Annapurna Base Camp Trek In March

Overview

Annapurna Base Camp is a popular trekking destination that takes you to the foothills of the eight-thousander. Similar to treks like the Everest Base Camp trek, this trek is a great opportunity to explore the Nepali Himalayas. Such mountain trail trekking is best done at certain times of the year. Spring and autumn are considered the most favorable times for these treks. March is also among these times that the trip to ABC is quite convenient. Here, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is renowned for blessing trekkers with mountain vistas. People also love it due to the trail’s proximity to nature and wildlife. All these aspects of the trek flourish greatly during March. So, doing the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March is highly recommended.

March comes right as the gloomy and cold days of winter end. This month is the mark of new beginnings and spring. The climate during this time will be very temperate and suitable for long-duration travel. You need not carry heavy luggage to keep you warm in winter or worry about the scorching heat of summer.

Chances of snowfall decrease significantly as the month passes by, and chances of rainfall are minimal. This causes the trails to be dry and very comfortable for your treks. Chances of injury due to uneven trails, roadblocks, and schedule delays are less likely to happen.

March is also the month when local businesses in the Annapurna trails start running again. During the dread of winter, most businesses close due to a lack of resources and bad weather. Transportation is quite difficult, and businesses are not able to operate. Most tea houses close during winter but open up during March. Through this lens, the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March is quite favorable, too.

Stick with us to learn more in detail about what the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March has in store for you!

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Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp trek in March

Overview Annapurna Base Camp Trek In March

Unobstructed vistas of mountains in spring, including peaks like Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Himchhuli, Manaslu, etc.
Experience the rare and endangered wildlife of the Annapurna region active in spring.
Get amazing vistas of the clear blue sky from the Poon Hill viewpoint.
See the trails of the Himalayan foothills covered in pink and red blossoms of rhododendron trees.
Observe and get a chance to experience the hot water springs of Jhinu Danda.
Learn the culture and tradition of the indigenous Magar and Gurung community of Annapurna trails.
Pass through the trails covered with aromas of the blooming wildflowers within the thick, lush green forests.
Experience the warm hospitality of Nepali locals who will house you.

Permits Needed for Annapurna Base Camp Trek in March

You need two major permits to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek. They are the TIMS card and ACAP entry permit.

The TIMS or Trekker’s Information Management System permit is imposed while trekking anywhere in Nepal. It is a way of tracking the safety of trekkers. The ACAP or the Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is for the protected area. Annapurna Conversation Area is declared as a protected region for housing rare wildlife. So the permit is to ensure despite frequent travel, the region is taken well care of.

The cost of these permits varies throughout the year. For your Annapurna base camp trek in March, however, the cost is as follows:

Trekker’s Information Management System’s permit (TIMS) – USD 17 per person
Annapurna Conservation Area Entry Permit (ACAP) – USD 25 per person

Why is the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March suitable?

Suitable temperature and weather

March marks the start of spring in Nepal. The temperature in the Annapurna trails during winter is quite low. You ought to cover yourself very well and carry heavy luggage to keep yourself warm. Temperatures take a turn and increase significantly during March. Although it is not as warm as during peak spring, it is still much warmer than the dread of winter. Chances of snowfall during early March in the higher altitude places are probable. But the weather is comparatively stable in most parts during spring.

You get significantly more hours with daylight, 7 hours on average. This makes the region very suitable for trekking; you need not walk or reach places in a hurry as it turns dark late. Early mornings and late evenings might make the region very cold. But as long as there is daylight, the region is perfect for travel.

You will notice the temperature slowly increasing from the crack of dawn. The trails might experience as low as below 0 degrees during early morning and late night. However, the city areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara experience temperatures that range from 20 degrees to 26 degrees in March. Night-time temperature drops to -10 degrees in city areas true. The trails have unpredictable temperatures, especially as you travel higher.

An aggregate idea of the temperature for the ABC trek in March can be understood through this table.

Temperature of ABC trails in March

PLACE	Average temperature (degrees Celsius)	Maximum temperature (degrees Celsius)	Minimum Temperature (degrees Celsius)
Kathmandu	16	26	5
Pokhara	17	21	-2
Ghorepani	7.5	13.6	1.5
Chomrong	7	10	-3
Dobhan	10	15	-4
Annapurna Base Camp	4	8	-16

Aesthetic beauty

The mountain trails become so much more vibrant in March. During winter, the harsh weather withers the natural atmosphere of the trails. However, after March arrives, the beauty of the trails starts to enhance. The sky will clear up from gloomy clouds and will be a bright shade of blue. This allows the beautiful mountain ranges to shine along the horizon.

The flowers that ought to bloom during peak spring start showing buds early in March. You might find some blossoms by the end of the month as well. Flowers like rhododendron, jasmine, and magnolia can be seen covering the forest trails. This makes the trail quite beautiful to walk by. Similarly, the streams, rivers, and springs are voluminous and beautiful. The snowmelt after winter ends mixes up with water bodies, making them very pleasing.

Active wildlife and vibrant vegetation

The Annapurna Base Camp trek follows a route within the Annapurna Conservation Area. The region is popular for housing many rare endangered species. These wildlife species will start becoming active as the winter ends. There are multiple chances of sighting them during your trek in March. Red Panda, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, etc, are some of the wildlife species you might be able to spot.

Along with better opportunities for wildlife observation, March also makes the vegetation of the region more lush. You will find terraced farms looking beautifully green and vibrant. The walk through the forested trails will be mesmerizing, and you can find many wildflowers. By the end of the month, you can find beautiful blossoms throughout the forests, which will be incredible to watch.

Availability of resources

The resources in the remote trails of the Annapurna region become quite scarce during off season. The harsh weather of winter does not allow a smooth flow of resources. Hence compelling local businesses to close. Most lodges in high altitudes close during winter. However, as spring approaches, the weather becomes suitable again. The businesses will be up and running, and you will have no issues with amenities during your trek.

Moreover, the amenities will be plenty, especially at the beginning of the month. The off-season will have just ended, and very few travelers will be around.

Empty trails

Although March marks the beginning of trekking season, the trails are not crowded during this month. The early days of March still linger with hints of winter, and the trails become more crowded in later months. This time would be very suitable for you if you love trekking on peaceful trails with not many people around.

Festival season

Nepal is a diverse country and keeps inviting many celebrations time and again. March is one of those times in Nepal. March brings festivals like Holi, Chaite Dashain, and Ghode Jaatra. This makes early March a great time to appreciate the festivities of Nepal.

Dry trails

The trails in March will be rather dry because there won’t be much snowfall or rain. As a result, there is a decreased chance of accidents due to slippery roads. As a result, this time of year will make trekking quite convenient. Moreover, landslides and slick pathways are brought on by winter and rainfall. Road blockages caused by such issues greatly impede hiking. But if you happen to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March, this will probably not trouble you.

Anything to look out for regarding the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March?

Increasing crowds

Although the early days of March bring a relatively peaceful trail, as the days pass, the crowds start getting bigger. By the end of the month, the peak season starts hitting off. Trekkers from all around the world will hop on to the Annapurna Base Camp trek. This might cause a disturbance. If you had planned a quaint trip during March, do it earlier. Later in the month, you might find things more chaotic.

Overbooking

The demand for amenities for the trek receives a spike during spring, and March starts at the beginning of it. Providing everyone who wishes to do the ABC trek with it is quite difficult. Management of amenities solo will be quite difficult for trekkers. So, we highly recommend trekkers get help via guides or trekking agencies for themselves.

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The earlier days of March do not necessarily bring huge amenities problems. But as the days pass, by the month’s end, this will be a rampant problem for trekkers. During your overnight stops, you might have to share rooms with other people traveling with you. There are very limited resources in high-altitude mountain trails. So you have to accommodate yourself.

If rooms are fully booked, you might have to make do by sleeping in the communal dining hall. However, this practice isn’t that bad. You might use this time to get to know many new people and fraternize. It will be like a fun slumber party for trekkers. But if you want a comfortable room for yourself, make sure you have made early bookings.

We recommend you make these bookings a week before you begin the trek. It is a safe idea to do this even in the early days of March. Prior booking of flights and lodging is a great practice. Be in contact with your guides and trekking agency.

Unpredictable weather earlier in the month

March is a comparatively very stable time to trek the ABC. However, the weather during earlier days of the month cannot be fully trusted. There are many more pros to trekking in March than cons. Having said that, you need to still practice caution while trekking the trails. Make sure you stick to the weather forecast and curate your itinerary based on it during March. You can always rely on your guides or trekking agency to do that for you.

Higher expense

Due to the overbooking of amenities, their cost will start increasing as well. High-altitude trail services are generally expensive. However, the higher demand for services increases bargaining among customers and subsequently makes the trek much more costly. There is a simple way to avoid this problem. You can either travel earlier when the resources are plenty or just not give in to the bargaining.

Making prior bookings by trusting reputable trekking agencies would also be a wise choice. Trekking agencies are quite familiar with the local businesses on the trails. They can make prior bookings for you to ensure there is no room for bargaining. In some cases, you might even get better deals and discounts for your trek.

Chances of fraud

There’s a chance that you will fall victim to scams because trekking trails get crowded in the spring. Unregistered businesses may offer you illegitimate packages. Thus, be cautious to verify again before accepting any packages from unidentified organizations or individuals. Make sure reliable trekking agencies accompany your trip to Nepal and that you have travel insurance. Don’t allow the hustle and bustle of the busiest trekking season to turn you into a fraud victim.

What things should you note for your Annapurna Base Camp trek in March?

Make early reservations

The best tip for you while doing the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March is to book early. Make bookings for your flight, transportation, and lodging early. This makes your travel much smoother. If making such bookings is difficult for a foreigner, rely on a trekking agency or guides. This practice saves you time and also makes the trek less expensive in some cases.

Be cautious

As we have warned you, there are high chances of fraudulent activities during peak season. You might be charged very high or be scammed in other ways. Make sure the company you are relying on traveling with is a reputable one. For safety as well as for permits, make sure you have travel insurance covered before you arrive in Nepal.

If you are searching for a helping hand in Nepal, you can also rely on us at My Everest trip. We have special packages for the Annapurna Base Camp trek in March. You will be assured of a safe and comfortable trek with all your amenities taken care of!

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Final Say

March is an excellent month for an exciting, low-risk excursion over remote hiking trails. Its climate is mild and pleasant, and its weather is predictable. March is also an excellent month to see the nearby mountains unhindered. March is also the best time of year to view the vegetation and wildlife. Therefore, we heartily urge you to take the March Manaslu circuit trip. Keep in mind the advice we’ve given you as you plan your March getaway to ABC.

Put together a capable staff if you want your ABC Trek in March to go off without a hitch. They make arrangements for the necessary permits. You can rely on My Everest Trip to take care of these small details. For your convenience, we have put together a spring package that will work for your walk to Annapurna Base Camp in March. You can trek in style and at the ideal moment with our help. Please get in touch with us with any questions or to arrange a reservation.

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