Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Food Options in the ABC Short Trek:

Here are some of the food options you will come across during ABC trek:-

Dal Bhat Tarkari:

A wholesome meal of classic combination of mainly three items i.e. steamed rice (Dhat), lentil soup (Dal) and vegetables (Tarkari) with wide variety of side dishes including pickles and sometimes non-veg options like chicken, goat, buff (buffalo) or fish meat accompany this dish. It is usually eaten twice a day. 

This is a balanced meal that provides all the necessary carbohydrates and proteins for trekkers and keeps them energized throughout the trek. It is the most popular dish in Nepal and eaten in majority parts of the country. 

MO:MO:

Momo are Nepalese dumplings filled with a variety of filings but mostly with meat items. They are available in both veg and non-veg options. The veg filings include cabbage, soybeans, onion, coriander, mushrooms, cheese and so on. It is served with tangy tomato sauce with additional spicy sauce on the side as well. 

There are varieties of Momo including fry Momo, steam Momo, Chili Momo, Jhol Momo, Kothey Momo etc. This Tibetan snack is a favorite snack among Nepalese and almost every restaurant sells momo. 

Thukpa:

Thukpa is an authentic Tibetan dish made with hearty noodle soup, a variety of vegetables and meat sometimes. They have a rich and savory taste seasoned with a blend of spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro, green onions and a fresh squeeze of lime adds the aroma to the dish. 

Gundruk:

Gundruk is a traditional fermented leafy green vegetable. It is often served with Dal Bhat Tarkari as a side dish. These are mainly prepared from leaves of radish, spinach, turnip, mustard or cauliflower. 

It has a savory, sour and salty taste. This can be enjoyed in various forms like soup, salad, pickle, or potato curry. It is mostly demanded during winter seasons at cold temperatures. 

To make things clear for you here are list of some vegan, Veg and Non- Veg food options that you can find during your Short trek to Annapurna Base Camp: 

Vegan food items:

• Tibetan bread ( no butter ) 
• Play chapati 
• Vegetable Momo 
• Seasonal fruits 
• Apple or banana porridge with water
• Thenthuk with vegetable
• Muesli

Vegetarian Food items:

• Dal Bhat (served with vegetable curry and pickles)
• Paneer Curry (subject to availability)
• Cheese Pizza
• Cheese Omelette
• Steamed Vegetable Momos
• Vegetable Chow Mein
• Egg Fried Rice
• Vegetable Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Fried Rice with Vegetables
• Fresh Tomato Soup
• Creamy Mushroom Soup
• Boiled Eggs
• Toast with Butter, Jam, or Honey
• Pancakes (served with banana, apple, honey, or jam)
• Crispy French Fries
• Chapati with Vegetables 

Non-veg Food Items: 

• Dal Bhat with Chicken or Buffalo Curry
• Chicken Fried Rice
• Chicken or Buffalo Chow Mein
• Steamed Chicken or Buffalo Momos
• Tuna Sandwich
• Chicken or Buffalo Thukpa / Thenthuk (noodle soup)
• Meat-Based Pasta (Macaroni or Spaghetti with Chicken or Buff)
• Chicken Pizza
• Chicken or Egg Curry with Rice
• Boiled Eggs, Scrambled Eggs, or Omelettes
• Traditional Meat Stew
• Chicken Soup
• Tuna Fried Rice
• Spicy Buff Chili (occasionally available)
• Fried Eggs with Toast
• Mixed Meat and Vegetable Curry (when available)

Beverages:

It is crucial to stay hydrated during high altitude tricks like Annapurna Base Camp trek. You respire more at high altitudes so you must replenish the water in your body and avoid attitude sickness. Here are some of the beverages you can find at ABC to remain hydrated: 

Safe Drinking Water:

Despite the number of local water resources you come across on the route such as taps, wells or rivers in the trekking region it is not safe for drinking and I do not recommend doing so. 

For safe drinking water you can certainly buy packed water bottles from en-route shops and tea houses. But please consider carrying your own water bottle and refill it with purchased bottled water to minimize plastic waste. You can also use water purifying tablets or filters as other alternatives. 

Nepali Chya (tea):

A cup of Nepali Chya is a comforting blend of milk, sugar, tea leaves and spices that is enough to fulfill your savory needs in between the journey. Almost every Nepali household drinks tea early in the morning for breakfast, in the evening as refreshment and sometimes at night to keep our body warm in cold temperatures. 

This popular hot beverage can be prepared in several kinds including ginger tea, green tea, lemon tea and black tea in the trek areas. 

Hot lemon with honey:

This is another great alternative for those who don't really prefer tea. It is prepared with hot water, lemon, honey and sometimes ginger. It is great for warmth and hydration. Hot lemon with honey is quite popular in Himalayan trekking reasons such as Annapurna base camp trek. 

Lassi:

Lassi is a Nepali yogurt-based drink for those who love creamy texture and tangy flavor. There are several variations named appropriately such as sweet lassi,  fruit Lassi includes banana, mango, strawberry and papayas, and even salted Lassi mostly in the Southern plains of Nepal. 

It is a very healthy and filling drink which is enough to satisfy your thirst and re-energize your body. 

Local Alcohol:

Drinking alcoholic beverages is not recommended while heading for Annapurna base camp trek or any trek in general because it impairs your judgment in the rough trails, makes you feel dehydrated and sometimes lose track of time. 

Enjoying Himalayan local alcohol as you return for celebration or for warmth in cold evenings during your overnight stays is the only right way to go for it. You have various savory options. The local spirits like Raksi and Tongba are some of the popular ones. But always remember to drink in moderation and be aware of its effects at high altitude. 

What are the Accommodations Options in the ABC Short Trek?

Multiple local tea houses and lodges are available at Annapurna Base Camp trek. These units provide a comfortable and cozy place for tourists after a long day of trek. This avoids the need for pitching tent camps for trekkers and provides them with convenient facilities unless they want to. 

Here's what you can expect from accommodations during Annapurna Base Camp trek: 

Tea Houses/ Lodges:

Throughout your journey to ABC, you will come across many tea houses. They offer basic but comfortable rooms with moderate services. These rooms come with twin beds with basic bedding and blankets, shared bathrooms and meal facilities. 

These tea houses consist of communal dining areas where trekkers can enjoy their savory meals and form connections with locals and fellow trekkers. 

I recommend you to carry a sleeping bag for more comfort and warmth at higher altitudes. 

Lodges:

In more developed trekking areas you will come across lodges that offer a comparatively higher level of comfort than tea houses. They have private rooms with attached bathrooms and hot showers. They are capable of providing amenities like electricity, Wi-Fi, hot water baths and cozy fireplaces in common areas. 

These can be slightly cheaper than the local tea houses but the facilities they provide are totally worth it. 

Home stays:

In some villages, that you can find on top of lodges and tea houses, offer a small group of trekkers or an individual trekker basic fooding and lodging services in their own home. They allow you to immerse in traditional Nepali culture and form special bonds. You will get to experience their local lifestyle, the terrain and how climate affects daily life on the mountains. 

Camping:

For those trekkers, who prefer individual travel and their adventurous spirit, camping is a great option in the trekking region. Just make sure to prepare for it and carry camping gear. 

Wifi, Mobile Network and Electricity During Short ABC Trek

Internet / Wi-fi:

Internet/ Wi-Fi services are available on the Annapurna base camp but to a limited level. The internet and Wi-Fi facilities in the ABC route have significantly improved over time. You can stay connected on almost all of the trekking routes. Sometimes electricity outages limit its availability as well as harsh weather conditions also affect it. 

Almost all of the tea houses along the trail offer Wi-Fi services, especially in villages at lower elevations like Chhomrong. The speed might be slow however, it is usable for basic activities like sending messages or emails. 

As you ascend higher, the Wi-Fi gets more expensive and less available. 

Mobile Network:

Mobile networks are available even at such high altitudes like Annapurna base camp (4,130m/ 13,550 ft) though frequent disturbance might occur due to weather conditions. You can use NTC SIM cards to make phone calls or even make internet calls since it functions better than NCELL.  

It is important to be in touch with your loved ones so inform them in advance about the extremely poor communication condition.  

Some of the alternative ways to stay connected on the ABC trek are satellite internet services, walkie-talkies and radios, local communication/ landline phones at Tea houses and emergency communication services in case of an emergency. 

• Recommended SIM: NTC

Electricity and Charging:

After all, staying connected depends on availability of charged devices. Electricity availability is limited in the Himalayas and charging options can also be costly. At ABC trek, you can expect frequent electricity outages so prepare a backup to compensate for this. 

The tea houses throughout the ABC trek offer charging facilities in exchange for extra payment on per hour or per device basis. The higher altitude residence uses solar panels which are also unreliable in cloudy weather. This is why they take extra charges for these services. 

Here are some recommendations for power management during ABC trek:

Pro Tip💡: Consider getting a high capacity power bank with at least 20,000 mAh. 

• Remind yourself to put your phone in battery saver mode and turn off wi-fi as well as mobile data services when it is not in use to conserve battery. 
• Make sure to turn off any background apps and location services except while using these services. 
• If possible bring a solar charger for sustainable power backup.
• Make sure to put your charged items such as power banks and mobile phones close to your heart so that the cold temperature in the surroundings does not drain the battery rapidly. 

Tipping in Short ABC trek 

While not being mandatory, tipping culture is prominent and very much appreciated in the trekking community. There aren't any specifically fixed rules regarding tipping but usually it is common to tip around 10 to 15% of the total cost of the trek. 

Tipping also depends on your experience and satisfaction with the guide’s and potter’s services which is totally acceptable. 

Here are some of the guidance to make fair tipping decision: 

• Longer duration treks may require a slightly higher amount of tips.
• As the challenges and risks increase with trekking in difficult terrain or higher altitudes, a high amount of tipping is justifiable. 
• If you were able to make a special bond with your guide or porter who went above and beyond to satisfy your needs, feel free to tip more. 
• Overall, you can tip however you feel is appropriate and  according to your budget. 

Both Nepali rupees or US dollars are acceptable for tipping. Collective tips are also acceptable but if you want to give them an individual appreciation you can give them a separate or personal tip as well. 

Just consider to balance the ratio of tipping in accordance to the overall cost of the trek and the level of service you received.

Booking Short ABC trek with Ammonite Adventure 

Ammonite Adventure is a registered trekking agency bonded by the Nepal Government, members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN), and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). So be sure that you are in good hands and you can trust us to book your dream adventure with us. 

A 10% advance payment by bank transfer is required to secure your Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Ammonite Adventure so that we can confirm and start with your travel arrangements. Once that is done, you can pay the rest of the balance in Nepal with cash, credit card or transfer.

After your successful booking, send us an email with a copy of your passport which can also include dependent children, photos, travel insurance, and flight details in a week. 

Is last minute booking possible for the short Annapurna base camp trek?

Yes! We do accept last minute bookings for the short abc trek. However you should make sure to pay for the trip in full within 24 hours before your trek starts. 

Although we try our best to run treks at any time according to the demand of our guests, last minute bookings will most likely face some challenges in confirmed flights and weather. 
 

Is travel insurance required for Annapurna base camp?

Ammonite Adventure recommends you to have the travel insurance but it is not considered mandatory for anyone willing to trek Annapurna Base camp. But if you decide to do so, make sure you choose the one that covers high-altitude trekking, medical crisis, emergency evacuations and repatriation. 

Since the medical facilities in the Annapurna region are limited it is necessary to make sure that in the event of a serious medical emergency, helicopter evacuation is covered by insurance which might save you a lot of bucks. 

Feel free to reach us out on www.ammoniteadventure.com where we arrange your next dream trek to the Himalayas of Annapurna region. 

Happy Trekking!