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In February this year, I was in Pokhara for the Nepal Literature Festival. I looked to add adventure to the work trip toying between either a trek to Mardi Himal or Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). I decided to head to Annapurna Base Camp as I preferred the five-day duration over the much shorter Mardi Himal.

With my engagement at the Literature Festival over on Sunday, I decided Monday would be the start of my five-day ABC trek.

DAY 1: POKHARA TO UPPER SINUWA

I managed to get a driver’s number from a friend who owns a hotel (Hotel Mountain Top) in Lakeside and called the driver first thing in the morning around 5am, asking for a seat to Jhinu Danda. I reached Hari Chowk in Pokhara around 6am or shortly after! After waiting around for 30 to 40 minutes, the driver managed to get enough bums on seats, and we were off to Jhinu Danda.

The last time I ventured these parts, we were a group walking from Naya Pul to Ghandruk. We also walked to Jhinu Danda. I guess a lot has changed now that I can hop on a jeep for Nrs 1000 and reach Jhinu Danda. I believe it took about 3.5 hours, I reached at 10.45am. After munching on some toast, I started the trek at around 11.20am.

With the sun shining, the walk was quite hot and of course plenty of steps uphill. It was nice to pass by and see the pretty villages and sights of Chomrong village, Buddhist stupas to the lush green hills. I reached Upper Sinuwa at 3.10pm, just under four hours.

I stayed at Sinuwa Lodge, at Sunita didi’s. I didn’t know didi until we started chatting and I soon realized, I know her brother via UK Nepali connections. Didi’s lodge is highly recommended especially if you like to venture out of the Nepali dal-bhat diet. I had kimchi ramen noodle soup! It was SO good.

DAY 2: UPPER SINUWA TO DEURALI

Today, I left around 8.40am and the weather did not look great. Thankfully, I managed to borrow a rain cover from didi at the lodge. So, note – if you haven’t got one then please do carry one. Mind you, this is not the best season to be trekking. It was a long day of walking… you’ll see more on the YouTube vlog.

I reached Deurali at 2.20pm and decided to stay here because the weather looked like it may not hold up so well and of course, trekking to Machapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) would mean covering quite some height in just a day! Well, most important reason for me was to just slow down… so why rush.

DAY 3: DEURALI TO ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

After receiving news about heavy snow at MBC and ABC, fellow trekkers, guides and porters were all a little concerned about the travel for the day. However, a Korean group of forty-two trekkers started the journey up to MBC. So, the rest of us followed. That was until, we had to overtake them anyways because a group of forty-two is a lot!

The trek up to MBC was stunning! It was incredible to see all the snow and the dramatic mountain scape surrounding the trails. However, things quickly started getting tricky after MBC.

Fortunately, I grouped together with two fellow solo-trekkers as we started our hike up to ABC. The last stretch, maybe 1-2km was really challenging! We were caught in a snowstorm and with thigh-deep snow, it was impossible to know where the route was. Thankfully, two porters helped show the way! So yeah, this was quite the experience!

Once we reached ABC, we just chatted and stuck in a group for as long as possible because everything on my body was pretty much wet and cold. These are the parts of trekking that’s never ideal! This is the highest point of the trek at 4,130m above sea level.

I reached ABC at 1.30pm. It was about four hours walking today. I had set off at 8.40am from Deurali.

DAY 4: ABC TO UPPER SINUWA

I woke up to incredible views of the Annapurna mountains. The sky was clear! What a reward to see such stunning scenes. I quickly forgot yesterday afternoon’s battle to reach base camp.

After a quick walk to the viewpoint, countless photos and videos, I made my way down. When I say I, it feels like a we! Pretty much all of us left at the same time and while we were in proximity for the initial few hours, we soon started spacing out and then it felt like I was on a solo trek once again.

This was the longest day of walking. I had set off around 8am but didn’t note down what time I reached Upper Sinuwa.

DAY 5: UPPER SINUWA TO JHINDU DANDA, THEN POKHARA

I spent the night at Sunita didi’s lodge again. I picked up all the extra things I didn’t take up with me and started my walk down to Jhinu Danda in the morning. I said Bye to Zoe, a fellow solo-trekker I met along the way who was staying back to experience the Jhinu Hot Springs. I had visited the very hot springs back in 2011.

I got to Pokhara around 2-3pm, quickly checked into a hotel in Lakeside and fell asleep for quite some time. I had no energy for a Friday night! Haha! So much for coming back to Lakeside just-in-time.

I didn’t note all my spending during this trip but I think from the top of my head, I spent around or less than Nrs 12,000. Spending was mainly on lodge and food. I spent more on snacks, coffee, fizzy drinks and energy drinks – which I am a huge sucker for. I know, not a good example.