Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June

Some might not consider an Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June ideal, but others might. June is one of the unusual months for trekking the Annapurna region. Various trekking destinations in the Annapurna region, like the Annapurna Circuit, Base Camp Trek, and Mardi Himal Trek, will provide incredible thrills and adventure.

To ensure a more enjoyable and less challenging trek experience, it’s crucial to select the right time for Annapurna trek. June is the first month or beginning of the monsoon season in Nepal, so you might have to be careful before planning your trek.

However, June is a good month for the trek in the Annapurna region because fewer people are around. This means you can enjoy the trek with fewer crowds, and the trails, lodges, hotels, and tea houses are less crowded than during other peak seasons in Nepal.

Another advantage of trekking in the summer is the chance to see clear views of the massive Annapurna mountain range. So, let’s get into more detail on trekking at Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June.

Weather During Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June

It is crucial to consider the weather conditions during your ABC trek. June is the beginning of the summer/monsoon, and the days get hotter. The monsoon season starts in Nepal in early June. In the first month of June, the rainfall is subtle but less than in other monsoon months like July or August.

Staying in Kathmandu might be uncomfortable due to rain clouds and high humidity. Also, you won’t be able to see the best mountain views in the Annapurna region until you reach the Khumbu region. Once it rains, it might rain all day, but sometimes the atmosphere clears, and it doesn’t rain for a few days.

Remember that heavy rain might affect the trails you will be trekking on. If relentless rain occurs at lower altitudes, your trek will likely be halted due to floods and landslides.

However, due to the rain, the surrounding atmosphere becomes steamy and hazy, blocking the crystal-clear views of the mountains. For this reason, June is considered to be among the worst months for trekking the Anapurna range.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Temperature

The ABC Trek’s temperature has increased since the start of June. As the summer season starts in Nepal, the atmosphere becomes hot and humid. In city areas like Kathmandu, the hot temperature makes it less attractive for trekking. 

The temperature can reach 25 to 30 degrees, especially in lower altitudes. It decreases to 5 to 3 degrees at night, especially at higher altitudes. Even during the June or summer season, the nights at high altitudes become colder.

Food Available During Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June

While trekking to the ABC trek, you’ll first arrive in Kathmandu. Since Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, several three-star to five-star hotels are available here. These hotels offer various local Nepalese meals and different Western dishes. You can choose Italian, Chinese, Continental, Indian, or Thai dishes.

As you climb the altitude and reach the remote villages during your trek to Annapurna Base Camp, you will only get food in the tea houses. During your stay at the tea house, you can enjoy delicious local Nepali cuisine. You can choose from local Dal, Bhat, and Vegetable curry: rice, lentils, and curry.

Since ABC Trek is quite popular, even the tea house cooks are trained to prepare Western dishes. Some tea houses can prepare dumplings, chow mein, fried rice, burgers, steak, stew, and soups.

We recommend only vegetarian food during your trek, especially in remote areas. Meats are generally undercooked, which can cause serious health problems. Regarding drinks, you might want to drink plenty of water throughout your stay to avoid dehydration.

You can also drink tea, coffee, and energy drinks during your stay. Add ginger, lemon, or honey to your drinks to make them warmer and more hygienic. We highly discourage drinking alcohol or taking too much caffeine during your ABC trek in June. Alcohol and lots of caffeine drain liquid from your body, which can cause dehydration and eventually can be the cause of altitude sickness.

Accommodation During Annapurna Base Camp Trek in June

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations. Its popularity has grown significantly, so more hotels, lodges, and tea houses have been established.

Accommodation is easier in June since it’s not peak season. However, some teahouses may be closed due to the off-trek season and monsoon. Even though it’s not peak season, the trail may still be crowded with tourists.

During your stay in the tea house, you can get an entire room since the trail is less crowded. However, if there are still many people during your trek, you must share your room and bathroom with other trekkers.

The best times for trekking are from March to May in spring and from September to November in autumn. To ensure a safe trip, it’s recommended that you trek with an experienced guide. They can help you find the best places open during the low season.

Benefits of Trekking Annapurna Base Camp in June

Although trekking the Annapurna region is not suitable in June, there are some benefits that you can take advantage of.

Few Trekkers on Route

The Annapurna region is famous for many amazing adventures, like the Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trek. In the peak season, millions of people from worldwide flock to Nepal, especially to the Annapurna region, which makes the trekking route full of people.

However, June is an off-season month when the monsoon season starts, discouraging trekkers from visiting. Hence, there were very few trekkers on this route in June. The most overcrowded of the trails will be very peaceful, so you will have plenty of time to explore without breaching your or anyone else’s privacy.

Like the trails, the tea houses and lodges are also less crowded. Hence, some trekkers might consider this to be the best time for an Annapurna excursion.

The Spring season has just passed, and the trails are covered with green vegetation and blooming flowers. The relentless showers make everything greener, but the trails are wet and slippery, which can cause injury.

Clear and Amazing Views

Since June is the start of summer, the temperature rises during the day. Bright sunlight clears the humidity and haziness, creating fantastic mountain views of the Annapurna range, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail, and Dhaulagiri. The stunning views of the incredible Annapurna Massif will make all the trek’s challenges and difficulties worthwhile.

Factors to Know Before Trekking Annapurna Basecamp in June

Before trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in June, you must know about certain factors. Knowing these factors will make your trek unforgettable and help you face fewer problems.

Documents and Paperwork

You need two permits to trek at Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

• TIMS (Trekker Information Management System): TIMS is another critical permit that every trekker must issue before going on a trek.
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit: Another permit you need to trek the Annapurna region is the conservation area permit. Annapurna Conservation Area is a fantastic place where many endangered flora and fauna are conserved.

You also need some other essential documents to be eligible for the trekking like:

• Valid Passports
• Two passport-size photos
• Travel Insurance
• Letter from Official Travel Agency
• Details on your trekking and travel excursion

Proper training for physical and mental preparation

Despite being considered one of Nepal’s easiest to moderate trekking routes, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is still challenging. It is at a high altitude and takes a long time to complete, so you must cover long distances daily.

The difficulties of Annapurna Camp vary from different people based on their experience. However, one more factor determines the difficulty, and that is physical and mental endurance. Hence, to enjoy your ABC camp trek without constantly being tired or fearing falling ill, property training, both physically and mentally, is essential. 

You can train several cardio-vascular exercises on treadmills, stairs, or just a short hike every day while carrying back. Breathing exercises and yoga can help overcome mental fear during your trek. So before you visit the Annapurna region, we recommend you increase your physical stamina and ease your mind. Be prepared for the trek 2-3 weeks before the trek starts.

 Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

Altitude sickness is the primary factor you must consider during your trek to the Annapurna Base Camp. There is a huge risk of altitude sickness as you will trek above the elevation of 3000m. The base camp is 4380m, so be wary of altitude sickness. 

Altitude sickness can happen in different ways and may have different symptoms from person to person. The most common symptoms are headaches, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, and general discomfort. Attention to these symptoms is important because they can worsen and lead to more severe altitude sickness if ignored.

There are a few ways to prevent altitude sickness. If you rush to the higher altitude quickly, the trek around the Annapurna region will be difficult. Acclimatization, including hiking high and sleeping low, will reduce the chance of altitude sickness. 

This means you can hike around the Annapurna region during your acclimatization day, climbing high altitudes but returning to lower altitudes to sleep. Furthermore, you can also acclimatize by simply strolling around the area and not going on for hiking that day.

Conclusion

Hence, before going on a June trekking trip to Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit Trek, you must consider the weather. As the monsoon season starts in June, you might experience frequent rainfall.

Due to these conditions, the trails might be wet and slippery. Be careful of insects and leeches along the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Hence, June is the least ideal time to visit the Annapurna region, but if you want to, there are still some benefits, like fewer crowds and amazing views.