The Annapurna Base Camp Experience, by Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn Van den Berg

08 Sep 2025

The Annapurna Base Camp Experience, by Gwendolyn

Trekking experts per destination

Free cancellation up to eight weeks in advance

Quick personal advice

When I arrived in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, for the first time in December 2023, it was a completely new experience. Traffic without any traffic lights, ceremonies on the street, people wearing colorful clothes, street dogs everywhere, and the constant smell of spicy meals. A typical Asian capital. Something I noticed directly was the friendliness of locals and interest in newcomers, always being greeted with a bow and “Namaste”. I noticed they are very willing to show you the best places to visit, where to sleep and have dinner. One of my favorite dishes straight away was Momo’s, a traditional dish of stuffed dumplings with a creamy spicy sauce, really delicious and a meal you should definitely try. The oldest one in Kathmandu is “Old Everest Mo:Mo center”, where they use traditional buffalo meat.

Cultural diversity in Nepal

Nepal has a very unique culture as it is one of the few countries in the world where all religions live next to each other respectfully. This refreshing sense of solidarity, originally inspired by Buddhist teachings, is truly uplifting. In addition, cultural practices are intertwined in Nepal’s traditions. One of the highlights and important locations for Buddhists in Nepal is the Bodnath Stupa, the biggest Tibetan Buddha temple in the world, only a short drive from Kathmandu. When you arrive at the location, you will notice Tibetan monks walking in prayer, the eyes of Buddha painted on walls, traditional handicrafts, and temples to enter. After this visit, you will have for sure learned a lot more about Buddhism.

The second biggest religion is Hinduism. Both Bhaktapur and Pashupatinath are very famous and the cradles of the religion in Nepal. It’s definitely worth visiting these places; there are many private or small group tours you can book from Kathmandu. For example, meet with a yogi and sadhu and take a look respectfully at the ceremonies. Pashupatinath, specifically Arya Ghat on the Bagmati river, is a bury temple where the dead are burned in the holy river that comes directly from the Himalayas. Something you would expect to see in India.

The Annapurna Basecamp Hike (ABC): My experience

Another reason to definitely travel to Nepal is to explore the beautiful landscape. Almost 80% of the country is mountains, and 8 of the 14-8000ers/peaks of the world can be found in Nepal. Mount Annapurna is one of them.

I finished the 9-day Annapurna Basecamp hike in December 2023 with Bookatrekking. It was a fun but challenging tour. The highest point of this hike is 4130 meters, where you will get amazing views over the Annapurna massif, consisting of Annapurna I, III, Gangapurna, Gandhavachuli, and Machapuchare. The last one you can easily recognize, with its top in the shape of a fishtail. If you are lucky and the skies are clear, you will be able to see the mountains turn gold at sunrise. A truly amazing experience! To get to the basecamp, you have to hike for about 7 days, crossing many local villages, suspension bridges, forests with monkeys, icy fields in the mountains, and Buddhist temples to honor the mountain's spirits. The many prayer flags add color to the landscapes. When you cross a temple, ask for good luck by spinning 3 times clockwise while saying the words –”o mani padme hum”.

The Annapurna Basecamp Hike (ABC): My experience

During the hike, I was really surprised by how comfortable the so-called tea houses were. Friendly people, good food made from local ingredients, and not too crowded. To prevent any stomach issues, I would recommend eating vegetarian options only, as meat is more difficult to get high up in the mountains. At the tea houses it's often possible to use the hot showers by paying an extra fee. During dinner, everyone gathers around fireplaces, which makes it cozy and nice to meet other hikers. Another highlight of this hike is the visit of Poon Hill in Ghorepani at 3210m, a one hour climb on stairs, where you can enjoy the amazing surroundings.

My top 5 tips for your trip to Nepal

Hiking equipment: Instead of packing all your hiking gear, take advantage of the high-quality outdoor equipment available in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can either buy or rent. From The North Face to Patagonia, gear is sold everywhere and just a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe.
Dive into Nepalese Cuisine: Join a cooking class in the big cities or learn how to cook Dhal Bhat at a local village in the mountains where you stay during your hike. I asked one of the sherpas to translate for me, so I could interact with the locals. Nepalese are very proud of their cuisine, which is a mixture of Chinese and Indian influences: not extremely spicy but rich in flavor. Dhal Bhat, a lentil curry with rice, is one of my favorites and is often served in the mountain areas.

Explore the Amazing Mountains: Hikes near the Annapurna massif or the Himalayas are great ways to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and cross local villages. Next to the ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) hike, the Annapurna Circuit and Mount Everest Base Camp are among the most popular hikes.

Take the local bus: For an authentic and budget-friendly way of travelling within the country, I recommend hopping on a local bus. The rides may be bumpy and the distances long, but they offer you an up-close glimpse into everyday rural life. A fun and popular song I heard a lot on the road is Mustange Nani - Bishwo Dong.

Visit one of the National Parks of Nepal: During my visit to Nepal, I went to Chitwan National Park. We rode in an open Jeep through the park, spotting black rhinos, elephants, and, if you are lucky, even a Bengal Tiger. Your visit directly supports conservation and animal welfare initiatives.

Comments

About Us

At Bookatrekking.com, you will find the trek that will make your life unforgettable. Whether you want to explore the Inca Trail or climb Kilimanjaro. Bookatrekking.com has a wide and varied range of first-class treks. No false promises are made here. Transparent prices and bookings are fixed instantly. Find, compare, book and trek!