"In the heart of massive, snow-capped peaks"
The route to the Annapurna Sanctuary is in the site of the Annapurna Base Camp. The base camp is the most spectacular spot to take in the dramatic views of an array of snow-capped peaks in the surrounding area. While the trail has some steep climbs, most people of reasonable fitness do not find it too strenuous. This trek offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the high Himalayan peaks, traditional villages, and serene alpine forests in a short time frame and without the hassle of the high altitude sickness.
Annapurna area was first explored by the British adventurer Col. James O.M., "Jimmy Roberts," in 1956, who christened it as the "Sanctuary of Gods". It has been known as the "Annapurna Sanctuary" ever since.
The adventure to the Annapurna Base Camp starts from outside Pokhara Valley, which is one of the most scenic spots in the area. The trek combines breathtaking mountain views with incredible cultural diversity, and traverses through remote farms and villages, giving you a glimpse of rural life. The trail leads towards the deep gorge between the peaks Hiunchuli and Machhapuchare (Fish-Tail). It then cuts through the dense bamboo and rainforests of the narrow Modi Khola Valley before continuing on to the Sanctuary with views of the immense walls of the mountain fortress. Once inside the Sanctuary, you find yourself in midst of an amphitheater of gleaming, snowy peaks, including Annapurna I (8,091 m.), Annapurna South (7,219 m.), Gangapurna (7,455 m.), and Annapurna III (7,555 m.). It is an overwhelming experience.
This area is also referred to as the Annapurna Base Camp and the Machhapuchare Base Camp. During the return journey, you descend through the lush Modi Khola Valley with its gentle, green rice terraces, after which the adventure concludes by the magical lakes of Pokhara. Pokhara is a popular destination, home of the famed Phewa Lake, which is dominated by the towering mountain ranges of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu, including the majestic Machhapuchare. The diversity of the climates, vegetation, and cultures you will encounter on this relatively short trek is greater than most large nations contain in their entirety! From the lush flora and fauna of rain and temperate forests to the terraced rice fields, the land and its people change daily, giving the trekkers a tantalizing introduction to Nepal's cultural and natural beauty.
