Kathmandu, August 2

Hotels at Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) are all set to resume services from August 18.

Hotels along the ABC trekking route had halted their services since February due to heavy snowfall. As Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has announced resumption of accommodation services, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has informed all trekking agencies to recommence booking for ABC. As the hotels and lodges in ABC area were damaged by heavy snowfall, trekking activities had declined.

“The hotels and lodges at an altitude of 4,130 metres had suffered heavy damages due to heavy snowfall,” said Gopal Shrestha, member of TAAN. “After five months, we have received information from ACAP that the hotels are reopening. So, now trekking activities are likely to gather momentum.”

He further said that since accommodation at ABC area was totally closed, trekkers used to stay overnight at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and hike to ABC early in the morning.

“Despite the difficulties of accommodation, a few agencies continued to take trekkers to ABC,” he said, adding that it was the first time that ABC trekking had been obstructed due to the snowfall. Currently there are only four hotels at ABC with accommodation capacity of 20 to 30 people each. After the heavy snowfall damaged the route and hotels, ACAP had halted trekking on that route for a few months.

Later, an alternative route through MBC had been brought into operation. “It takes around two hours to reach ABC from MBC. So, first we take trekkers up to MBC and from there we start our day trip to ABC and have to return before noon,” he added.

After the Everest Base Camp, ABC is the most popular trekking destination. ABC is located at an altitude of 4,130 metres and trekking starts from Phedi of Kande, or Naya Pool of Kaski. Around 20,000 tourists trek the route every year, which takes around a week to complete.