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Kathmandu, Nepal
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Api Himal Base-Camp Treks

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  • Accommodation 4-Star Hotel in Kathmandu/Tea House during Trek
  • Duration 14
  • Trip Difficulty Moderate
  • Activities Trekking
  • Best Time Spring/ Autumn
  • Max. Elevation 3900
  • Group Size Min-02 pax
  • Transportation Car/Jeep/Flight
  • Meals B L D During Trek
  • Start/End Kathmandu/Kathmandu

Overview

The Api Himal Base Camp Trek is a calm and beautiful trip in the far-western part of Nepal. Not many travelers visit this area. It is far from big cities and modern things. This makes it perfect for people who love nature and want a quiet adventure. Unlike busy places like Everest or Annapurna, this trek feels wild and real. You get to see amazing landscapes, learn about local culture, and visit a special place called Kali Dhunga Lake.

The trek takes you through villages, thick forests, river valleys, and open grassy areas. You walk all the way to the base of Mount Api, which is 7,132 meters high. The area is full of natural beauty. You see green hills, waterfalls, snow-covered peaks, and high lakes. You might spot blue sheep or colorful Himalayan birds like the monal. This trek is special for people who want to explore Nepal’s wild side and feel its spiritual power. The local people, mostly Byansi, Chhetri, and Dalit, follow Hindu and Buddhist ways. They are kind and welcome you with smiles. They might offer you tea or show you their farms.

This region is very remote. There are fewer comforts than in big trekking areas. But that’s part of the fun. You stay in simple teahouses or tents. You eat local food like dal bhat or potatoes. You walk on old paths used by villagers and shepherds. The area feels spiritual. Many pilgrims visit Kali Dhunga Lake. They believe it brings blessings and heals them. The quiet forests, fresh mountain air, and peaceful views connect you to nature and your heart.

The trip starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadi. Then you take long but pretty drives through small towns and hills to reach the trek’s start. You walk through quiet villages like Ghusa, Simar, and Dhuli Odar. You reach Api Base Camp and hike to Kali Dhunga Lake at 4,000 meters. The lake is calm and holy. The return path goes through Khaikot and Khandeshwar. You meet more locals and see their simple, green way of life.

The trek can be hard at times, especially at high places. But the rewards are big. You walk through peaceful pine forests. You see snow peaks above the clouds. You feel like you’re in a different world. The people here are strong. They live far from cities with few things, yet they always help and smile. Snow Bank Adventure plans everything. They get permits, food, transport, and guides. You just enjoy the journey. This trek is great for people who want a rare adventure, rich culture, wild beauty, and spiritual peace under the Himalayas.

The best time to go is March to May or September to November. These months have clear skies. The weather is nice, not too hot or cold. Spring brings colorful flowers. Autumn has cool, fresh air. In winter, from December to February, it snows at high spots. Paths can be icy. Bring warm clothes like jackets, hats, and gloves. In the rainy season, from June to August, it rains a lot. Mud makes walking tricky. Carry a raincoat and shoes with good grip. Check the weather before you start. Pack a small bag with water, snacks, a camera, sunscreen, and a hat. Wear comfy clothes and layers. The high altitude might make you feel dizzy. Drink water, rest, and go slow.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
  • Day 2: Trek Preparation and Explore Kathmandu.
  • Day 3: Fly to Dhangadi  and drive to Attariya  – 1 to 2 hours.
  • Day 4: Drive to Ganna, Darchula (1,100 meters) – 6 to 7 hours.
  • Day 5: Drive to Makarigaad (1,300 meters) and trek to Ghusa (1,800 meters) – 2 to 3 hours walk.
  • Day 6: Trek to Simar (Ghopte) (2,200 meters) – 5 to 6 hours.
  • Day 7: Trek to Dhuli Odar (2,800 meters) – 6 to 7 hours.
  • Day 8: Trek to Api Base Camp (3,900 meters) and hike to Kali Dhunga Lake (4,000 meters) – 7 to 8 hours.
  • Day 9: Trek back to Khaikot (2,500 meters) – 5 to 6 hours.
  • Day 10: Trek back to Ghusa (1,800 meters) – 5 to 6 hours.
  • Day 11: Trek to Khandeshwar (1,500 meters) – 4 to 5 hours.
  • Day 12: Trek to Makarigaad (1,300 meters) and drive to Gokule (300 meters) – 2 to 3 hours walk, 1 to 2 hours drive.
  • Day 13: Drive back to Dhangadi – 5 to 6 hours.
  • Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu You arrive at Kathmandu Airport. A Snow Bank Adventure person meets you with a smile. They help you go to your hotel. The room has a soft bed and warm blankets. Rest after your flight. Take a nap or unpack. In the evening, walk around Thamel. It has shops, food stalls, and bright lights. Buy a small gift like a bracelet. Enjoy a welcome dinner with music and dance. You stay in a hotel. You get dinner.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: D
Day 2: Trek Preparation and Explore Kathmandu You eat breakfast at the hotel with yummy tea and bread, then get ready for the trek and explore Kathmandu. First, check your gear with the guide, bringing a backpack, warm clothes, good shoes, a water bottle, and a hat, while the guide helps you pack light and safe, offering tips like wearing layers and carrying sunscreen, and you can restock snacks or buy a map if needed; after preparing, start a fun day visiting different places: Kathmandu Durbar Square with old palaces and carvings, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) where monkeys play and bells ring.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at starhotel
  • Meals: D
Day 3: Fly to Dhangadi and Drive to Attariya  – 1 to 2 hours You eat breakfast. Then you fly to Dhangadi in a small plane. The flight takes 1 hour and shows pretty views. After landing, drive to Attariya in a jeep. The trip takes 1 to 2 hours. You see green fields and small rivers. Relax and get ready for tomorrow.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 4: Drive to Ganna, Darchula (1,100 meters) – 6 to 7 hours You eat breakfast early. Then you start a long drive to Ganna in Darchula district. The trip takes 6 to 7 hours. You pass lush forests, rivers, and rolling hills. Stop to stretch or eat a snack. You see farmers working and kids waving. Ganna is your first taste of remote Nepal.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 5: Drive to Makarigaad (1,300 meters) and Trek to Ghusa (1,800 meters) – 2 to 3 hours walk You eat breakfast. Then drive to Makarigaad in a jeep. The trip takes 1 hour. Start walking through forest paths and villages. The walk takes 2 to 3 hours. You see green trees and hear birds. You reach Ghusa, a quiet village with stone houses. Meet locals and rest.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 6: Trek to Simar (Ghopte) (2,200 meters) – 5 to 6 hours You eat breakfast. Then you walk through rhododendron and pine forests. The flowers are bright in spring. You hear birds chirping and might see a monal. The path is peaceful and takes 5 to 6 hours. You reach Simar, a small spot with tents. Enjoy the distant snow peaks.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 7: Trek to Dhuli Odar (2,800 meters) – 6 to 7 hours You eat breakfast. The trail goes up to open land and rocky slopes. The view changes to wide hills. The walk takes 6 to 7 hours. You reach Dhuli Odar, meaning "White Cave." It’s a quiet, pretty place with a cave. Set up camp and rest. You might see blue sheep.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 8: Trek to Api Base Camp (3,900 meters) and Hike to Kali Dhunga Lake (4,000 meters) – 7 to 8 hours You eat breakfast early. This is the best day. You walk 5 hours to Api Base Camp. See Mount Api and other peaks up close. Then hike 2 to 3 hours to Kali Dhunga Lake at 4,000 meters. The lake is calm and holy. Pilgrims pray here. Feel the quiet power. Take photos and rest.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 9: Trek Back to Khaikot (2,500 meters) – 5 to 6 hours You eat breakfast. Then you walk down 5 to 6 hours to Khaikot. The path is easier. You pass forests and streams. Reach the last village. Talk to locals about their mountain life. They might share stories or offer milk.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 10: Trek Back to Ghusa (1,800 meters) – 5 to 6 hours You eat breakfast. Then you walk 5 to 6 hours back to Ghusa. Enjoy the forests, rivers, and hill views again. You might see deer or hear waterfalls. Rest in the village and meet friendly people.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 11: Trek to Khandeshwar (1,500 meters) – 4 to 5 hours You eat breakfast. Then you walk 4 to 5 hours to Khandeshwar. The trail goes through farmland and traditional homes. See women weaving or men working fields. Learn about their simple life.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 12: Trek to Makarigaad (1,300 meters) and Drive to Gokule (300 meters) – 2 to 3 hours walk, 1 to 2 hours drive You eat breakfast. Walk 2 to 3 hours down to Makarigaad. The path is easy. Then drive 1 to 2 hours to Gokule in a jeep. Celebrate your trek with a rest. Buy a local craft or try tea.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 13: Drive Back to Dhangadi  – 5 to 6 hours You eat breakfast. Then drive 5 to 6 hours back to Dhangadi. Pass hills, valleys, and small villages. Stop to stretch or buy fruit. Enjoy town comforts after your adventure.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at teahouse
  • Meals: B L D
Day 14: Fly Back to Kathmandu You eat breakfast. Then fly back to Kathmandu in a small plane. The flight takes 1 hour with nice views. Rest, shop in Thamel for souvenirs like prayer flags, or enjoy a last Nepali meal. You stay in a hotel. You get breakfast.
  • Accommodation: Overnight at star hotel
  • Meals: D

Includes & Excludes

What’s Included?
  • You get picked up and dropped off at Kathmandu Airport.
  • You get farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
  • You get a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with a guide and car.
  • You get a licensed English-speaking guide and local porters.
  • You get all permits and trekking papers.
  • You get a first-aid kit and safety gear.
  • All government taxes and fees are included.
What’s Not Included?
  • You pay for your flight to Nepal.
  • You pay for your Nepal visa at the airport.
  • You need your own travel and health insurance.
  • You pay for drinks like bottled water, soft drinks, or alcohol.
  • You pay for Wi-Fi and phone charging on the trek.
  • You pay for personal things like snacks, laundry, or tips.
  • You pay extra for emergency help like a helicopter if needed.
  • You can give tips to the guide and porter if you want.

Trek Route Map

Download
Trip map

Packing List

For the Api Himal Base Camp trek, focus on self-sufficiency and cold-weather durability due to the lack of teahouses and the remote camping enviroment.
  • Sleeping Bag: 4- season rated ( down to -15°C/5°F) as nights at 4000m+ are freezing.
  • Sleeping pad: Insulated inflatable or closed cell foam mat to block ground cold.
  • Trekking Boots: Water proof, high ankle support, and well-broken-in for rugged trails.
  • Backpack: 50-70L main bag ( for porters/ camping gear) and a 25-35L daypack with rain cover.
  • Trekking Poles: Essential for stability on steep, unmaintained western Nepal terrain.
  • Headlamp: High-lumen with spare batteries ( charging ports are non-existent)
  • Clothing Layers: Heavy weight, Down jacket for base camp evening warmth.
  • Hard shell: Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers.
  • Base and Mid Layers: Moisture- wicking merino wool or synthetic tops and bottoms and polar or heavy fleece jacket.
  • Accessories: Water proof gloves ( with liners), wool beanie, and a wide-brimmed sun hat.
  • Water Purification: UV filter ( Steripen) or purification tablets ( no bottled water available.
  • Medical Kit: Must include Diamox (altitude), blister kits, and board-spectrum antibiotics.
  • Power Bank: High capacity ( 20000mh+) to keep your phone/ camera alive.

FAQs

We can get Api Himal trek permit from the Tourism Board Nepal. We need a copy of the passport and two passport- size photos. The trekking agency will provide the permit, clearing all for formalities.
No, the Api Himal trekking is not a difficult trek, it is a moderate trek that can be done by all the trekkers who love trekking in the mountains. The trail is easy, covering stone stairs, forest trails, uphill. We should walk around 6,7 hours during the trekking period.
We should walk for seven days starting from makarigaad and returning  to makarigaad after trekking to the Api base camp. Overall, we should walk 6-7 hours each day, covering the distance is around 65-75 km.
The temperature remains moderate during time but night remains freezing colder in base camp. The land surface remains full of snow during winter. Day temperature ranges from 20-25 °C while the night remains colder with temperature less than -10°C.
Yes, we can get a tea house on the Api Himal trekking route, but there are a limited number of tea houses before 2023 AD, and trekkers should do camping. Currently, the tea houses in different locations have made it easier to reach the Api Himal base camp without difficulty for a night stay.
The difficulty of Api Himal trek is moderate. It is off beaten trekking where we can enjoy the beauty of traditional houses, undisturbed trekking route and peaceful environment.
Api Himal trek cost is 2049 USD.
The height of mount Api is 7,132m.
We can view amazing  picturesque of Api and Nampa Himal, Guras Himal range, Kali dhunga lake, chamelia rivers origin point from the Api Himal base camp. Besides, there are two teahouses , cricket ground, volleyball ground, wide valley and view point. We can also visit Nampa base camp from Api base camp with in an hour  

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