Annapurna Region

The Annapurna region  is the major trekking destination in Nepal. Annapurna region has been renowned as one of the world’s best trekking trails. Thousands of  tourists annually visit this area. The Annapurna trekking region includes of peaks Annapurna I, II, III, IV, those of Annapurna South peaks, Mt. Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. The trek’s major highlights are the ancient mid-western salt route settlement of Manang, Thorong –La pass between Nepal and Tibet, Muktinath Temple and the deepest gorge of world Kali Gandaki.  Pokhar is the Gateway to Annapurna trekking region.

Lo Manthang, the desert plateau located in the upper valley of the River Kali Gandaki, and to the north of the main Himalayan range also falls in this region. The highlight of the trek includes the visit to the Mustang Palace, the visit to Lo Manthang and pony rides to the Nepal-Tibet border.

The most prominent ethnic groups of Annapurna region are Gurung, Thakali and Manangba, there are seven ethnic groups living in this region, from Hindu farmers to Tibetan Lamas.. The region contains a amazing diversity of flora; from sub-tropical lowland forests of oak, bamboo and rhododendron in the south to the high alpine meadows and windswept desert plateaus in the north, bordering Tibet. Pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr are found here.

Jomsom, Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, Sikles, Lamjung, Dhaulagiri, Upper Mustang and around Pokhara are the popular trekking routes of this region. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn. Most trekking routes in the Annapurna region are well serviced by teahouses, so even the rainy season is also ideal to visit to Upper Mustang .

Pokhara would be either the starting or ending point of your trek in the Annapurna region.