Annapurna Region - GLOBETROTTER TOURS & TRAVELS

POKHARA

Pokhara is a city on Phewa Lake, in central Nepal. It’s known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trail in the Himalayas. Tal Barahi Temple, a 2-story pagoda, sits on an island in the lake. On the eastern shore, the Lakeside district has yoga centers and restaurants. In the city’s south, the International Mountain Museum has exhibits on the history of mountaineering and the people of the Himalayas. In recent decades, Pokhara has become a major tourist destination: it is considered the tourism capital of Nepal in South Asia, mainly for adventure tourism and the base for the famous Annapurna Circuit trek. Thus, a major contribution to the local economy comes from the tourism and hospitalities industry.

SARANGKOT

Sarangkot is a village just above Pokhara, known as a one-night destination as most people just stop in to see the stunning sunrise over the Annapurna range and leave. Though that is where guides lead people astray as many show up here expecting just to come for one day and want to stay longer. Aside from chilling out and taking in amazing views of both the mountains and Phewa Lake on the other side, Sarangkot offers a nice glimpse into the peaceful, slow village life and more. Annapurna range – Sarangkot offers a spectacular view of one of the largest mountain ranges in the world, the Annapurna range, including Annapurna I which is the 10th highest mountain in the world. Temple – There’s a small Shiva temple at the top of the mountain that acts as the hub of celebration on important festival days.

JOMSOM

Jomsom is a village in the Annapurna mountains of Nepal. It is the capital of the Mustang district of the Dhawalagiri (Dhaulagiri) zone of Nepal. The town is a popular starting/ending point for treks along the Kali Gandaki River valley as well as up to Muktinath on the Jomsom-Muktinath Trek. Both the treks can be done as part of the Annapurna Circuit. Jomsom is a beautiful small town, at an altitude of 2,800 meters, in the Kaligandaki River Valley, nestled in the lap of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiri. Tibetan culture and beautiful landscapes are featured here. Jomson has few attractions of its own but is a gateway for treks to Muktinath and Lo-Mantang as well as a common end point for treks from Manang.

DHAMPUS TREK

Dhampus Trek is short yet rewarding trek in Nepal. This trek passes through country inhabited by ethnic people, farm terrace, short stretch of woods and forested route to reach the warm settlement of Gurung community, Dhampus. Dhampus is not only famous for Mountain View but also equally famous for cultural experience. Dhampus trek from Pokhara is one of the shortest treks around Pokhara Valley that takes you through 3 different popular viewpoints; Dhampus, Naudanda and Sarangkot. Dhampus is not only the best view point but is also a small village of ethnic Gurung community, which gives you an opportunity to witness their daily life style.3 Days Dhampus Trek from Pokhara will be a perfect trip to those trekking enthusiast, who has limited time available in Nepal.

GHANDRUK TREK

Ghandruk is a Village Development Committee in the Kaski District of the Gandaki province of Nepal. Situated at a distance of 32 kms north-west to Pokhara, the village is readily accessible by public buses and private taxis from the provincial headquarter. Nepal is home to many of the world’s largest mountain peaks and best trekking trails in the world. But don’t think you have to train for months or conquer high altitudes to enjoy Nepal’s mountains – there are plenty of treks to suit any fitness level. The Ghandruk trek is a perfect example! The Ghandruk trek is the perfect option for anyone looking for a short trek in Nepal, with no difficult ascends/descends. This short but sweet trek takes three to four days, bringing you into the foothills of the Himalayas.

MUKTINATH

Muktinath is a Vishnu temple, sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. It is located in Muktinath Valley at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang, Nepal. It is one of the world’s highest temples. The site is close to the village of Ranipauwa, which is sometimes mistakenly called Muktinath. Muktinath Temple (Chumig Gyatsa) is located at the laps of snow-capped mountains at Thorong-La mountain pass at an altitude of 3710 meters above sea level in Mustang district of Nepal. This temple is covered in one of the famous trekking route of Annapurna Circuit. The Pagoda style Muktinath Temple is symbol of the religious symbiosis between both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindu believes that lord Vishnu got salvation from curse of Brinda (wife of Jalandhar) here. Therefore he is worshiped as Muktinath (Lit. the lord of salvation). The holy shrine, which is said to have risen on its own, is one of eight such shrines

MANANG

Manang is one of the most popular villages of Annapurna circuit trek. This village is an acclimatization stop point for every travelers. Manang village is situated at 3440 meters above sea level. Situated in front of the beautiful Annapurna Himalayan range, this place serves meals and accommodation for numerous trekkers everyday. It takes about 4 – 5 days to reach Manang from Kathmandu. Most groups trekking around the Annapurna range will take resting days in Manang to acclimatize to the high altitude, before taking on Thorong La pass. The village is situated on the northern slope, which gets the most sunlight and the least snow cover in the winter. The cultivation fields are on the north slope with terraces. There are now motorable road as well as trails where goods are transported on jeep or mule trains or carried by porters. A small airport, located 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the town, serves the whole valley. The airport was begun in 1985. The development of a trail linking Manang to the Annapurna Conservation Area was finished in February 2011.

POON HILL

Poon Hill पून हिल is a unique Hill station overlooking the Annapurna Massif range and Dhaulagiri mountain range, located on border of Myagdi District and Kaski District in Gandaki Pradesh of Nepal. This lookout is the key viewpoint in the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, and observes beautiful mountain peaks, fog and valleys. Mountains such as an Annapurna South 7,219 Meter, Machapuchare 6,993 Meter, Hinchuli, Annapurna III, Dhampus peak, Dhulariri II, and many other tall peaks can be seen from here. Poon Hill is located 270 km west from Kathmandu (The capital of Nepal). The hike to Poon Hill from Pokhara takes 2–3 days to see the beautiful Himalayan Range. The Poon Hill viewpoint is on the way to Annapurna Sanctuary which lies in the centre of Annapurna Conservation Area. Trekkers need to obtain an ACCAP Permit from Kathmandu in order to complete this hike.

GHOREPANI

Ghorepani is a village in Myagdi District in the Dhaulagiri Zone of northern-central Nepal. It lies 17 kilometres from the district capital of Beni at an elevation of approximately 2874 m (9429 ft). The village lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), requiring a national park permit to visit,[1] and contains a number of “guest houses” that provide lodging and meals to mountain trekkers, many of whom spend the night before a pre-dawn trek to the top of nearby Poon Hill (3210m/10531 ft) to watch the sunrise. The place used to be a rest stop where ancient traders found water (pani in Nepali) for their horses (ghora in Nepali), thus leading to the nomenclature Ghorepani. The construction of new roads has made the Ghorepani trade route unnecessary, and as such the main income source for residents of the village is now tourism. Ghorepani lies on a major trail linking several other villages as well as the Annapurna Base Camp.

MARPHA

Marpha is a village development committee in Mustang District in the Dhawalagiri Zone of northern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 1630 people living in 434 individual households. The name itself reflects the “mar” meaning hard working and “pha” meaning people. Tourism and mule rearing are the means of survival of the people of this place. The village is the apple capital in the nation, with Marpha brandy and jams produced from local fruits. The village of Marpha in Nepal The village is a common overnight halt on the Annapurna Circuit, less crowded and touristy[citation needed] than Jomsom to the north. The place used to be a rest stop where ancient traders found water (pani in Nepali) for their horses (ghora in Nepali), thus leading to the nomenclature Ghorepani. The construction of new roads has made the Ghorepani trade route unnecessary, and as such the main income source for residents of the village is now tourism. Ghorepani lies on a major trail linking several other villages as well as the Annapurna Base Camp.

TILICHO LAKE

Tilicho Lake is the destination of one of the most popular side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The hike takes additional 3–4 days. No camping is required, as new lodges have been built between Manang and the lake. The final approach to the lake is done in a day hike from the lodge at Tilicho Base Camp. Trekkers attempting the Annapurna Circuit route usually cross the watershed between Manang and Kali Gandaki valleys over the 5416 meters high Thorong La pass. The alternate route, skirting Tilicho Lake from the north, has been gaining popularity. This route is more demanding and requires at least one night of camping.The village of Marpha in Nepal The village is a common overnight halt on the Annapurna Circuit, less crowded and touristy[citation needed] than Jomsom to the north. The place used to be a rest stop where ancient traders found water (pani in Nepali) for their horses (ghora in Nepali), thus leading to the nomenclature Ghorepani. The construction of new roads has made the Ghorepani trade route unnecessary, and as such the main income source for residents of the village is now tourism. Ghorepani lies on a major trail linking several other villages as well as the Annapurna Base Camp.

THORONG LA PASS

Thorong La or Thorung La is a mountain pass with an elevation of 5,416 metres above sea level in the Damodar Himal, north of the Annapurna Himal, in central Nepal. Khatung Kang and Yakawa Kang are the mountains forming Thorong La. Thorong La Pass Trekking (Annapurna Circuit Trekking) is one of the most popular trekking tours in Nepal. The trek passes through a countless of biospheres as you climb upwards from sub-tropical jungle to the high and very dry region that resembles the Tibetan Plateau. The area also has a great variety of cultural diversity with the various tribal and ethnic groups that inhabit the area, residing as they have for centuries in peace and harmony. Thorong La Pass trek takes you past the world’s deepest gorge – the Kali Gandaki gorge and then over the highest pass in the world – Thorang La at an elevation of 5,416 m. The trek goes through the remote and beautiful valley of Manang village and then to the spiritual place of Muktinath.

MANASLU

Manaslu (Nepali: मनास्लु, also known as Kutang) is the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft) above sea level. It is in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, in the west-central part of Nepal. Its name, which means “mountain of the spirit”, comes from the Sanskrit word manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul”. Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition. It is said that “just as the British consider Everest their mountain, Manaslu has always been a Japanese mountain. The Manaslu region offers a variety of trekking options. The popular Manaslu trekking route of 177 kilometres (110 mi) skirts the Manaslu massif over the pass down to Annapurna. The Nepalese Government only permitted trekking of this circuit in 1991. The trekking trail follows an ancient salt-trading route along the Budhi Gandaki River. En route, 10 peaks over 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) are visible, including a few over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The highest point reached along the trek route is the Larkya La at an elevation of 5,106 metres (16,752 ft). As of May 2008, the mountain has been climbed 297 times with 53 fatalities.