Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of those trips that stays in your heart forever. As a guide, I’ve walked this trail many times, but every time feels different. It’s not just about the tall mountains. It’s about the people you meet, the changing villages, the early morning views, and those peaceful tea houses where the dal bhat tastes better than anywhere else.

The trek usually starts from Nayapul or Jhinu. Most people come by jeep from Pokhara. Once you hit the trail, things start to slow down. You walk past rice fields, stone houses, and small shops. Locals greet you with a smile and a “Namaste.” Kids often wave and run alongside for a few meters before heading back to help their families. That’s the charm of the lower region. It feels alive and warm.

The route takes you through Ghandruk or Chhomrong depending on which side you come from. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung village. You’ll see traditional houses, people in cultural dress, and museums that show how life used to be here. Chhomrong is another major stop. From here, the trail goes down to a river and then climbs again. This up and down becomes a regular part of your days. We sometimes joke that the Annapurna trail is a “Nepali flat” — not really flat, just always up or down. As you go higher, the landscape changes. Forests get denser, and you’ll walk through bamboo and rhododendron trees. In spring, the rhododendron flowers light up the trail in red and pink. The air gets cooler. You might spot langurs or hear birds calling from deep in the jungle. It feels peaceful, almost like the mountain is guiding you quietly. Places like Bamboo, Dovan, and Deurali are popular rest points. These small places offer simple tea houses. You’ll meet other trekkers here, sharing food, stories, and sometimes a laugh around the heater. Everyone’s walking for their own reason, but here, it feels like we’re all part of the same journey.

As a guide, one of my favorite spots is Machhapuchhre Base Camp, or MBC. The mountain views start to open up here. Machhapuchhre, also called Fishtail, stands tall and sharp. It’s sacred, so climbing is not allowed, but just looking at it feels powerful. From MBC, it’s a few more hours to reach Annapurna Base Camp. This last stretch is something special. The trail gets wide, snow might cover some parts, and the cold hits you harder, but your heart starts to beat faster — not just from the altitude, but from excitement.

And then you arrive. Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 meters, surrounded by a circle of mountains. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and others stand like silent giants. People don’t talk much when they first get there. Most just sit down, breathe, and look. The sunrise here is magic. When the first light hits the peaks, they turn golden, and the valley lights up slowly. It’s not just beautiful — it feels personal. Like the mountain is saying good morning just to you.

Life at base camp is simple. Rooms are basic, and nights can be very cold. But you eat warm food, drink ginger tea, and sleep like a baby after the long hike. Some people get emotional here. It’s a mix of tiredness, happiness, and awe. Many tell me it’s the best thing they’ve done in their life.

Coming down is easier, but the knees feel it. We usually return through the same trail, sometimes with a detour to Jhinu Danda for a hot spring bath. Sitting in warm water with mountain views is the perfect way to relax tired legs.

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is not just a trek. It’s a walk through changing cultures, forests, and mountains. You feel the difference in air, in people, in the way tea tastes. You learn to walk slow, greet everyone, and enjoy small things — like a warm noodle soup or a good view after a tough climb.