Annapurna mon village
Annapurna mon village guest house is located in Ghachok, a typical Nepali village spread over a plateau at 1200 m altitude, north of Pokhara city (Western Nepal).
From our place, you can see the Mt Fishtail (Machhapuchare, 6996 m) and several summits of Annapurna range from Annapurna 2 (7937 m) to Lamjung Himal (6953 m). We provide accommodation in traditional Nepali houses. These stone & wooden houses have been renovated and built, respecting the local style and using the traditional skills of Nepali craftsmen.
AMV Team
Annapurna Mon Village is a partnership between Thomas and Basanta. In 2012 the two friends decided to create a guest house in Ghachok, Basanta’s native village. Later, another friend, Matthias “Matze” from Switzerland joined the project.
Climate
Ghachok enjoys a mild subtropical climate, with a dry season from October to May and a wet season (monsoon) from June to September. The best periods to visit are October to December and February to May when the mountains are very clear and the temperatures are warm. In November you can see the harvest and enjoy the Nepali festivals of Dashain and Tihar. In March-April you can see the rhododendrons flowering. You can still visit Ghachok from late December to early February, it is warm in the day, but it can be cold at night when trekking in higher altitude. During the monsoon expect some rain and hot temperatures. Ghachok is very green all year round thanks to water coming from numerous springs and rivers. Villagers grow rice, wheat, maize, and millet along with vegetables and fruit.
Wild Life
There is a very rich and diversified fauna in the forests around Ghachok : deers, monkeys, leopards and many species of butterflies and birds. At the « Jatayu » vulture protection site located by the Seti river, several protected species of Himalayan vulture can be observed in their natural environment.
Population and Culture
Ghachok is inhabited by several castes and ethnic groups : Brahmans, Chhetris, Dalits, Newars, Gurung, Magyar. The majority of the villagers follow Hinduism and you can watch various festivals. Walking around the village is an excellent opportunity to observe the daily life of Nepalese people in the countryside. You can see many children wearing their school uniform as there are several schools in the village, from primary level to higher secondary.
Community Support
We are integrated in Ghachok village and feel it is our responsibility to support the community. We are buying if possible products from the locals, we hire local guides and porters, and thus contribute to the local economy.
Besides, through Aama Smriti Fundation initiated by Basanta, we are committed to support education, women and elderly.
Contact us if you would like to know more, make a donation or volunteer.
Eco Friendly
We are doing our best to make our place eco-friendly:
– We grow vegetables from our own garden, without using any chemical fertilizer or pesticide
– We sort out and convert organic waste into compost for the garden
– We use solar panels for electricity and to heat water
We welcome any ideas to improve.
