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Annapurna Region

Includes  Why Go? Panorama With well over 100,000 visitors a year, the Annapurna Himal Trek...... 129 has long been the most popular region among trekkers, and Khopra Ridge Trek. . . . 133 for good reason. The mountain views are exceptional, the Annapurna villages you pass offer an exotic slice of Nepali and Tibetan Sanctuary Trek. . . . . 136 culture, and the area is easily accessible, with excellent food Annapurna and accommodation just about whenever and wherever you Circuit Trek ...... 144 need it. During the 2015 earthquake, buildings collapsed in Nar-Phu Trek...... 175 and Mustang, but most of the region escaped with- out serious damage. Mustang Trek ...... 184 The city of , with its relaxed traveller hub of Lake- side on the shore of Phewa Tal, makes an excellent base for all the treks in the Annapurna region, including the famous Circuit, the and several shorter treks. Best Mountain The are also the launching pad for adventurous Views treks into the restricted areas of Mustang and Nar-Phu. For many of these treks, you can be on the trail within an hour ¨ ¨Annapurna Sanctuary or two of leaving Pokhara. (p136) ¨¨Upper (p151) ¨¨Khopra Ridge (p133) When to Go ¨¨Poon Hill (p130) ¨¨Autumn and early winter (October to December) are ideal ¨¨Thorung La (p161) months for trekking, with warm days and cool nights; this is the peak season. There is very little rain (although mountain weather is always unpredictable) and usually the mountain views are crystal-clear. Bear in mind that October sees twice Best of Mountain as many trekkers in the Annapurnas than any other month. Culture ¨¨Spring (March to May) is Annapurna’s second-best and ¨¨Lo Manthang (p188) second-most popular season for trekking. The days are ¨¨ (p156) warming up and ’s famous rhododendron blossoms colour the trails. ¨¨Ghandruk (p132) ¨¨The monsoon (May to September) brings rain and leeches ¨¨Muktinath (p161) to most trails, although not to Mustang and Nar-Phu, both ¨¨Nar-Phu (p174) sheltering in the Himalaya’s rain shadow. 4 44 44 44 44 44 4444 da m Annapurna Region Region Highlights 125 an 0k iles nd 44 4444 44 444 44 44 44 ) . hu 4 ) 0m r ) . T ) . ap Ba 156 si ha NA #\ hh (p 157 Sa Be 177 HI Trek (p130) rc TIBE #\ (p (p Trek Day 1-4 (p145) (C (p134) 44 4444 4444 ga 66 66 66 Ba #\ (p185) (p176) da Phu #\ Circuit ek ek Manang un 8 a Panorama Tr Tr Ji rna Circuit Trek Day 12-15 (p165) rna Circuit Trek Day rna Circuit Trek Day 5-11 (p152) rna Circuit Trek Day rna Circuit Trek Day 16-18 (p172) rna Circuit Trek Day g rn 44 4444 44 444444 4 44 r Pokhara (p126) pu pu an Tilicho Tal Tilicho Tal te ) Phu e 5 02 01 r- 6 i vernighting in the vernighting # #\ am Annapurna O Teaming up with other with other up Teaming u #

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