The Annapurna Conservation region is the most geographically and culturally diverse protected area anywhere in the world. Nowhere else in Nepal can one meet and experience such a wide variety of human culture. This region is the most popular trekking region of Nepal. Due to the extremes of elevation the region contains a remarkable diversity of flora; from sub-tropical lowland forests of oak, bamboo and rhododendron in the south, to the high alpine meadows and windswept desert plateaus in the north, bordering Tibet. It is home to a vast range of wildlife, the grey langur monkey and a variety of cats and rodents flourish at lower levels, Himalayan black bear and the snow leopard are found at higher altitudes, over 440 species of birds have also been recorded.
Most of the treks commence or finish close to Pokhara, and transportation to trail heads is well developed; with great views just two days up the trail, short treks are particularly feasible. The Annapurna Range faces Pokhara like an enormous sofa, 40km across and numbering nine peaks over 7000m, with Annapurna I above all at 8091m. The Range and the adjacent hill areas are protected within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), for which you have, apply for a trekking permit. ACAP has won high praise for its holistic approach to tourism management. The main aim of the project is to protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage, while at the same time ensuring sustainable economic and social benefit for the people.
