15 Day API Himal Base Camp Trek - Western Nepal Trek

Nepali is the ultimate destination for adventure tourism and tracking flicks. Although there are many trekking routes throughout Nepal the best of the natural beauty of Nepal is reserved in the far western region. The far western region has the best virgin trekking routes including the Api Himal Base camp trek.

Mt Apil is located in northwest Nepal, the farthest end of the corner. This 7,132m peak is the highest in the Far-Western of Nepal and is protected under the Api Nampa Conservation Area. This Api conservation area is spread over 1,903 sq. km on Dharchula and homes animals such as clouded/ snow leopards, musk deer Himalayan black bears, and more, making your Api Himal trek exciting.

This 15-day Api Himal Base Camp trek Itinerary includes 7 days of arrival time and drive time while we will be trekking for 8 days. A 15-day trek in one of the most beautiful trekking routes is the ultimate spot in Nepal. It’s going to completely change your perception of life and money. Upon completion of the Api Himal trekking trail, a stronger and more confident version of yourself emerges in Nepal.

It’s exciting, isn’t it?

The beauty of Api Base Camp Trek lies not only in the destination, but the journey is also equally captivating. Right from the Mahakali Valley, you get to witness many beautiful steep gorges, waterfalls, and lakes throughout the Api Himal trek route. The subtropical/ alpine vegetation and the terraced farmland of local people provided you with an opportunity to indulge in the local culture and tradition.

Best time for the Api Himal Trek

The Api Himal trekking trail is a beautiful trek in the remotest land of Nepal. So, you must travel during the right season when there are other fellow travelers to accompany you. Only Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are fit for the Api Base Camp trek. While Autumn has beautiful views of mountains with clear surroundings, spring is rather popular for wildflowers and natural beauty. In summer you can trek until April with good preparation to protect from the rain, but the views might be blocked, not the very best time for Apil Himal trek. In comparison to the East, the west of Nepal gets very little rainfall but it's still worth considering. Winter trek is not suggested.

Api Himal trek difficulties

Yes, this trek is going to be difficult. This is a long trek in the remotest part of Nepal with many challenges. However, most of the path is leveled and there are not any technical spots. The high altitude is Api Himal Base camp at 3,861m, so the risk of altitude sickness is also less. There is no need for any technical mountain climbing skills or training, but all you need is good physical strength. Some stamina-building training a few months before the trip is going to be enough. Other than physical training, also be prepared for the mental stress one goes through while living in a very remote camp with limited facilities. The lack of washrooms, hot showers, laundry, etc makes such a long camping trek Apil himal trek difficult. Thankfully, the beauty of mountains makes you forget all of that.

Weather and temperature

The mountains of Nepal are going to be cold and breezy. The Api region far west of Nepal experiences four kinds of weather. And summer i.e. June to July receives a moderate amount of rainfall. In September, the sky begins to clear up and the temperature drops slightly to around 10°C. Everything is great until December when the snowfall begins. In the far west, winter is very cold due to frequent snowfall and rainfall with the temperature dropping up to -10°C. From March, the snow starts to melt and the temperature reaches up to 15°C in May.

Local food and accommodation in the Api Himal trek

Three types of accommodation on the Api Himal base camp trek. At Kathmandu and Dhangadi, you will be staying in a luxurious star hotel. While in Gokuleshwar and Paribagar, you can either stay in a local guest house or set up your camp. Beyond that, you will be staying in self-made camps for about seven days. The porter will carry your tent, sleeping bag, mat, cooking utensils, and all the food you need throughout this camping trek in Nepal. Camping trek is very rewarding, but there are many challenges for charging your phones, washrooms, and showers.

Regarding food in Api Trek, breakfast and dinner are served warm and you carry a lounge in your day pack. Don't expect many options for the food in Apil Trek and you will be mostly eating bread, noodles, and Dal Bhat.

Local culture- People of far west

The villages of Rai, Limbu, and Gurung community makes large settlement in the Api Base Camp trek route. These communities are believers of Tibetan Buddhism and have a rich cultural lifestyle with many festivals food and rituals. They are always excited to welcome the tourist and share their life with you. You can also meet endangered ethnic groups such as Raute (forest people), Badi, and Raji. Many of these communities still rely on forests for their accommodation and food without any access to education and health services.

Sadly, the poor economy of the far west has a major impact on a life of people. Due to a lack of health education and employment, many houses are in the forest as more and more people are migrating to the larger city. Your village to Api can be a small contribution to the growth of the local economy.

Api Himal trek map/ route

Breeze Adventure Api Himal Bai same trek can start either from Kathmandu or you can drive from Delhi to Dhangadi. Trains from Delhi to borders close to Dhangadi can be found easily. From Kathmandu, you can drive (15hrs) or take a flight (1 hour) to Dhangadi. Then, we drive up to Gokuleshowr- Latinath and trek to many villages such as Paribagar, Makrigaad, Siti, and Domal before we reach the lower Api Base Camp. From here, we visit the Api Base Camp and walk back on the same route. Some trekking agencies also take the Api trek route to Mahendranagar and then to Gokuleshwor before joining our route at Makrigaad on the 6th day.

Api Himal Trek Cost

This is among the restricted regions of Nepal. This means you must be in a group of two people and hire a guide/portal for the trek, thus increasing the Api Himal trek price. The Api Himal trek is going to be expensive because there are two domestic flights and two days of riding in a private vehicle. Also, you need porters to carry your camping equipment and food. Even the permits are expensive.

The Api Himal trek costs around $1500 -$2000 for 15 days when you travel with Breeze Adventure. Order you might need around $300-$500 for personal expenses throughout the trek. Independent or solo traveling is not allowed, so this is the minimum amount of money you will be paying.