Api Base Camp Trek
Also known as Api Himal Base Camp Trek (Chamelia Valley, Api Nampa Conservation Area).
Api Base Camp Trek is a difficult 10-14-day teahouse/camping mix trek in the Far West region of Nepal, reaching 3,900 m. It starts at Makarigad (via Gokuleshwar, Darchula) and ends at Makarigad.
Key facts
- Region
- Far West (Darchula)
- Duration
- 10-14 days, 5-7 hours walking per day
- Distance
- 90 km
- Maximum altitude
- 3,900 m
- Difficulty
- Difficult — Base camp at ~3,900 m below Api (7,132 m) with steep, rough, sparsely marked trails up the Chamelia valley, extremely basic homestay/teahouse facilities, and 1-2 full days of hard driving each way in Nepal's least-visited corner. Physically a notch below the 5,000 m-pass treks but logistically committing.
- Trek type
- Teahouse/Camping mix, out-and-back route
- Best season
- Spring (Apr-May, rhododendron bloom) and autumn (Sep-Nov)
- Guide
- Mandatory. hopnepal (2026) states a licensed guide and registered agency are strictly mandatory for Api BC and that independent trekking is illegal (restricted-area rule, min 2 trekkers); other operators treat it as a normal conservation-area trek where the NTB 2023 guide rule applies. Restricted status flagged true on the stricter reading — verification against the Department of Immigration failed (site unreachable).
- Restricted area
- Yes — special permit required
- Budget cost
- NPR 210,000–280,000
- Comfortable cost
- NPR 280,000–350,000
- Guided cost
- NPR 210,000–350,000
- Getting there
- Kathmandu → Dhangadhi (flight, 1.5h) → Gokuleshwar, Darchula (jeep/bus, 8-10h) → Makarigad/Latinath trailhead (jeep, 3-5h) → trail. Overland alternative: night bus Kathmandu→Attariya/Mahendranagar (15-17h) then as above. Return via the same road chain (agencies often drive Makarigad→Attariya in one very long day).
- Altitude sickness
- Moderate: base camp is ~3,900 m and the itinerary gains height quickly from a low valley floor (~1,000 m), but nights above 3,000 m are few.
Weather
The Chamelia valley catches full monsoon rain (Jun-Sep): landslides, leeches and flooded crossings. Winter snow closes the upper valley above Simar. Spring offers flowers and stable mornings; autumn the clearest views of Api and Nampa.
Permits
- Api Nampa Conservation Area Entry Permit — NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: DNPWC Kathmandu or ANCA office, Darchula
- Darchula Restricted Area Permit (Byas Rural Municipality) — NPR 13,680 for foreigners. Where to get it: Department of Immigration via a registered trekking agency
- TIMS Card — NPR 2,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: NTB Kathmandu via agency
Itinerary
- Day 1: Kathmandu to Dhangadhi, 0 h, 190 m — Flight to far-western Terai
- Day 2: Dhangadhi to Gokuleshwar, 0 h, 1,000 m — Long hill drive via Baitadi into the Chamelia watershed
- Day 3: Gokuleshwar to Makarigad, 1-2 h, 1,100 m — Rough drive up the Chamelia; ANCA permit check
- Day 4: Makarigad to Siti, 5-6 h, 1,600 m — Chamelia gorge villages, terraced fields
- Day 5: Siti to Simar, 5-6 h, 2,900 m — Steep climb out of the gorge into rhododendron and fir forest
- Day 6: Simar to Dhaulo Odar, 4-5 h, 3,400 m — Alpine pastures below the Api wall; 'white cave' rock shelter
- Day 7: Dhaulo Odar to Api Base Camp, 2-3 h, 3,900 m — Base camp meadow under Api (7,132 m) and Nampa; side trip to Kali Dhunga lake
- Day 8: Api Base Camp to Simar, 5-6 h, 2,900 m — Morning views of Api/Nampa then descend
- Day 9: Simar to Naali (Siti area), 6 h, 1,550 m — Long descent through forest and villages
- Day 10: Naali to Makarigad, 4 h, 1,100 m — Return to the road head
- Day 11: Makarigad to Attariya/Dhangadhi, 0 h, 190 m — Very long drive back to the Terai (12-14h)
- Day 12: Dhangadhi to Kathmandu, 0 h, 1,400 m — Return flight