Walking to Annapurna Base Camp: A Journey Through Mountains, Culture, and Simple Joys
Annapurna Base Camp Trek—where every step brings new views, local stories, and moments you will never forget.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is one of those trips that stays in your heart forever. As a guide, I have walked this trail many times, but every time feels different. It is not just about the tall mountains. It is 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.
I’ve seen all kinds of trekkers — young, old, fast, slow. What matters is not your speed, but your spirit. If you walk with an open heart, Annapurna gives you memories you’ll carry for life. And as a guide, there’s nothing better than seeing someone’s eyes light up when they first see that mountain view. That’s when I know — they’ve felt it too.
About the Creator
Cristofer Farnandez
I'm a travel guide at Adventure White Himalaya. We offer great mountain trip packages. Even if you can’t trek long, you can still see Everest up close with our Everest View Trek, just a few hours of walking to make your dream come true.
Keep reading
More stories from Cristofer Farnandez and writers in Earth and other communities.
Tilicho Lake Trek — Walk to the World's Highest Lake and Feel the Adventure
If you are looking for a trek that offers both adventure and peace, the Tilicho Lake Trek might be just what you need. It takes you through some of Nepal’s most beautiful mountain trails and rewards you with the sight of Tilicho Lake, standing proud as the world’s highest lake at 4,919 meters. With changing landscapes, quiet villages, and close-up mountain views, this trek gives you an experience you won’t forget.
By Cristofer Farnandez9 months ago in Earth
“Are You Dead?”: A New App Reflects the Loneliness of Young Chinese Living Alone
In China’s rapidly changing cities, living alone is no longer unusual—especially among young adults pursuing education, careers, and independence. But as solo living increases, so do concerns about isolation, safety, and what happens when no one is around to check in. Against this backdrop, a new app with a blunt, unsettling question—“Are you dead?”—has captured public attention and ignited debate. Despite its shocking name, the app is not designed to provoke fear. Instead, it aims to address a practical and emotional gap in modern urban life: how to ensure the well-being of people who live alone, and how technology is stepping in where traditional community networks have weakened. The Rise of Solo Living in China China has witnessed a dramatic shift in household structures over the past two decades. Urbanization, delayed marriage, rising housing costs, and changing cultural values have contributed to a growing number of single-person households, particularly among people in their 20s and 30s. For many young Chinese professionals, living alone represents freedom and self-reliance. It allows flexibility, privacy, and independence from family expectations. Yet this independence often comes with trade-offs: fewer daily social interactions, weaker neighborhood ties, and limited support in emergencies. In megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, it is increasingly common for neighbors not to know each other at all. In this environment, concerns about what happens if someone becomes ill, injured, or simply disappears from daily routines have become more pronounced. What the App Actually Does Despite its provocative name, the app’s purpose is surprisingly simple. It functions as a digital check-in system. Users set regular times to confirm they are okay—by tapping a notification or completing a brief check-in. If the user fails to respond after a certain period, the app automatically alerts designated contacts, such as friends, family members, or emergency responders. The stark question, “Are you dead?”, is intentionally designed to grab attention and prompt action. Developers argue that softer language is often ignored, while blunt phrasing cuts through digital noise and encourages consistent use. In essence, the app acts as a safety net, especially for people who live alone and may not have daily contact with others. Why Young People Are Downloading It The app’s popularity reflects deeper anxieties among young adults navigating modern life. Many users say they downloaded it not because they fear the worst every day, but because it provides peace of mind—both for themselves and for loved ones. For parents living far from their children, the app offers reassurance without constant phone calls. For users, it creates a sense of being quietly watched over, without sacrificing independence. Some users have also described the app as a form of emotional comfort. Even a routine notification can feel like a reminder that someone, somewhere, would notice if they vanished from daily life. A Name That Sparked Debate The app’s name has been its most controversial feature. Critics argue that the phrase “Are you dead?” is unnecessarily harsh and reflects a growing desensitization in digital culture. Others worry that such language could amplify anxiety rather than reduce it. Supporters, however, see the name as a reflection of reality rather than a provocation. In densely populated cities where people can go unnoticed for days or weeks, the question is uncomfortable—but relevant. They argue that avoiding blunt language does not eliminate the underlying problem of isolation. The debate highlights a broader tension in tech design: Should apps prioritize emotional sensitivity, or practical effectiveness—even if it makes people uncomfortable? Technology Filling a Social Gap The rise of this app points to a larger issue: technology increasingly compensates for weakened social structures. In the past, extended families, close-knit neighborhoods, and workplace communities naturally checked in on individuals. Today, those informal safety nets are often absent. Apps like this one are not just tools; they are symptoms of a society where digital solutions are replacing human presence. While convenient, this raises questions about whether technology is addressing the root causes of loneliness—or simply managing its consequences. Still, for many users, the app is not a replacement for relationships, but a supplement to modern life realities. Living Alone Does Not Mean Wanting to Be Alone An important takeaway from the app’s success is that living alone is not the same as wanting isolation. Many young Chinese adults value independence but still crave connection, security, and acknowledgment. The app’s routine check-ins, though minimal, provide a structured moment of contact. In a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, even small gestures of recognition can matter. This trend also reflects changing attitudes toward mental well-being and personal safety. Younger generations are more open to discussing vulnerability and using tools that previous generations might have dismissed. What This Says About Modern Urban Life The popularity of an app that asks such a stark question speaks volumes about the realities of contemporary urban living—not just in China, but globally. As cities grow larger and lives become more individualized, people are searching for new ways to ensure they are seen, remembered, and protected. The app’s success suggests that people are willing to engage with uncomfortable ideas if they address real needs. It also underscores the importance of designing technology that is honest about modern challenges, rather than masking them with euphemisms. Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call, Not a Warning While the phrase “Are you dead?” may sound alarming, the app behind it is less about fear and more about care. It reflects a generation navigating independence in a world where traditional support systems no longer function as they once did. Rather than signaling a morbid obsession, the app serves as a quiet reminder of something deeply human: the need to be noticed. In that sense, its blunt question is not about death at all—but about presence, connection, and the reassurance that someone would check if you were gone. As solo living continues to rise, tools like this app may become less shocking and more commonplace—symbols of how society adapts to changing ways of life in the digital age.
By Muhammad Hassan3 days ago in Earth
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.