The Foods on the Annapurna Circuit trek is decent. You will have a variety of options to choose from. Usually, the menu is set in all tea houses. As the elevation rises, the option gets less.
The beverage option during the Annapurna Circuit trek is decent. Clean drinking water is rapidly available throughout the trail, along with fresh fruit juices, canned juices, teas, coffees, energy drinks, cold drinks, local alcohol, etc.
Note: Do not drink alcohol until you cross Thorong La Pass. Alcoholic drinks will dehydrate your body and make you prone to altitude sickness. Also, maintain your coffee intake as it also dehydrates the body.
Below, we have shared a bit more about beverages and how much it will cost you:
In the mountains of Nepal, locals eat goat and yak meat. Buffalo meat is occasionally available, too. Chicken and eggs are also widely available. Fish is rare, but you may find dishes made out of dried fish in some places.
You will find a decent variety of non-vegetarian food while trekking. Some common dishes are curries, fried, stews, grilled, stir-fried, and soups. Chicken momo and chow mein are also widely available.
Most dishes, like thukpa, thenduk, pizza, past, etc, are available in non-veg. Likewise; you can also find dal bhat with meat dishes. Egg curry, boiled eggs, omelets, etc, are some famous egg dishes.
In lower villages, sausages are also available. Non-veg dishes are much more accessible in villages situated at lower elevations compared to the upper part of the trail.
Note: Trekkers have to understand that frozen meats are common in the mountains. We recommend that trekkers ask about the freshness of the meat and how long it has been frozen before eating it. Ask your guide to help you order the freshest non-veg dish.
Tea houses source their produce locally. Most fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients are locally grown without harmful pesticides. A handful of species, grains, and other essentials are also transported from cities to mountains.
Overall, you will mostly have organic food during trekking. All the dishes will be prepared hygienically. Tea houses cook fresh food daily. Your dish will be prepared upon your request. Nothing is pre-cooked.
As you ascend higher, the food options will get limited because everything has to be transported from lower villages to the upper. Regardless of that, you will enjoy delicious fresh food.
Dried vegetables and grains are common staples among the villagers at high elevations. Because of the harsh climate and environment, fresh food does not last long. Therefore, villagers hugely rely on dried veggies, fruits, and other ingredients.
This way, they can store food for a long time without losing its nutritional value. The menu is similar for trekkers everywhere along the Annapurna Circuit trail. There will be a mix of Nepali and Western dishes.
Trekkers with allergies or any dietary restrictions should inform their travel agency and guide in advance. He will make sure your food is safe to eat. We also recommend you to be aware and check the ingredients before having the food to be safe.
Nepali foods contain many species and ingredients you may not know. Therefore, trekkers who are very particular about the food they consume should study Nepali food. Having general knowledge will help you a lot when ordering food.
We also recommend you carry your allergy medicine and some snacks for backup. Vegetarian food is widely available along the Annapurna Circuit trek route. However, if you are strictly following a vegan or gluten-free diet, you may have a hard time during trekking.
The good news is the most stable trekking food, dal bhat, is available in veg and is also gluten-free. Trekking requires lots of energy. On average, you have to walk 6 hours a day on rugged terrain.
Therefore, food rich in carbohydrates is a must for trekkers to gain ample energy to walk long hours. Be mindful and make sure your body is getting proper nutrition and energy during the trek. That way, you will not feel tired and will have ample strength to keep moving forward.
Even though not talked about much, food remains at the core of your trek and highly impacts your overall experience. You have to eat good food daily to maintain your energy and well-being. Below, we have shared a few tips that will make your culinary experience fantastic during the Annapurna Circuit trek:
If you are planning to do the Annapurna Circuit trek and are worried about the food quality and availability, then you can rely on this information. Most of the meal are included if you book a packaged Annapurna Circuit Trek. Some of the most popular Annapurna Circuit Trek packages are the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking, Tilicho Lake with Thorong La Pass, Nar Phu Valley Trek with Thorong La Pass and Annapurna Circuit with ABC.
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