1. Annapurna conservation Area Project

Annapurna is one of the most fascinating lands of bio diversity in the world. It is the largest protected area of Nepal. The unique biodiversity, the scenic grandeur in combination with the multi cultural and multi ethnic diversity make it the world’s most popular trekking destinations. With the objectives of achieving a balance between the environment conservation and socio economic development, through people’s participation, the Annapurna conservation area project (ACAP) was launched from 1986 under the aegis of the national trust for nature conservation. The trust is governed by a board of trustees. Tourism is an essential and the fastest growing industries in the Annapurna conservation area. Unfortunately the land is as fragile as its diversity and its resources are put under great pressure due to population growth, poverty and tourism. The project serves as a new approach in the protected area management with its modalities based on the integrated conservation and development programs. Owing to its fame that it has gained in the history of the protected area management, the government of Nepal has given the trust the mandate for the management of the Annapurna conservation area..

2. Worth seeing things of Annapurna

• Kali Gandaki Gorge: World’s deepest river gorge - Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide
• Kaligandaki Valley: Kaligandaki  valley with fossils from the Tethys Sea dating 60 million years ago.
• Rhododendron Forest: The beautiful rhododendron forest in Ghorepani is considered as the world’s largest rhododendron forest.
• Tilicho lake: Tilicho Lake, located in Manang – north of Annapurna massif, is the world’s highest altitude fresh water lake.

3. Culture and People

One of the features of Annapurna trekking is life style culture of local people. Around and on the way of trekking, trekkers encounter villages of different ethnic people. According to last census over 40,000 people of different ethnic and tribal backgrounds with various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Bon Po, Shamanism and Animism represented live in Annapurna area. The dominant groups are Gurung, Magar, Thakali and Manangi. Generally, these people are subsistence farmers who depend on the forests for fuel, fodder and timber. Almost each of group have their own dialect and own cultures and traditions. Trekkers who go for trekking in Annapurna are fascinated by local peoples culture and tradtion.

4. Flora

In Annapurna Base Camp trekking, the trekkers see the diverse flora and fauna. The range of geographical and climatic regions has led to this diversity. Below 1000 m in altitude the climate is tropical. These areas are heavily cultivated and the landscape, therefore, largely consists of terraced paddy fields for most of the year. As they go to higher the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron. These finally give way to coniferous forests of pine and, ultimately, juniper just below the tree line.

5. Fauna

Annapurna conservation area is the home of 102 species of mammals, 488 species of birds and 40 species of reptiles.  In Annapurna Base Camp trekking, the trekkers can see pheasants named Danphe, Monal, Kaliz, Cheer, Koklass, Blood Phesants etc. Among mammals, blue sheep and Himalayan Thar can be seen.

6. Routes of Annapurna Trekking

1. Annapurna Round/ Annapurna circuit
2. Annapurna Base Camp
3. Ghorepani Poonhill
4. Jomsom Muktinath,
5. Mustang/ Lomanthang trekking
   are major routes of Annapurna trekking.
   
   

Tilicho Lake trekking, Damodar Kunda trekking, Lamjung Himal trekking, Royal trekking, Mardi himal trekking other growing routes of Annapurna. All major routes of Annapurna have the facilities of locally operated hotel/lodge, teahouse, and campgrounds for groups.