The paradise on the earth, Annapurna Region is full of pristine lakes along spiritual sites.

Annapurna has been a fascinating circuit for all backpackers for ages. For years, people have trekked to Annapurna base camp and some daring backpackers have even taken the risk of going through with its circuit. The whole circuit is a wonderful experience for many travelers and is surely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people who love travelling and exploring new places.

If you are planning to visit Annapurna Region, read this and make a list of places to visit and things to do in this region since Annapurna region is huge to explore in just one vacation.

Ghandruk

Ghorepani features all the mountains of the Annapurna range, however, Sunrise from Ghandruk is equally imagistic because you can see the sun rising beside Mt. Macchapucchre, it also is the best place to relax after a long trek in and out of ABC. The Thakali culture at Ghandruk will be a fascinating experience for people who like to explore Nepalese culture.

Ghorepani Poonhill

Usually, people start the circuit trekking from the new bridge and then climb towards Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a very interesting place that features the Annapurna range flaunting itself on the west. Regarded as the most popular trekking trail in Nepal, Ghorepani has a viewpoint at Poonhill which is very popular among hiking lovers in Nepal.

Personally speaking, when I went trekking in this region, I vividly remember jumping into an ice-cold glacier river on my way to Poonhill. I was carrying a heavy backpack and was sweating like a pig, I just got my clothes off and jumped into the small river, the water was so cold and I nearly froze to death. It was my very first trekking experience and I had no clue that the water would be freezing cold. Dangerous for a first-time traveler, right?

The Beautiful City Of Jomsom

Jomsom is the valley on the bank of Kaligandaki Gorge which is the deepest gorge in the world and settles on either side of Kali Gandaki and the town itself is at the alleviation of 2760 meters, which means it is one of the rare cities at the highest altitude.

It is a Himalayan town spread between two Mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and is separated by the Kaligandaki River. The city is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience and offers you various attractions in itself. Jomsom features the famous Glacier lake Dhumba Lake, and two religious monasteries popular among Buddhist communities Marpha and Chhairo monasteries, which is why you should include Jomsom in your list of places to visit in Annapurna Range.

The place experiences rain shadows on the west side and the eastern side of the gorge remains dry, and mostly experiences rainshadow and remains lifeless, which makes it a boon for rock Climbers.

Planes don’t fly over Jomsom since the place experiences heavy wind every day blowing from the Kali Gandaki gorge making flights dangerous. Hence, tourists mostly reach the place on a Motorcycle and the place is getting famous among bikers in recent days.

Manang

Manang is another distinct place where you will experience Mountains with rainfall and rain shadows, chilly wind, numerous naturally forming waterfalls, gravel roads, Pony trails, and sheep farming. Manang offers beautiful views of Manasalu Mountain, Narphu, and Ney Sang Valleys where you can camp out.

Manang mostly offers adventure rides for bike lovers as well. The place also has started Ice skating, so if you love wearing ice skates and like sliding over frozen lands then a few places offer you these adventure sports as well.

Tilicho Lake

After you reach Manang, another beautiful geographic wonder awaits you in the form of Lake Tilicho. Unlike GosainKunda, Tilicho lake is all about scenic beauty. Situated at 5416 meters, the lake is surrounded by some snow-covered mountains above 7000 meters. Its environment is somewhere between Subtropical and Semi alpine, and in October the whole lake freezes and many people say that they can even walk through it.

Thorong-La Pass

The highest pass in the world, Thorong-La is one of the famous trails for trekkers and traders. The pass is at  5416 meters elevation and further east to the pass, you will reach Muktinath Temple. The scenery from Thorong-La can not be explained in words, which is why you should visit the place for yourself. So if you are planning to do the circuit trek in Annapurna, Thorong-La, a pass created by Khatung Mountain and Yaskawa mountain would surely be on your itinerary.

Detour to Marpha and Kagbeni

Your Detour at Marpha and Kagbeni can be one divine experience as you’d see the lifestyle of the valley, yaks, and ponies. You will be delighted by the scenic beauty, the gentle wind on your cheeks, the plane lands on the base of big mountains, and the rhododendron forest on your way to Kagbeni is just amazing.

Muktinath

Annapurna Region isn’t just a place where Buddhist people live, it’s holy for many Hindu deities and is a very sacred place for religious travelers as well. Trek to Muktinath and then call your trek off for a day, at Muktinath you can also take a bath in its natural hot spring water, and also take a tour of its surroundings. You will see some of the best photogenic spots on your way there. A fun fact is that Muktinath now has black tarred road access, meaning you can start your trek from Muktinath and get to the new bridge as well.

Gosaikunda and Damodar Kunda

You must visit two religious lakes; Gosaikunda and Damodar Kunda, while in the Annapurna Region. Besides having a great scenic experience, these lakes also hold a huge religious significance. Gosaikunda is regarded as a sacred Hindu place where lord shiva rested after drinking venom which came out from the ocean while gods created the universe.

Likewise, Brahmins believe if they die in Damodar Kunda, they will receive nirvana, hence people from Nepal and its surroundings visit these glacier lakes.

The most preserved Upper Mustang Lo Manthang

Known as the kingdom of Lo, a place restricted till 1992, enjoy the trance-Himalayan climate of Lo Manthang at upper Mustang. Visit Gyakar Valley with dry and rocky mountains, also see the majestic Nilgiri mountain, and capture a very Tibetan-like lifestyle prevalent here.

However, you’d need 0 to enter Upper Mustang and the permit is valid for 10 days.

Don’t forget to have Mustang Apple Brandy (Marpha)

Mustang is famous for apple and apple products. Taste the sweetest apples in Mustang. Due to transportation problems, most people dry the apples and you can also buy a few packets for snacks. Likewise, apple brandy in Mustang can be your second thing to check out. No chemicals and 100 percent made out of the best apples Mustang Brandy is definitely taste-worthy.

Also, see the leopard cave and visit Rodhighars at mustang in the evening time, to feel delighted.

Traverse the Seven Majestic Mountains

Annapurna Massif is one hell of an experience for nature lovers. Though Fishtail and Annapurna 1 is very common for people who will hike from the new bridge crossing Bamboo forests, Annapurna Massif has a lot to offer. The 34 miles Massif has one pick over 7000 meters, and thirteen snow-covered peaks over 7000 meters from the sea level. While you trek through the circuit you’d see sixteen mountains over 6000 meters as well.

While you start your ABC-MBC trek, You will get to enjoy the spectacular view of Kaligandaki, Marsyangdi and as the place is a sanctuary, you will see many rare and adorable creatures of nature roaming around in the wilderness as well. However, you can either enjoy the spectacular view from Poonhill’s top or you have to do the whole circuit which is around 21 days to catch all the peaks up close.

Annapurna I is the highest peak of the circuit measuring 8091 meters and is the 10th highest peak in the world. Expeditions camps run rarely in Annapurna as the expedition in this region is fairly difficult and is categorized as a level four-zone by the government of Nepal.So, once you are in Annapurna circuit trails surpassing Machhapuchhre Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp, you’d see other world-famous peaks enlisted below, if you do go on a 21 days circuit Trekking in the region.

List of the Highest Seven Peaks in Annapurna Range

Take a mountain Flight

The whole Circuit is some 7000 square miles in area, meaning you will have to choose routes and ditch certain peaks or villages, and if you feel guilty about letting some peaks go, then you can always take a mountain flight from Pokhara and take a hard look before you say goodbye to the mountain Paradise of Annapurna range.

Enjoy Rock Climbing

If you are in the Annapurna Region and return back without going honey hunting in Manang, you will feel something is incomplete during your travels. So while you are here, gear up to climb a rocky mountain and also carve some honey from the rocks. Kept aside expedition, the Adventure of rock climbing is no less thrilling here.

Join An Expedition

If you are someone into mountain climbing, you would surely love Annapurna’s variety. Climbing Annapurna is fairly expensive and extremely dangerous as per Tourism Board of Nepal. However, people with guide, potters, equipment, and gear along with the medical team usually travel in groups and successfully complete Annapurna 1 expeditions from time to time.

Who can forget about Annapurna Circuit Trek ?

Since the Annapurna circuit trek covers almost every part of Annapurna region, you can obviously go to Annapurna Circuit trek to enjoy the beauty of this region. If you love traveling through the woods and exploring mountains, you will never regret going to Annapurna Circuit Trek. Since the difficulty level is high, be prepared to face all of the problems and complete the circuit trek.

No doubt, you can visit almost all places mentioned above in the circuit trek but talking about what activities does it covers, it all depends on with whom are you travelling? For the hassle free travel experience travel with Gundri. You can even customize your package here.

Time is running. When are you visiting Annapurna Region?