Annapurna Region Trek

The Annapurna region lies in the north of Central Nepal and is recognized as one of the world’s best trekking trails. The highlights of this part of Nepal are Annapurna peaks, Mount Dhaulagiri, the River Kali Gandaki as well as several other peaks. The gateway to the region is the famous city of Pokhara while the most prominent ethnic groups in the 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, 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 can be rewarding.

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 as there are a number of tourist buses available daily both from Kathmandu and from Chitwan, flying is also possible and takes around 40 minutes. The town itself is worth spending several days in if you have the time.

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, where there are 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 the Lamjung district. Buses from Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Terai arrive and depart here on a 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 trail-heads. Specific details appear in the trek descriptions.

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.

Trekking styles

Most of the treks in Annapurna are well serviced by steakhouses especially the Jomsom trek, the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp.

Trekkers should be aware, however, that there is always the risk of being stranded by bad weather or injury/sickness between tea-houses, 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.

Attraction-People and culture

The most prominent ethnic groups in the 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 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 businesses. 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 are 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 area. Both Pokhara and Besishanar are below 1000-meter elevation and their climate is quite tropical. These parts 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 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.

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 depot that is established in the project area.