Annapurna Trekking
Annapurna trekking is the most popular of all the trekkings in Nepal , about two-thirds of the trekkers in Nepal visit the Annapurna region. Annapurna trekking is the name given to the treks to the famous Annapurna mountains in central Nepal Himalaya. There are altogether five mountains on the Annapurna range.
Besides the Annapurnas, there are following important mountains you enjoy viewing in Annapurna trekking. Dhaulagiri 8167 m.,
Machhapuchare (Fish Tail mountain) 6997m.,
Nilgiri , Tukche etc.
One can easily imagine that trekking to so many high and impressive mountains is not an ordinary experience.Justifiably, Annapurna trekking is repeatedly voted as one of the top ten trekkings in the world.
Annapurna is the region immediately north of Pokhara.All the treks in Annapurna start or end in Pokhara .This region spreads from the foothills near Pokhara to the alpine meadows to the Tibetan pleateau on the northen , Tibetan side of the Himalaya. This means it covers a area with a great variation in landscape, flora , fauna and the people . Hence Annapurna trekking is a rich experience not only for mountain scenery but also culturally, ethnologically, and in a naturalist's point of view.It is a rare tour anywhere to have such a rich and varied experience in a single hiking.Another reason for the popularity of Annapurna trekking is the different options for hiking to this region.Whether you want a short three to four day hiking to a view point or weeks long adventure to the base camp of one of these mountains, we can tailor your trek as it suits you best. Here are the three important treks on the Annapurna region.
Annapurna circuit trek
This is also called Round Annapurna trek as it makes a circle around entire Annapurna massif.It is a classic trek starting in Beshisahar .Passes through beautiful Manang village. Crossing the famous Thorung La pass emerges to Kaligandaki valley and descends down to Pokhara via Tukche, Marpha and Ghorepani.
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Annapurna Sanctury trek
Also called Annapurna base camp trek , this is a trekking to the base camp of the Annapurna south. A short trekking, moderate walk but great rewards.Offers stunning mountain view and glaciers .
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Jomsom Muktinath trek
A popular trekking through Tibet like Jomsom and Jharkot to the important shrine called Muktinath.Trekking along ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet , enjoy good mountains view , interesting culture and a moderate trek.
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Options in Annapurna region
There are many options in Annapurna region Other than mentioned above. Some of them are trekking to Tilicho Lake and Narphu Valley.
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If you have longer holidays you can combine one of the above treks with another one or make short side trips too.
If you have shorter holiday, Pokhara is a good place to start short treks of one to five or six days to the Annapurna region.
Click here for those short treks from Pokhara. The famous Ghorepani Poon hill trek and Ghandruk village trek fall on this category.
Annapurna trekking boasts some of the finest trekking lodges in Nepal mountains.Hotels in the hills are plentiful and treks here offer good scenery of both high mountains and lowland villages.The trail heads have easy accesses.
Important highlights of Annapurna trekking
Among many other things the scenic Gurung village of Ghandruk and the view from Sarangkot and Poon hill are remarkable.The Annapurna base camp, the crossing of Thorung La pass, the beautiful villages of Manang and the Tilicho lake are among other things you will remember for long.The uniquely beautiful desert terrain of Kagbeni, world's deepest gorge in Kaligandaki valley and the beautiful mountain villages of Marpha and Tukche are other highlights that make Annapura trek a rich experience.
Flora and fauna in Annapurna trekking
While trekking lower altitudes you will pass through forests of schima and chestnut upto 2000 m.A great many species of oaks and rhododendrons are found in temperate zones upto 3000m.There are 30 species of rhododendrons in Nepal and some species are found even upto subalpine zones.They are national flower of Nepal.
Nepal boasts more than 800 species of birds and they are found profusely in Annapurna region. Among the mamals, snow leopards, wild sheeps, deers, wild goats , monkeys of different species are found.
People religion and culture
You can get the opportunity to see an amazing varieties of faces and culture in Annapurna trekking.The lower hills are inhabited by Brahmins and Chhetris . In the mid hills are mostly Gurungs , where as there are Tibetans on the region bordering with Tibet. The Kaligandaki valley is inhabited by the Thakalis – the famous inn keepers of Annapurnas. In lower hills you will see Hindu culture and Buddhist culture in higher altitudes. You will see many Buddhist gompas on the high mountains in some of these treks.
Annapurna Trekking Permit
The Annapurna region is preserved and managed by Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).They charge a fee of Nepali Rupees 2000(approx USD 31) for every trekkers entering the region.Children below 10 yrs are free.
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