Blog
Monsoon ABC Trek
In my last blog
Birgunj to Kathmandu: The Official Flag off
I crossed into Birgunj via the dusty Raxaul border. On June 24th, the journey truly launched with an official flag-off ceremony at the Consulate General of India. Ashok uncle’s driver then dropped me at Tribhuvan Highway, buzzing with local gypsies idling for passengers.
GoPro rolling, I nabbed a direct ride to Kathmandu—134 km ahead. Six grueling hours later, potholes and slick wet sand testing every turn, we pulled in around 3 PM. Easy win: straight shot from 11 AM.
Instant Connections and Cozy Stay
Chaotic Ride to Kathmandu and finally Meeting Dr. Vandana, My First Contact
Afterward, Ashok uncle's driver dropped me at the Tribhuvan Highway, a spot buzzing with local gypsies waiting for passengers. GoPro in hand, I approached one driver and asked for a lift straight to Kathmandu—a 134 km journey that stretched into 6 grueling hours.It turned out to be an easy day; I scored a direct ride all the way. Nepal's roads were a challenge—pothole-riddled, with stretches of wet sand so slick it was tough for the wheels to grip. We started at 11 AM and rolled in around 3 PM. Ashok uncle had hooked me up with a Nepal SIM, so I called Vandana ji right away. (She's the first person I connected with, as I mentioned—we met at the Kanya Mandal Adhiveshan in Ladnu, Rajasthan.)She arrived just where the gypsy dropped me off, and from there, we headed to Jain Bhawan, where my stay was arranged by the Jain Terapanthi Mahasabha community.
A Hero’s Blessing and City Sparks
Next morning, Terapanth Mahila Mandal arranged gold: a meet with CNN Hero Anuradha Koirala of Maiti Nepal. She gifted a Pashupatinath memento, touched my face with a smile, and whispered, “Pashupati tumhe aur urja de.” Richest moment ever.
June 26th: Majestic Boudha Stupa vibes sank deep. 27th: EBC hike teaser, rain ignored. 28th: Inspiring community program with the Jain crew. By 29th, Kathmandu farewell—no deep city roam; bigger calls pulled me west.
full dive next time!
farewell to Kathmandu
Kathmandu bursts with UNESCO treasures: Pashupatinath Temple’s sacred riverside rituals, Swayambhunath Stupa’s 365 monkey-guarded steps to epic views, and Boudhanath’s massive dome where prayer wheels hum in Tibetan serenity. Thamel pulses with shops and nightlife; Durbar Square flaunts ancient palaces and the living goddess Kumari; Garden of Dreams whispers neo-classical calm. On the 26th, I visited the majestic Budha Stupa, soaking in its serene vibes. The 27th brought a hike previewing the EBC trek—monsoon be damned, I pushed on. The 28th featured a community program with our Jain group, full of inspiration. By the 29th, I bid farewell to Kathmandu. I skipped deep city exploration; something massive was calling me forward, so onward to the next spot!
Hitch to Pokhara: Highway Hustle
Sancheti uncle’s driver got me to the highway. Spotting a truck, I hitched my first easy lift—he dropped me at Naubise. Another ride took me to Shuklagandaki Municipality in Tanahun, and from there, a van became my final leg, landing me at Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara. June wrapped here in Pokhara—new month, new hopes. Pokhara will bring it all.
On July 1st, Tarun ji took me to the embassy, where I met Lt. Col. Prashant Singh. I pitched my solo Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, but rules banned solo treks in the region. He offered to help with a guide and arrangements—generous, but I was set on doing it my way. That day, I dove deep into research and discovered Three Sisters Adventure Company. They agreed to send a guide free of cost! I rented a jacket and shoes for the trek. (Guides normally charge $30/day—around 18K NPR for 7 days, just for them.)
Permits for ABC Trek
Dreaming of Annapurna Base Camp? You’ll need two key permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. For Indians (SAARC nationals), ACAP costs NPR 1,000 and TIMS NPR 1,000—total ~NPR 2,000 (~₹1,700). Grab them in Pokhara at the NTNC office (Damside) for ACAP and Nepal Tourism Board (Lakeside) for TIMS. Bring passport copies, photos, and cash. In my case, TAAN waived my TIMS, and community hero Manoj ji sorted ACAP—community magic!
Budget Breakdown
Solo 7-10 day ABC trek runs budget-friendly at ₹22,000-36,000 for Indians, covering basics without frills. Here’s the real-talk split:
Permits sealed like a plot twist. TAAN waives my TIMS. Manoj ji—community legend with Lakeside cafe and handicrafts—hands over ACAP. Three Sisters guide locked. Food and stays? Wild card. Spotty networks mean no bookings. Plan: charm guesthouse owners on arrival, story first, rupees ready. Community slips me cash—”they gotta eat too.”
Gearing Up for ABC Glory
July 1st, Tarun ji took me to the embassy. Lt. Col. Prashant Singh heard my solo Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) pitch—rules said no, guide required. He offered help; I researched solo. Win: Three Sisters Adventure Company sent a free guide. Rented jacket, shoes. Normal guide fee? $30/day, 18K NPR for seven.
July 2nd: Lakeside nightlife glow—cafe crawls, lake breezes. Crashed at Three Sisters Guesthouse, pulse racing. ABC launches tomorrow.
Permits sealed like a plot twist. TAAN waives my TIMS. Manoj ji—community legend with Lakeside cafe and handicrafts—hands over ACAP. Three Sisters guide locked. Food and stays? Wild card. Spotty networks mean no bookings. Plan: charm guesthouse owners on arrival, story first, rupees ready. Community slips me cash—”they gotta eat too.”
1:53 AM now, rain thunders outside. Gear packed. Can this hitchhiker hit Annapurna Base Camp? Stay tuned—Annapurna’s welcome coming right up.
Tomorrow’s trails whisper secrets of peaks and triumphs untold. What wild twists await? Heart pounding, I’m all in. Stay locked in… to be continued!
