The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a popular trekking destination after EBC. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers stunning views of the great Himalayas, local cultural encounters, diverse landscapes, and a close connection to nature. During peak season, the trail is crowded, and it's quite difficult to get lodges or teahouse accommodation. During peak season, trekkers need to book in advance.
Such facilities in the Annapurna region are not luxurious, but the home-like treatment keeps you relaxed and satisfied. They give you a twin-sharing room having a wooden bed, a mattress, and a blanket. The bathroom is shared, and there may be no facility for a hot shower.
But there will also be other forms of accommodation facilities like simple teahouses, normal lodges, or camping accommodations. The teahouse gives minimal facilities, but the lodges give a more elevated standard of service than the teahouse. For the accommodation by camping, the trekkers will have to carry a tent, food, and a sleeping bag for themselves.
If you are to trek to Annapurna Base Camp, choose a well-established and appropriate trekking company that provides you with the best facilities and services for your accommodation and food.
Types of Accommodation on the ABC Trek
Teahouses
Generally, a teahouse serves very basic facilities, yet this is one of the popular and widespread forms of accommodation along the ABC trail. Teahouses are run by local families, so this offers trekkers an authentic experience of rural Nepali lifestyle and culture. As this is run by families, you need to have your meals where you stay.
Basically, rooms are cozy, twin-sharing bedrooms with a wooden bed, a mattress, and warm blankets with pillows. There will not be a heater available. Don’t expect an attached bathroom and hot water for a shower. Bathrooms are shared, and most of the teahouses have squat-style toilets.
The main highlight of the teahouse accommodation is its dining hall. It is a big and warm room where all the fellow trekkers sit in Nepali style or at tables and have a meal. There may not be availability of electricity and internet facilities. So, pack your needed items wisely.
Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, Chhomrong, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya, Deurali, MBC (Machhapuchhre Base Camp), and ABC (Annapurna Base Camp), all these places have good teahouse facilities.
Camping
Camping during the trek offers thrilling experiences. Although ABC does not have a larger ground to camp on like EBC, it offers a great experience of camping in rugged terrain. During the spring and autumn seasons, camping would be a great choice. These seasons are peak seasons; you may not get teahouse or lodge accommodation, so camping will be a perfect choice. It offers a great experience, and trekkers can get connected with nature.
Camping on the ABC trek is an option for those who want more freedom or are traveling with their crew. For camping, you require a porter, a cook, a guide, a tent, and food supplies. Camping accommodation is perfect for off-the-beaten-path detours, customized trekking routes, or during lodge overcrowding in peak season.
Lodges
Lodges offer rooms with bathrooms, hot shower facilities, electricity, and internet facilities. If you prefer better services and facilities during the ABC trek, then go for lodges.
Standard Mountain Lodges offers private rooms with hot shower facilities. Internet facilities are also available, but their speed is slow. The food options are larger than in teahouses, and it costs quite a bit more than a basic teahouse. In larger villages such as Ghorepani, Chhomrong, and Jhinu Danda, you’ll find these types of lodges.
If you prefer more comfort, then luxury lodges are for you. Luxury lodges offer very comfortable bedrooms with attached bathrooms, hot showers, and internet facilities. There will be a variety of food options, like Nepali and international cuisine. During peak season, advance booking is recommended. Luxury lodges are mostly available at lower elevations like Ghandruk, Landruk, or Dhampus. It costs high, but the facilities you get make it worth it.
Cost of Accommodation on the ABC Trek
Here's a quick summary of the ABC Trek accommodation charge:
Basic Tea House: USD 2–7
Standard Lodge: USD 10–30
Luxury Lodge: USD 50–150
Add-ons:
Hot shower: $2–4
Wi-Fi: $2–5
Charging of devices: $1–3 an hour/device
Meals run around USD 5–10 per course, and you are meant to dine at the lodge where you lodge.
The cost varies from place to place, and during peak season it costs more than in other seasons. So, conform to your travel agency and plan your trek.
Why are there limited accommodation facilities en route to ABC?
● MBC and ABC have fewer trekkers due to their elevation and short stays, making it impossible to build larger structures.
● Available land is limited and predominantly under family ownership in high-altitude villages. Small-scale lodges are built by locals based on available land and demand.
● The off-season of peak trekking months (spring and autumn) is relatively short. The monsoon and winter months experience a drastic drop in trekkers, hence the requirement for building more lodges that would remain vacant for months.
● Most of the trail to the Annapurna Base Camp goes through
● The Annapurna Sanctuary is a remote, mountainous landscape with minimal road access and infrastructure. Building materials are brought in by porter or mule, restricting mass development.
● The peak trekking seasons (autumn and spring) are very brief. In monsoon and winter, there are hardly any trekkers, removing the incentive to build more lodges that would sit vacant for months.
● Much of the trail lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area, with strict environmental and construction regulations to preserve the fragile ecosystem and original landscape.
Best Place to Stay on the ABC Trek
Ghorepani
Ghorepani is a popular acclimatization stop on the ABC trail. There are well-managed lodges that offer warm services. The lodges of this stop offer comfortable rooms, attached bathrooms, hot showers, and good options for food. Also, hike to Poon Hill from here to witness the stunning panoramic sunrise view over the Himalayas.
Tadapani
Tadapani is a village surrounded by forest. This place is a stopping point for trekkers who come from Ghorepani. This village offers cozy teahouse accommodation with basic facilities and services. This village offers stunning views of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.
Chhomrong
Chhomrong is the biggest stop on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is also a gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary. The infrastructure of this place is well-developed, and the lodges/teahouses offer good accommodation rooms with hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity facilities. This is the perfect place to rest your body before trekking in a high-altitude region.
Bamboo and Dovan
Both Bamboo and Dovan have very limited lodges, which are mainly for tourists. They serve basic facilities as you have been served in previous stops. There are twin-sharing rooms, and normally bathrooms are outside the teahouse. They serve limited warm meals.
Deurali, MBC, and ABC
In Deurali, MBC, and ABC, the lodges/teahouses are basic but adequate. These villages are essential overnight stops for altitude acclimatization. During peak season, booking in advance is recommended, and early arrival is also recommended. You’ll get very basic food, but the views from these places will stun you.
Jhinu Danda
Jhinu Danda is well-known for its natural hot spring by the Modi Khola river. This stop offers comfortable basic lodging. The food options are limited, but trekkers get authentic food.
Booking Tips for ABC Trek Accommodation
● Always book your accommodation in advance.
● Trek during the off-season if you want a peaceful environment and to connect with nature.
● Hire a porter or a guide. They help you arrange the accommodation.
● Accommodation in high-altitude regions is basic. So be flexible.
● Bring enough cash, as you ascend, there are no ATM facilities.
● Always carry a sleeping bag for yourself.
● Arrive early in the teahouse so that you can select the room you like.
Conclusion
Accommodation on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek primarily consists of teahouses and lodges run by local families. These accommodations offer basic but comfortable facilities, including twin-sharing rooms, warm blankets, and communal dining areas. As you ascend, amenities become more limited, with shared bathrooms and limited hot water. Despite the simplicity, the warm hospitality of the hosts and the cozy atmosphere provide a unique and memorable experience. Booking during peak seasons is recommended due to high demand. Overall, the accommodation on the ABC trek is sufficient, affordable, and enhances the cultural immersion of this incredible Himalayan journey.
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