Annapurna Conservation Area,Nepal

• Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
• Annapurna Circuit (including Thorong La Pass)
• Poon Hill (Ghorepani) sunrise viewpoint
• Muktinath and Jomsom valley
• Tilicho Lake
• Traditional villages: Ghandruk, Manang, Marpha, and Kagbeni
• Rhododendron forests and alpine meadows

• Panoramic Himalayan views including Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Dhaulagiri visible from many viewpoints
• Huge altitudinal range: subtropical valleys, temperate forests, alpine zones
• Rich cultural mosaic: Gurung, Magar, Thakali and Tibetan-influenced communities
• Well-established trekking infrastructure with teahouse lodges, homestays, and community-run conservation initiatives
• Significant biodiversity: rhododendron blooms in spring, migratory and resident bird species, and high-altitude fauna

• Multi-day trekking: Annapurna Circuit, ABC trek, Ghorepani–Poon Hill
• Short treks and day hikes from Pokhara and nearby villages
• Cultural homestays and village walks to experience Gurung and Thakali traditions
• Birdwatching, photography, and nature interpretation
• Pilgrimage visits to Muktinath
• Jeep safaris and scenic flights (Pokhara–Jomsom) in lower valleys

Best time: Spring (March–May) for rhododendrons and clear mountain views; Autumn (September–November) for stable weather and visibility. Shoulder seasons: Late winter (Dec–Feb) for dry, cold conditions in lower regions; Monsoon (June–Aug) brings heavy rain and landslide risk—many trails are slippery and views obscured.

Highly variable with altitude: warm and humid in lower valleys, cool to cold at mid elevations, and very cold with snow at high passes (Thorong La). Afternoon clouds are common in monsoon season; nights are cold above 3,000 m.

Permits required: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card for most trekkers. Fees and permit rules change—check current rates and purchase points (Pokhara, Kathmandu, or online via authorized channels). Trails are generally open year-round but accessibility varies by season and weather.

Nearest major hub: Pokhara (domestic airport and road links to Kathmandu). Common trailheads: Nayapul/Pothana (for Ghorepani/Poon Hill and ABC) and Besisahar (start of many Annapurna Circuit routes). Jomsom is accessible by short flights from Pokhara. Road condition varies—rural roads are often rough; jeep routes exist to some lower towns.

Short treks: 1–4 days (Poon Hill, short village hikes). ABC trek: 7–12 days. Annapurna Circuit: 10–20+ days depending on route and acclimatization. Allow extra days for acclimatization and weather delays.

Layered clothing system (base layer, insulating mid-layer, waterproof outer shell), sturdy waterproof trekking boots, warm hat and gloves, down jacket for high altitudes, good quality sleeping bag (comfort rating ~-10°C for colder months), trekking poles, headlamp, and water purification or treatment.

Local foods: dal bhat (staple meal), momos, Thakali set meals, yak cheese, butter tea in higher settlements. Souvenirs: hand-woven woolens, Tibetan-style handicrafts, prayer flags, local jewelry, and organic apple products from areas like Marpha.