The Name “Annapurna” came
after the Mount. Annapurna, which is the 10th highest
mountain in the world. Annapurna is a series of peaks in
the Himalaya, a 55-km-long Massif whose highest point,
Annapurna I, stands at 8,091 m (26,538 ft). It is
located east of a great gorge cut through the Himalaya
by the most famous river, Kali Gandaki and which
separates it from the Mount Dhaulagiri. Annapurna is a
Sanskrit name which is translated as Goddess of the
Harvests. In Hinduism, Annapurna is a goddess of
fertility and agriculture. The Region, Annapurna is
surrounded by many Himalayan ranges which include the
Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhre - the
famous fish-tail mountain that dominates the skyline
above Pokhara. In addition this area possess the Kali
Gandaki, the world's deepest gorge
The Region Annapurna is famous for its trekking. In this
region there are three major trekking routes, Jomsom
Muktinath, Annapurna Sanctuary which is also called
Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit. About
two-thirds of the trekkers in Nepal visit the Annapurna
region. The area is easily accessible, hotels in the
hills are plentiful, and treks here offer good scenery
of both high mountains and lowland villages. In this
Region there is one project known as ACAP (Annapurna
conservation Area Project) ACAP was established in 1986
under the guidance of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature
Conservation. The project covers the whole Annapurna
range, more than 7600 sq km. In an inventive advance to
environmental protection, it was declared a
"conservation area" instead of a national park. A large
number of people live within the protected region.
Annapurna Conservation Area offers varieties of flora
and fauna form sub tropical to pine and you will grace
by the heart touching blossoming rhododendron on your
way. This region is also the home to copious wildlife
like pika, blue sheep, snow leopards, tigers and
Himalayan thar. Multiplicity of birds including multi
–colored Impheyan, koklas and blood pheasants, offer you
their natural beauty. In this region you will encounter
with the Gurungs and Thakali people whose unique culture
and religion makes you surprise. You will experience how
friendly and open hearted these people are, and you can
get a taste of their lifestyle by staying in their house
and knowing their way of living and their culture and
tradition.
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.
