1

I went on the trek a while ago, and I'm not sure if "Beni" is just an abbreviation of Kagbeni, or a separate village altogether... That being said: Kagbeni is INCREDIBLE, and easily the most memorable stop of the entire Annapurna trek (at least in my opinion). Red House in Kagbeni is fantastic, and their food is excellent and unique. They do some sort of traditional Mustang feast-platter that needs to be ordered a day in advanced, and it's delicious, though I didn't understand half of what I was eating.

If Beni is a different village unto itself, however, I don't remember it at all, haha. That might be an indicator...

Hope it helps!
-Steve

2

Steve, depends how your trek went - OP refers to Beni on the western side of the Annapurna Circuit, on the western bank of Kali Gandaki.

OP will be there in the beginning of his trek, since he is Jomosom bound, and apparently he decided not to take the Birethanti - Ghorepani track. LAt time I was in the region (April 2004) the road reached all the way to Beni. Nowadays, I understand, the road goes all the way up to Muktinath. Unbelievable, but true. I remember seeing road gangs hard at work with heavy machinery.

And I agree, Kagbeni is splendid. On a par with Jarkot.

3

Yep, Kagbeni is incredible. We have stayed there a long time ago. Beni is different and is way down the Kali Ghandaki.

As we are probably going to end up getting a vehicle from Pokhara to Kagbeni we will stop in Beni and perhaps Tukuche on route. Hence the questions re accom, with 2 x 80 year olds in tow we need something with bedding (no sleeping bags with us on this trip), stairs are no drama, they are fit enough just not so use to roughing it.

4

a vehicle from Pokhara to Kagbeni

Here you are. My worst nightmare. So the road indeed is in use? All the way up to Muktinath? What has become of actual trekking, back packs and sweating, six days to cover the distance from Kagbeni to Tatopani and then you'd have the choice, either the easy way along Kali Gandaki or the tough but rewarding climb to Ghorepani...

All things must end, I know, but I don't always understand why.

5

Kagbeni is awesome. Beni is a dusty hole.
There are about four hotels in a row at the bus station at Beni. We met a guide at Beni who told me he just payed 600 rupees for one night. I went into the next hotel and said "I want a bed for 200 rupees" AND GOT IT.
Food is cheap in Beni and is actually Nepalese. Lots of people getting on the piss. Wear ear plugs.
BTW Beni has the largest mosquito I have EVER seen. Seriously, it was over 5cm from wing tip to wing tip.