- Length
- 16 days
- Highest point
- 3,900 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Starts
- Dhangadhi (fly from Kathmandu), drive to Gokuleshwar/Darchula
- Group size
- 2–10 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House / Camp
Trek to the foot of Api Himal (7,132 m) in Nepal's wild far-west — alpine meadows, glaciers and Byans culture, with almost zero crowds.
- Trek beneath Api Himal (7,132 m) and Saipal (7,031 m) in Nepal's remote far-west
- Almost zero crowds — one of the least-visited trekking regions in the country
- Close-up views of the Api and Nampa glaciers from Api Base Camp
- Alpine meadows of Khaliya and Dhar, thundering waterfalls and rhododendron forest
- Authentic Byans and Chhipla village culture untouched by mass tourism
- Rich wildlife and pristine landscapes inside the Api Nampa Conservation Area
- A genuine wilderness adventure with teahouse and tented camping
- Scenic flight to Dhangadhi and an epic overland journey into Darchula
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu and meet your guide for a trek briefing and permit paperwork. Evening at leisure in Thamel.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- –
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Kathmandu sightseeing & preparation (1,400 m)1,400 m
Guided tour of UNESCO World Heritage sites — Swayambhunath and Boudhanath — followed by final gear checks and shopping for the remote far-west. Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Full day
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- Hotel
Day 3Fly Kathmandu to Dhangadhi (109 m)109 m
Early flight across Nepal to Dhangadhi in the far-western Terai. Afternoon to rest in the lowland heat before the long overland journey begins.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- ~75 min flight
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- Hotel
Day 4Drive Dhangadhi to Gokuleshwar (1,200 m)1,200 m
A long, scenic mountain drive north into Darchula district, climbing from the plains into the foothills of the far-west to the roadhead near Gokuleshwar.
- Distance
- ~250 km
- Walking
- ~8–9 hr drive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Drive to Latinath, trek to Makarigadi (1,470 m)1,470 m
Short drive to the trail start at Latinath, then the first day on foot beside the Chamliya river through subtropical forest and scattered farms to Makarigadi.
- Distance
- ~9 km trek
- Walking
- ~5 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 6Makarigadi to Siti (2,254 m)2,254 m
A long climb through dense rhododendron and oak forest, crossing side streams and waterfalls, to the small settlement of Siti high above the valley.
- Distance
- ~10 km
- Walking
- ~7 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 7Siti to Domal (2,950 m)2,950 m
The forest thins to alpine scrub as the trail gains height to Domal, with the first dramatic views of the snows of Api and Nampa opening ahead.
- Distance
- ~9 km
- Walking
- ~6 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 8Acclimatization day at Domal (2,950 m)2,950 m
An important rest and acclimatization day. Take a short hike to a nearby ridge for views of the Api massif and the alpine meadows of Dhar before returning to camp.
- Distance
- ~4 km
- Walking
- ~3 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 9Domal to Dhauli Odar / Lower Base Camp (3,548 m)3,548 m
Climb above the treeline into open alpine country, crossing high pastures to the lower base camp at Dhauli Odar beneath the Api glacier.
- Distance
- ~7 km
- Walking
- ~5 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Camp
Day 10Day hike to Api Base Camp (3,900 m), return to Dhauli Odar3,900 m
The big day. Walk to Api Base Camp at around 3,900 m for close-up views of the Api and Nampa glaciers tumbling from the 7,132 m summit, then return to camp at Dhauli Odar.
- Distance
- ~8 km round trip
- Walking
- ~5–6 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Camp
Day 11Dhauli Odar to Siti (2,254 m)2,254 m
Begin the descent, retracing the route through alpine meadow and rhododendron forest down to Siti.
- Distance
- ~14 km
- Walking
- ~6 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 12Siti to Makarigadi (1,470 m)1,470 m
Continue down the forested valley, passing waterfalls and farming villages, back to Makarigadi by the river.
- Distance
- ~10 km
- Walking
- ~5–6 hr
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House / Camp
Day 13Trek to Latinath, drive to Gokuleshwar (1,200 m)1,200 m
A final morning on the trail to Latinath, then drive back to Gokuleshwar to rejoin the road network.
- Distance
- ~9 km trek
- Walking
- ~4 hr trek + 2 hr drive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Tea House
Day 14Drive Gokuleshwar to Dhangadhi (109 m)109 m
Long return drive out of the mountains to the Terai plains and Dhangadhi for a hot shower and a comfortable bed.
- Distance
- ~250 km
- Walking
- ~8–9 hr drive
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Night
- Hotel
Day 15Fly Dhangadhi to Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Fly back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free to rest, explore Thamel or enjoy a farewell celebration dinner.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- ~75 min flight
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- Hotel
Day 16Final departure (1,400 m)1,400 m
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight, or extend your stay in Nepal.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Night
- –
The price includes
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu and the far-west by private vehicle
- Domestic flights Kathmandu–Dhangadhi–Kathmandu
- All ground transport Dhangadhi–Gokuleshwar–trailhead and return
- Api Nampa Conservation Area Permit (ANCAP) and TIMS card
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Porters to carry your main baggage
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- All teahouse and tented camp accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Camping equipment, cook and kitchen crew where required
- Guided UNESCO sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- First-aid kit and all government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee
- Travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (mandatory)
- Meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast
- Drinks, bottled water, hot showers and battery charging on the trek
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guide, porters and crew
- Personal expenses, laundry and extra nights due to flight delays
- Anything not listed under What's Included
The Api Base Camp Trek leads into the remote far-western corner of Nepal, a region so seldom visited that you may walk for days without meeting another foreign trekker. Hidden within the Api Nampa Conservation Area in Darchula district, the trail climbs beneath the twin giants of Api Himal (7,132 m) and Saipal (7,031 m), through rhododendron forest, terraced Chhipla and Byans villages, thundering waterfalls and the high alpine pastures of Khaliya and Dhar.
This is genuine wilderness trekking. The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi and a long, scenic drive to the Gokuleshwar and Darchula roadhead, before the trail works its way up the Chamliya valley to the lower base camp at Dhauli Odar and, finally, to Api Base Camp at roughly 3,900 m, where the Api and Nampa glaciers spill from the headwall above.
Why trek to Api Base Camp
Few treks in Nepal offer such a rich blend of dramatic mountain scenery and untouched local culture. The far-west sees a tiny fraction of the visitors who flood Everest and Annapurna, so the experience feels raw and authentic — basic teahouses and tented camps, warm village hospitality, and uninterrupted views of one of the Himalaya's most striking unclimbed-by-most faces.
Who this trek is for
This is a strenuous, committing trek for fit, experienced walkers who are comfortable with long days, simple accommodation, remote logistics and limited facilities. In return you get one of the last great wild corners of Nepal almost entirely to yourself.