Annapurna Region named after the world famous Mount Annapurna (8091m) is a land of spectacular beauty and bio-diversity. With most admired and most visited area for trekking in the country, the Annapurna region reaches as high as (8091m) of Mt. Annapurna 1st and covers the area of one of the well managed Annapurna conservation area and is spread around Kaski, Mustang, Manang and Lamjung districts of Nepal.
One of the geographically and culturally diverse destinations, the Annapurna provides unparalleled access to spectacular horizons of snow-capped peaks with a fascinating insight into the life of middle hill Nepalese and their wide culture along with harmonious illustration of Buddhism and Hindusm via Muktinath. Inhabited by different ethnic groups, the region is a popular cultural heritage site. Widely recognized as a naturalist's paradise, you will find about 101 mammals, 39 reptiles, 22 amphibians, 478 species of birds, 9 types of rhododendrons, 38 orchids and 1226 varieties of wild plants well protected in this region. The upper sub-alpine steppe environment harbors some of the rare snow leopards and blue sheep. Other areas of the region protect bird species, butterflies and insects. This region also serves as an excellent habitat for rare and endangered mammals such a snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, red panda and many of Nepal’s brilliantly plumaged pheasants. Many plants native to Nepal are found in this forest.
Annapurna is a region of contrasting landscapes, with world’s deepest gorge between Mount Annapurna (8091m) and Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m), the Kali Gandaki gorge, consisting of more than 30 peaks rise above 6000m and highest rain falling area of Pokhara valley to rain shadowed desert like area upper Mustang in the north. Stretching from the subtropical lowlands and high temperate rhododendron forest in the south, a dry alpine steppe, the Annapurna Region features an outstanding variety of wildlife habitats and vegetation.
The Annapurna region offers variety of treks for trekkers with options of short trek of 3 days up to long as many as of a trekkers’ individual interest. Every trekker can enjoy the un-spoilt bio-diversity of Annapurna region including magnificent panorama of Fish Tail peak, Annpurna, Nilgiri, Gangapurna and Lamjung Himal from places like Ghandruk, Poon Hill, Gorepani, etc. Equally gorgeous are hills of rhododendrons that blossom every spring. The turning point of the Annapurna Circuit is Jomsom. The various trekking routes offer different experiences - the trek around Annapurna leads you throughout the region, the Annapurna Sanctuary trek heads toward the heart of the Annapurnas, and the short trip to Poon Hill offers the best panoramic views in the region. The trek southeast from Jomsom, leads to the scenic Tilicho Lake area at the altitude of (5200m). In the circuit route, is the famous Hindus religious site, the Muktinath temple?