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When you plan to visit Nepal in your vacation, you might think, “What is the best trek in Nepal for lifelong experience of natural and cultural varieties?” Or even, you might ask “What makes a trekking destination more attractive?”
We recommend your bucket list must include Annapurna Base Camp Trek while planning to spend your holidays in Nepal. “What are the major attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek?” is perhaps the first question to come to your mind.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is the most popular trekking package in Nepal. About one third of the total international tourists who come to Nepal do this trek. Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, it takes you to the closest place from the world’s 10th highest peak.
ABC Trek is a lifelong experience of natural and cultural wonders of Nepal. It begins from the Lake City Pokhara, which is also called the gateway to Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek. Moving along the beautiful Gurung, Magar, and Aryan Villages is the most pleasant reward that owes back to your investment.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is moderate to adventurous trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. The local communities of the Annapurna Region are actively involved in promoting tourism in their vicinity. The trails are regularly maintained and new tourist destinations are developed to attract a large number of international tourists. Thus, the Annapurna Region is also a tourist hub in Nepal.
The friendly people are always respectful and hospitable to the tourists who visit their places. The community people have developed teahouses, home stay sites, and local lodges to provide food and accommodation services to the tourists.
The Lake City Pokhara, flora and fauna of the ACAP, neat and clean villages and splendid snowcapped peaks have allured thousands of international tourists every year.
We try to address the query “What makes Annapurna Base Camp Trek a must-do activity in Nepal?” This blog intends to highlight the major attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek so that you can choose it without any dilemma.
Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp:
You can reach two popular base camps during Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) is a vantage point that offers you splendid vistas of soaring peaks, and mountainous valleys.
Before heading towards Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), you spend some time in MBC. It is the base camp of one of the world’s highest virgin peaks. Your Annapurna Base Camp Trek remains incomplete without exploring this vantage point.
Traversing through the Annapurna Sanctuary, you head to the base camp of Mount Annapurna (8,091m). You must spend a night at ABC to observe the sunset and sunrise views of the sparkling mountains of this region.
Views of the snow-clad peaks, the Machhapuchhre Valley, mountainous villages, and green hills are the major attractions of ABC Trek.
Excellent View of the Soaring Mountains:
Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers you excellent view of the soaring mountains of the Annapurna Massif and the Dhaulagiri (8,167m) Massif.
The Annapurna Massif alone has 16 peaks above 6,000m, 13 peaks over 7,000m, and one eight-8,000er of Nepal. Mount Annapurna or Annapurna I (8,091m) is a historical 8,000m+ peak in itself.
Mt. Annapurna is the first 8,000m peak in the world ascended by humankind. A French Expedition team led by Maurice Herzog reached the Annapurna Summit on June 3, 1950. Before that day, people around the world did not have even thought that they could ever reach the summit of an 8,000m+ peak!
Besides Annapurna I, ABC Trek rewards you with the astounding view of Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), Gangapurna (7,455m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Huinchuli (6,441m),
Among these, Mt. Fishtail (6,993m) is one of the highest virgin peaks in the world. Its reflection on the Phewa Lake is the best thing to enjoy while in the Tourism Capital of Nepal, Pokhara.
Flora and Fauna of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
Flora and fauna of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) are the major attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The ACAP is highly rich in biodiversity that includes estimated 1,352 species of plants, 128 mammals, 40 reptiles, and 23 amphibians.
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Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tadapani section of ACAP houses one of the largest rhododendron forests in the world. Among 30 species found in Nepal, eight different rhododendron species are found in this part of Annapurna Region. Doing ABC Trek in spring is the best time for Rhododendron View Trek in Nepal.
Moreover, the presence of 518 bird species and 348 species of butterflies has further beautified this conservation area. The ACAP is an ultimate destination for bird watching tour in Nepal. Similarly, the scientists who want to study about birds, animals, butterflies, and plants choose this in-situ as their destination.
The birds such as Himalayan pheasant, woodpecker, white and red-rumped vulture, spiny babbler, partridge, red jungle fowl, barbet, and kingfisher are local to this region.
Steppe polecat, argali, kiang, Tibetan gazelle, Kashmir musk deer, golden jackal, snow leopard, and red panda live in the upper part of the ACAP. While trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, you have some glimpses of monkey, grey langur, Chinese pangolin, red fox, leopard, etc.
This is the only protected area of Nepal where all 6 Himalayan Pheasant species are found. Moreover, the largest rhododendron forests in the world in situated in Ghorepani Poon Hill section.
While traversing through this conservation gives you a lifelong experience of admiring the diverse bird, animal, and plant species. When you do Annapurna Base Camp Trek in spring, the entire region looks stunningly beautiful. Among 32 species in Nepal, you can find 8 rhododendron flowers in the ACAP.
Natural Hot Springs:
The natural hot springs diving from the highland to meet the Kali Gandaki River are other attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. Natural waterfalls are commonly found all over the world. However, the waterfalls in Annapurna Region are naturally hot.
The perennial snow fed springs en route are the best places to take a short pause to enjoy the water and for a rest. Playing with the hot water gives you relaxation on the one hand while on the other, recharges your energy. In the long-run, it helps you cope with the Acute Mountain Sickness because you ascend gradually to higher places.
Among numerous natural hot springs of the Annapurna Region, the one found in Jhinu Danda is the most popular. The local tour operators in Nepal often arrange one night stand in Jhinu Danda before ending of the trek.
Annapurna Region trekkers enjoy the bath at the Jhinu Danda Spring that lies on the bank of the Modi River.
It is believed that bathing in the hot springs of Jhinu Danda heals your muscle aches and bruises if any. The relaxing bath here makes you forget the trekking fatigue as well.
Showcase of Cultures and Traditions:
The villages of the various ethnic communities are the cultural attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The majority of people in the Annapurna Region are from Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. The males of these communities have a long history of services in the British and the Indian Armies, Singapore Police, etc.
Many of them fought bravely in the World Wars and other battles that took place in different times in the history. Due to the bravery they demonstrated in these wars, they are honoured with a title ‘The Brave Gurkhas’. During ABC Trek, you can still meet some of them who will narrate the interesting war stories they had experienced.
The stone-roofed houses, clean surrounding, open but fenced courtyard paved with large stone slabs are the identity of these Lahure Villages. “Lahure” is a common term given to the armies and polices in their communities. It means brave people who prefer death to surrender and dishonour.
The women dressed in their cultural dress and traditional ornaments look really beautiful. Their cultural dances in the traditional music is something to observe while in Nepal. The Aama Samuhas (Mothers’ Groups) in many villages of the Annapurna Region perform the cultural shows to entertain the tourists. On the other hand, it is the best way to preserve their century-old culture and tradition to hand over to the coming generations.
Among these cultural heritage sites, the Gurung Museum of Ghandruk Village stands in the first position. This museum is a gallery of the traditional weapons and technologies used in their communities since ancient time.
Best Teahouses en Route:
Teahouses are other attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is completely a teahouse trekking in Nepal. Due to the involvement of the local communities in tourism industry, they have developed teahouses, lodges, and resorts in all the stopovers.
The teahouses provide quality accommodation services to the visitors to their places. The rooms have windows opening towards the Himalayas. The clean floor, neat bed sheets, and facilities of water in the restrooms make these teahouses comfortable. In addition to this, many of the rooms have attached bathrooms in them. Some provide hot water all times of the day as well.
Every teahouse provides facilities to charge the electric gadgets to the travelers. The solar panels are set in the places where electricity has not reached yet. However, in some places, you may pay extra charges for using electric supplies other than for light.
Organic Food:
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Organic food is another attraction of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You can find food items from the typical Nepali to continental and fast food items as well. Pizza, burger, pasta, noodles, chow mien, dumplings, and other bakery items are also found. Hot soup (both veg and non-veg) are also found along with tea and coffee.
The Annapurna Region is famous for the Thakali Dish originally from the Manang region. It is a typical set of food Nepali food served with Gundruk (the fermented vegetables) pickle. The other hit is the typical Nepali cuisine Daal Bhaat. There is a famous saying in Nepali that eating Daal Bhaat gives your energy for all 24 hours. It is translated Daal Bhaat power 24 hours!
You can also have Dhindo Gundruk: porridge-like soft food made of barley, wheat, and millet flour and the fermented vegetable soup. You can taste Dhindo with chicken, fish, and mutton soup as well. However, in the high altitude places, you had better avoid non-veg items as they may not be fresh and hygienic.
Bread and curry is another food item found while in Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The bread of wheat, millet, barley, and corn flour is hygienic and full of calories. The vegetables served in your lunch and dinner are purely hygienic as they are produced in their own kitchen gardens.
Green salad of vegetables and fruits served with the yoghurt is dessert that almost every host offers you. As the chemical pesticides and fertilizers are rarely used in the mountainous part, all you get to eat is organic food, vegetables, and fruits.
Conclusion:
Among various attractions of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, major ones are discussed here. While choosing a trek in Nepal, you must know about its natural and cultural aspects along with the most adventurous activities. The Annapurna Region is an appropriate trekking destination in Nepal recommended for international trekkers of all ages and interests.
A1 Excursion Adventure Family has been serving our valuable clients for more than 15 years to choose the right tour and trekking in Nepal. We emphasize on your safety and satisfaction more than anything else. Join us as a customer but go as a friend!
