Accommodation in Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Introduction
Annapurna Base Camp trek or ABC trek is one of the most visited trekking destinations in Nepal. This particular Himalayan trial attracts tourists from across the globe and everyone wants to explore the beautiful sightseeing and challenging route of this particular trek. The ABC trek allows for fantastic views of the stunning Himalayas.
During the trekking, the trekkers get to have look at several of the most difficult, yet beautiful mountains of the world. Some of these colossal mountains are, Annapurna I, one of the tallest mountain of the world ranking 10th & Machapuchare or Fish Tail Mountain due to its shape and Hiunchuli. These mountains lend the trek a sort of serene quality – on their own, the physical size and scope is daunting enough.
This trek takes you to the Annapurna Base Camp that is a picturesque high altitude terminal of the Marsyangdi and the sibling rivers. This sanctuary is well known for a natural theatre of mountains that give such a great look to this sanctuary and makes you feel so relaxed. The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is not only a trek that challenges the physical endurance of the trekkers but it is a cultural and a natural tour of one of the most virgin areas of Nepal.
As you begin to look forward to this memorable experience, familiarizing yourself with the types of available lodging during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is important. The type of accommodation you decide on can have a significant impact on trekking. It may be effective in organizing a particularly successful trip, whether one is juggling between ABC trek and EBC trek with an aim of finding out which route suits one more in terms of preference or one had made up his/her mind to visit the Annapurna region.
This trek has several grades of accommodations, the most basic being the tea houses and the others being the lodges providing better accommodation facilities. While on the ABC trek route these lodges also serve as a shelter during a trek and they can also give a glimpse of the standard and lifestyle of people living in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a break that presents both the views of the famous Himalayan chain and the people’s culture. As you make your decision between the Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp trek or exploring the specifics of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek, being aware of the available lodges will mean your trip is as comfortable and fun as it is thrilling.
Where to Stay on Your ABC Trekking Route
During an ABC trek, one sector which will interest and also challenge anyone planning to undertake the hike will be that of shelter. Besides, the notion of trekkers having expectations of viewing mountains and experiencing challenging track of Annapurna trek, there is the issue of where one gets good places of resting during the trekking. This will help you to best know your possibilities as far as the accommodation is preferable as you move on in the course of the ABC sanctuary experience while undertaking the Annapurna trekking route.
Tea Houses and Lodges: The Heart of Lodging on the ABC Trek
In the course of the Annapurna Base Camp trekking, there is mostly the use of the local tea house for accommodation. These tea houses can be found in all the villages which trekkers traverse during the ABC trek; they feed the trekkers and also provide accommodation to them. They are a key component of the trekking in Nepal; they offer the trekker a place to stay as well as a means of coming into contact with the locals as well as other trekkers.
Tea houses provide a little more than a comfortable bed and blanket plus shower room facilities, which are rather cozy and simple. As one penetrates deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary, many services are more or less crude because of the natural features; however, the welcome extends and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking.
Here’s a closer look at what you can expect in different villages along the Annapurna Base Camp trek:
Ghandruk:
This pretty Gurung village is usually the first important halt on the Annapurna Sanctuary trekking route. Tea houses of Ghandruk are very much developed to provide comfort to the trekkers with excellent views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare. The tea houses here are exceptionally clean, have blankets and the hosts are usually friendly and narrate stories of the mountains or the culture of the place adding value to the trekking.
Chhomrong:
This village is popular with tourist due to the many tea houses and lodges found there and more importantly, it is the starting point to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Here you will get simple beds with shared facility up to fairly comfortable rooms with own bath and hot shower. The few days’ stop at Chhomrong is considered one of the best in terms of view which is directed towards the Machhapuchare (Fishtail) Mountain.
Dovan and Deurali:
It is in the trek route of ABC where you may find comparatively cheaper hotels in Dovan and Deurali villages. Here the tea houses available are quite basic as compared to others, mainly serving as a place to relax after a whole day of walking. The provisions are limited but the hospitality of the tea house people and the magnificent scenery of the nature makes tea house an inevitable part of Annapurna trekking. Such tea houses are very useful as you progress up the region with increasing altitude.
Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC):
Cozily perched at an altitude of 3,700 meters, the lodges at Machhapuchhre Base Camp or MBC are the final frontier before you get to Annapurna Base Camp. Because of that, the lodging here is a bit more Spartan, as the area here is situated at a significantly higher elevation and is more isolated. However, the picture of the Annapurna massif seen from MBC fully compensates for such sparseness of the lodges. Trekkers can rest here and have some days of rest and acclimatization before lodging at Annapurna Base Camp.
Annapurna Base Camp:
One of the loveliest and irresistible destinations of the Annapurna trekking, Annapurna Base Camp stands at the height of 4130m. Tea houses at Annapurna Base Camp are rather simple but adequate to accommodate trekkers while they, literally, are surrounded by giants of the mountain. To wake up at night in this close vicinity of the imposing walls of the Annapurna Sanctuary remains in the memory of many people. Tea houses here offer food, hot beverages, and a comfortable bed to rest – or as Shakespeare puts it: all the accompaniments which one needs to savor the sweet fruit of one’s endeavor.
Choosing the Best Places to Stay on the ABC Trek Route
The right kind of accommodation can definitely enhance your trekking experience on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Different kinds of lodging facilities line up along the route of the ABC trek, ranging from very basic tea houses to relatively more comfortable lodges, each with its own character and charm. Here's how to make the most of your accommodation choices:
Accommodation:
Most of the tea houses along the Annapurna trek offer similar facilities; at most houses you can have a good meal in the dining area available, ranging from traditional Nepali food to more familiar Western fare. Rooms are generally twin-sharing with shared bathrooms, though some in the bigger villages like Chhomrong, have private rooms and attached bathrooms. The higher you climb, particularly above Chhomrong, the more Spartan it gets—the fewer options for hot showers and Wi-Fi.
Budget Accommodation:
For trekkers on a strict budget, there do exists a good number of accommodation options available along the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Prices at teahouses vary greatly depending on altitude and services provided. Prices always seem to shoot upwards as you head higher. While the prices for accommodation are remarkably low, consider that other food items and services may become significantly more expensive as transportation becomes difficult at higher altitudes. It's a good idea to carry extra cash because there are no ATMs on the Annapurna Base Camp trek route.
Best Views:
One of the reasons one would want to stay at the teahouses on the ABC trek route is that most of them offer breathtaking views. Some of these teahouses perch in places that give views of the mountain landscape around and make your stay even special. For example, tea houses at Chhomrong and Machapuchare Base Camp provide some of the most amazing views; one can wake up with rising sun on Himalayas.
Tips for Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp
The time to venture into the Annapurna Base Camp trek is a time of excitement, but like every other trek in the Himalayas, it is highly demanding in terms of planning and preparation. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a first-timer to Nepal, these practical tips will help ensure your journey through the Annapurna Sanctuary trek goes smooth and safe.
Advance Booking
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most frequented treks in Nepal, with thousands of trekkers visiting annually. Even though the trek has a very well-established tea house and lodge network servicing it, it's wise to book accommodation in advance, especially if you are going to visit during the peak spring season from March to May and autumn season from September to November.
These are the periods in which the number of trekkers multiplies a lot along the trail, and places such as popular villages like Chhomrong and MBC can fill up fast. When you book your room in advance, you will not only rest comfortably but also enjoy your trek without worrying about finding a bed after a hard day.
Pack Smart
This is one of the most important things when preparing for your Annapurna Sanctuary trek. The good news is that most of the higher altitude lodges on the Annapurna Base Camp trek do, in fact, provide some level of basic bedding and blankets, so you can pack a little lighter. Although, it is very highly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag, especially as you reach the higher camps where the temperatures plummet close to or below the freezing mark. A warm, comfortable sleeping bag can literally make all the difference in having a good night's rest, which is so important in dealing with the challenging trek.
Besides your sleeping bag, there are a few other essentials you may want to pack to make the journey that much more comfortable along the route for the ABC trek. An effective headlamp will be indispensable at night, and you might often need to pass through dark pathways or look for a bathroom in the middle of the night. Another must-have is a power bank, because electricity can be limited or unavailable in some of the more remote villages, so it will keep your devices charged throughout the trek. Not leaving out personal toiletries, you should bring along with you a biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer, and a quick-dry towel, which cannot be found so easily at high altitudes.
Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp Trek: What's the Difference?
While comparing the treks of Annapurna Base Camp vs. Everest Base Camp, large disparities have to be recognized in accommodation and the whole experience of trekking. While both treks give fantastic views and a unique way of getting over the Himalayas, they are for specific types of trekkers.
Generally speaking, Annapurna Base Camp trek is better in variety and more accessible in accommodation than that of the Everest region just because of the lower altitude. The lodges on the trek are generally comfortable and varied, so the trek is well suited to any trekkers wishing for best comfort and accessibility during their trip. The reduced altitude also means that the risk of altitude sickness is less, and trekkers can enjoy it to a much higher level, particularly for people who are not exposed to high altitudes.
The Annapurna Sanctuary treks will also provide for a more contrasting experience than the barren, rugged terrain of the Everest region. The Annapurna trek passes through lush forests, terraced fields, and picture postcard villages. This forms the backdrop of the trek: diverse and scenic. Needless to say, all this changes dramatically as one goes higher. Yet another special factor of the ABC trek is its proximity to the peaks. Nothing quite compares with being in midst of towering snow-capped mountains in the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Ultimately, the views from both treks—the Annapurna Base Camp and the Everest Base Camp—are equally magnificent of the regal Himalayas. The one you go for will thus be based upon personal preference: the kind of scenery to be viewed, the altitude at which you feel comfortable, and the type of accommodation you prefer during your trek.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Base Camp trek stands out, taking you through some of Nepal's most breathtaking landscapes; the difference comes with your choice of accommodation. Whether it be a small tea house in Ghandruk, perfectly suited to the atmosphere; a rustic lodge of Deurali; or simply an available basic, though appealing, accommodation and tea house at Annapurna Base Camp, each of these venues along the ABC trek route creates a different experience that enhances your journey.
Planning ahead of time, selecting the right kind of accommodation, and being able to soak in the local culture are not only going to make your ABC trekking journey comfortable but also one which you will be able to treasure. The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is much more than a mere trek; rather, it's a journey through the heart of the Himalayas.
