I booked it instantly. My boyfriend was cautious—we're active but day hikes were our limit. I convinced him we could train over summer.

I chose October, post-monsoon and start of peak season, with sunny days in the 70s°F. Spring is also prime time. Rain hit our first two days, but the rest delivered perfect weather, though nights chilled at higher altitudes.

My 10-Day Trek to Annapurna Base Camp: A First-Timer s Himalayan Adventure in Nepal

Daily routine: early wake-up, breakfast, three-hour hike to lunch in a route-side village, then more hiking to our teahouse. Evenings meant relaxing, dinner, cards, reading, and early bed—often 8 p.m., far from my NYC nights—but sunrise starts fueled the next adventure.

Terrain dazzled daily: quaint villages, lush forests, bamboo and rhododendron groves, terraced farms, alpine meadows. Steep staircases and rocky high-altitude paths challenged us, but NYC stair training in our 36-story building paid dividends. The pinnacle: Annapurna Base Camp in a stunning basin, views of the range's giants, including deadly Annapurna I (over 50 fatalities, roughly one in four summit attempts).

Our group's success mirrored the mountain's risks—two evacuated by helicopter for altitude sickness; the rest of us five returned safely to Pokhara's resorts. After showers, we celebrated with Everest beers at a local bar.


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