Monday, November 02, 2026

ABC & MHBC Twin Base Camp Trek

ABC + MHBC Twin Base Camp Trek

17 - 28 Oct 2026

(Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp)

Team members:

Amy T, Jess Woo, Josephine Lee, Sabrina Lim;

KC Leong, Ang Cheng Lai, Daniel Woon, Felix Ng, Kevin Lee, Lawrence Leong, Tong San Hee, Tan Han Cie.

If you are motivated, just contact Mr Cheban, the Nepal trekking agent, via Whatsapp at:

+977 985-1055876

Do CLICK HERE to view photos taken by yours truly, KC Leong.

A warm welcome offered by Mr Cheban (2nd from right, back row), the Nepal trekking agent.

Overnight Accommodations & Elevation Breakdown:

This twin-base camp itinerary is highly achievable.

- ABC: 5D4N;

- MHBC: 4D3N;

- Total Trekking: 9 Days.

ABC Ascent:

Trailhead Suspension Bridge = 1,530m;

Sinuwa = 2,360m (overnight #1);

Deurali = 3,230m (overnight #2);

ABC = 4,130m (overnight #3) night temperature -4°C (minus 4).

ABC Descent:

Dovan = 2,500m (overnight #4);

Jhinu Danda = 1,760m (overnight #5).

A group photo before the great start of journey with Cheban, Suresh and the hotel managers

MHBC Ascent:

Forest Camp = 2,550m (overnight #6);

High Camp = 3,585m (overnight #7);

At 4am, start hike to View Point (4,200m) and Base Camp (4,500m). COLD & WINDY.

MHBC Descent:

Middle Camp = 3,210m (overnight #8).

At Siding trailhead (1,700m; end of trek), take 4WD back to hotel in Pokhara. 

When I checked with Mr Cheban, Nepal trekking agent, about reversing the route to do MHBC first, he advised sticking to ABC as our first base camp. He mentioned that because MHBC is higher, doing it first puts hikers at a greater risk of mountain sickness.

Start of trekking at Jhinu Danda, where 4WD journey end here; crossing the suspension bridge

The Food

The food at the teahouses and lodges of Nepal has really improved lately, thanks to standardization introduced by Western tourists. You can take a menu from Lodge A and use it to pre-order your meals at Lodge B; the only thing that changes is the pricing, which gets higher as you go up in elevation.

We appointed Tong San Hee (previously RHB Bank IT colleague) as our CFO: not Chief Financial Officer, but Chief Food Officer, to handle all the ordering. The daily three meals are included in the package: we just place the order; chief guide will determine if the price exceeds the budget. 

This is where the trails converge. In the background (the high mountains) lies the route toward Poon Hill and Nayapul (ABC trailhead), and to the left is the direction for the Jhinu Danda shortcut.

Our meals generally consisted of fried rice, fried noodles, the famous dal bhat, and surprisingly delicious tuna pizza, macaroni, momo, vegetable spring-roll, and chicken curry. The Korean Shin Ramyun noodle soup is way too spicy. We always shared our food, which have a huge advantage: if you order and eat privately, you risk going hungry if you don't like your meal. By sharing, everyone gets a taste of everything. 

Hot drinks before meals are included in our package. We have the option of ordering coffee, tea, ginger lemon tea, or hot lemon water. It was wonderful to relax with a hot cup of tea or coffee before enjoying our meals. We were also informed that because dal bhat is the national dish of Nepal, ordering two or more portions entitles the group to unlimited refills of rice and dal bhat.


Enjoying the Nepalese food ... Some fried noodles include canned tuna or chicken. However, the famous dal bhat is a vegetarian rice dish made with lentils, which can cause a lot of stomach gas. The kitchen can also make delicious pizza with canned tuna.

Annapurna Base Camp

It was an incredible feat: with 4WD reaches Jhinu Danda area, first overnight at Sinuwa; second night at Deurali; third night is already at Annapurna base camp. If any team member has any high mountainous discomfort, forth day morning, the team is going downhill already (problem would solve by itself).

Then subsequently, when trekking MHBC, though higher elevation, all were fine with the elevation.

The Baraha Temple - characterized by the towering cascading waterfalls and steep rocky cliffs that rise directly behind it.

Mardi Himal Base Camp

The journey to MHBC is spectacular; the iconic Fishtail Mountain serves as the dominant figure in the background. The trail winds past Forest Camp, offering plenty of shade and a lush, mossy forest atmosphere. The teahouses along this trek are surprisingly comfortable, providing thick mattresses and warm blankets that live up to hotel standards. The trip wraps up beautifully with a final outdoor breakfast, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Fishtail Mountain.

Overnight at Deurali - This is an important stop as the timing next day will give trekkers sufficient time to arrive at ABC

Shower & Charing Services

Hot showers and phone charging are available at RM8 per service, per person. Do not take hot showers above 3,000 meters in elevation, as doing so can trigger mountain sickness.

At Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m). There is a lot of helicopter traffic around both the ABC and MBC areas.

Toilet conditions

Most lodges in ABC and MHBC feature both modern seated toilets and traditional squat toilets.

Arriving at Annapurna Base Camp

Fitness Requirements:

1. Endurance Training: You must be capable of hiking continuously for 5 to 8 hours per hike;

2. Stair Training: Because about 80% of the terrain consists of stone steps, specific stair training is essential in addition to regular trail hikes. It is highly recommended to practise walking up and down the stairwells of your office or apartment building daily for several weeks leading up to the trip.

4th day morning at ABC for viewing of sunrise

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, the following transportation logistics are required and provided by Cheban:

1. Arrival: van transport from Kathmandu international airport to domestic airport;

2. Pokhara: van transport from Pokhara airport to hotel;

3. 4WD transport to ABC trailhead;

4. (9 days later) 4WD transport from MHBC end point to Pokhara hotel;

5. Excursion: half-day van transport sightseeing tour in Pokhara;

6. Van transport from hotel to Pokhara airport;

7. Van transport from Kathmandu airport to hotel;

8. Departure: van transport from hotel to Kathmandu international airport.

Descending the mountains
Overnight at Jhinu Danda ... the guys perform the Bollywood pose, while Sabrina is comfortably resting her leg on the friendly dog.
MHBC Forest Camp
Continue the journey to MHBC
The trail winds past Forest Camp, offering plenty of shade and a lush, mossy forest atmosphere.
Teahouse at High Camp with the thick mattress
At 4am, start hike to View Point (4,200m) and Base Camp (4,500m). COLD & WINDY
At 4am, start hike to View Point (4,200m) and Base Camp (4,500m). COLD & WINDY. Time now is about 6:15am
Yeah, we made it !
Posing with Cheban's company banner
MHBC View point area
Final overnight at Middle Camp or Badal Danda (3,250m). The bright white circle on the right side of the frame is actually the full moon.
The trip wraps up beautifully with a final outdoor breakfast, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Fishtail Mountain.
Appreciation presentation by Josephine Lee, flanked by Sabrina.
Appreciation presentation by KC to Senior Guide, Mr Suresh
Comfortable beds of Mt. Kailash Resort: a 4-star hotel listed in Google Maps
Visiting World Peace Pagoda
The presentation includes plaque certificates, traditional Nepali Topi for gentlemen, and shawl for ladies.
Presentation of certificate of accomplishment by Mr Cheban, flanked by Sabrina
The glare from the silky smooth white T-shirt presented by Mr Cheban.
Farewell dinner hosted by Mr Cheban at a leading Western cuisine restaurant in Pokhara.
One final view of the Fishtail Mountain from the Mt. Kailash Resort room
 
Posted by KC Leong



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