Our story continues in Part 3 of our Annapurna Base Camp Trek. We spent a night at Bamboo and then hiked to Deurali the next day. After an overnight rest, we continued with the last leg of our uphill climb towards Annapurna Base Camp.
1. Trek from Bamboo to Deurali
Day 06, Apr 13: Trek to Deurali, 3200m, approx 5-6 hours, overnight at New Panorama Lodge
Although today’s distance may be slightly shorter than yesterday’s, we would need to climb uphill and gain about 800 m of elevation, so it was still challenging.
At the beginning of the trail, we walked through virgin forests with plenty of bamboo and crossed a bridge with a small waterfall.
As we continued to climb higher, the forest became more mossy. Soon, we ascended along a path filled with large rocks, with several streams flowing over it. Luckily, it was not the rainy season, so the water was not too deep, and we were wearing waterproof shoes.
The path meanders through the forest alongside the Modi River. After hiking for a little over an hour, we finally reached Dovan. We took a short break before continuing our journey. (On returning from ABC, we would stay at Dovan overnight)
As we left Dovan, we encountered more rocky trails that crossed over larger streams, some with strong currents. Fortunately, bridges had already been built over them.
After passing Upper Dovan, we came across a temple with a beautiful cascade of waterfalls called 108 cascades on the right side.
Lunch at Himalaya
From there, we began our ascent toward Himalaya. The steps got much steeper as we continued our hike. We took a break at Himalaya and had lunch on a sunny day with strong winds.
We had fried rice for lunch and ordered the local soup noodles called thukpa. There is a small cafe with a coffee machine, and although I was tempted to have a cappuccino, I opted for ginger tea, which is supposed to fight against AMS.
Many hikers passed by Himalaya. Some started from Chomrong directly and stayed overnight here. Then, they continue their trek straight to Annapurna Base Camp the next day. However, we have decided to split this two-day trek into three days. Therefore, we stayed at Deurali and prepared ourselves for the next leg of the journey.
Although we have gained some elevation so far, we will continue our journey to Deurali after lunch, which will take us another three hundred meters in height.
Last leg to Deurali
As we made our way up, the tree line gradually receded into the distance. Very few trees were left, and we estimated the altitude to be around 3000 meters.
Not long after, we arrived at an area where an avalanche had recently occurred. The ground was covered in slippery ice, and we had to walk carefully as we had not brought crampons. To keep our balance, we relied on our hiking poles.
Upon arrival, we were given a room with four beds without tables and hangers. We knew the lodgings would become more basic as we climbed higher, so it was OK. The room had no charging station, so we had to charge our power bank and mobile phones in the dining hall.
2. From Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Day 07, Apr 14: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), 4130m via Machhapuchhre Base Camp, 3700m, 7km, 5 hours, overnight at Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge
It was before 7:00 a.m., and we planned to have breakfast and then start early to have lunch at MBC and reach Annapurna Base Camp by 2 or 3 p.m.
Our hike took us through massive rocks, a river, and an avalanche area. However, we were well-prepared for such situations and used an alternative trail, as the original one is currently inaccessible.
The scenery has changed considerably, with most mountains now covered in snow.
As we proceed further, the mountains become even more snowy. We stopped to drink by the river on our way up to MBC. Many small streams flowed across our trail, but our feet would not get wet since it was not the rainy season.
MBC to ABC, the final push
Despite the cold temperatures due to the high altitude, we could still appreciate the magnificent scenery, especially as Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), was right in front of us. We eventually made it to Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where we could rest and enjoy lunch.
During the final leg of our journey to ABC, we encountered snow-covered terrain that lasted for about two hours. Since the snow was fresh and loose, judging its depth was difficult. We followed the footsteps of previous hikers to avoid stepping into deep snow.
We tried to walk on grass or rocks whenever possible, as they were easier to navigate. However, some snow had turned into ice, making it very slippery. Although we walked carefully, we still plunged into the snow, and our waterproof hiking shoes were no match for the melted deep snow.
We had to walk carefully and not away from the path, as some of the streams might have been hidden beneath the snow, which is dangerous.
After a two-hour hike, we finally reached Annapurna Base Camp. Although the incline was gradual, the high altitude and the tricky snow and ice made it one of our most challenging paths.
After taking photos at the Annapurna Base Camp signboard, we walked for another five minutes to reach the guesthouse.
The moment we had been waiting for has finally arrived. It felt like a dream come true for all of us. The overwhelming sense of victory and satisfaction was indescribable. It was a moment that we would cherish forever.
Why did we take on the Annapurna Base Camp challenge?
Some people may wonder why we chose to walk in such a harsh environment to reach a place with nothing but snow. But for us, the satisfaction was beyond words and much more valuable and priceless than many physical and tangible things in life. The determination, endurance, and perseverance during this challenge are invaluable lessons for overcoming obstacles in our daily lives.
We woke to a beautiful morning with a clear sky the following day. The view was spectacular. In the following articles, we will continue to share our stories about what happened at Annapurna Base Camp and during our descent.
Videos
Please watch the video we made for our trip on YouTube. As below:
Related links about ABC Trek:
We have written several articles about the ABC Trek, including what to know before starting the journey, what to pack, and updates during our hike.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – (Part 1) the ultimate hiking itinerary
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek- (Part 2) From Ghorepani to Bamboo via Tadapani and Chomrong
- Twelve things to know before trekking to Annapurna Base Camp
- Annapurna Base Camp Packing List- a comprehensive guide
VJ Tamang, owner and tour guide of Grande Adventure, expertly organized and made our trip enjoyable. VJ can be contacted at https://www.grandeadventure.com/contact-us/ or through https://web.facebook.com/GrandeAdventures.