Api Base Camp Trek

Itinerary

Day 01: Get Ready for the Trek and See Sights in Kathmandu

Today is for getting ready and seeing the city's old sites. In the morning, you will get a full talk about the Api Base Camp trek. This covers the daily plan, safety rules, and what to expect. A check of your gear will make sure you have what you need. The afternoon lets you see Kathmandu's rich past. You can visit places like Swayambhunath, the "Monkey Temple." It sits on a hill with city views. Or, see the big Boudhanath Stupa, a center for Tibetan Buddhism. These visits give a good start to your trip.

Day 02: Fly to Dhangadhi (109m), Drive to Gokuleshwor (850m)

The trip moves to the far west today. You take an early flight to Dhangadhi. This city is in the low Terai area. The change is quick, from cool Kathmandu to warm plains. From Dhangadhi, a long drive of 8-10 hours starts. The road goes up into the hills. It passes through different lands and small towns. This shows you the many sides of life in Nepal. The day ends in the small town of Gokuleshwor.

Day 03: Drive to Latinath (1,002m), Trek to Paribagar (1,500m) | 4-5 hours

After eating, a shorter drive takes you to Latinath. This is where the trek truly begins. Here, you meet the porters who will help carry your bags. The walk starts on a path next to the Chamliya River. The path is mostly flat. It goes through green fields where farmers grow crops. You pass through small, old villages. This gives you a first taste of the area's special culture. You reach Paribagar by the river for the night.

Day 04: Trek to Makarighat (1,800m) | 5-6 hours

The path keeps going up gently along the river valley. Today's walk is through green, warm forests. These are full of pine trees. In spring, you see red flowers. The sound of the Chameliya River is always there. You cross several hanging bridges, which adds to the fun. The path is clear but can be rocky in spots. You reach Kalighat, another small town. The guesthouse there will give you a warm meal and a place to rest.

Day 05: Trek to Siti (2,300m) | 6-7 hours

Today, the walk involves a longer and steady climb. You will notice the air getting colder as you go higher. The trees change as the path climbs. Oak and maple trees have become more common. The walk is hard but worth it. You get better views of the valleys around you. Siti is a bigger and pretty village. It gives you the first truly great mountain views of the trip.

Day 06: Trek to Domal (2,950m) | 5-6 hours

Leaving the main village, the path goes into wilder land. It leads through thick forests of fir and hemlock. Then, it opens up into wide, high-up fields. Local people call these 'patans'. These high fields often have small shelters for herders and their animals. The feeling of being alone grows as you move further from towns. You stay the night at Domal, a small camp or simple guesthouse area.

Day 07: Trek to Dhaulo Odar (3,800m) | 4-5 hours

This is a key day for your body to get used to the height. The trek goes above the treeline. The land changes a lot. It becomes a rough, high-up place of rock and sparse plants. The path gets steeper and harder. The place you are going, Dhaulo Odar, means 'White Cave'. It is a high camp with great, clear views of the mountains around it. This is truly a wild mountain country.

Day 08: Trek to Api Base Camp (4,200m) and Kali Dhunga Lake

This is the main day of the trek. You start early on a hard path to Api Base Camp. Your effort is paid back with a stunning view all around you. You see the Gurans Himal mountains, including the tall peaks of Api, Saipal, and Nampa. After seeing the amazing views, you take a side trip to the holy Kali Dhunga Lake. This clean lake, with its deep blue water showing the snowy mountains, is a very calm and pretty place. The group goes back to Dhaulo Odar for the night. You will feel good about the day's great sights.

Day 9: Trek back to Siti (2,300m) | 6-7 hours

The walk down starts. It is easier on your breathing, but going downhill is hard on your knees. The path goes back the way you came. But the views look new from this different angle. The long walk down takes you back below the tree line. You enter the familiar forests. The day ends in the comfort of Siti village.

Day 10: Trek to Makarighat (1,800m) | 5-6 hours

You keep going down. The path leads back to the warmth and green of the lower valley. The walk is nice. You pass through forests and small towns. It is a chance to see the daily lives of the local people again. Then, you reach the guest house in Makarighat.

Day 11: Trek to Latinath (1,002m) | 4-5 hours

This is the last day of walking. The final part of the path follows the river back to where you started in Latinath. You will feel good about finishing the trip. Tonight is a time to thank your guide and porters for their hard work. You share a last meal together in the mountains.

Day 12: Drive to Gokuleshwor, then to Dhangadhi

A long day of travel starts. You drive from Latinath back to Gokuleshwor. Then, you go all the way down to Dhangadhi. It is a trip in reverse. You go from the high hills back to the flat plains. This gives you one last chance to see the many different lands of Nepal. Then, you rest for the night in a hotel in Dhangadhi.

Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu

An early flight takes you back to Kathmandu quickly. From the sky, you often see great views of the Himalaya mountains. The rest of the day in the city is free. You can buy gifts, eat at the city's many restaurants, or just relax. In the evening, there is often a dinner to celebrate finishing the Api Base Camp trek. You will have memories of a great trip into one of the quietest parts of the Himalaya mountains.