The ABC Trek felt like a personal journey through the Himalayas, filled with breathtaking peaks, peaceful trails, and moments that stayed with me long after.
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC):
A place guarded by towering Himalayan giants, a bowl-shaped paradise sitting quietly at 4,130m, surrounded by peaks like Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South. A place that feels less like a destination and more like a dream.
This is the story of how I, along with my friends, planned this moment for months, talked about it endlessly, and finally acted on it voluntarily, spontaneously, and excitedly stepping into one of the most unforgettable journeys of my life.
The Adventure Begins — Kathmandu to Pokhara
The adventure started with a night bus from Kathmandu. I remember carrying a strange mix of emotions — happiness, excitement, and nervousness all sitting quietly in my chest.
As the bus rolled through the darkness, all I could think was:
“This is actually happening.” We reached Pokhara early in the morning, sleepy yet energized by the thought of the mountains waiting ahead.
DAY 1 — Harichowk to Upper Sinuwa
We took a jeep from Harichowk to Jhinu. The road was rough, bumpy, and thrilling — like the mountains were shaking us awake.
The moment we got off the jeep, a long, narrow suspension bridge welcomed us… or challenged us. We had to wait around 45 minutes for the endless stream of mules and horses to cross from the other side. It was chaotic but funny, and it set the tone for the trek: unpredictable, wild, and beautiful.
The Trek Begins: Right after the bridge, the trail hit us with an intense uphill nearly 2 hours straight. My backpack felt heavier than I expected, but the excitement kept me moving. The weather was foggy, so the scenery was mostly of lush hills, deep valleys, and scattered village houses barely visible through the mist.
When we reached Jhinu Danda, the fog was still there, but the vibe felt warm trekkers resting, locals smiling, the sound of the Modi Khola far below.
Lunch at Chhomrong
After about 15 minutes of walking from Jhinu Danda, we reached Chhomrong, a beautiful Gurung village clinging to the hillside.
We had lunch there — dal bhat, obviously surrounded by narrow stone steps, terraced fields, and the occasional group of mules passing by. The downhill started right after leaving the village, and, honestly, it was fun. The scenery opened up, and there were moments when I’d just stop and look around because everything felt unreal.
The Final Uphill
From the river, the trail rose aggressively again. We crossed Lower Sinuwa, then pushed hard through forested stone steps toward Upper Sinuwa, where we finally decided to stay.
By the time we reached our lodge around 4 PM, the fog was everywhere, hiding the mountains but giving the place a mysterious vibe.
Day 1 felt physically heavy but emotionally exciting — like the journey had now truly started.
DAY 2 — Upper Sinuwa to Deurali (8:00 AM – 3:45 PM)
We began the day at 8 AM with breakfast and instantly dropped into a downhill section leading toward Bamboo. The trail passed through dense green forests — bamboo tunnels, moss-covered rocks, the sound of the river far below.
Glimpses of Mountains Getting Closer: This day felt special because every now and then, through cracks in the forest, I caught glimpses of the snow peaks.
That feeling — “I’m getting closer… it’s happening fast” — filled me with adrenaline.
Lunch at Bamboo: We reached Bamboo and had lunch surrounded by forest, waterfalls, and wet stone paths. Then the trail turned uphill again — long but comforting because the environment was so peaceful, birds chirping, water flowing beside us.
Waterfall Temple & Surreal Vibes: Somewhere on the way, we came across a small temple near a massive waterfall. The air was cold and fresh, and the moment felt almost spiritual — like the mountains were blessing us before letting us enter deeper.
Reaching Himalaya & Then Deurali: The trails after Himalaya were narrower, dramatic, and filled with waterfalls falling from cliffs. The forests slowly thinned, and the mountains felt closer than ever.
We reached Deurali at 3:45 PM, tired but inspired.
Day 2 was quieter, more scenic, and emotionally warmer a slow realization that I was walking into the Himalaya’s heart.
DAY 3 — Deurali to ABC
This was the day. The best day.
We started at 8 AM, surrounded by mountains in every direction. The trail followed the river, parts of it frozen, and the cold air made every breath feel fresher.
Reaching MBC
We reached Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and took a break. Standing there, with Machhapuchhre towering behind me, I felt a surge of joy. The sky was open, the mountains were shining, and my excitement was at its peak.
The Final Walk to ABC
The stretch from MBC to ABC was magical — vast open plains, snow around the trail, and the mountains rising higher with every step.
We met so many friendly trekkers along the way, people from different countries, all sharing the same excitement.
When we finally reached Annapurna Base Camp at 1 PM, it didn’t feel real.
ABC felt like heaven surrounded by mountains on all sides — Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, and Machhapuchhre guarding the bowl of snow and clouds.
We watched the sunset turn the whole place golden. All the cold, pain, uphill and downhill vanished.
Day 3 was unforgettable.
DAY 4 — ABC to Upper Sinuwa
I woke up early to enjoy the sunrise — golden rays hitting the snow walls, everything glowing and calm.
I even climbed a little higher up the old trail, breathing in the thin cold air, trying to remember everything with my heart and not just my eyes.
We started descending around 11 AM. It was a long walk back, but I felt lighter — emotionally full, physically relaxed. We sang songs along the trail, laughed, used our torches near the end, and reached Upper Sinuwa at 5:30 PM, just as the evening turned to dusk.
DAY 5 — Upper Sinuwa to Pokhara
We started at 7:30 AM, reached the Jeep point around 1 PM, and again waited because of mules coming across the bridge — just like Day 1.
By 3 PM, we were back in Pokhara, tired but deeply fulfilled.
Conclusion — A Trek That Changed Something Inside Me
The ABC trek wasn’t just about reaching a base camp — it was about the process. The uphill struggles, the fog, the forests, the rivers, the cold, the warmth of tea houses, the random conversations with strangers, the views that made me stop walking… everything felt personal
I went with my friends, but I also discovered something about myself:
I’m capable of more than I thought.
ABC felt like a dream, but also like a reminder that mountains don’t just show you views,
they show you yourself.
And as I left Pokhara, I knew one thing clearly:
I’ll return to the Himalayas again.