Annapurna region in western Nepal is one of the most popular trekking destination in Nepal. The trekking region is famous for natural beauty with rich culture. The Annapurnaregion is blessed with everything that any trekker from any corner of the world seeks for. When trekkers explore this amazing region, they come to feel that the popularity of Annapurna region is well deserved. Widely recognized as naturalist’s paradise, the region has to offer much more than what trekkers actually expect. Nepal Government did a right job to inscribe this region as Conservation Area in 1986. Famous for its incredibly diverse scenery and cultural variety, the region is the most visited trekking destination in Nepal in terms of actual visitors.
Trekking in Annapurna region offers you breathtaking views of many snow capped peaks including Annapurna I (8,091m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Machhapuchhre (6,998m), Nilgiri (6,940m) and several others. Most of the trekking trails in this region are through beautiful landscapes, green foothills, picturesque ethnic villages and lush forest adorned with rhododendrons. The trekking trails also take you through barren of the world’s deepest Kaligandaki gorge. This region is also home to the highest lake in the world i.e. Tilicho lake which is one of the major attractions for tourists. There is also Ice Lake which is a newly founded lake. The region is adorned with terraced farmlands, lush forest, hot springs as well as glaciers.
Annapurna Conservation Area which covers an area of 7,629 square km is the largest protected area of Nepal. The protected area is rich in flora and fauna. The region is inhabited by diverse communities including Brahmin, Chhetri, Sherpa, Thakali, Magar, Gurung and Tamang. Trekking in this region gives trekkers an opportunity to know about culture and tradition of those communities.
The popular trekking routes of Annapurna region are Annapurna Round (Circuit) Trekking, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Panorama Trekking, Jomsom Muktinath Trekking and Mardi Himal Trekking. Whichever the trek is chosen is, Pokhara is mostly likely the starting or ending point of the trek in this region. Both teahouse/lodge trek and camping trek can be done in this region.
Khumbu or Everest region, a popular trekking region in the world is a home to the world’s highest mountain Everest. If it is easier to get to Solukhumbu like Annapurna, then Everest region probably would be more visited than the most visited Annapurna region.