Drinking Water During the Annapurna Base Camp Trek 

Drinking a lot of water is a priority of the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek will take you to some of the high-altitude trails. Experience life in remote villages. Journey through forests that may not always have running water to drink or purify water.  

There are abundant sources of water during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. One cannot consume all of them. To prevent health risks, travelers must know the available options for drinking water.  

Be aware of the sources of water available. Learn the possible ways of purification procedures. The prices offered will help you remain healthy and stress-free even when you are on the trek.  

Drinking Water Access Along the ABC Route  

Drinking water is available throughout the Annapurna Base Camp trekking route. But the quality and price differ depending on the area in which you are.   

The lower altitudes, consisting of Nayapul, Ghandruk, and Chhomrong. They will have many tea houses. They serve bottled water, small shops, and restaurants with free refills. In such places, close to villages, water is more available, and thus its cost is lowered. 

As you move up from Sinuwa to Deurali and Machhapuchhare Base Camp, water is costly. The prices get hiked as porters or mules must carry water. There are tea houses and accommodations that serve up boiled water at a lower price.

There are refill water points in some of the lodges, and they charge a certain fee. Continuing, you will come across some natural springs, tanks, and water streams. 

Animals, villages, and natural debris are the causes of common contamination. That is why we suggest using purification tablets, filters, or UV purifiers. Before you go trekking, make sure to get good insurance in case you get sick for any reason.

Tap Water and Local Sources on ABC Trek Route  

You can find tap drinking water at most villages along the Annapurna Base Camp trek. You find them in the lower and middle parts of the trail. 

There are local taps offered publicly in some areas within the villages. You can see them in Nayapul, Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, and Bamboo. Here, locals fill their daily water.   

Most tea houses around also have outdoor taps. They are free to use and fill your water bottles. Tap water is present in almost all places at lower elevations. They are available at almost every stop until you reach the Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC).  

At that point, the number of public taps drops off, and for the most part, you’ll get your water from tea houses. Beyond MBC up to Annapurna Base Camp, water comes from tea houses and nearby streams. 

Although we may see that the tap water is from mountain springs, it is not safe to drink it in its present form. Before you drink, always do water purification with tablets, filter it, or use a UV purifier.  

Bottled Water on the ABC Trek  

An interesting thing about the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is that you will not find mineral water for sale. This policy is made for environmental conservation activities.  

You won’t see plastic water bottles for sale at all along the trail, in some cases, not even in the more remote villages. Instead, at every turn, we have tea houses and lodges which provide safe water refills. That water is either boiled, filtered, or treated before it is made available to you.  

You may purchase it by the liter, and the prices go up the higher you go. A reusable water bottle or hydration bladder is a must for this trek, as you will be filling it up all along the way. 

Since there isn’t bottled water available, trekkers will have to get boiled water from lodges. Or purify tap and stream water.  This is done to protect the environment. At the same time, to support sustainable trekking practices in the region.   

Refueling Water Points on Annapurna Base Camp  

On the Annapurna Base Camp trek, tea houses and lodges work as refilling points. During the journey, at these refill points, you can buy boiled water. They are filtered, or UV-treated, water safe to consume. It could be found in every village on the path between Nayapul and Annapurna Base Camp.  

In the lower altitudes in the trek, which include Ghandruk and Chhomrong, water is cheaper to get. As you go higher up towards Bamboo, Deurali, and Machapuchare Base Camp, prices go up. 

Some lodges have large taps of safe water; in other cases, they will serve it straight from the kitchen. Reusable bottle or hydration bladder refill at a per-liter rate.  

Using refillable water stations is the best choice for your health and the health of our planet. It also supports local conservation projects. What’s put in your glass is guaranteed to be clean and safe.  

Boiled Water in Tea Houses   

Along the route, every tea house will have boiling water for you to drink. In lower villages, including Ghandruk, Chhomrong, and Sinuwa, you can get boiled water.    

In higher locations, you will be able to get it. In places like Deurali, Machapuchare Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp. The majority of trekkers fill out their bottles and flasks of water at the start of each day’s trek. And once again in the evening.   

In the low altitudes, the price of boiled water is lower. At the higher elevations, it is more expensive. Many use firewood or gas that are harder to transport. Carrying an insulated bottle is a great help. This will keep your water warm for a long time, which is also especially true in cold weather.  

Water Purification Methods for Trekkers   

Even though water is abundant along the Annapurna Base Camp trek. At the same time, it is not always safe for you to drink from the taps, streams, or springs. It is best to purify your water.    

What do we do to purify to remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites? There are things to be expected at high altitude.  

Trekkers put forth various practices to make sure water is safe. What we see most of the time are methods like boiling. Or the use of water purification tablets, portable water filters, and UV purifiers.  

It is highly recommended that you carry at least one of these purification methods with you. It gives you the freedom to refill from any water source without health concerns.  

Using Water Purification Tablets and Filters   

Water purification tablets are portable and very easy to take with you. Put the tablet in your bottle of water. Recommended time (usually 30 min), your water will be safe for consumption. Maybe the taste is a bit off, but they are a reliable and affordable option.  

Portable water filters also have a different approach. They use them to get rid of dirt, bacteria, and parasites from the water. They come in a variety of designs. It includes straw filters, pump filters, and bottle filters.  

These are best for trekkers who want to drink from streams or out of taps immediately. All without the wait for purification tablets to take effect.   

Both tablets and filters are used, but many trekkers also use a mix of methods for extra protection. This is to make sure you always have access to clean water, no matter what the trail throws at you.  

Cost of Water on the Trek   

During the Annapurna Base Camp trek, drinking water prices may vary. It all depends on the place one is and also on how the drinkable water is treated. 

In the low villages, it costs about 100 to 150 Nepalese Rupees for boiled or purified water per liter. It's around Nayapul and Ghandruk. The closer to the sky, the higher the price. At places like Bamboo, Deurali, and Machapuchare Base Camp, it can increase to 200 to 300 Rupees per liter.     

Things such as fuel to boil or purify water, which are needed at high altitude, are hard to find. And all must be transported to high altitude by means of porters or mules. If you choose to use the water purifying tablet or filters, you will incur the initial cost. And that is buying such items before your trek.  

Besides, this can turn out to save you later on because you will manage to use free water in taps and streams. Carrying a refillable bottle. You can fill it up at clean water points, which is most economical on your purse and the planet when on a hike.    

Eco-Friendly Tips to Reduce Plastic Waste  

Plastic waste is an issue in trekking destinations such as Annapurna Base Camp. Help protect the beautiful destination by responsible trekking. The environmental trekkers should practice ecologically friendly methods of water consumption.  

First, also bring a reusable water bottle or hydration pack. Do not buy single-use plastic bottles, which may not be made available on the trek but may still show up. Refill your bottle at any of the safe water stations along the trail.   

Also, use water purification methods. It includes filters and tablets as an option to bottled water. This will reduce plastic waste and help keep the mountains clean.  Third, put out all waste properly. When you go out, take back plastic and trash to the villages that have proper disposal. Do not leave trash on the trail or by water.   

These easy tips make it easy to trek responsibly. You contribute to preserving the natural beauty of the Annapurna region. So future trekkers can experience them, and local communities can live peacefully.   

Staying Hydrated at High Altitudes   

Staying well hydrated is a key element of the Annapurna Base Camp trek. You may not notice that you are thirsty, but you are still losing water through breath and sweat.  

Take 3-4 liters of water. Also, stay away from alcohol and caffeine, which only serve to dehydrate you. Proper water intake also prevents altitude sickness. This keeps your energy up throughout the trek.   

Use pure sources of water and filter them through the proper purification process. And finally consume it. Also, carry a water bottle that you can refill and use during the whole hike on the day to remain hydrated.  

Safe Tips for Drinking Water at Annapurna Base Camp Trek   

• You should also keep a reusable bottle of water with you.   

• Purify water by using purification tablets, filters, and UV purifiers to be on the safe side.   

• You should buy it at tea houses, in case you are unsure of the quality of the water.   

• Avoid consuming stream, spring water, and unpurified tap water.   

• Refilling the bottles at convenient water fountains will save some plastic and money.  

• Drink up! At all altitudes, but especially high.   

FAQ’s  

Can I drink water directly from the tap during the ABC Trek? 

Tap water is present but not safe for drinking, which is why you should always purify it first.  

What are the best water purification techniques for the trek?   

Boil, water purification tablets, portable filters, and UV purifiers all work.   

How many liters of water do I need per day on the trek?   

Every day, drink in the range of 3 to 4 liters of water to stay hydrated at high altitude.   

Where do I fill my water at on this trek?   

One can refill the bottles at every tea house and lodge along the full route.