Food and Accommodation during Annapurna Base Camp Trek

12 Nov 2024 Himalaya Trip

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal’s most famous but equally complicated treks. It would help if you considered many factors while trekking the ABC trek, but food and accommodation are the factors to consider. The ABC trek is quite strenuous as you have to trek for at least 10 to 15 days and every day for about six to seven hours, so you need proper energy and a place to stay.

The ABC trek is top-rated and easy among other complicated treks in Nepal. There are many difficulties that trekkers can face during the ABC trek, such as altitude sickness, dynamic weather, harsh terrain conditions, etc. So if you don’t take care of food and accommodation, then these factors might make you ill and halt your trek on the stop.

Food and Accommodation during Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Food and Accommodation are two of the critical factors of trekking as they provide comfort, relaxation, and chances to rejuvenate after long days and hours of hiking every day. The bodies of trekkers need adequate energy, nutrients, and food. They also need a proper place to sleep to eliminate fatigue and tiredness.

Types of Foods

Regarding food in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the trekkers will have meals thrice daily. They are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is the critical meal of the day, starting early in the morning and before any trek. After the first portion of the trek, the trekkers stop in one of the villages with restaurants to have lunch, and in the evening, after reaching the new teahouse, they will have dinner. So let’s get into it.

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day. Before beginning your trek for the first time in a day, the trekkers need to have breakfast in the teahouse they are staying in. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day when hiking. It gives you the energy you need to tackle the trails in the morning. So, never skip breakfast! Usually, you will have breakfast in the teahouse or lodge where you spend the night. Breakfast is served early, from 6 to 8 a.m. because you must start hiking early to avoid the midday sun. There is nothing like enjoying a hearty breakfast while watching the mountains light up with the morning sun.

There are plenty of options regarding breakfast from which you can choose. Nepal set breakfast is the most common meal you want early in the morning. This fixed breakfast menu has Tibetan Bread mixed with Eggs, Local Jams, Honey, etc. You can also choose from Toast, Pancakes, Porridge, Muesli, and different varieties of Egg dishes. During breakfast, you will also have options for other drinks like tea, coffee, lemon tea, and honey tea. Some trekkers might think skipping breakfast will help them move faster, which is not valid, so make sure you always have breakfast before moving in the morning.

Lunch and Dinner

Lunch and Dinner are equally important meals that trekkers need during their expeditions. After trekking for four to five years, you will stop in the certain teahouse for lunch around 12 to 1 PM. If you have hired an authorized guide, they can also take you to reputable restaurants so you can have your lunch early.

The teahouse or lodge where we stay serves dinner. After hiking, we freshen up and eat in the dining hall. Dinner is served most evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at tea shops along the Annapurna Base Camp trail. Since it gets cold outside at night, there is a firewood stove in the center of the dining hall where we have dinner. Here are some menu options you will find during Lunch and Dinner.

Nepali Dal Bhat

Nepali Dal Bhat Tarkari is the most typical menu for lunch and dinner. This dish is made up of rice, lentils, and vegetable curry. You have options to choose from the vegetable and vegetable dishes. The trekkers can have either dish with many vegetable curry or meat options from chicken, goat, and pig.

Fried Rice

If you don’t want to enjoy the plain Dal Bhat, you have different options, such as fried rice. Like fried rice, you can also choose from vegetable and nonvegetable options. You can select from Veg Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Buff Fried Rice, and Pork Fried Rice.

Momo

Momo is a popular dish in Nepal. It is a steamed dumpling that comes in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. You can find momos along the Himalayan routes and in many cities. The Jhol momo with spicy soup is one of the most popular options for trekkers walking in the Himalayan snowy regions.

Pizzas and Burgers

Apart from the Nepalese cuisine’s local delicacies, the trekkers can also choose from Western dishes. Some of the most common Western dishes are Pizzas and Burgers. The Nepalese have started to learn how to prepare culinary Pizzas and Burgers by visiting foreign countries and returning to settle in the Annapurna region’s hotels, lodges, and teahouses. They serve the best Pizza during this trek. You must try.

Daily Snacks

In the daily ABC trek, make sure you have purchased some snacks to consume daily. Chewing and trekking throughout the trek will keep the trek enjoyable. Small snacks like chocolate, candy, ginger, etc will keep you motivated while trekking. The day hike usually ends between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. After the hike, you can have a small snack, as dinner will be served several hours later. You can eat what you brought or ask the teahouse staff to prepare something quick, like instant noodles. Snacks are expensive at high altitudes, so bringing portable snacks such as cup noodles, protein bars, chocolate bars, or biscuits is a good idea.

Drinks

Apart from eating healthy diets, trekkers must also remain hydrated. They must avoid drinking dirty water that can be filled from the taps and the handle pumps. You must get clean drinking water and other means to hydrate your body. Keeping your body hydrated all the time will prevent you from the possibility of altitude sickness. Here are some options for drinks in the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

• Tea – Milk Tea, Black Tea, Ginger Tea, Honey Tea
• Hot Chocolate
• Coffee – Milk Coffee, Black Coffee, Brewed Coffee, Expresso, Americano etc in the luxury hotels.
• Soft Drinks – Fanta, Sprite, Coca-cola and Slice
• Juices – Natural squeezed Juices or Packaged Juices like Frooty or Real Juice
• Energy Drinks – Red Bull, Gatorade, Lucozade, Monster Energy

Among the drinks, you will also find alcohol to choose from. In the Annapurna region, you can find many locally made alcoholic drinks with unique flavors and significance. There are also various internationally known beers, whiskeys, rums, vodkas, and many “Raksi,” a traditional local drink. You should be a bit careful if you are planning to drink alcohol on the high-altitude trek. Alcohol can dehydrate your body, increasing the risk of altitude sickness. So, be cautious with alcohol consumption and, if possible, avoid it entirely while climbing.

Types of Accommodation

Comfortable Teahouses

Teahouses along the ABC trail provide basic accommodation. This usually includes a bed with a mattress, a blanket, and a pillow. There is no heating in the rooms. Two people typically share the rooms , and bathroom facilities are shared. In higher altitude areas, accommodations may be more basic, and some teahouses might offer dormitory-style sleeping arrangements. The most common facilities that any teahouse can provide are twin beds, shared bathrooms, and community dining areas. The native Gurung have established teahouses in their home, believing in treating the guests as the gods.

Guest houses

Guest Houses are another option in terms of accommodation. These guest houses are more established and have more services than the normal teahouses. Guest houses or lodges are more expensive because they are cozier than the average homestays and guesthouses.

Some of the facilities you can find in the guest houses are single bedrooms, hot showers, easy access to the internet and WIFI. Some guest houses are even more luxurious, where you will get extra services like electric blankets. You might also have to pay extra for the room with breathtaking views from where you will see stunning views of the mountains.

Facilities of the Accommodation in Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The accommodation for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek ranges from hotel lodges to teahouses. Each of these means of accommodation has some standard services which will make the experience of trekkers easy and comforting. Here are some services you will get during the ABC trek.

Dining Area

Dining areas let trekkers in lodges and tea shops share stories about their adventures while eating. The dining area is heated, and a fireplace in the room boils water. Gathering around the fire to tell stories and laugh is a great way to end a tiring day. The common area has tables or benches where people can sit and eat.

Twin Beds

In most Annapurna Base Camp Trek teahouses, you will find a room with twin beds, which you have to share with the trekkers. Only in some luxurious tea houses will you find the rooms with single beds. As the altitude increases, the trek’s remoteness also increases, making trekking a bit complicated. The remoteness also shows in the teahouses you will be staying in.

Tips for Food and Accommodation During Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trekking in a foreign country is challenging, especially when getting proper food and accommodation services. Here are some tips for food and accommodation that you might need to follow during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

• In the remote locations of the Annapurna region, make sure you carry enough cash to buy snacks that will keep your mouth busy.
• Food safety standards are generally good, but using hand sanitizer before meals is essential.
• Many experts recommend avoiding veg meals, eating meat products, and sticking to vegetables and fruits. 
• Ensure you only eat cooked food, as there are fewer facilities, hospitals, and medical centers.

Conclusion

Hence, food and accommodation are essential factors that trekkers have to be wary of during the excursions. The trekkers will mostly stay in hotels, lodges, and teahouses; however, they will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

So we hope our guide on accommodation and food will help you make the best decision. Next time you are exploring the Annapurna region, make sure you stay in ideal accommodation and avoid eating foods with caffeine and alcohol products.

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