Annapurna region is the second most popular trekking destination in Nepal, after Everest Trekking. Annapurna region is located in the western part of Nepal. Due to the diverse range of Himalayas, Culture, flora, and fauna this region is the most dynamic and trekked region of Nepal. Mountains such as the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhere, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu are easily seen in this area.
Annapurna means fulfill of the grain because Anna means grain and Purna means to fulfill. This area is a government-protected area and it’s one of the conservation areas of Nepal known as the Annapurna conservation area. Inside the Annapurna Conservation area, there are different trekking trails including the most classic one Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT Trek)
Culturally also, this land is very diverse because here in the lower part live Braman, Chhetri, Tamang, and Magar, and in the higher part live Gurung, Thakali, Lho, and Lama. In the lower part, people are following the Hindu religion and in the higher region, people are following the Buddhist religion. Especially, in the upper land, there is a very unique culture. Mixed with Tibetan and Nepali culture.
As a trekking and tour guide, I love to explore trekking trails. Which is very popular, worldwide wide those are, Annapurna Base Camp also call Annapurna sanctuary trek, Annapurna Circuit, and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. Similarly, Dhaulagiri Round Trek, Nar Phu Trek, etc. All the trekking trails are beautiful and offer great lifetime experiences of the Himalayas.
Now here I am going to give a short introduction to those Annapurna region treks. The first one is Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular and most trekked trekking trails in the Himalayas of Nepal. This is the most diverse trekking trail in Nepal. Starts with a very lower elevation and ends at 5416m. This is the second-best trekking trail after Everest Base Camp Trek. And the most popular one inside the Annapurna region treks trail.
During this trek, if we have more time we can enjoy the beauty of the world’s highest Lake Tilicho Lake. Also, we can visit the Ice Lake and the Milarepa Cave near Manang. Manang is a popular village during this trek because it is named after its district name. Located at an elevation of 3550m above sea level.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary.
| Day 1 | Drive from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar and then drive to Bulbule |
| Day 2 | Trek to Shree Kharka |
| Day 3 | Trek to Dharapani |
| Day 4 | Trek to Chame |
| Day 6 | Trek to Pisang |
| Day 7 | Trek to Manang |
| Day 8 | Acclimatize day |
| Day 9 | Trek to Yak Kharka |
| Day 9 | Trek to High Camp |
| Day 10 | Trek to Muktinath (Pass the Thorong La 5416m) |
| Day 11 | Trek to Jomsom via Kagbeni |
| Day 12 | Drive or fly to Pokhara and end the trek. |
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a beautiful journey to the base camp of the world’s 10th highest point. This is a short and sweet trek nearby Pokhara. The 360-degree angle mountain view from the Annapurna base camp. Sunset and sunrise on top of the snowy peaks are just speechless. Walking throughout the Gurung and Magar villages reflects the culture and traditions of these communities.
Annapurna Base camp Trek is the second most popular trek in the Annapurna conservation area. This trek officially starts From Birethanti and most of the trekkers end in the same place. But some of them want to hike more and the end and start in different places like Phedi, Naudanda, etc. It’s all about the timing if you have a longer time and want to spend more time in the mountain you can add the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek at the same time.
The highest point of this trek is Annapurna Base Camp 4310m above sea level. Views of the giant Annapurna one, Annapurna South, Annapurna three, and the most attractive mountain peak Machhapuchhare. Also called Fishtail peak. Also, the glacier on the side of the Annapurna Base Camp adds extra beauty to this area.
Walking throughout the typical villages, where living the Gurung people. Gurung people are one of the ethnic groups of people who are living in the trans – Himalayan region. Especially we can find in the Annapurna region. These people have their own identities as soldiers. They work in England as Gorkha and in other many countries. And they have their own culture, costume, and language.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary.
| Day 1 | Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ghandruk |
| Day 2 | Trek to Chhomrong |
| Day 3 | Trek to Himalaya |
| Day 4 | Trek to Annapurna Base Camp |
| Day 5 | Trek back to Bamboo |
| Day 6 | Trek to Ghinu Danda (Natural hot spring) |
| Day 7 | Trek to Birethanti and drive back to Pokhara. |
This trek can combine with Poon Hill.
| Day 1 | Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri |
| Day 2 | Trek to Ghorepani |
| Day 3 | Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani |
| Day 4 | Trek to Chhomrong |
| Day 5 | Trek to Himalaya |
| Day 6 | Trek to ABC |
| Day 7 | Trek to Bamboo |
| Day 8 | Trek to Ghinu Danda (Natural Hotspring) |
| Day 9 | Trek to Birethanti and drive to Pokhara. |
Note: If you want to do this trek from Kathmandu and need to add two more days for traveling. Travel can do by air or by land to Pokhara.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the most popular trekked trekking trails in Nepal. Located inside the Annapurna Himalayan range and nearby the adventures base camp Pokhara. Ghorepani Trek is known as one of the easiest but best sunrise and sunset view treks. And also, called Poon Hill Trek for this trek. Because Poon Hill is the viewpoint from there people enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains and sunrise and sunset. And this is the third most popular trekking trail in the Annapurna region.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek itinerary.
| Day 1 | Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri |
| Day 2 | Trek to Ghorepani |
| Day 3 | Hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani |
| Day 4 | Trek to Ghandruk and drive back to Pokhara. |
Note: If you want to do this trek from Kathmandu and need to add two more days for traveling. Travel can do by air or by land to Pokhara.
Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
The Mardi Himal Trekking route is a newly discovered trekking trail inside the Annapurna Region. This trek is getting more popular each day because of the dramatic view of Mt. Machhapuchhare and the cloud in the lower valley. The best feature of this trek is possible to do in any season. But spring and autumn are the best time to do this beautiful trek. This trekking area is also called the gem of the Annapurna region and one of the beautiful Annapurna Region Treks.
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Kande and trek to Australia |
| Day 2 | Trek to Forest Camp |
| Day 3 | Trek to High Camp |
| Day 4 | Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and Trek to Badal Danda. |
| Day 5 | Trek to Siding and Drive back to Pokhara. |
Note: If you want to do this trek from Kathmandu and need to add two more days for traveling. Travel can do by air or by land to Pokhara.
Nar Phu Trek
Nar Phu trek is one of the restricted trekking trails of Nepal. This trekking trail is in between Koto and Nawal. But this valley is known as the hidden valley of the Annapurna Himalaya and the restricted trekking trails inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. To do this trek need to issue a special permit that is only issued from the registered trekking companies in Kathmandu and Pokhara. So those individual trekkers are not allowed to trek there. You must have a license-holder trekking guide. This trek is restricted to Annapurna Region Treks.
