Day 1
Kathmandu to Kathmandu
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,400 m
Arrive in Kathmandu. Trek briefing, gear check, and permit confirmation. Optional last-minute shopping in Thamel.
Api Himal
API Himal Base Camp Trek
Remote far-west trek to the base of Mount Api (7,132m) through untouched alpine wilderness, tranquil villages, and the Api Saipal Himal region. Less commercial than Everest or Annapurna routes — authentic solitude with dramatic Himalayan views.
Challenging12 days4,200 mMar–May, Oct–Nov
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Remote far-west trek to the base of Mount Api (7,132m) through untouched alpine wilderness, tranquil villages, and the Api Saipal Himal region. Less commercial than Everest or Annapurna routes — authentic solitude with dramatic Himalayan views.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 12 planned days, 96 km of walking, and 2,900 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include API Base Camp (4,100m), Kalidhunga sacred lake (4,200m), Mount Api (7,132m) views, Remote Magar & Chhetri villages.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Kathmandu to Makarigadh
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,300 m
Fly to Dhangadhi (~1 hr) then drive via Attariya to Makarigadh (6–7 hrs). Gateway to Nepal's far-western trekking trails.
Day 3
Makarigadh to Naupata
7 hrs / 11 km / sleep 1,800 m
Trek begins through forests, terraced farms, and hill villages. Steady climb on traditional trails with river crossings.
Day 4
Naupata to Siti Gaun
7 hrs / 10 km / sleep 2,400 m
Gradual ascent through thick forests and ridgelines into the remote Saipal Himal zone. Pass Magar and Chhetri villages.
Day 5
Siti Gaun to Dhauliodhar
7 hrs / 11 km / sleep 3,200 m
Demanding climb into alpine meadows and yak pastures. Forests thin out; first close views of Api Himal and surrounding ranges.
Day 6
Dhauliodhar to API Base Camp
7 hrs / 10 km / sleep 4,100 m
Crown jewel day — ascent to API Base Camp through rocky alpine paths, glacial streams, and moraine. Close views of Api (7,132m), Nampa, and Saipal peaks.
Day 7
API Base Camp to Dhauliodhar
8 hrs / 13 km / sleep 3,200 m
Side trip to sacred Kalidhunga Lake (4,200m) then descend back to Dhauliodhar. Crystal-clear alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks.
Day 8
Dhauliodhar to Ghusa Gaun
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 2,000 m
Long descent through alpine meadows and pine forests to Ghusa Gaun. Warmer air and denser vegetation on the way down.
Day 9
Ghusa Gaun to Naupata
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 1,800 m
Gentle descent through forested slopes and terraced hills back to Naupata. Peaceful rural ambiance and village life.
Day 10
Naupata to Attariya
8 hrs / 21 km / sleep 150 m
Longest descent — from hill village to Terai plains at Attariya. Ecological zones shift from cool mountains to warm lowlands.
Day 11
Attariya to Kathmandu
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,400 m
Drive to Dhangadhi (3–4 hrs) and fly to Kathmandu (~1 hr). Evening free to rest or explore the capital.
Day 12
Kathmandu to Kathmandu
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,400 m
Departure from Tribhuvan International Airport or optional trip extension.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,400 m
Start
4,100 m
Highest sleep
4,200 m
Max altitude
12
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Loading route map...
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
GPX/KML files are not published for this route yet. Itinerary data is available now.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Altitude
- 4,200 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Planning aid — not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting — not satellite.
Get it on Google Play
Ready for your next Nepal & mountain adventure?
Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail — free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
Free on PlayNo ad SDK in Play buildPrivacy-firstOffline packs after download