The Annapurna Himalaya

Nepal is situated in the central region of the Greater Himalaya and it contains more of the world’s highest mountains than any other country. The range is broken into groups of massifs divided by glaciers and rivers draining down from the Tibetan plateau. To the north of Pokhara the Annapurna Himal has nine peaks over 7000m (22 965ft) and is dominated by Annapurna 1 at 8091m (26 545ft).

Translated from Sanskrit the name means ‘goddess of the harvest’ and the fertile valleys are still tended by farmers. The southern slopes of the massif receive high rainfall during the monsoon and are covered in lush deciduous forest, the upper slopes are coniferous, while the mountains’ rain shadow effect keep the high valleys dry and barren.

Though wildlife was once abundant it has been driven to remote corners by land clearing. While trekking you may see rhesus and langur monkeys, and if you are lucky jungle cat and wild boar, but black bear, mountain goat and blue sheep at higher altitudes remain elusive. Snow leopards hide in the highest reaches.  440 bird species have been recorded in the region and migratory varieties take refuge here en route to and from Tibet.

Trekking along ancient pathways that criss-cross the region you will come across different ethnic groups who still wear their own distinctive dress and speak their own language. The region is protected by the Annapurna  Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and your visit to the Annapurna includes a fee for projects that aim to protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage.