Nepal Adventure: Annapurna Base Camp, Mustang Valley & Bungee Jump (10-Day Budget Travel Guide)
A complete guide to my 10-day Nepal adventure covering Annapurna Base Camp, Mustang Valley, Pokhara, Kathmandu, expenses, permits, transport, and practical tips.
In March, five of us traveled to Nepal for a 10-day adventure covering Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), Mustang Valley, Pokhara, Kathmandu, and one of the most exciting experiences of the trip—bungee jumping at The Cliff.
This guide covers our complete itinerary, expenses, practical tips, and lessons learned for anyone planning a similar trip.
Trip Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 22 March – 31 March |
| Group Size | 5 People |
| Travel Style | Budget-Friendly Adventure |
| Main Destinations | Annapurna Base Camp, Mustang Valley, Pokhara, Kathmandu, The Cliff |
Flight Tickets
Our journey began on 22 March, the day after Eid.
We purchased our tickets on 2 February, almost two months before departure and flew with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Flight Cost: BDT 47,500 per person
One thing I learned from this trip is how quickly airfares can change. When we initially discussed the trip in late January, ticket prices were around BDT 37,000–38,000. Within a week, fares jumped close to BDT 45,000.
Since our travel date was immediately after Eid, demand was naturally higher than usual.
Airfare alone ended up being nearly half of our total trip cost. Book early if you’re planning a similar trip.
Visa on Arrival
Nepal offers Visa on Arrival for Bangladeshi passport holders, and one tourist visa per year is currently free.
To avoid issues during departure from Bangladesh, carry:
- Bank Statement
- Hotel Booking Confirmation
- Return Air Ticket
- Passport Photocopy
- NID Photocopy
- NOC / Trade License
- Salary Certificate
Although the visa form can be completed at Kathmandu Airport, filling it online beforehand saves a considerable amount of time.
Money Exchange Tips
Each of us carried approximately USD 300.
A few lessons:
- Banks usually offer better rates than exchange houses.
- Avoid frequent ATM withdrawals in Nepal.
- Local ATMs often charge more than NPR 600 per transaction.
- Exchange only a small amount at the airport.
- Better rates are usually available in Thamel and Pokhara.
Carrying some Nepali Rupees from Bangladesh can be useful for airport transportation and SIM purchases.
SIM Card
We bought NTC (Namaste) SIM cards directly at Kathmandu Airport.
Package
- 10 GB Internet
- Local Calling Minutes
- Cost: NPR 600
The package comfortably lasted our entire 10-day trip.
Surprisingly, network coverage remained available throughout most sections of the ABC trek.
Local guides also recommended physical SIMs over eSIMs because they generally perform better in remote mountain regions.
ACAP Permit
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is mandatory for the ABC trek.
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online | NPR 1,000 |
| Checkpoint Purchase | NPR 2,000 |
You can obtain it either in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or online before arriving.
Kathmandu to Pokhara
Initially, we planned to travel by overnight VIP bus.
Instead, we hired a private jeep.
Cost
- Total Jeep Cost: NPR 13,500
- Per Person: NPR 2,700
After exchanging money and having lunch in Thamel, we left Kathmandu around 6:30 PM and arrived in Pokhara close to 12:30 AM.
We stayed near Lakeside and prepared for the trek the next morning.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Day 1 — Pokhara → Jhinu → Lower Sinuwa
After renting trekking equipment and hiring a guide, we reached Jhinu by jeep and started trekking around 2 PM.
Heavy rain slowed us down and prevented us from reaching Upper Sinuwa.
We spent the night at Lower Sinuwa.
Approximate Cost: NPR 2,500
Day 2 — Lower Sinuwa → Himalaya
Our original target was Deurali.
However, due to accommodation shortages during peak season, we stopped at Himalaya.
Approximate Cost: NPR 2,700
Day 3 — Himalaya → Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC)
Because of a recent fire incident at ABC, accommodation became limited.
Instead of staying at ABC, we spent the night at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC).
Approximate Cost: NPR 3,000
Day 4 — MBC → ABC → Bamboo
We began hiking at 5:00 AM and reached Annapurna Base Camp roughly two hours later.
Standing at ABC surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan peaks was undoubtedly the highlight of the trek.
After spending around 90 minutes there, we descended all the way to Bamboo.
Approximate Cost: NPR 2,500
Day 5 — Bamboo → Jhinu
After breakfast, we descended to Jhinu and finally visited the famous Jhinu Hot Spring.
After several days of trekking, soaking in the natural hot water felt incredible.
Approximate Cost: NPR 1,850
ABC Trek Cost Breakdown
From leaving Kathmandu until breakfast at Jhinu after completing the trek:
Total Cost
Approximately NPR 28,500 per person
This included:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Food
- Guide Expenses
- Hot Water
- Miscellaneous Costs
Budget travelers can reduce expenses further by:
- Taking buses instead of private jeeps
- Purchasing meal packages
- Trekking independently where regulations permit
Mustang Valley Road Trip
After completing ABC, we immediately moved toward Mustang.
Day 1
Jhinu → Tatopani → Rupse Waterfall → Marpha → Jomsom
We hired a jeep for two days and traveled through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the trip.
Highlights
- Rupse Waterfall
- Marpha Village
- Apple Products
- Jomsom
- Nilgiri Views
- Dhaulagiri Views
Day 2
Jomsom → Muktinath → Pokhara
The road between Jomsom and Muktinath was arguably the most beautiful drive of the entire journey.
The landscape strongly reminded me of Ladakh, with its barren mountains, deep valleys, and dramatic scenery.
Before returning, we revisited Marpha and then continued toward Kushma.
Bungee Jump at The Cliff
One of the most exciting experiences of the trip.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bungee Jump | NPR 8,000 |
| Photos & Videos | NPR 1,500 |
| Transport Package | NPR 1,000 |
Since we already had our own jeep, transportation costs were avoided.
Final Cost
Approximately NPR 8,900 per person after discounts.
The jump itself was terrifying, exhilarating, and absolutely worth it.
Pokhara
We spent our final full day exploring Pokhara.
Activities
- Paragliding (NPR 8,000)
- Kayaking
- Lakeside Walk
- World Peace Pagoda
Among them, the World Peace Pagoda offered one of the best panoramic views of Pokhara.
Kathmandu Before Departure
After returning from Pokhara by overnight bus, we spent our final day exploring Kathmandu.
Places We Visited
- Thamel
- Asan Bazaar
- Durbar Square
After some last-minute shopping and food, it was finally time to head back to the airport.
Cost Summary
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight | BDT 47,500 |
| ABC Trek | NPR 28,500 |
| Mustang + Bungee | NPR 21,500 |
| Paragliding (Optional) | NPR 8,000 |
Expected Total Budget
For most travelers, this itinerary will typically cost between:
BDT 80,000 – 100,000
depending on transport choices, accommodation preferences, and optional activities.
Final Thoughts
This trip combined almost everything I personally look for in adventure travel:
- High mountain trekking
- Stunning Himalayan landscapes
- Local culture
- Scenic road trips
- Adrenaline activities
Among all experiences, Annapurna Base Camp and the Mustang Valley drive were the clear highlights.
If you have around 10 days available and want a balanced Nepal itinerary that combines trekking, sightseeing, road trips, and adventure activities, pairing ABC Trek with Mustang Valley is hard to beat.
Nepal continues to be one of the most accessible and rewarding adventure destinations for travelers from Bangladesh, and this trip was a reminder of why.