The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is perhaps one of the best times to go trekking. With the spring in full bloom, the trek feels and looks like a dream. The skies are mostly clear, the winter has far gone and the weather is just perfect.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May allows you to experience the beautiful landscape of the mountains during spring. The trails are full of greenery and beautiful forests full of rhododendron flowers.
A glorious view of the majestic Mt Annapurna awaits you at the end of your trek. Along with the view of Mt. Annapurna, you will also get to witness Annapurna 1 (8091m), Annapurna South (7273m) too. The Glacier Dome, Gangapurna (7454m), the unclimbed Fang (7647m), and Mt Machhapuchhre (6997m) are spectacular.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is also a photographer’s paradise. The panoramic views of the mountains in May is something that no one should miss. The crispy views of the mountain ranges and blue clear skies are going to leave anyone in awe.
May welcomes a lot of nature loving people and botanical researchers. The forests that lie on the trekking trails are full of unique biodiversity which are in full bloom during the spring. This is just another factor that adds to the beauty of the trekking trail this time of the year.
But, even though Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is one of the best months to go trekking to you will definitely have to look out on several aspects.
May is the final month of spring in Nepal so, by the end of the month, monsoon may welcome you. You may encounter some unexpected downpours. Be prepared for such unpredictables.
Highlights of Annapurna Base Camp Trek in May
Moderate Weather
The weather in may is neither too hot nor too cold. The weather can, however, get hotter and more humid during the last weeks.
Beautiful Landscapes
Spring brings about a lot of beautiful changes in the landscape. The trees are green, the snow melted and the forests become a paradise.
The magical rhododendron flowers are in bloom along with many other flowers. The smells of the flowers along the path are enough to captivate the trekkers.
Clear Skies
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is a blessing. It offers clear skies on most days. And even if there is a chance of rain, it is usually brief and it clears the sky.
You will get to experience with the crispest views and clean mountain breeze.
Best Time for Research
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is the perfect time for research. The exotic wildlife, as well as unique plants, are in full bloom. It is like a treasure chest for biodiversity research.
Frequent Flights
The suitable temperature and weather of early May support regular flights to Pokhara. The clear weather offers the best visibility. So, there are lesser chances of flight cancellations and flight delays.
Festivals in Nepal in May
Buddha Jayanti falls in May. If you’re in Kathmandu, you will witness a grand celebration. But if you are on your trek, you will be able to participate in the local celebration of this even at monasteries that are on your way.
Do you have any question or Confusion?
Tell us about your trip and we will help you design comfortable itinerary to meet your needs.Weather of Annapurna Base Camp Trek in May
May in Annapurna Base Camp is one of the peak seasons for trekkers. This is mostly because of the moderate and favorable weather.
During the trek on a sunny day, the temperature in the trek region remains around 20-degree Celsius at lower altitudes.
The temperature in the higher altitudes does get quite colder. Whereas, it remains around 9 degree Celsius in the night.
Even though the weather of Annapurna Base Camp in May is nice it will be quite windy. In the higher altitudes, the winds are quite fast and can reach up to 10km/hr even in the spring.
The precipitation in the first weeks of May is quite low. But, if you do decide to trek in the later weeks of May, you may have to face the early monsoon rains.
Food and Accommodations During Annapurna Base Camp Trek in May
Food
The food available during the Annapurna Base Camp trek during May is almost the same as the food available during the other months. As you ascend higher there will be fewer choices and steeper prices of food.
You should carry some snack bars or energy boosting food. You have to make sure you are having a well-balanced meal so that you have enough energy for the challenging trek.
The most preferred and easily available food throughout the trek is the traditional Dal- Bhat. This meal is a well-balanced meal served with rice, lentil soup, and some veggies. It provides enough energy as well as the nutrients required for your body.
But, if you wish to try other delicacies, you have the option to choose from some cereals or porridge, or pancakes. You can also have fries, pasta, Momo( Nepali dumplings) etc as they are also available on the menu in most places.
Since summer is just around the corner, you will want to drink a lot of water. It is quite helpful. Keeping yourself hydrated will make your hikes a lot relaxing. It also suppresses altitude sickness.
Bottled water is easily available but could be a bit on the pricer side.
Accommodation
Spring is one of the peak seasons for trekking. This means that the teahouses, as well as the trekking routes, will be quite packed. But, this also means that most of the hotels and tea houses will be open.
Thus, you will enjoy a comfortable stay in. Just make sure you book them in advance.
But due to the high number of trekkers, the prices could go slightly higher than the offseasons.
The teahouses and hotels will provide you with the basic necessities such as blankets and extra pillows.
You may not get hot water in many of the places you stay at. But, don’t worry as the hotels and tea houses will happily provide the water for a few extra dollars if you ask.
You should also be aware that even though most hotels and tea houses in the lower altitudes will have western style toilets. You may not get them as you climb to higher altitudes. In the higher altitudes, squat toilets are more popular.
Difficulties During Annapurna Base Camp Trek in May
Here are a few difficulties that you may face during your Annapurna Base Camp trek in May.
Altitude
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes you to an altitude of 4130m, Annapurna Base Camp. Although it is a lower altitude, you could face some problems. A sudden change of altitudes may become a problem and cause altitude sickness.
You should make sure you plan your trek and include some days to rest and acclimatize. As you will be ascending to the varying altitudes in a short period of time the risk of altitude sickness is common.
You will also be less likely to get affected by altitude sickness if you keep yourself hydrated. Also, be sure to avoid things such as sleeping pills and/or alcohol.
Unpredictable Rain
The weather is mostly clear during the first weeks of the month of May. But, in the later weeks, as the monsoon approaches, you may have to face unexpected downpours. The weather might also get hotter and more humid.
The rain may make the trails slippery. But, it should not be much of a problem if you are well prepared with a raincoat, rain trousers and a pair of trekking boots with good grip.
Problem of Insects
The spring brings out many bugs and insects. So, you may have the problem of leeches and mosquitoes on your trek. This may be a problem that can be easily avoided if you carry anti-leech sprays and/or ointment.
You may also find the mosquitoes annoying in the lower part of the trekking trails. But they won’t be a problem as you ascend to higher altitudes.
Packing List for Annapurna Base Camp Trek in May
To ensure you have a safe and sound trek, you should pack accordingly. Here is an outline of things for Annapurna Base Camp trek in May that you should not miss.
While packing, you should keep the monsoon rain in mind. A pair of rain jacket and trousers are a necessity during this trek. In addition to those, be sure you back trekking shoes with a good grip as the paths are quite muddy and slippery during the last weeks of May.
You will face humid weather, be sure to pack breathable pieces of clothing. And as the elevations increase the weather tends to get really cold. So warm clothes are also necessary.
It is also recommended to carry light, wind jackets suited for monsoons. This is to make sure you remain dry and comfortable during the treks.
Some accessories that you should not miss out are well-polarized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed sun hat. These will make your trek during the day more comfortable.
- Waterproof backpacks (will protect your personal belongings and important documents from the rain)
- Sleeping bag with a liner (for windy and cold nights)
- Trekking Poles
- Torchlight and extra batteries (for trekking during the early hours)
- Water bottle
- Insect repellant sprays, bands or ointment (mosquitoes and leeches may bother you)
Some Useful Tips for Annapurna Base Camp Trek in September
Check the Weather Forecast
Do keep track of the weather, especially for flight timings. The skies are clear for the most part but the monsoon rain may cause flight delays or cancellation. This is especially important if you are planning your trek in the last weeks of May.
Have a Flexible Schedule
You might want to extend your trip if the mountain views are not clear at times. Having a flexible schedule is a very important thing in these type of situations.
Hire a Guide and a Porter
Hiring a porter and a guide is a good idea as it allows you to travel freely and be safer. Besides, having someone carry your luggage at high altitudes where there is a high chance of altitude sickness is a good idea.
Get a Travel Insurance
You will need this in case you need any medical attention or for the immediate helicopter rescue. Forgetting or losing your baggage is also a possibility. So, it is in your best interest that you get travel insurance from your home country to cover all the losses and inconveniences.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Base Camp is a delight and one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. It is a good choice for people who want to experience the beauty of the mountains of Nepal without many difficulties.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek in May is a good choice as the weather is clear and the forests are in full bloom. This also means that there will be more crowds than usual. So, book your trek in advance for the best deals.
If you want to book your Annapurna Base Camp trek in May or any other months or if you have any queries, feel free to contact us.
Do you have any question or Confusion?
Tell us about your trip and we will help you design comfortable itinerary to meet your needs.
