Annapurna Region
The Annapurna region lies towards the north of Central Nepal. The region has been recognized as one of the world's best trekking trails according to a recent survey by Modern Maturity (USA). The highlight of this part of Nepal are Annapurna peaks, Mt. Dhaulagiri, River Kali Gandaki and several other peaks, Gateway to Annapurna trekking region is the famous city of Pokhara. The most prominent ethnic groups of Annapurna region are Gurung, Thakali and Manangba. Animals found here are pica, blue sheep and Himalayan Thar and vegetation ranges from tropical species to temperate forest to oak, beech and rhododendron.
The popular trekking routes of this region are Jomsom, Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna foothills, Sikles, Lamjung, Dhaulagiri, Upper Mustang and around Pokhara. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn. Unlike other parts of Nepal, even the monsoon months.
Getting there
Regardless of the trek chosen it is most likely that Pokhara will be either the starting or ending point of your trek. Pokhara is located 200 km. West of Kathmandu and can be reached by road travel there are a number of tourist buses available daily both from Kathmandu and from Chitwan.
There is no shortage of tourist facilities of be found in and around Pokhara. The main centre for tourists is at the side of the largest of the three lakes in the area, Phewa Tal. The suburbs agencies and suppliers of souvenirs and trekking equipment. For those trekking in the eastern side of the Annapurna massif the most likely starting point will be Besishahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung district. Buses from Kathmandu. Pokhara and the Terai arrive and depart here on a regular daily basis. The bus trip from Kathmandu to Besishahar takes around four to five hours but, at this time, there are no tourist bus services available.
Most treks starting or ending in Pokhara will require the use of buses or hired cars to reach the trailheads. Specific details appear in the trek descriptions.
Attraction-People and culture
The
most prominent ethnic groups in the Annapurna
region are the Gurung, the Thakali and the Manangba.
The Gurungs are the most widely distributed
being found from the hills of Gorkha district
to as far west as Palpa. Their heartland, however,
is center on the hills and valleys between the
Marsyangdi River and the Kali Gandaki. The Thakali
come from the upper Kali Gandaki valley around
where their traditional farming has been supplemented
by trade and, in particular, hotel and restaurant
business. The Mananagba are found in the upper
reaches of the Marsyangdi River and are in many
ways similar to the Gurung to whom they are
possibly related. They are skilled traders and
trace their roots back to Tibet. Religiously,
the Manangba and the Gurungs of the upper hills
is Buddhist with traces of their ancient, Shamanistic
faith still apparent. The communities that live
further south are predominantly Hindu.
All of the communities, but particularly the Gurungs, are famed for their cultural performances, which are easily seen while trekking in the region. Many villages along the trails will arrange performances for trekkers during main seasons.
Attraction-Flora and fauna
As
can be imagined, the range of geographical and
climatic regions has led to a diverse variety
of flora and fauna within the Annapurna region.
Both Pokhara and Besishanar are below 1000-meter
elevation and their climate is quite tropical.
These parts of the area are heavily cultivated
and the landscape, therefore, largely consists
of terraced paddy fields for most of the year.
The area is also famous for its winter crops
of oranges, which can be purchased fresh from
the trees along the trails in the foothills.
As you progress higher up into the hills the
natural vegetation changes from the tropical
species to more temperate stands of forest trees
including oak, beech and rhododendron. These
finally give way to coniferous forests of pine
and ultimately. Juniper just below the tree
line. In the rain shadow, to the north of the
mountains, the landscape is quite barren being
an extension south of the Tibetan plateau. Here
there are only stunted bushes and shrubs except
for close to the rivers where irrigated cropping
is possible.
Native animals to be seen include many birds the most obvious the pica, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr.
When to Visit?
As with most of the trekking areas in Nepal the best times to visit are during spring and autumn. Spring is the time for rhododendrons while the clearest skies are found after the monsoon in October and November. At these times the weather is generally mild and there is little rainfall. Unlike other parts of Nepal, the monsoon, from June to September, is the ideal time to visit parts of the region that falls in the rain shadow. In particular, Upper Mustang is the perfect destination during the rainy season. The winter months provide good trekking conditions throughout the foothills but some of the higher passes will be closed due to snow.
Looking after the environment
Follow the advice listed in conservation matters at the beginning of this site but in particular look for the ACAP sponsored safe drinking water deport that have been established in the project area.Trekking styles
Most of the trekking routes in the Annapurna region are well serviced by teahouses for most of their length. This is particularly true for the most popular treks the jomsom trek, the Annapurna circuit and Annapurna Base camp treks.Trekkers should be aware, however, that there is always the risk of being stranded by bad weather or injury/sickness between teahouses, particularly in the more remote parts of the trek itineraries. A good example is on the Annapurna Circuit where there is little or no shelter available for most of this day and some trekkers have been caught unprepared by bad weather and altitude problems.
The treks in less developed areas, particularly the Dhaulagiri circuit and the treks east of Lamjung, definitely require trekkers to be self sufficient in food and shelter.Annapurna
Region Trekking |
Days |
Grade |
Max.
Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Round Circuit trekking | 21 |
Moderate |
5416m |
| Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking | 15 |
Moderate |
4170m |
| Jomsom-Muktinath Trek Trekking | 10 |
Moderate |
3802m |
| Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking | 6 |
Easy |
3200m |
