What Basanta lodge lacks in scale, it makes up for in oversized views. On a clear day, the Phedi and Mardi Valleys are spread out before you, along with Annapurna 1,2,3,4 and South, and the closest and most impressive of the range, Machapuchare —Fishtail Mountain.
Eight bright rooms set in a row face the fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurna Range. You’ll find stone floors adorned with Nepalese carpets, blankets and artwork. Run by solar energy, there’s hot running water in the well-designed en suite bathroom. Little touches, such as the cozy slippers and jackets you can snuggle into during the cooler hours, add to the comfort.
Comprising rooms, restaurant, bar, and a beautifully landscaped garden terrace, Basanta Lodge feels like a mountainside secret. There’s a real retreat ambiance here, where simple pleasures and natural surroundings take center stage. At Happy Hour, guests gather on the grassy terrace for drinks and foot massages as the sun sets over the mountains then head into the cozy dining room with roaring fire and small bar for dinner.
Nearby activities include guided nature walks where you’ll discover the flora and fauna of the uplands, from thick bamboo forests to conifer glades and fields of rhododendron; a range of trekking and hiking programs in the nearby valleys; farming demonstrations on tiered hillsides, or a visit to little Dhampus village—famous as a stopover for hikers en-route to serious climbs.