Are You Afraid of Doing a Solo Trek?

Solo Trek to Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

“The mountains offer a profound sense of companionship—communicating through the whispering wind, welcoming with radiant sunrises, and accompanying each step of the journey. Notably, the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trail is among the most frequented routes, providing ample opportunities to connect with fellow trekkers along the way.”

-        Sudarsan Limbu

As expected, my decision to undertake a solo trek to Annapurna Base Camp was met with a mix of disbelief and concern from friends. Although they were aware of my routine Saturday hikes around the Kathmandu Valley, they sensed this journey would present a different level of challenge. I clarified that it was not my first solo experience—having previously completed a trek to Timbung Pokhari—but rather a continuation of my personal exploration through the mountains.

Deep down, I wanted to experience the mountains differently—to feel every step, every sound of the forest, and every whisper of the wind without distraction.

I wasn’t looking for luxury or company. I was searching for clarity, for moments that remind us how vast the world is and how small yet significant we are within it.

And so, on 19th October, I set off on a solo adventure—one that would challenge, humble, and forever change the way I see the world.

Trek Overview

Route: Kathmandu → Pokhara → Jhinu Danda → Upper Sinuwa → Deurali → MBC → ABC
Duration: 4 Days
Highest Point: 4,130 m (Annapurna Base Camp)
Best For: Solo trekkers, nature lovers, stargazers
Total Cost Range: Rs. 1800–3000 per day (approx.) and Rs 2500 on average, including day lunch

Day 1: Kathmandu to Upper Sinuwa – The First Step

The morning's first flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara took just 25 minutes, but it felt as though I had crossed a boundary from chaos to calm. Pokhara welcomed me at 8:32 AM with its gentle lakeside breeze. From there, I took a taxi to Hall Chowk, and then a jeep along the winding hill roads toward Jhinu Danda, arriving at 12:10 PM. The journey took nearly three and a half hours due to a significant traffic jam on the steep, off-road section near Lower Ghandruk.

After enjoying a hearty chicken lunch for Rs. 500 at the vehicle station in Jhinu, I began my trek at 1:20 PM, my heart racing with excitement. The trail was bustling with activity—mules crossing the Modi Khola suspension bridge caused a mini traffic jam, their bells jingling against the backdrop of the emerald forests and the flowing river.

As I climbed higher, I took some time to enjoy birdwatching and captured beautiful images of the birds I spotted. Then, as if the universe wanted to bless the beginning of my journey, a rainbow arched gracefully below the valley near Chhomrong, accompanied by a sparse rain, immediately after crossing the steep stairs for around one and a half hours— a perfect welcome from the mountains.

 

Checking in at Chhomrong’s administration around 3:00 PM, I reached Upper Sinuwa around 5:10 PM, tired yet euphoric. The cozy teahouse there welcomed me like an old friend. For Rs. 1800, I got dinner, lodging, and breakfast—simple comforts that felt like luxury after a long climb.

Since I was trekking solo, I had to share my room. That’s where I met Mr. Jiahong Li, a cheerful traveler from China. Our conversation that evening was unforgettable; two strangers sharing stories about solitude, courage, and the joy of wandering freely. Later, we exchanged our Instagram IDs and got connected.

Later that night, I woke up at 3:20 AM. The air was crisp, and the sky—an ocean of stars. As I gazed upward for around forty minutes, I saw three meteors streak across the darkness. I managed to capture one with my phone’s night mode—a small miracle frozen in time. In that silence, under the cosmos, I felt deeply alive.

Day 2: Into the Wild – Upper Sinuwa to ABC

At sunrise, I bid farewell to my new friend and ventured deeper into the forest, as he wasn’t awake until I completed my breakfast. The morning mist at 7 AM hung low, wrapping the trail in mystery. The path from Sinuwa to Bamboo was quiet, with only the rhythmic sound of my footsteps and the occasional bird call echoing through the trees and streams.

At Lower Dovan, the aroma of roasted coffee pulled me into a small wooden café. I ordered an Espresso and toasted bread, later followed by a doppio—the perfect companion to the chilly mountain breeze. It was one of those simple pleasures that words can’t fully describe. It was around 8:25 AM when I left Dovan.

Past Dovan, the terrain grew steeper. A shimmering waterfall caught my eye, and I couldn’t resist stopping for nearly 40 minutes to watch it cascade endlessly into the gorge below. I met two fellow trekkers, Kushal and Pandav Gautam, who kindly offered to take my photos there. We shared smiles, and soon they hurried ahead, leaving me to soak in the magic of the moment.

By 12:20 PM, I reached Deurali, where I stopped for lunch. Above Dovan, meat is not allowed, so I enjoyed a vegetarian meal with eggs, refilled my water bottle, and charged my devices. The mountain life teaches you to appreciate such small conveniences; even charging your phone becomes a luxury.

The final stretch from Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) tested my endurance. The narrow trail hugged cliffs above the roaring Modi River, while icy winds swept down from the peaks. I met my two new friends (Kushal and Pandav) again at the Modi gorge, and together we pushed onward, reaching MBC at 3:40 PM. On the way, as I walked faster, I enjoyed birdwatching and sightseeing on the inclining way to the MBC while waiting for them.

triumphant.

That night, the three of us stood beneath an impossibly clear sky, surrounded by giants—Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna South. We captured the Milky Way, and in that freezing darkness, I realized why people fall in love with the Himalayas. In return, we struggled to sleep due to the high altitude and lengthy breathing; we barely got any rest that night.

It wasn’t just beauty—it was humility, peace, and belonging.

Day 3: Descent to Lower Sinuwa – The Joy & Sorrow-together of Return

The morning at ABC was surreal. As the first rays of the sun touched the peaks, the entire amphitheater of mountains glowed like gold. The panoramic 360° view of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli was beyond words—a moment that could silence even the busiest mind. At that moment, my Canon camera's battery was dead from a night of stargazing. Fortunately, my phone still had a charge. I felt a bit sad because I wanted to capture the sun-kissed peaks of the mountains, but I made do with my phone. In the end, I was satisfied with the successful stargazing I had experienced throughout the night.

After breakfast, we began descending at 8:00 AM. In my excitement, I accidentally left my water bottle at the hotel counter and had to climb back to retrieve it. My friends laughed, teasing that it was my “Annapurna cardio.”

We continued past Deurali, pausing occasionally to photograph cascading waterfalls and exchange brief conversations with fellow trekkers. After enjoying lunch at Upper Dovan, we resumed our journey. As we descended a steep section of stairs, my friend began experiencing discomfort from his shoes, with both big toes becoming increasingly sore. To ease his pain, I offered him my slippers, adjusted them to fit, and he was able to walk with noticeable relief. Meanwhile, I picked up my pace and continued ahead.

I reached Lower Sinuwa around 5:25 PM. Later, my friends also arrived and settled into Hotel Himal & Restaurant, famously owned by a legendary mad honey hunter. The evening was warm with conversation and good food. At this moment, I learned that booking an air ticket from Buddha Apps is cheaper than the mobile banking. Kushal had that app, and thus he booked a Buddha Air ticket for me, scheduled for 17:05 the next day.

Later that night, I couldn’t resist another look at the stars. The sky had cleared again, revealing the majestic Orion constellation. I turned off the lodge’s decorative lights and stood quietly under the celestial dome, capturing Orion’s Belt and the Nebula—a sight that felt both infinite and intimate.

Day 4: Lower Sinuwa to Pokhara – A Solo Symphony

The final day began leisurely. We left Lower Sinuwa at 8:00 AM, and I reached Jhinu Danda by 10:10 AM. I waited for my friends for nearly two hours, but as fate would have it, our paths diverged again. They had to stop at Naya Pul, and my journey to Pokhara, so the driver suggested that we go separately in the respective jeeps, triggering some cold heart.

However, that jeep ride turned into an unexpected gift. We were five, and every passenger of the jeep was a solo traveler—from Nepal, China, Russia, and Bangladesh. We called ourselves the “Solo-Doers.” Laughter, stories, and reflections filled the ride, and I marveled at how the mountains unite strangers. It was as if the Himalayas had curated our meeting—a small reminder that solitude doesn’t mean isolation.

At Pokhara Lakeside, we took a group farewell selfie—five solo wanderers celebrating independence and shared humanity. I helped my Chinese friend book a bus ticket to Kathmandu via WeChat Pay. Amazed by the convenience of global connectivity, I never knew about this before.

The selfie was more important to me than concealing my cracked lips. 😊

As my flight time neared, I walked along the tranquil lake, reflecting on the journey. My Buddha Air flight, rescheduled to 5:40 PM, lifted off just as the sun dipped below the horizon. From my window seat, I captured the last photo of the trek—the darkening earth below, the glowing orange horizon in between, and the deep blue sky above.

The meeting point of
land and sky,
day and night,
effort and peace,
solitude and connection.

The Mountains Within

This trek was not just a physical journey—it was a journey inward. I learned that solo trekking isn’t about walking alone; it’s about walking with yourself. It’s about finding peace in silence, confidence in uncertainty, and joy in simplicity- a deep self-meditation.

Yes, there are moments of challenge and fatigue, but there are also moments of indescribable beauty—meteor showers, mountain dawns, laughter with strangers, and cups of coffee that taste like heaven.

So, to anyone who hesitates to trek solo: Don’t be afraid.

The mountains will not let you feel alone. They’ll talk to you in whispers of wind, greet you in sunrises, and walk beside you in every step you take.

And when you return, you’ll realize you never walked alone at all.

Wishing you the best of luck on your upcoming solo trek!

All my prayers for your strongest esteem!

Sewaaro!