8 Things to Know Before Trekking in Annapurna Region

“Amazing country of dramatic landscapes, spectacular scenery, immense culture”

Annapurna region is one of the most popular adventure destinations, probably in the whole Himalaya range, due to its varied bio-diversity from climate, vegetation, landscapes, and most important the wide variation of local culture in close harmony with beautiful snow-capped mountain scenery.

Why Annapurna Region a popular adventure destination, as Annapurna Himalaya range offers a great opportunity for visitors, where one can choose varied adventures from a hike of a day or more and trekking for almost three weeks, as well as peak climbing and major mountaineering expedition.

Annapurna Himalaya and its unique landscapes, varied traditional customs and cultures, deep gorges and ravines, beautiful cool serene forest, glacial lakes, and the warm hospitality of villagers, males Annapurna Himalaya one of the most sought adventure destination in all Himalayas. As Annapurna Himalaya range provides many highlights like the rhododendron forest known as the world’s largest natural garden, the world’s deepest gorge of Kaligandaki River, and sudden changes in climate and temperatures. Annapurna Himalaya is beyond description, where ever you travel you won’t be devoid of glorious views of the surrounding scenery, rolling green hills, valleys, and the high snow-capped mountain range, that is why Annapurna Himalaya draws more trekkers and visitors than any other Himalaya countries, no wonder some of its area listed as world top ten adventure destination. 

Annapurna with a Great Massive Range of Peaks

Annapurna a massive mountain range with more than eight high peaks with world number ten Annapurna-1 at 8,091 meters high, includes other groups of satellite peaks of above 7, 000 m and below with famous majestic Machhapuchare Himal, the unclimbed peaks popularly known as the Fish-Tail, due to its twin summits.

Annapurna Himalaya range dominates the Mid-West skyline and the whole surrounding valley of Pokhara and the outskirts, where travelers can catch wonderful views of Annapurna Himalaya, just relaxing at your hotel in Pokhara by its serene Lake Phewa and Begnas.
Annapurna Himalaya extends close to Lamjung Himal and 8^th world’s highest Manaslu Himalaya range in the east, with the world’s 7th Mt. Dhaulagiri towards the west direction.

History of Annapurna Himalaya

The name itself originates from ancient Sanskrit meaning Anna as food/crops and Purna as Enough, a mountain with great meaning crops/food enough.

Most travelers might not be aware that Mt. Annapurna was the first 8, 000-meter peak ever climbed in the history of mountaineering, which was conquered way back in 1950 by a French Expedition three years ahead than Mt. Everest was summited by Tenzing and Hillary.

Annapurna Himalaya is the land of the brave Gorkha, world-renowned soldiers mostly in British and Indian infantry, and the area around mid and high hills inhabited by Gurung and Magar people one of the largest mountain ethnic tribes.

Annapurna Himalaya Region with a Wide Range of Exotic Destinations

Annapurna Himalaya region is a perfect choice for adventure from short, moderate to long walks facing ever-present views of white snow-capped peaks, as well as enjoying the local cultures of mountain and hill people. Annapurna Himalaya region, which is popular as the country offers leisure, moderate, and adventurous to challenging trekking, within most popular trails to off the beaten hidden path on the far-flung corners of high Annapurna Himalayas.

Some of the trekking areas of Annapurna Himalaya are listed as the world’s top ten adventure destinations by leading travel magazines and guide books, such as the Annapurna Circuit trek or the Around Annapurna trekking. Where one can walk for more than two weeks or less, enjoying different beautiful aspects of this magnificent country. Walking from low sub-tropical within paddy fields and terraces to cooler alpine hills and then ending at the arctic freezing cold zone of remorseless fields of ice, moraine, and glaciers. Annapurna Circuit is an amazing trek where trekkers can get different tastes of cultures nearly on everyday walks, of Buddhism in the higher regions and Hindu around lower areas. An interesting and exciting walk surrounded by glorious views of great scenic landscapes, where high snow peaks follow you till the end of the journey. The trek involves one of the highest passes called Thorang-La at the height of 5,416 m offers breathtaking views from the top of the pass, and then downhill towards Kaligandaki River valley around lower Mustang areas, where you can enjoy staying in wonderful villages as this region also known as Apple Pie Trail. The Kaligandaki region is famous for its apple orchard and its products, located on the old Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan Route to Tibet, which extends towards Upper Mustang.

This scenic journey takes you through the world’s deepest gorge Kaligandaki River, as it is sandwiched between the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna forming one of the deepest river gorges on this planet. Another great trek around Annapurna is an adventure to Tilicho Lake, a beautiful area well hidden from the main busy trail of Annapurna Circuit, a splendid and magnificent area of Tilicho with a turquoise colored Lake considered holy in both Hindu and Buddhism religions.

Annapurna Himalaya Region provides an unlimited choice of adventure where one can take a short of few days trek to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, which offers striking sunrise views over 360° wide-angle panorama of Himalayan peaks from Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri with massive Annapurna range of peaks, includes Mt. Manaslu as far towards Ganesh Himal in the far eastern horizon.

Southern Annapurna Himalaya Covered in the Beautiful Forest

Annapurna Himalaya is not only famous for its panoramic views, a great country where you will be walking into beautiful rhododendron, magnolia, oaks, pines, and fir tree forests. The area around Ghorepani and Poon Hill is also regarded as the world’s natural rhododendron garden. The southern side of Annapurna Himalaya the area covered in dense beautiful woods, which makes the walk more interesting, whereas the northern side behind Annapurna is massive is arid with dry landscapes but beautiful. Annapurna Himalaya on the southern or northern sides offers trekkers wide options, like visiting Annapurna Base Camp and the scenic Sanctuary where the walk takes you to the heart of massive Annapurna Himalaya at base camp.

The only 8,000 m mountain base camp in the whole Himalayas provides you facilities of a nice and cozy lodge to stay overnights with rooms facing excellent views of high snow-capped peaks.  

A short and marvelous adventure of a week to Annapurna base camp and within its awesome sanctuary surrounded by an array of high towering peaks, a grand trek from low warm farm areas to Himalayan mid-hills and then at high valley within ice and glaciers at base camp. Truly, an amazing place in and around Annapurna Himalaya, where one can find so many changes in a short duration of time. Where you can find it only within Annapurna Himalaya, located in Nepal Mid-West.

Annapurna Himalaya region besides the main popular trails, one can choose the off-beaten tracks, which few groups of trekkers seldom visits like Khopra Ridge and Vara Lake, as well the Mardi Himal area which is slowly drawing many trekkers every season of the year.

Annapurna Himalaya Villages Enriched with Immense Culture and Custom

Annapurna Himalaya is not only famous for its marvelous adventure destinations trekkers can soak and interact with local friendly villagers, where you will be greeted with a warm traditional welcome and entertained visitors with a joyful evening with local cultural programs, which includes folk dance and songs.

Annapurna region was made famous by British Royal after visiting the low foothills of Annapurna, places as a special area just outskirts of Pokhara the area east of Pokhara coined as Royal Trek, since Prince Charles did a short trek in the midst of 1980. Due to its beautiful landscapes of forest, hills, and high snow mountains, and local immense culture, Annapurna Himalaya’s natural surroundings of exotic flora and fauna is protected by ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) since 1990.

Annapurna Himalaya Entry Permits, for Trekker’s Safety and Trail Maintenance

All trekkers need to obtain permission by paying an entrance ticket to visit and around the wonderful country of Annapurna Himalaya. Besides the Conservation entry fee, travelers need to carry TIMS (Trekking Information Management System), authorized by TAAN (Trekking Agent Association of Nepal).

One of the few adventure areas in Nepal Himalaya, with proper and well-maintained trekking trails, strong suspension bridges to cross over rivers, information posts in most areas, and proper check-post for the safety of travelers around Annapurna Himalaya.  

The Right Season to Travel Annapurna Region

Most of the day in the Best season is fine with crystal clear blue sky, usually from morning till late afternoon, where travelers can enjoy the Himalayan bright sun along with grand views of Annapurna Himalaya peaks. Choosing the right time for your holidays around the Annapurna Himalaya region will make your adventure more worthwhile, as the Annapurna Himalaya area where trekkers can trek nearly all seasons of the year-round, except for the monsoon wet times of mid-June to mid-September months. Annapurna Himalaya region is many popular areas, due to its easy accessibility to start and end the trek, normally most adventures around southern Annapurna begin and completes at a beautiful city in Pokhara, located on the very lap of massive Annapurna Himalaya. Where trekkers can take a short drive and then commence the trek to various chosen destinations, from a day walk to a week or more. Some treks start from Lamjung districts like high Manang valley on route Annapurna Circuit, Tilicho Lake, and Nar-Phu.

Beautiful Pokhara where Most Annapurna Trek Begins and Ends

Where ever your travel around the Annapurna region it finally ends at Pokhara, located on a verdant valley surrounded by tiers of green rolling hills with constant views of Annapurna Himalaya, and the famous Machhapuchare Himal the Fish-Tail peak that reflects on its calm lakes. The other reason why the Annapurna Himalaya region is a popular destination is that travelers can get stays overnights in a nice lodge all along the journey. Around Annapurna on both sides North and South, trekkers can have the options of simple to standard or luxury lodges and resorts as per your budget and comfort. Annapurna Himalaya offers a wide range of trekking destinations and as well for trekking peak climbing and mountaineering.

The most popular short and longer treks around Annapurna Himalaya are as follows “Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, short circuit south of Annapurna around Dhampus, Landruk, and Ghandruk villages”. 

Longer treks are “Annapurna Circuit trek, Tilicho Lake, and Nar-Phu” located North of Annapurna Himalaya, similarly one can trek to Khopra Ridge and Vara Lake as well Mardi Himal trek or a short Royal trek to Syaglung around southeast mid-hills of Annapurna Himalaya.