The Annapurna region is the best trekking destination for tourists in Nepal. Embarking on the majestic Annapurna Circuit Trek takes travelers around the whole Annapurna massif, crossing the 5414-meter-high Throng Pass, including the scenically fantastic arid valley of the upper Manang. People who wish to travel a shorter trek along the same route of the Annapurna Region massif choose to walk on the trails of the Annapurna Circuit, which takes 14 days to complete ideally. The approximate length of the entire route varies from 160 to 230 km, depending on the transportation used. From the homes of Tibeto-Buddhists in Manang to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Muktinath along the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Valley, visitors can get an experience of a lifetime.
Along the way, the change in the geographical structure is dramatic as the globetrotters experience a wide variety of climate zones, from the tropics at 600 m above sea level to the artic at 5416m above sea level at the Thorong La pass. Subsequently, a variety of cultures are comprised in the Annapurna region, where a series of settlements of a wide ethnic group of Magars, Thakalli, Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, etc. live together as a community. Annapurna is a sanctuary for wild animals and birds, which include dandelion (pheasant), long-tail birds, and animals such as jackals, blue sheep, snow leopards, etc.
Tourists encounter the world’s two deepest rivers along the route: the Kali Gandaki River and the Marsyangdi River. Apart from experiencing the two deepest rivers, travelers also come across several waterfalls and subtropical forests on their way to the circuit. The paddy fields on the route are magnificent, and the early morning sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri is simply breathtaking. Hence, with its astonishing scenic beauty and mixture of local culture and tradition, Annapurna Circuit Trekking is one of the finest treks in Nepal.