Bamboo Village is a small, essential stopover settlement for trekkers on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek in Nepal. It is located in the Annapurna Sanctuary, at an altitude of approximately 2,310 meters (7,578 feet).

Situated precisely between the villages of Sinuwa and Dovan, it is enveloped by dense, lush forests. The village’s name is derived from the extensive bamboo groves that dominate the surrounding landscape.

Trekkers typically stop here to rest, eat, and often spend the night, using it as a strategic point to break up the demanding hike between Chhomrong and Deurali or Himalaya.

Key Information at a Glance

Geographic & Trekking Importance

Bamboo Village holds significant logistical importance on the ABC trek due to its specific location and terrain. It sits within the deep valley of the Modi Khola river, and the trail passes directly through it. This location makes it a natural midpoint rest stop.

The village is surrounded by thick bamboo forests and is characterized by its valley-floor setting, which is noticeably more humid and shaded than the higher, sun-exposed sections of the trail.

Its proximity to the Modi Khola means trekkers are consistently accompanied by the sound of the river. Primarily, it serves as a critical rest and replenishment point, offering basic lodges where trekkers can recuperate before tackling the more strenuous ascents towards Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

Its placement helps in managing daily trekking distances and elevation gain effectively.

Natural Environment of Bamboo Village

Forest, Flora & Fauna Around Bamboo Village

The immediate environment of Bamboo Village is defined by a dense, humid temperate forest. True to its name, the area features extensive stands of bamboo, which create a shaded, tunnel-like effect along the trail. This bamboo forest is intermixed with other native tree species, primarily rhododendron and oak.

During the spring season, the rhododendron trees bloom, adding splashes of color to the green landscape.

The thick canopy creates a noticeably different atmosphere compared to the more open, alpine sections higher on the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The air is cooler and more humid, and the path is often covered in a layer of damp leaves.

This forested section provides habitat for small wildlife. Trekkers may spot various species of monkeys, such as the grey langur, in the trees. The area is also rich in birdlife, making it a point of interest for birdwatchers. Commonly seen and heard birds include various species of pheasants, laughingthrushes, and woodpeckers.

The overall feeling is one of being deep within a peaceful, green jungle.

Climate & Weather Conditions

The climate in Bamboo Village is directly influenced by its forested, valley-bottom location at around 2,310 meters. The weather is generally cool and humid throughout the year.

Because the village sits in a deep gorge surrounded by high ridges, it receives limited direct sunlight, leading to consistently cooler temperatures than nearby, more exposed villages.

Weather patterns follow the Himalayan seasons:

• Spring (March-May): Mild days and cool nights. This is a popular trekking period with stable weather and blooming rhododendrons.
• Monsoon (June-September): The forest becomes exceptionally lush, but the trail can be slippery and muddy. Leeches are present, and rainfall is frequent and heavy.
• Autumn (October-November): Considered the best time to visit. Days are clear and pleasant, with minimal rain and excellent mountain views higher up the trail. Nights become cold.
• Winter (December-February): Days can be sunny but cold, especially without direct sun. Nights are freezing, and snowfall is possible.

Trekking Routes & Accessibility

Trail Access & Walking Routes

Bamboo Village is accessed exclusively on foot as part of the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek. It is not reachable by road. There are two primary approach routes, both connecting major stops on the ABC trail.

The most common approach is from Chhomrong via Sinuwa. From the large village of Chhomrong (2,170m), trekkers descend a long, steep stone staircase to the Chhomrong Khola river, cross a bridge, and then ascend another set of stone steps to Sinuwa (2,360m)

From Sinuwa, the trail to Bamboo is a steady descent through forest. The distance from Sinuwa to Bamboo is approximately 2.5 kilometers, which typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours of walking. This section loses about 50 meters in elevation.

The other approach is from the direction of Himalaya or Deurali. Coming from Himalaya (2,900m), trekkers descend steeply through forest to Dovan (2,600m), and then continue descending to Bamboo.

The distance from Dovan to Bamboo is about 1.5 kilometers, taking roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour, with an elevation loss of around 290 meters.

Therefore, Bamboo Village is situated directly on the trail between Sinuwa and Dovan, acting as the connecting point. The path itself through this section is a clear, well-trodden forest trail.

It consists of dirt paths, stone steps, and several log or metal bridges over small streams. The trail is almost entirely under the forest canopy, providing consistent shade.

Difficulty Level & Trail Conditions

The difficulty of the trails leading to and from Bamboo Village is generally considered moderate, but it is highly dependent on weather conditions and direction of travel.

The primary physical challenge comes from the significant elevation change on either side of the village. Reaching Bamboo from Chhomrong involves a steep descent followed by a climb to Sinuwa, then a descent to Bamboo, a taxing sequence on the knees. Coming from Himalaya or Deurali involves a sustained, steep descent to Bamboo, which can also be strenuous.

Trail conditions vary drastically by season:

• In the dry seasons (Autumn and Spring), the trail is mostly firm and stable, though the stone steps can be slick in shaded areas.
• During the monsoon (June-September), the trail becomes muddy, slippery, and potentially unstable. The stone steps and roots are especially hazardous when wet. Leeches are also present in the damp forest.
• In winter (December-February), sections of the trail, particularly on the climbs/descents from Dovan or Sinuwa, can be icy or covered in compacted snow, requiring extra caution.

The constant forest humidity keeps the path damp, and moss or algae can grow on rocks and logs, increasing the risk of slipping year-round.
Most trekkers with a reasonable level of fitness can manage this section.

Using trekking poles is highly recommended to reduce impact on the knees during descents and to improve stability on uneven or wet ground. Proper footwear with good grip is essential.

During the monsoon, waterproof gear and leech socks are advisable, while in winter, traction devices for shoes may be necessary if there is snow.

Accommodation & Facilities in Bamboo Village

Lodges & Tea-House Facilities

Bamboo Village consists of a cluster of basic lodges and tea-houses built specifically to serve trekkers on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) route. There are approximately 7-10 lodges in the village. These are simple, rustic structures, typically built from stone and wood to blend with the forest environment.

Some well known guest house, lodges and hotels in and around Bamboo village are: Buddha Guest House & Restaurant, Bamboo Guest House & Restaurant, Trekking Guest House & Restaurant, Bamboo Lodge & Restaurant, Green View Lodge & Restaurant, Eco‑friendly Lodge & Restaurant, Sunrise Restaurant and Hill Top Restaurant.

Accommodation is in the form of twin or 3-4 bed rooms. Rooms are very basic, containing two single beds with a thin mattress, a pillow, and a blanket. The walls are thin, and amenities are minimal. Most rooms do not have attached bathrooms; instead, shared squat toilets (and occasionally Western-style) are located in a separate block.

There is no heating in the rooms, so nights can be cold. The communal dining hall is the central hub of each lodge. It is usually a single room with wooden benches and tables, heated by a central wood-burning stove (bukhari) in the evenings, which provides essential warmth and a place to dry gear. Lighting is provided by solar-powered bulbs, but it is often dim.

Food, Water & Services

The menu at Bamboo lodges is standardized along the ABC trail. The staple meal is dal bhat (lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and sometimes a small portion of meat or pickle), which is unlimited and offers the best value and energy for trekkers.

Other common options include noodle soups (thukpa, ramen), fried noodles or rice, pasta, potatoes, and simple breakfast items like porridge, eggs, and Tibetan bread. Snacks like chocolate bars, biscuits, and soft drinks are available but increase in price with altitude.

Drinking water must be treated. Bottled water is available for purchase, but to reduce plastic waste, trekkers can buy boiled water (costing approximately NPR 150-300 per liter) or use their own water filters/ purification tablets to treat the available cold water.

Hot showers are available at an extra cost, typically ranging from NPR 300-500. The "shower" is often a bucket of hot water in a private stall.

Charging electronic devices is available for a fee, usually NPR 200-300 per hour or per device. WiFi is generally not available in Bamboo Village. Some lodges may offer a paid satellite internet connection, but this is unreliable and very slow. Expect no mobile network coverage.

Safety, Health & Emergency Info

There are no medical posts, clinics, or pharmacies in Bamboo Village. The nearest basic health post is in Chhomrong, which is approximately 2-3 hours trekking distance away (including a significant ascent). For serious medical issues, the closest reliable facility is in Pokhara.

Given the village's location in a deep valley, emergency evacuation is challenging and weather-dependent. The primary method would be a helicopter airlift, which requires clear weather and is extremely expensive, underscoring the necessity of travel insurance that covers high-altitude rescue. The trekking trail is the only access route for any help.

Trekkers must be self-sufficient with a personal first-aid kit. It is crucial to be aware of your own physical condition, particularly regarding altitude. While Bamboo's altitude (2,310m) is not typically associated with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), rapid ascents from here to higher villages like Deurali (3,230m) can trigger symptoms. A proper acclimatization schedule is essential.

Why Trekkers Stop at Bamboo Village

Major Attractions Around Bamboo Village

The primary attraction of Bamboo Village is its atmosphere. It functions as a serene forest stop, offering a distinct sensory experience compared to other points on the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

The village's setting within a deep, green valley of bamboo and rhododendron forests creates a feeling of peaceful seclusion.

The constant, muffled sound of the nearby Modi Khola river provides a steady backdrop of white noise. The trails approaching and departing the village are completely shaded by the dense canopy, creating a cool, enclosed environment that feels separate from the more exposed mountain terrain above.

Trekkers stop here to experience this quiet, shaded interlude, to rest in the cool humidity, and to absorb the calm, green surroundings before continuing their journey.

Strategic Stopover for ABC Trek

Bamboo Village is a logistical necessity on the ABC trek itinerary, making it a strategic resting point. Its location almost exactly midway between key villages like Chhomrong and Deurali/Himalaya makes it an ideal place to break up a long hiking day.

The standard trekking itinerary often splits the challenging climb from Chhomrong (2,170m) to Deurali (3,230m) into two more manageable stages: Chhomrong to Bamboo, and then Bamboo to Deurali.

Stopping at Bamboo's altitude of 2,310 meters aids in acclimatization. It provides a pause before the significant and sustained ascent to Deurali (a gain of approximately 920 meters).

Spending a night here allows the body to adjust gradually to increasing elevation, reducing the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on the subsequent climb.

Furthermore, after a demanding descent from Himalaya or Deurali, Bamboo serves as a lower-elevation refuge to recuperate before the steep climb back up to Sinuwa and Chhomrong.

It is a functional hub for rest, hydration, and energy replenishment at a critical point in the trek's elevation profile.

Practical Tips for Trekkers

Required Permits

Two permits are mandatory for the ABC trek.

Read more on Complete Guide to Trekking Permits Costs, Requirements for Annapurna Region and Where to Get Them, here.

What to Expect

Trekkers should approach Bamboo Village with accurate expectations of its remote, basic nature. The facilities are simple and functional. You will be staying in an unheated room with a basic bed in a lodge made of wood and stone. The shared toilets are outdoors.

There are no ATMs, banks, or shops beyond the small lodge counters selling snacks and drinks. Mobile network coverage is absent, and WiFi is generally unavailable.

The food is simple and repetitive, centered on dal bhat, noodles, and eggs. Nights are cold due to the altitude and valley location, even if the day was mild.

The environment is perpetually humid, so clothes and gear may feel damp. The village is quiet after dark, with solar-powered lighting providing only dim illumination.

Packing Guide

Given the conditions, packing appropriately is essential. Your kit should account for the cool, damp forest climate and the potential for rapid weather changes.

Rain Gear: A high-quality, waterproof and breathable jacket and rain pants are non-negotiable, especially during monsoon and spring seasons.

Warm Layers: Include a insulated jacket for cold evenings and mornings, plus thermal base layers, a fleece, and a warm hat. Temperatures drop significantly at night.

Trekking Poles: Highly recommended to reduce strain on knees during the steep descents to and from the village and to improve stability on slippery, uneven trails.

Cash: Carry sufficient Nepali Rupees (NPR) for all expenses from Chhomrong onward. This covers lodging, all meals, boiled water, charging, and any hot showers. There is no way to obtain more cash.

First-Aid Kit: A personal kit is mandatory. Include blister treatment, antiseptic, pain relievers, medication for diarrhea, and any personal prescriptions. Include altitude sickness medication (like Diamox) as a precaution, to be used only after consulting a doctor.

Other Essentials: A reliable headlamp is crucial. Water purification tablets or a filter to treat local water. Quick-dry towels. Several pairs of moisture-wicking socks. Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support and grip.

Cost Breakdown

Costs in Bamboo Village are consistent with other tea-houses on the ABC trail but are generally lower than at higher altitudes like Deurali or Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Prices are per item and can fluctuate.

• Meals: Dal bhat costs between NPR 500-700. Simple noodle dishes, fried rice, or pasta are NPR 400-600. Breakfast items like porridge or eggs range from NPR 300-500.
• Accommodation: A basic room typically costs NPR 200-400 per night. It is a standard practice to expect free lodging if you eat both dinner and breakfast at the same lodge.
• Services: Boiled drinking water is NPR 150-300 per liter. Charging a phone or camera battery costs NPR 200-300 per hour or per full charge. A bucket hot shower is NPR 300-500.
• WiFi: If available via a paid satellite connection, expect to pay NPR 300-500 for a limited pass, but the service is very unreliable.

It is important to budget for these costs to increase as you ascend to higher villages on the trail, where transporting supplies becomes more difficult.

Cultural & Sustainability Aspects

Local Culture & Village Life

Bamboo Village is not a traditional residential village in the same sense as nearby Gurung settlements like Chhomrong or Ghandruk. It is primarily a functional stop established for trekkers.

The people living and working there are typically lodge owners, managers, and staff, many of whom belong to the Gurung ethnic group, which is predominant in the Annapurna region.

The daily rhythm of life in Bamboo is dictated by the trekking season. Lodge staff begin their day early to prepare breakfast for guests and then spend the day managing the lodge: cooking meals, heating water, cleaning rooms, and greeting arriving trekkers.

Hospitality is straightforward and practical, focused on providing essential services like a warm meal, a bed, and a heated dining room.

Interaction is often limited due to language barriers and the staff's workload. The culture is one of quiet, resilient mountain hospitality, adapted to the transient nature of their guests.

Conservation & Environmental Notes

The location of Bamboo Village within a sensitive forest ecosystem makes environmental responsibility a critical concern for both visitors and operators.

The primary conservation focus for trekkers should be on minimizing their impact on the immediate natural environment. This includes:

• Waste Management: There are no formal waste processing facilities. All non-biodegradable waste (plastic wrappers, bottles, batteries) must be carried out by the trekker. Burning plastic is a common but harmful practice at lodges. Using a refillable water bottle with purification tablets or a filter drastically reduces plastic bottle waste.
• Protecting the Forest: The trail passes through a fragile ecosystem. Straying from the established path can damage undergrowth and contribute to erosion. Making open fires is prohibited. The use of biodegradable soap, if washing anything in streams, is essential to avoid contaminating water sources.
  Supporting Local Practices: Choosing lodges that demonstrate good practices, like using solar power for lighting and avoiding disposable plates, supports sustainability.

It is important to clarify that this "Bamboo Village" is specifically a trekking stop on the ABC trail. It is not directly affiliated with separate "Bamboo Village" sustainability or community development projects that may exist elsewhere in Nepal, which often focus on bamboo cultivation for construction and craft.

Here, the sustainability effort is centered on the ethics of low-impact trekking in a protected area.

Book your Annapurna Trek or Upper Mustang Trek, which includes the Bamboo Nepal with Trek Me Nepal. We have many standard packages you can choose from including our 14 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek and 16 Days Annapurna Complete Circuit Trek . We can also customise your trek according to your personal needs.

Bipin Thapa

Operation Manager | Official Trekking Guide

Anyone who has trekked before knows trekking requires planning, and a deep understanding of the land. That is where Bipin Thapa Magar comes in. As the Operations Manager at Trek Me Nepal, he is the ba... Read More