Ker & Downey Basanta Lodge

Heading eastward away from the Modi River, Basanta Lodge rewards walkers with one of the finest panoramic views of the Annapurna Range. Situated at 4,920 ft, the lodge is located in the pretty village of Dhampus, a popular stop off for visitors hiking through to the historic Australian Camp, the base of many past adventures in the mountains, famed for its stunning views. Because of this, it tends to be one of the more lively of the small villages in the Gurung region, with several tea houses and some gorgeous local village scenes to explore.

Basanta Lodge features just eight rooms and is one of the smallest lodges along the trekking routes in this region. The twin rooms are fairly basic but benefit from en suite facilities, electricity and provide guests with down jackets, torches and slippers for evenings and early sunrises in the morning.

The lounge area features a small library and like other trekking lodges, the evenings are centered around the large fire pit which creates a lively and social atmosphere, especially around the 6pm happy hour when drinks are included. Dinners are large and filling, created from a mix of western cuisine or traditional Nepalese food which is locally produced in Dhampus. 

When to go

Nepal has a Monsoonal climate with four main seasons. Autumn and Spring are the two most favourable seasons for visiting Nepal. Autumn (September to early December) brings in clear weather with sunny days and warm nights. Spring (March to May) is clear and bright, with occasional rain showers. From June to September is the monsoon season. During this time the skies can be overcast and so the Himalayas are rarely visible from Kathmandu or Dhulikhel. Due to the hot weather and daily rainfall, this can be an uncomfortable time to visit.