Annapurna Trekking

Annapurna Trekking ! Annapurna Treks ! Trekking Annapurna

The Annapurna Conservation region is the most geographically and culturally diverse protected area anywhere in the World. Nowhere else in Nepal can one meet and experience such a wide variety of human culture. There are seven ethnic groups living and working in the region, from Hindu farmers to Tibetan Lamas. Due to the extremes of elevation the region contains a remarkable 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. The diverse terrain and variety of cultures of the region north of Pokhara make each day's walk a different experience and perhaps because of this the area is the most popular trekking destination in the country. There are four favorite treks here ranging in length from around a minimum of about one week to a maximum of three weeks; they include The Poon Hill Trek, The  Annapurna Circuit,Annapurna Base Camp and The Temple trek to Muktinath.  

Annapurna Trekking

Alpine meadows, moraines, glaciers and breathtaking views of the Annapurna range abound.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. The region is also blessed with lush fertile farming land and undisturbed natural forest. There is a whole mix of ethnic groups from Hindu farmers in the south of the region  to Bhuddist Lamas in the north bordering Manang and Tibet.

The northern parts of the area are in the rain shadow meaning it is possible to trek during the monsoon season the area near Muktinath has particularly interesting rock formations where the glacial plates press against the mountains.

Permits and Fees

You will need to pay $20 for a Trekking Trekking Information Management System Permit (TIMS). The exception is upper Mustang where a fee of US$500 per person is levied for a ten-day visit. Additional restrictions relating to Mustang will be outlined later.

Most of the area discussed in the trek descriptions is within the area controlled by Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Entry to this area is controlled and an entry permit has to be purchased for approximately $30. The permit must be purchased before starting the trek and can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara . The proceeds of these fees are largely used for the local community development within the project area.If you are trekking with us the fee is included in the cost of your trek and we handle the bureaucracy.

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 in five to six hours or by air in 30 minutes from the capital. For road travel there are a number of tourist buses available daily from Kathmandu and from Chitwan.

There is no shortage of tourist facilities to be found in and around Pokhara. The main center for tourists is at the side of the largest of the three lakes in the area, Phewa Tal. The suburbs of Lakeside and Damside both provide a wide range of accommodation and restaurants along with the usual variety of trekking and traveling 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 Terai arrive and depart here on a regular daily basis. The bus trip from Kathmandu to Besisahar 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.

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 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 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. Their heartland, however, is centered on the hills and valleys between the Marsyangdi river and the kali Gandaki. The Thakali come from the upper kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom where their traditional farming has been supplemented by trade and, in particular, hotel and restaurant businesses. The Manangba are found in the upper reaches of the Marsyangdi 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 are Buddhist with traces of their ancient, shamanistic faith still apparent. The communities living 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 is 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, the 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.

Hiring Staff

 

If you have not traveled from Kathmandu with your staff then you will be able to make all of the necessary arrangements in Pokhara through one of the many trekking agencies that have offices on the lakeside. This is generally the only place where such arrangements can be reliably made although porters will often be found at centers such as Besishahar at the start of the Annapurna circuit.

 


 

 

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Satghumti Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu

Tel: +977 9841281454
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