A visit to the Annapurna region will help you appreciate why this is the most visited trekking destination in Nepal. The plenty of trekking options here including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Base Camp, and Poon Hill make it popular for trekkers of all kinds. A place of breathtaking mountainous beauty and picturesque villages, the Annapurna region, is a place to place you shouldn’t miss out on.
Trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal is one of the most satisfying experiences in the world. It is, therefore, no wonder that this region sees a large number of tourists for trekking in the various parts here.
Annapurna Region trekking takes you into the Annapurna Conservation Area. Established in 1885, this conservation area spans an area of 7692 square kilometers. It also houses 474 species of birds and 102 species of mammals.
The conservation area ranges at an altitude of 1000 meters to 8000 meters. Therefore, there are more than 1200 species of flowering plants in this region. When you go for any of the treks in this region like Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, or any other trek, you are likely to encounter lush rhododendron, pine and oak forests that are bound to delight you.
The most sumptuous attractions of the Annapurna Region are its majestic snow-capped mountains. Annapurna massif includes more than 13 peaks over 7000 meters. In addition to this, there are more than 16 peaks that are more than 6000 meters high and one peak that towers more than 8000 meters.
Annapurna I, which is one of the fourteen 8000 meters peaks in the world, is the highest mountain you can see during trekking in the Annapurna Region. In addition, you can also see peaks like Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, and Gangapurna. All of these are more than 7200 meters in elevation. Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli are other peaks that are of great prominence to trekkers in this region.
The most popular of the treks in the Annapurna Region is the Annapurna Base Camp trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, takes you to the Base Camp of Mt. Annapurna. The Annapurna Base Camp is a remarkable location that has towering panoramic views of the mountains mentioned above.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is longer than the trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. Annapurna Base Camp trek can be completed in merely 7 days at a minimum. You can also complete the Annapurna Base Camp trek in 10 days, 11 days, or 15 days. However, the Annapurna Circuit trek can take 12 days or 16 days. This is because you will go to many more places during the Annapurna Circuit Trek compared to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek covers a total distance of 160-230 kilometers depending upon your itinerary. You will have a chance to go to Muktinath temple, Jomsom, and also cross Thorong La pass, which has an altitude of 5416 meters. You can also view Tilicho lake if you opt for Tilicho Annapurna Circuit trek.
A short trek that is very popular inside the premises of the Annapurna sanctuary is the Poon Hill trek. This trek takes you through villages like Nayapul, Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, and Ghandruk. Poon Hill is one of the best locations in Nepal for viewing sunrise as the location is draped with views of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhre.
Mardi Himal Trek is another trekking destination in the Annapurna region that is getting the recognition it deserves. Filled with gorgeous views of mountains and wonderful lodges along the way, this trip takes you to High Camp, Low Camp eventually leading to the Base Camp of Mardi Himal.
A hidden gem of a trek in the Annapurna Sanctuary is the Khopra Danda trek. This trek is an off-the-beaten-track trek that takes you to the mesmerizing Khayer lake whose turquoise water that lies in the backdrop of the Himalayas is a sight to behold.
With so many possibilities for trekking, it is no wonder that this region is flooded with tourists almost all year round. In addition, trekking in the lower altitudes of the Annapurna region is moderately easy. Filled with fairly priced lodges, trekking in the Annapurna Region is fairly cheap.
With good trekking preparation, you can complete trekking in the Annapurna Sanctuary at any time of the year. However, spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, and November) are the most popular seasons for trekking in this region.
Main Attractions of the Annapurna Region Trekking
- There are plenty of options for trekking in the Annapurna Region. You can either go for short treks like Poon Hill trek or short ABC trek. You can also go for longer treks like Tilicho Annapurna Circuit Trek.
- The snow-capped mountains in this region will be a constant source of amazement and wonder to anyone who treks here. The sights of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna during your trek will be mesmerizing.
- Wonderful facilities of lodges, food, and water throughout the trip will be surely pleasant.
- While trekking in the Annapurna Sanctuary, you might also get chances to view the various species of birds and animals in the lush forests here.