API Base Camp Trek
Trek Description
The API Base Camp Trek leads you to the foot of Mt. Api (7,132m), Nepal’s westernmost 7,000er, through the untamed wilderness of the Darchula region. The trails vanish into oak forests; glacial rivers roar. Trek past remote villages like Rapla and Ghusa, where the Byans culture (a Tibetan-Nepali blend) thrives, untouched by modernity, and nights are spent in basic homestays under skies ablaze with stars. This 15-day expedition is for those who crave true isolation.
Destination
API Base Camp, Darchula District
Duration
15 Days
Trip Grade
Moderate to Difficult
Start/ End
Kathmandu - Kathmandu
Best Season
March–May/ August–November
Max People
12
Transportation
Private vehicle, local bus, jeep, or flight
Activities
Trekking, cultural exploration,glacier crossing
The API Base Camp Trek plunges you into Nepal’s wildest Himalayan frontier, where trails weave through untouched oak forests, past glacial rivers, and villages where Tibetan and Nepali cultures collide. At 4,500m, the base camp unveils Api Peak’s (7,132m) savage south face- a reward reserved for those who dare to trek beyond the map’s edge.
API Base Camp Trek Facts
| Title | Information |
|---|---|
| Trek Name | API Base Camp Trek: Where the Wild Himalayas Begin |
| Travel Budget | 2,000–4,000 USD (permits, flights, meals, basic lodging) |
| Standard Budget | $3,500 USD (mid-range, private rooms where available) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult |
| Best Time | March- May (stable weather) & August- November(clear skies) |
| Permit | API Restricted Area Permit: $100/week and API Conservation Area Permit: $20 |
| Accommodation | Tea Houses, Lodges, Camping |
| Best ViewPoints | API Base Camp (4,500m) - South face of Mt. Api (7,132m), Nampa (6757m.) etc and Limi Valley - Tibetan-border vistas |
Day Wise Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
- Pick-up from Tribhuvan International Airport
- Transfer to a hotel in Thamel.
- Trek briefing & last-minute gear shopping
- Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Full-Day Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
- Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square.
- Final trek preparations.
- Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Drive/Fly to Pokhara (822m)
- Option 1: Drive 9-10 hours
- Option 2: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Fly from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi (1hr) for aerial Himalayan views, then take a private jeep along the Mahakali Highway to Karkale and settle into your first night at a tented camp beside the Karkale Khola river.
Day 4: Trek to Chiureni (1100m)
- Walking duration: 6-7 hours
- After breakfast, begin your trek from Karkale to Chiureni, and before arriving in Chiureni, for an overnight stay in a tented camp.
Day 5: Trek to Makarighat(1800m)
- Walking duration: 6-7 hours
- Riverside Trek: After breakfast, trek from Chiureni to Makarighat, following the Chamliya Khola River through narrow paths with stunning views of the Api Himal range, and settle into your tented camp at Makarighat for the night.
Day 6: Trek to Seti(3000m)
- Walking duration: 6-7 hours
- Uphill Challenge: Trek from Makarighat to Seti, climbing 1,200 meters on a steady uphill trail, and soak in panoramic Himalayan views before settling into your tented camp at Seti for the night.
Day 7: Trek to Bayaligad(3400m)
- Walking duration: 7 hours
- After breakfast, trek from Seti to Bayaligad, starting with a steep climb to Lawathi Village (locally called Saheb Bagar), and hike 4-5 hours through dense forests and lush vegetation to reach Bayaligad, where you’ll spend the night in a tented camp.
Day 8: Trek to Simar(3600m)
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- After breakfast, trek from Bayaligad to Simar, a region renowned for Yarshagumba (a rare medicinal fungus), and overnight stay in a tented camp.
Day 9: Trek to Dhawaliwadar(3800m)
- Walking duration: 5 hours
- Trek from Simar to Dhawaliwadar and spend the night in a tented camp surrounded by this dramatic alpine scenery.
Day 10: Trek to Api Base Camp(4000m)
- Walking duration: 2 hours
- After breakfast, trek from Dhawaliwadar to Api Base Camp, ascending through steep, narrow trails lined with rhododendron forests and framed by panoramic Himalayan views, including Mt. Api (7,132m), Mt. Kapchuli, and Mt. Rajama.
Day 11: Trek to Saheb Bazaar(2800m)
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Descent Begins: After breakfast, trek from the Api Base Camp to Saheb Bazaar, descending the same trails while reflecting on your unforgettable base camp experience.
- Overnight in Saheb Bazaar
Day 12: Trek to Makarighat(1800m)
- Walking duration: 7 hours
- Trek back from Saheb Bazaar to Makarighat on familiar trails, descending 1,000 meters through dense forests and villages
- Arrive at Makarighat and unwind in your tented camp by the river, marking the end of your high-altitude adventure.
Day 13:Trek to Bitule Chaur(1200)
- Walking duration: 5 hours
- Trek from Makarighat to Bitule Chaur, retracing familiar paths through rolling hills and traditional villages.
- Arrive at Bitule Chaur’s open grasslands, where panoramic mountain views await, before settling into your tented camp for the night.
Day 14: Trek to Gokuleshwor(850m)
- Walking duration: 6 hours
- Trek from Bitule Chaur to Gokuleshwor on gentle trails, passing through Karkale village and vibrant rhododendron forests.
- Arrive in Gokuleshwor and settle into a cozy teahouse
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu(1250m)
- Drive duration: 13-14 hours
- A private jeep will pick you up early from Gokuleshwor for the scenic drive back to Kathmandu, marking the end of your wilderness adventure.
- Trek Completion & Farewell: Arrive in Kathmandu with unforgettable memories of the Api Himal Base Camp Trek, where we’ll conclude our journey and bid farewell.
Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu(1250m)
- Drop-off at Kathmandu Airport (TIA) for your flight.
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
- Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour
- Kathmandu–Nepalgunj-Jumla flight tickets (round trip)
- Licensed Sherpa guide and porter (1 porter per 2 trekkers)
- Meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Trek accommodation (tea house/camping)
- Restricted Area Permit, TIMS, and trekking permits
- International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
- All kinds of drinks (soft and alcoholic)
- Visa and international flights
- Travel and Rescue Insurance
- Personal expenses and special accommodations
- Staff tips and rescue/evacuation costs
- Helicopter return from Base Camp.
- Private room & meals.
- Extra food/snacks.
Why Choose This API Base Camp Trek ?
- Nepal’s Last Wild Frontier: Trek to the base of Mt. Api (7,132m), the westernmost 7,000m peak in Nepal, where fewer than 500 trekkers venture yearly. Experience raw Himalayan isolation.
- Untouched Culture: Immerse in the Byans community—a rare Tibetan-Nepali blend—where nomadic traditions, yak caravans, and ancient caves like Dhawaliwadar tell untold stories.
- Geographic Rarity:
Explore the Mahakali River valley, bordering Tibet and India, with ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests to glacial moraines. - No Crowds, No Compromises: Strict permits limit groups to 12 people. This is true expedition-style trekking (camping only, no teahouses).
Best Time For API Base Camp Trek
- Spring (March- May): Weather: Sunny days (5°C-18°C), cold nights. Perfect for clear views of snow-capped peaks like Mt. Api (7,132m).Highlights: Rhododendron blooms, green valleys, and vibrant waterfalls.
- Autumn (September-November): Weather: Crisp air (0°C-15°C), stable trails. Best for panoramic Himalayan vistas. Highlights: Golden landscapes, festive village life (Dashain/Tihar festivals).
Cost and Planning Facts for API Base Camp Trek
- Budget: The Api base camp Trek costs around $2000–$4000 for a full-service experience, including permits, meals, a guide, a porter, and accommodation.
- Accommodation: Teahouse stays in Nepal typically cost $3–$15 per night, so for a 15-day trek, spending $75–$225 on accommodation is normal and aligns with standard rates across trekking regions.
- Food/Meal: Approximately $5 to $10 per meal, varying by location and food type. Daily total per day: $25 – $30 of 15-day l: Between $225 and $450.
- Transportation: A one-way flight ticket costs approximately $100 to $106. Bus tickets are priced between $10 and $20. Renting a jeep for transportation can cost anywhere from $120 to $150.
- Guide: Around $25 – $35 per day (includes salary, meals, and accommodation).
- Porter: Around $15 – $25 per day. For a 15-day trek, guide and porter costs could range between $600 and $900, depending on the increase or decrease in the number of days and services.
- Permits: Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) ($20) Card, API Restricted Area Permit: $100/week, API Conservation Area Permit: $20
Packing Tips for API Base Camp Trek
- Head
- Warm hat & cap.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Headlight.
- Face Mask or Balaclava
- Footwear
- Trekking shoes
- Hiking boots
- Warm Hiking socks
- Gaiters
- Body
- Base layers
- Waterproof jacket
- Thermal Gloves
- Trekking Trousers and Shorts
- Personal Hygiene Items
- Fleece Jacket
- Thermal Shirts and Pants
- Essentials/ Equipments
- Sleeping bag
- First aid kit
- Trekking poles & Raincoat
- Water Bottles
- High-energy snacks
- Maps & Compass/GPS
API Base Camp Trek By Mardi Himal Treks and Expedition
Mardi Himal Treks and Expedition offers a thoughtfully organized API Base Camp Trek led by experienced guides to ensure a safe and unforgettable journey. Our dedicated team delivers top-notch services for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Join us to discover one of Nepal’s most serene and scenic trekking routes, featuring stunning mountain vistas and rich local culture. For over 20 years, we’ve turned tough hikes into unforgettable adventures because your safety and joy are what we do best.
Gallery Section
FAQ's Section
1. How difficult is the API Base Camp Trek, and do I need prior high-altitude experience?
This is a moderate to challenging expedition due to:
- Altitude: Reaches 4,500m with rapid elevation gains.
- Terrain: Unmarked trails, river crossings, and no teahouses (full camping).
2. What makes the API region culturally unique compared to other Nepali treks?
The Byans community (Tibetan-Nepali blend) offers rare experiences:
- Nomadic traditions: Yak caravans, cave dwellings (Dhawaliwadar).
- Isolation: Fewer than 500 trekkers/year visit—authentic interactions guaranteed.
- Sacred sites: Kali Dhunga, a pilgrimage spot for Hindus/Buddhists.
3. What emergency support is available during this remote trek?
Safety protocols include:
- Satellite phones: Guides carry them for emergencies (no cellular networks).
- Helicopter rescue: Mandatory insurance must cover up to 5,000m.
- Medical kits: Guides are wilderness first-aid trained.
Want to Trek API Base Camp with Mardi Himal Treks & Expedition?
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