Balcony of Annapurna (Kopra Ridge)

Annapurna area is the most popular trekking region in Nepal, every year visited by 70 percent of trekkers, and for good reason. the deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna himal embrace a wide range of peoples and terrains, from subtropical jungle to a geographic extension of high, dry , Tibetan Plateau. The scenery is superb mix of lush vegetation, mountain peaks and an endlessly changing procession of people.

Flora and Fauna
The range of geographical and climatic regions has led to a diverse variety of flora and fauna with in the Annapurna region. these parts of area are heavily cultivated and the landscape is terraced paddy fields for most of the year.the higher up in the hills the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron.

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 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 one very long day when the high pass of Thorong La has to be crossed. 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 trek east of Lamjung, definitely require trekkers to be self sufficient in food and shelter.

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. There heartland, however, is centered on the hills and valleys between the Marsyandi river and the kali Gandaki. The Thakali come from the upper kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom where their traditional farming has being supplemented by trade and, in particular, hotel and restaurant businesses. The Manangba are found in the upper reaches of the Marsyandi River and are in many ways similar to the Gurungs 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 live further south are predominantly Hindu.

All of the communities, 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 the main seasons.

When to visit?
As with most of the trekking areas in Nepal, the best time 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 pats 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.

The other classic trek in the Annapurna region is to the so called Annapurna sanctuary, the site of the base camp used by expeditions attempting the massive south face of Annapurna I. a short trek, it can be completed in as little as eight days from Pokhara. The trek to Annapurna base camp combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery with a fascinating insight into the life of middle hill Nepalis. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the main trekking season of spring and autumn but since the route is not a circuit, the trial, and the teahouses, can become crowded at these times. Winter trek are possible but at any time trekkers must beware of snowfall and avalanches that can block the narrow entrance to the sanctuary.

This trek is usually started and ended in Pokhara but it can also be made a part of the Annapurna circuit or the Jomsom trek by trekking from Tatopani through Ghorepani and Tadapani and joining the main sanctuary trial at Chomrong. For maximum enjoyment, allow twelve or fourteen days for the trek, which allows time for exploration inside the sanctuary and also the chance to extend the route on to Ghorepani and Poon hill. Trekkers traveling this route must obtain an ACAP entry permit either from Kathmandu or Pokhara before commencing the trek.