Api Himal Base Camp Trek

You can obtain the Nepalese visa from Nepalese consulate in your country easily or upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. For that, you require a valid passport with 2 copies of passport size photos. Similarly, A visa for Nepal can be obtained at Nepal India border entry point at Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Kakadvitta, Bhairahawa, Gaddachowki and Kodari on the Nepal China border.

A15/30/90 day multiple entries Nepalese visa can be obtained by paying USD 30/50/125 or equivalent foreign currency respectively. For more information, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

We will be at the airport to welcome you upon your arrival to Nepal. We will be carrying the Raj BalaTreks & Expedition placard with your name underneath. From airport you will escorted to your hotel and we help you to check-in.

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

The main health consideration during Api Himal Base Camp Trekking is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and handle the low oxygen rate.

If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude areas before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.

The Api Himal Base Camp Trekking is considered a moderately challenging to strenuous trek, suitable for trekkers with prior high-altitude trekking experience and good physical fitness. The trail passes through remote and less-developed regions of far-western Nepal, where infrastructure, lodges, and services are minimal compared to popular routes like Everest or Annapurna. Trekkers should be prepared for long walking days of 6–8 hours, steep ascents and descents, and camping in rugged terrain. The trek reaches elevations above 4,000 meters, which demands careful acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness. Additionally, the remoteness means that rescue and medical facilities are scarce, adding to the level of difficulty. However, for adventurers seeking untouched landscapes, cultural immersion, and solitude, the Api Himal Base Camp Trek offers one of the most rewarding yet demanding experiences in Nepal.

Api Himal Base Camp Trek is a classic camping-style trek in one of the most remote and less-traveled corners of Nepal. Unlike popular trekking routes where tea houses and lodges are widely available, this trek demands full camping arrangements with tents, kitchen crews, and porters to carry essential supplies. Trekkers can expect overnight stays in well-set-up campsites with dining tents, sleeping tents, and basic facilities provided by the support team. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable, with foam mattresses and sleeping bags ensuring warmth and rest in the high Himalayas. Meals are freshly prepared by the camp cook, often featuring a mix of Nepali and international dishes, ensuring proper nutrition and energy for the challenging trail. Since the Api Himal region is untouched by mainstream tourism, camping remains the only reliable option, giving trekkers an authentic wilderness experience far from commercialized routes.

We provide three tasty, plentiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads.

After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene. This has allowed us to maintain remarkably high standards of health over many years of trek organization - and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for.

Medical facilities in the Api Himal Base Camp Trekking region are very limited due to the remoteness of the area. Basic health services may be available in a few lower villages, such as small health posts or clinics, but these are often sparsely equipped and staffed. For serious medical issues, trekkers would need to be evacuated to larger towns or district hospitals, which can be several hours or even a day’s travel away. It is therefore essential for trekkers to carry a well-stocked personal medical kit, including medications for altitude sickness, pain relief, gastrointestinal issues, and minor injuries. Additionally, having travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended to ensure safety throughout this remote and challenging adventure.

Your typical day begins with a hot cup of tea brought to the tent at about 6 am, followed by a bowl of hot water for washing. After packing all your bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the morning’s walk. All you need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and a warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of your gear for you. After walking for 3-4 hours, we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we arrive at camp in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the nearby villages, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at camp by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.

Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7 pm. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and talking with the crew, or perhaps even joining in some singing and dancing, before heading off to the tent for a well-earned sleep.

Our 17 days Api Himal Base Camp Trek cost is all inclusive of your accommodation, meals, permits and other official expenses.(See price includes and excludes section for more detail). Besides, other expenses depend on your spending habits. A USD 10-15 is sufficient to buy bottled water, snacks, chocolate bars, hot and cold drinks, and showers during the Api Himal Trek besides your included meals and accommodation.

Money exchange facilities are extremely limited during the Api Himal Base Camp Trek due to its remote location in the far-western region of Nepal. There are no banks, ATMs, or official money exchange counters along the trekking trail. The last reliable place to exchange or withdraw cash is in Kathmandu or, to some extent, in Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar before heading toward the trek starting point. It is highly recommended that trekkers carry enough Nepalese Rupees in cash to cover all expenses for the entire journey, including tips, personal purchases, and unforeseen costs. Since the trek is organized mainly as a camping trip with all logistics managed by the trekking company, major expenses are pre-arranged, but having sufficient cash on hand is essential for a smooth experience in this isolated region. Credit cards, foreign currencies, and digital payments are generally not accepted during the trek.

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

Communication facilities on the Api Himal Base Camp Trek are very limited due to the remote and isolated nature of the region. Mobile network coverage is patchy and often unavailable once you leave the lower villages, making it unreliable for regular calls or internet use. Satellite phones are usually carried by trekking guides or expedition teams to ensure emergency contact when required. In some lower settlements, basic telephone services may be available, but they cannot be fully depended upon throughout the trek. Trekkers are advised to inform their families beforehand about the limited connectivity and rely on the trekking company for necessary updates during the journey. This lack of modern communication facilities, however, also adds to the wilderness charm of Api Himal, allowing trekkers to disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse themselves in nature.

Medical facilities in the Api Himal Base Camp Trekking region are very limited due to the remoteness of the area. Basic health services may be available in a few lower villages, such as small health posts or clinics, but these are often sparsely equipped and staffed. For serious medical issues, trekkers would need to be evacuated to larger towns or district hospitals, which can be several hours or even a day’s travel away. It is therefore essential for trekkers to carry a well-stocked personal medical kit, including medications for altitude sickness, pain relief, gastrointestinal issues, and minor injuries. Additionally, having travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended to ensure safety throughout this remote and challenging adventure.

The starting and ending point of this Api Himal Base Camp Trek is Dhangadhiwhich is connected by domestic flight from Kathmandu. After the completion of the trekking trip, you will be again be flown from Dhangadhi to Kathmandu by domestic flight. We will arrange pick up and drop transfers as per the itinerary.

During Api Himal Base Camp Trek, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kgs for porter welfare as per IPPG standard. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel in Kathmandu while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel's safekeeping.

Api Himal Base Camp Trek is a demanding adventure that requires good physical fitness and strong endurance, as the route involves long walking days, steep ascents and descents, and camping in remote areas with limited facilities. Trekkers should be prepared to walk 6–8 hours per day over rugged trails that pass through forests, high ridges, river valleys, and alpine meadows. Previous trekking experience at high altitude is highly beneficial, though not mandatory, if trekkers commit to proper training. A routine of cardiovascular exercises like hiking, running, or cycling, combined with strength training for legs and core, is recommended at least 2–3 months before the trek. Mental stamina is equally important, as the remoteness of the Api region demands patience and adaptability. With good preparation and a determined mindset, trekkers can fully enjoy this wild and rewarding journey to one of Nepal’s least explored base camps.

The climate in the Api Himal region is influenced by its remote far-western Himalayan location, offering diverse weather conditions depending on altitude and season. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are considered the best times to do the Api Himal Base Camp Trek, as the skies remain generally clear, temperatures are moderate, and the views of Mt. Api (7,132m) and surrounding peaks are at their finest. During spring, trekkers can enjoy blooming rhododendron forests and fresh greenery, while autumn provides crisp mountain air and stable weather after the monsoon. Winter (December to February) brings heavy snowfall and extremely cold temperatures at higher elevations, making the trek more challenging, while the summer monsoon (June to August) can cause slippery trails, landslides, and limited visibility. For a safe and rewarding experience, most trekkers prefer the stable and scenic months of spring and autumn.

We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors and a user’s manual. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

Your safety and security are our top priority, and we always make sure that nothing untoward happen to you. However, if anything serious like sickness or a casualty occurs, we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. As you are responsible for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it.

Drinking water is available throughout the Api Himal Base Camp Trek, but trekkers should be cautious about its safety. In lower villages, local teahouses and homestays provide boiled or filtered drinking water at a small cost, while natural springs, rivers, and streams are common along the trail in higher and more remote sections. However, untreated water from these sources may contain bacteria or impurities, so it is strongly recommended to carry water purification tablets, a filtration system, or a reusable water bottle with a built-in purifier. Buying bottled water is less common in this region due to its remoteness and limited infrastructure, and trekkers are encouraged to avoid plastic waste. Carrying your own purification method ensures a safe, reliable, and eco-friendly supply of drinking water throughout the journey.

All our guides are certified and trained trekking leaders. Our guides are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal. They have years of experience working in this line of work and know the different trekking trails of Nepal, mountain ranges, culture, and mountain sickness.

Your booking of this Api Himal Base Camp Trekking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of 20% of the total trip and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply:

• 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (20% of the total trip)
• 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
• 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
• Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost