Michael Anderson — United Kingdom
My journey to Annapurna Base Camp with Leaf Travels and Tours was one of the most memorable experiences of my visit to Nepal. From the beginning, everything was well organized, and I felt comfortable knowing that the transportation, accommodation, guide, and trekking arrangements were taken care of.
Starting in Kathmandu
We started our journey in Kathmandu, and I really enjoyed having some time to experience the city before beginning the trek. Kathmandu was a fascinating mix of ancient culture and modern life. I visited some of the historic areas, saw temples and traditional courtyards, and enjoyed walking through the busy streets of the Kathmandu Valley. My guide also helped me understand more about Nepalese culture, traditions, and everyday life, which made my first days in Nepal much more meaningful.
An evening in Thamel
I especially enjoyed spending an evening in Thamel. At night, the streets were full of lights, cafés, restaurants, music, and people from different countries. There was a lively atmosphere, but at the same time, I could still see the local character of Kathmandu. Since I was preparing for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Thamel was also the perfect place to get the things I needed. I purchased trekking shoes, warm clothing, a trekking jacket, gloves, socks, a backpack, trekking poles, and some other essential gear. There were so many trekking shops that I was a little confused about what I actually needed, but the Leaf Travels team helped me choose the right equipment without buying unnecessary things.
Flying to Pokhara
After getting everything ready, Leaf Travels arranged our flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The short flight was an amazing introduction to the Himalayas. Looking through the window and watching the mountains gradually appear was something I will never forget. After arriving in Pokhara, we continued towards the trekking starting point and began our journey into the Annapurna region.
Our guide
One of the best parts of the trek was our guide. He was strong, friendly, experienced, and very motivating. There were times when the trail became difficult and my legs were tired, but he always encouraged me to keep going. He never made me feel pressured. Instead, he would tell me to take my time, drink water, rest when needed, and enjoy the surroundings. He also knew the trail very well and explained the mountains, villages, local traditions, culture, and history along the way.
The trail
The trek took us through beautiful places and villages such as Ghandruk, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Deurali, before finally reaching Annapurna Base Camp. Every day brought a different landscape. We walked through green forests, rhododendron trails, stone stairways, suspension bridges, waterfalls, mountain villages, and narrow trails surrounded by enormous Himalayan peaks.
The trail was not always easy. There were many steep stone steps, long uphill sections, and moments when I honestly wondered how much further we had to go! But that is also what made reaching the destination so satisfying. Whenever I felt tired, the scenery gave me a reason to continue.
The people along the way
Something that touched me deeply was the way the local people welcomed us. In the mountain villages, people were incredibly warm and helpful. Sometimes they offered us local food and drinks, including yak milk, corn, millet-based food, and other seasonal local products. Their hospitality felt very genuine. I had heard the Nepali expression “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “the guest is like God,” before, but experiencing that warmth personally made me understand what it really means. Even people living such a simple mountain life were generous with what they had.
The food along the trek was simple but delicious. After hours of walking, sitting down in a warm teahouse with a hot plate of dal bhat, momo, noodles, soup, or local food felt wonderful. I especially enjoyed trying traditional foods made from locally available ingredients. The teahouses were basic, but they had a special atmosphere because we were surrounded by mountains and sharing the evening with trekkers from different countries.
I also remember seeing horses and yaks carrying heavy loads along the mountain trails. Seeing these animals walking up and down the steep paths with such huge loads on their backs honestly hurt me inside. It made me think about how difficult life can be in these remote mountain communities and how important these animals are for transporting food and supplies. But then I would look around at the incredible forests, waterfalls, villages, and mountains, and my attention would quickly return to the beauty of the journey.
Reaching Annapurna Base Camp
As we climbed higher, the landscape changed dramatically. The forests became thinner, the air became colder, and the mountains seemed to grow larger with every step. Seeing Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and the surrounding Himalayan peaks along the trail was absolutely mesmerizing.
And finally, we reached Annapurna Base Camp.
Standing there surrounded by enormous mountains was probably the most emotional moment of my entire trip. I was tired, cold, and physically exhausted, but the moment I stood at the base camp and looked around at the Himalayan peaks, all those difficult climbs suddenly felt completely worth it. There was something very humbling about standing in such a vast natural environment.
The journey, not just the destination
What I loved most about this trek was that it was not only about reaching Annapurna Base Camp. It was about everything along the way — the mountain villages, local people, traditional food, teahouses, forests, rivers, animals, culture, and the conversations with our guide and people we met on the trail.
Leaf Travels and Tours made the entire experience much easier and more enjoyable. Their planning, transportation, accommodation, trekking arrangements, and especially the guide gave me confidence throughout the journey. I never felt that I was simply following a fixed tourist program. I felt that I was actually experiencing the Annapurna region.
I came to Nepal wanting to see the Himalayas, but I left with much more than photographs. I experienced the strength of the mountains, the warmth of the local people, the simplicity of mountain life, the taste of local food, and the unforgettable challenge of the trail.
For me, Annapurna Base Camp was not just a destination. It was the journey to get there that made the destination so meaningful. I will always remember those tiring steps, encouraging words from our guide, welcoming smiles from the villagers, the horses and yaks on the trail, the changing landscapes, and finally standing beneath the mighty Annapurna range.
Thank you to Leaf Travels and Tours for making my Annapurna adventure such a meaningful and unforgettable experience. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to experience Nepal beyond ordinary sightseeing.
