Located in the western region of Nepal, Annapurna Base Camp is one of the most beautiful trekking paths in the world. The Annapurna region boasts of diverse landscapes with majestic peaks on all sides. The foothills of the Annapurna massif provides great trekking experience for trekkers.
The trails pass through the Annapurna sanctuary that boasts of great wildlife and rich vegetation. Annapurna Base Camp trek in March welcomes the spring season waving goodbye to the harsh winters. The trails get crowded as trekkers and climbers start to flock the region during the spring season.
Warm temperatures during the day make for a great trekking adventure. The sky is clear and unobstructed view of the snow-capped mountains is another advantage of trekking at this time. Trekking in March is less crowded in comparison to the trek in the autumn months.
The Annapurna region springs back to life in the spring season. Trekking the Annapurna Base Camp in March is a perfect getaway experience for any adventure lover. So, are you ready to take the Annapurna Base Camp in March? Read below for detailed information regarding the trek.
Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March
- Breathtaking sunrise view from Poon Hill Viewpoint
- The spectacular view of the entire Annapurna range including, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare, Himchhuli, Manaslu among others
- The experience of Wildlife spotting of rare and endangered species
- Observing the lush rhododendron forests that paints the hills pink and red
- Experiencing the hot springs of the Jhinu danda along the trail
- Exploring the religious and cultural heritage of the ethnic Magar and Gurung community
- The enchanting aroma of the wildflowers follows the trekkers along the trail
- Warm hospitality of the Nepalese people
The Weather Around Annapurna Region in March
March is the beginning of the spring season in Nepal. The air is dry, and it’s still chilly in the mornings and at night. There are occasional snowfalls that can be hard to predict at higher elevations until mid-March. Besides, the weather is warm and stable in the Annapurna region.
The days are warm and long, with 7 hours of daylight on average. This makes the trekking pleasant. You can trek at your own pace without any hassle. You can get mild temperatures at lower elevations. The range of temperatures in the daytime and the night is extensive in the month of March.
The snow deposits make the mountains look pristine. The spring season brings green plants and wildflowers blooming in the forested trails. You can observe the breathtaking sunrise overlooking the snow-capped mountains in the morning. You will get clear skies perfect for trekking in March.
There is a gradual increase in temperature in the day. But the temperatures tend to drop below 0 degrees during mornings and nights. The Kathmandu valley and Pokhara have temperatures that range from 26°C to 20°C in March. It can also drop to -10 °C in the night. The temperatures around the Annapurna Base Camp is however unpredictable.
The temperatures around the Annapurna region during March
| Locations | Maximum | Minimum | Average | Precipitation |
| Pokhara (1400m) | 21 | -2 | 17 | 42 |
| Ghorepani (2750m) | 13.6 | 1.5 | 7.5 | 39 |
| Chhomrong (2340m) | 10 | -3 | 7 | 42 |
| Doban (2600m) | 15 | -4 | 10 | 42 |
| Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) | 8 | -16 | 4 | 39 |
How Difficult is Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March?
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is moderately challenging. There are no technical climbing sections. If you have a basic level of fitness, you can successfully complete this trek.
You trek for 5-8 hours a day and the up and down trail moves above the elevation of 3000m. In the high altitude region, the oxygen levels drop immensely along with the air pressure. Altitude sickness is always a considerable risk for trekkers trekking in that region.
Proper acclimatization and regular hydration is the key to cope with the altitude sickness, and you can also descend to lower altitudes if necessary. The snow deposits on the mountains and trail will be still melting, and hence trekkers need to exercise extreme caution.
Besides that, proper clothing and gear will protect you from the chilly conditions in the morning and the night. Overall, the trek to Annapurna Base Camp trek in March is moderately difficult.
Why Trek Annapurna Base Camp In March?
Clear and stable weather
The clear skies and mild climate is the best advantage of trekking the Annapurna region in March. These factors make your trekking experience pleasant and soothing. There is low precipitation in March, and you can observe the snow-capped mountains in all its glory.
Wonderful views of the Mountains
The beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains bedazzle the trekkers in March. The Himalayan panorama is at the most beautiful in this season.
The sunrise over the pristine silver mountains is a thing of beauty. The spring season turns the hills green, and the rhododendrons sprinkles splash of pink and red colour over the hills.
Active Wildlife and lush vegetation
The transition from winter is complete and the spring season starts in March. The snow in the mountains get melted, and new vegetation spring back to life in the region.
Wild animals flock in abundance as they come back from their long winter sleep. The temperatures are favourable for vegetation to grow and wildlife to remain active.
Festive atmosphere
In March, the celebration of colours Holi and other cultural festivals like Ghode Jatra, and Chaite Dashain get celebrated by Nepalese people. The vibrant festival of Holi is one of the most anticipated festivals all year where people throw colours and water at each other.
Ghode Jatra is when the horses get worshipped, and they also perform stunts. Chaite Dashain is a Hindu festival of great importance. You can celebrate these festivals while trekking in the trails of the Annapurna base camp in March.
The Trekking Route
In the beautiful Annapurna Base Camp trek, we walk through the foothills of the majestic Annapurna mountain. We drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu and then take a scenic drive to Nayapul.
Our Trekking journey starts from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga and then to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, which is an excellent viewpoint from sunrise. We leave Tadapani the next morning and rest for the day, only to leave for Chomrong next morning.
After a trek of almost eight days, we arrive at the Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp. After staying for some time at Annapurna Base Camp, observing the atmosphere and clicking pictures, we descend to Jhinu danda where we dip and relax at the famous hot springs. We trek back Nayapul and then drive back to Pokhara.
Food and Accommodation in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March
The trekkers during March can find themselves in company with a lot of fellow trekkers. After the window of autumn months, March is the busiest in the region with lots of trekkers. There are necessary facilities of accommodation in the lodges, and teahouses all along the trail. For your safety, you should book early and enjoy your trek hassle-free.
At these places, you get two separate beds, a warm blanket, and a common bathroom. You can also get other facilities like Hot water and Wi-Fi at lower elevations at an added price. As the trail moves up in heights, the facilities get decreased. If the accommodations get packed, you might need to share a room with fellow trekkers.
Breakfast is pretty basic with some toast and boiled eggs served with either tea or coffee. For lunch and dinner, you get served with the typical Nepali “Dal Bhat”, which includes rice, pulses, spinach, lentils, pickles, and meat. “Dal Bhat” is a perfectly balanced diet that provides you with enough energy for the trek!
You can get western and continental cuisines in case you are craving for some western foods in some of the lodges with high-end prices. It is advisable to carry Protein bars and snickers that give you instant energy during the trek.
Things to consider for Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March
Start your trek early
You need at least 6-7 hours to complete the trek with some breaks in the middle. Starting the trek early helps you to reach your destination safe and sound. You also get ample time to trek at your own pace.
Book your package early
The most important thing to consider in the trek to Annapurna base camp is to book early. March is the beginning of the trekking season, and hence you can find trekkers flocking in the region. You can get the best packages, transport, meals and accommodation facilities along the trail.
Hire a guide and a porter
Hiring a guide while trekking makes it a lot pleasant. You might lose the directions or get in an accident. A guide helps you in the trail and with the local language and culture.
This is to make sure that your words and actions don’t offend the locals. Some guides also work as a porter. A porter helps you with carrying your luggage and taking the weight of your back.
Acclimatize and hydrate regularly
As you move above 4000m along the trail, the risk of altitude sickness increases immensely. There are minimal oxygen levels and air pressure, which makes it very difficult in breathing.
Acclimatization and regular water intake protect you from altitude sickness. Experienced veteran trekkers advise to trek steady and go slow in the Annapurna region. You also get to experience the beautiful landscapes of the Annapurna region while acclimating.
Hydrating regularly increases the level of oxygen in your body. Hence, you should follow these steps to protect yourself from altitude sickness.
Pack properly
The mornings and nights are chilly in the mountains during this time. You may not require to pack like in peak winter, but you need a sufficient amount of gear to get protected from the cold.
Also, don’t forget to dress in layers so that you can customize your clothes by adding or removing layers of your clothing as per the weather conditions. You need to carry a down jacket and comfortable sleeping bags for a warm nights sleep.
Besides that, you should also pack regular trekking clothes, trekking shoes, body, ski-goggles, woollen gloves, woollen hats, sunscreen, among others.
Train properly
The Annapurna Base Camp trek does not require any technical climbing. But having said that, a Proper training at least two weeks before the trek is quite helpful to build your stamina for the trek.
The training regime should have cardiovascular activities like cycling, hiking, swimming, and others. Furthermore, a balanced and nutritious diet, along with regular water intake adds to the benefits of the training regime.
Get a Travel insurance
Stay protected at all times with travel insurance. Travel insurance covers you from all the injuries, flight cancellations, and even helicopter evacuation (which around $5000 to $10000). Get yourself a travel insurance that covers 4000m and above.
Permits required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
You need to get the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) before trekking the Annapurna region,
These permits cost the same throughout the year.
| Permit | Cost |
| Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS Card) | USD 10 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | USD 20 |
Things to Pack for Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March
For trekking in March, you must pack sufficiently. Pack lots of warm clothes as the mornings and nights are cold. Some of the essential items you need to pack are as follows:
Clothing
- Trekking boots
- Waterproof trekking pants/trousers
- Fleece sweaters
- Down jacket
- Short-sleeved trekking shirts
- Thermal underwear
- Outer-layer jackets Waterproof/windproof
- Woollen gloves and woollen cap, socks
- Umbrella or a Raincoat
Toiletries
- Toilet paper
- Quick-dry towel
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- moisturizer
First Aid
- Anti-nauseant medication
- Diamox tablets
- Water purification tablets
- Rehydration salts
- Mosquito and insect repellent
The Final Say
March is the perfect time to trek the spectacular Annapurna Base Camp trek. You can get excellent trekking conditions and pleasant weather around this time. Annapurna region springs back to life during this time with flourishing vegetation and vibrant wildlife.
You get to experience the cultural diversity and celebrate festivals with the locals along the trail. The clear blue sky gives us a magnificent view of the entire Annapurna range. Overall, Annapurna Base Camp trek in March is a wonderful experience.
