ABC Trek - Packing list for hiking in September (Autumn Season)

 Annapurna Base Camp Trek - Packing list for hiking in September (Autumn Season)

Things you need to know

1. Weather and temperature
• Weather /monsoon rain - we hiked ABC during the period of mid-September whereby it is supposed to be tail end of the monsoon season. During our 2 weeks hike, we did encountered couple of days of rain and heavy thunderstorm especially in the late evening.
• Temperatures - during daytime, temperature is on average 15-20 degrees hence is best to use light weight clothes and switch to warmer clothes during the night (especially when you hit the above 3000m altitude)
2. Load of your backpack - ABC is a multi-day's hikes and thus, you need to ensure your backpack weight will not be too heavy otherwise you will have a very difficult time carrying such loads on your bag. Bring only what you need in a small 20-30L backpack. I would strongly recommend hiring a porter instead for all other stuff and you will thank me for this.
3. Facilities & hygiene at guesthouse (along the ABC trails) - most guesthouse provide decent and cleaned room with running waterpipe, hot shower and decent toilet plumbing facilities. (Note: Even though I read some traveler written about "whole in ground" toilet, I didn't experience this during my whole hiking trip
4. Food varieties, availability & hygiene - you can get easily get cook or hot meals three times a day at the guesthouse.  I didn't experience myself any food problems or food that I think is not hygienic for my consumption. I didn't experience any stomach discomfort during my entire hike. 
5. Food taste and quality - Every guesthouse prepares their food a bit differently (different blend of vegetables or ingredient used and cooking method) as well at the taste/quality.  I tried Dhal Baht, Thukpla (Soup noodles), Gurung bread, chow Mein (fried noodles), fried rice and etc.. Some guesthouses serve really tasty food and some, not so tasty.

        The famous of all, Dhal Bhat

Gurung bread with fried egg and vegetarian curry

Things to prepare before you travel to Nepal

1. Flight to Nepal - There is a daily flight is from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu (Malaysia Airlines or Batik Air). We took a 9am flight and arrived at 12noon which gives us plenty of time to explore/move around in Kathmandu in the afternoon.
2. Visa - you need a visa to travel here. There is 2 ways you can choose - online visa or on arrival visa. To save your time and queue, I suggest you go for online application. 
3. Currency exchange - You cannot exchange Nepalese rupees in Malaysia. Hence, you need to exchange the currency only when you get to there. You can use USD or MYR. Rate at the money exchange over there is more or less the same among the different money exchange outlet.
4. Traveling to Pokhara - by air or by bus. We use bus service traveling from Kathmandu and Pokhara and the journey takes almost 9 hours and traveling through pretty bad road conditions. On our return trip, we choose flight (using Yeti Airlines) instead and it take us less than 30min. Hence, I would highly recommend anyone wanting to go from Kathmandu to Pokhara (or vice versa) to use flight instead. (Note: The cost is just around USD100+)

Nepal Visa Application (For Malaysian)

1. Visa - We opt for online visa application Online Services (immigration.gov.np). Is a very easy 5 minutes process to fill up the form. Do print out the form prior to your travel and this will safe you lots of time and avoid queuing at the airport immigration.
2. Visa Fees - Straight away proceed to payment counter (we paid USD30 for a 15-days visa)
3. Immigration clearance - Take the payment receipt and proceed to immigration to get your visa issued and passport stamp.
4. Visa photo - Even though the Nepal immigration website mentioned visa photos is required, no one asked from me any copy nor take any photo when I passed through the immigration checkpoint. Hence, I guess visa photo is not required after all. 

Things to bring

1. Water filtration or purification tablet - we used LifeStraw water bottle instead as we can easily and safely just take water from the water pipe /river streams and drink it as and when we need it. Is quick and flexible to use - we simply love it. 
2. Rain jacket/ponchos - we brought both and use both of them but from experienced and lesson learnt, using rain jacket and backpack rain cover is better for breathability and more importantly ease of movement compared to using poncho. 
3. Light weight sleeping bag/sleeping bag liner - is sufficient. From I observed and experienced, all guesthouses we stayed in provide comfortable bed with thick blanket to comfortably sleep with and protect against the cold weather at higher altitude. 
4. Walking poles - walking poles are really lifesaver and helpful and we use it for the full 10days we were hiking. It helps mobility and maintain stability on some challenging trails. 
5. Spare clothes - Do bring extra clothes with you. Our clothes get soak wet from sweat most of the time from hiking and on 2 occasion we get caught in the rain. Is very difficult for any clothes to get dry if you wash it as the weather is usually cold/damp and your clothes cannot get dry by the next morning.
6. Slipper/sandal - do bring one. Your feet will thank you for this. You need to air your feet and also let it rest after a day walking in your boots/shoes.
7. Thermos - do bring along a thermos. At some of the guesthouse at higher altitude, even room temperature water feels like ice water especially at night.  Hence, the thermos allows you to get some hot/warm water instead.
8. Sunglasses/googles - The sunlight and UV are very strong especially near at Deurali/MBC/ABC part of the trails. The glasses will protect your eye from the strong glare and won't temporarily blind you especially when you tried to enjoy the mountain peak scenery.
9. Spare Nepalese Cash - Do bring along some spare cash during your hike for purchase of snacks/drinks and payment for hot shower, drinking/hot water or even Internet/Wi-Fi services.

Things good to have (optional)

1. Headlamp/torchlight - most guesthouse have electricity and is available 24-hours a day. Some guesthouses do practice switching off the light after 10pm, however I don't think is a big issue as you can always find the switch to turn if on again especially if you plan to go toilet late at night
2. Internet connectivity either via SIM Card or Wi-Fi access from the respective guesthouse. Most guesthouse charge a 1-day flat rate access fees (between 150-300 rupees depending on the location of the guesthouse. (Note: The guesthouse at the lower part of the ABC trails even provide free Wi-Fi services)
3. Battery bank for electronics devices- I can charge most of my electronic devices (my camera, Go Pro, smart swatch) all the way up to Deurali and never really need to use my battery bank eventhough I bought one with me through.   
4. Extra food and snacks - You can buy almost anything from the guesthouses from hot meals to snacks. Hence, do seriously consider whether you need to bring anything extra as it will add to additional weight to your backpack and considering you need to carry for at least one weeks. Do consider wisely.  (Important note: From the village of Bamboo onward, no meat is allowed in the Annapurna areas. Most dishes served are vegetarian from this point onward)

Things not to bring (not really needed at all)

1. Power adapter/converter - Most guesthouse wall plug already comes with multi-point adapter and you can easily plug your power point into their electricity socket. (FYI - I stay it Kathmandu/Pokhara/ABC for 2 weeks and I never once have to use the multi-point power adapter/converter that I brought from home)
2. Mobile phone with Data/Internet - I never need to use any Internet/calling service in the mountains. Let your mind rest and disconnect yourself for 1-2 weeks - the feeling is really liberating and peaceful.
3. Books/games/laptop - you really have little to no time to read or play games most of the time. Hence, spare yourself from putting this unnecessary weight to your backpack.

Wall socket (with multi-adapter point) at most of the guest house

Mobile charging socket at guesthouse