A 3-Week Journey Through the Heart of the Himalayas
Experience the Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal through the lens of New England-based travel and documentary photographer, Randall Garnick.
Trekking in Nepal—especially the journey to Annapurna Base Camp—is no small feat. It’s not something you stumble into. You have to want it. You have to commit to days on your feet, early mornings, cold nights, and pushing your limits to stand in the shadow of giants.
Our trip started with a 30-hour flight from Boston to Kathmandu, followed by another 9 hours by van to Pokhara—the jumping-off point for the trail. And that was all before we took our first step on the trek.
But when you wake up to a clear morning at Base Camp and watch the sun crawl across the face of Annapurna I, it all becomes worth it. I spent my 44th birthday at 13,550 feet, wrapped in a heavy blanket, sipping coffee in the freezing cold as the Himalayan peaks caught fire with the first light of day. That moment is burned into memory.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek takes about 11 days round trip, covering roughly 80 miles. The route winds through everything from dense rhododendron and bamboo forests to glacier-fed rivers, small mountain villages, and eventually the bare, rocky beauty of the high alpine.
Each day, we hiked between 6 to 8 hours. Thankfully, the trail is dotted with villages and teahouses where you can refuel with dal bhat, instant noodles, or a well-earned cup of tea. Accommodations are basic—think plywood walls and no guarantee of a hot shower—but they do the job. And they offer a front-row seat to daily life in some of the most remote, humbling places I’ve ever visited.
Connecting with the people who live in these mountain communities—learning a bit of their language, sharing stories, and watching how they live simply but fully—was one of the most meaningful parts of the journey for me.
Below is a curated selection of images from our 3-week adventure through Nepal, including our time in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the full Annapurna Base Camp trek. If you're ever considering making this journey yourself—I say go.
