People go to the outer ends of the globe in search of adventure and exposure to cultures other than their own. Despite the fact that such isolated locations are deemed inhospitable and inaccessible, they are frequently home to indigenous people who rely on their unique natural resources for a living. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you through the two largest Gurung villages. Ghandruk and Chhomrong are the villages in question. Some Gurung Museums in Gandruk contain the greatest collection of Gurung ethnic apparel, utilized equipment, and many more. The grandeur of Gurung culture and heritage is another reason you should complete the ABC trek at least once in your life.
The Annapurna region suffers from a lack of economic opportunities, restricted agricultural productivity, seasonal famines, and high infant mortality rates, all of which are common in Nepal's central hills. The Gurung is the region's largest ethnic group; other ethnic groups include the Magars, Thalkalis, Tamangs, Brahmins, Chhetris, and occupational caste groups such as the Kamis, Sarkis, and Damais. Aside from agriculture and animal husbandry, economic options like commerce and migrant labor provide additional sources of monetary income in the communities (for example, soldiering with the British or Indian armies). Agriculture is currently the backbone of the village economy, with residents growing maize, millet, rice, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, native peas, and beans. Traditional farming practices such as hoeing and plowing are still practiced in all hill communities. Cattle and sheep continue to graze on authorized kharkas (grazing land).
The indigenous people who settled in the foothills of Nepal's Annapurna Range were originally roaming tribes from Tibetan-influenced regions. This region's primary ethnic groups include Gurung, Magar, Thakali, Manange, and Loba. These ethnic tribes practice Hinduism or Tibetan Buddhism and have distinct languages, customs, and traditions. They have mostly engaged in traditional vocations such as farming and livestock rearing. ACAP has secured long-term benefits for local populations in order to maintain the cultural richness of the Annapurna Conservation Area.