Trekking in Nepal >> Annapurna Region Trekking

Beside the Everest and Langtang region, the area around the Annapurna massif is perhaps the best known trekking destination in Nepal. Based on sheer numbers of trekking visitors it is certainly the most popular. As the title suggests, the centre piece of this part of Nepal is the range of mountains that includes Annapurna I, the first of the 8000 meter peaks to be climbed. Also included in this general area is another 8000 meter giant, Dhaulagiri which is located west of Annapurna I. Between these two mountains runs the valley of the Kali-Gandaki River, the deepest gorge on earth. Combine this with lush, fertile farming land, stands of undistributed natural forest and a mixture of different ethnic inhabitants and you have a diverse range of experiences that makes this area one of the most satisfying trekking destinations in Nepal.

The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1986 under the auspices of the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The project was built on the principle that conservation is not a separation of people from nature. It is the empowerment of people as nature’s protectors. The program began by educating the local lodge owners in hygiene and sanitation matters, fuel diversity by moving away from using local forest timber and in maintaining local culture. ACAP, a non-governmental organization, has supported and encouraged the development of the local infrastructure and income generating activities in environmentally sensitive ways; solar power, bio-gas cooking and bio-degrading toilet systems. Please visit below trekking routes that are we have been providing.

Two main trails follow river valleys in relatively easy ascents: up the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom and Muktinath, and up the Marsyangdi to Manang. These trails can be joined by crossing a high pass, the Thorung La, and when combined they form the classic Annapurna Circuit. As the land climbs, mud-walled huts are replaced by flat-roofed stone houses, and the predominant occupation changes from farming to herding while the principle religion of the people changes from Hindu to Buddhist.

The Annapurna region dramatically reveals the cultural and geographic frontier running across Nepal. Mountain views are frequent and spectacular, and the various trekking routes offer different experiences – the trek around Annapurna leads you throughout the region, the Annapurna Sanctuary trek heads toward the heart of the Annapurnas and the short trip to Poon Hill offers the best panoramic views in the region.

The fact that the main Himalayan range runs south of the border with Tibet means that the northern parts of the area are in the rain shadow and are considerably drier than the southern slopes of the mountains. This leads to unusually diverse landscapes.