Classic Annapurna Base camp ( Sanctuary)

Trek to Annapurna Sanctuary ( Base camp)

Beside the Everest region, the area around the Annapurna massif is perhaps the best known trekking destination in Nepal. Based on sheer numbers of trekking visitors it is certainly the most popular. As the title suggests, the centre piece of this part of Nepal is the range of mountains that includes Annapurna I, the first of the 8000 meter peaks to be climbed. Also included in this general area is another 8000 meter giant, Dhaulagiri , which is located west of Annapurna I. Between these two mountains runs the valley of the Kali-Gandaki River, the deepest gorge on earth. Combine this with lush, fertile farming land, stands of undistributed natural forest and a mixture of different ethnic inhabitants and you have a diverse range of experiences that makes this area one of the most satisfying trekking destinations in Nepal.

The fact that the main Himalayan range runs south of the border with Tibet means that that the northern parts of the area are in the rain shadow and are considerably drier than the southern slopes of the mountains. This leads to unusually diverse landscapes.

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 Besishahar are below 1000 meter elevation and their climate is quiet tropical. These parts of 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 being the pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr.

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.

To start the trek at Pokhara there are a number of choices of route. Perhaps the best is to take a taxi or bus to Naudanda Phedi where the trial up to Dhampus will be found. The route passes through a number of Gurung settlements including Dhampus, Pothana and Landrung. At Landrung the choice is to cross to Ghandrung, a descent and subsequent climb involving several hundred meters of

elevation change, or to continue on up the Modi khola through Naya Pul. Both trials join at Chomrong at the foot of the gorge leading to the sanctuary. An additional attraction on the Naya Pul trial is a very welcome hot spring half way to Chomrong.

From Chomrong there is only one trial, which follows the ever-narrowing most khola to finally enter the sanctuary. Due to the altitude gain, two nights must be spent between Chomrong and the sanctuary in order to avoid the risk of AMS. There are a number of settlements in the valley, providing ample accommodation. However, during winter it is wide to check at Chomrong in case the teahouse up the valley has closed for the off season.

The trial up the Modi khola passes through dense stands of rhododendron and bamboo for the first day. By the time the large rock overhang, known as Hinku cave, is reached the vegetation has thinned and the gorge narrowed to be only a few hundred meters wide. Steep, snow-clad ridges falling from Himchuli on the left and Machhapuchhre on the right from the entrance to the sanctuary. as you pass through the gate and enter the sanctuary you will find yourself in a huge amphitheater enclosed by a solid wall of snow capped peaks which include Annapurna I, II, III and IV plus the fish tailed spire of the Machhapuchhre. Teahouses are available at Machhapuchhre base camp, just inside the sanctuary, or at Annapurna base camp, a further two hours beyond.

Spend at least one full day inside the sanctuary. Side trips across the south Annapurna glacier, north from Annapurna base camp allow for an even better appreciation of this unique place.