Chhomrong

Chhomrong (2,170m) is the last permanent village on the trail into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a terraced Gurung settlement built into the hillside above the Modi Khola. Everyone heading to Annapurna Base Camp passes through it, descending a long stone staircase to the river before the trail climbs into the sanctuary proper.

Chhomrong is the last place on the trek with a permanent population and shops, so anything forgotten is bought here or not at all. The village is built in terraces, which means walking through it is itself a climb of a couple of hundred metres. A checkpoint records every party going up and coming down, which is how missing trekkers get traced. The descent to the river beyond the village begins the stone stairs up to Sinuwa.