Flora and Fauna
As can be imagined, the range of geographical and climatic regions has led to a diverse variety of flora and fauna within the Annapurna region. Both Pokhara and Besishahar are below 1000 meter elevation and their climate is quiet tropical. These parts of area are heavily cultivated and the landscape, therefore, largely consists of terraced paddy fields for most of the year. The area is also famous for its winter crops of oranges, which can be purchased fresh from the trees along the trails in the foothills. As you progress higher up into the hills 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. In the rain shadow, to the north of the mountains, the landscape is quite barren being an extension south of the Tibetan plateau. Here there are only stunted bushes and shrubs except for close to the rivers where irrigated cropping is possible.

Native animals to be seen include many birds the most obvious being the pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Tahr.

Trekking styles
Most of the trekking routes in the Annapurna region are well serviced by teahouses for most of their length. This is particularly true for most popular treks-the Jomsom trek, the Annapurna circuit and Annapurna base camp treks.

Trekkers should be aware, however that there is always the risk of being stranded by bad weather or injury/sickness between teahouses, particularly in the more remote parts of the trek itineraries. A good example is on the Annapurna circuit where there is one very long day when the high pass of Thorong La has to be crossed. There is little or no shelter available for most of this day and some trekkers have been caught unprepared by bad weather and altitude problems.

The treks in less developed areas, particularly the Dhaulagiri circuit and the trek east of Lamjung, definitely require trekkers to be self sufficient in food and shelter.

People and Culture
The most prominent ethnic groups in the Annapurna region are the Gurung, the Thakali and the Manangba. The Gurungs are the most widely distributed being found from the hills of Gorkha district to as far west as Palpa. There heartland, however, is centered on the hills and valleys between the Marsyandi river and the kali Gandaki. The Thakali come from the upper kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom where their traditional farming has being supplemented by trade and, in particular, hotel and restaurant businesses. The Manangba are found in the upper reaches of the Marsyandi River and are in many ways similar to the Gurungs to whom they are possibly related. They are skilled traders and trace their roots back to Tibet. Religiously, the Manangba and the Gurungs of the upper hills is Buddhist with traces of their ancient, shamanistic faith still apparent. The communities live further south are predominantly Hindu.

All of the communities, particularly the Gurungs are famed for their cultural performances, which are easily seen while trekking in the region. Many villages along the trails will arrange performances for trekkers during the main seasons.

When to visit?
As with most of the trekking areas in Nepal, the best time to visit are during spring and autumn. Spring is the time for rhododendrons while the clearest skies are found after the monsoon in October and November. At these times the weather is generally mild and there is little rainfall. Unlike other parts of Nepal, the monsoon, from June to September, is the ideal time to visit pats of the region that falls in the rain shadow. In particular, upper mustang is the perfect destination during the rainy season. The winter months provide good trekking conditions throughout the foothills but some of the higher passes will be closed due to snow.

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• Annapurna Region Trek
• Everest Region Trek
• Langtang Region Trek

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Round Annapurna Trek
• Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
• Gandruk Village Trek
• Kaligandaki Muktinath Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp & Muktinath Trek
• Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Jiri Everest Base Camp Kalapather Trek
• Everest Base Camp Gokyo Trek
• Gokyo Chola Pass EBC Trek
• Gokyo Trek
• Langtang Valley Trek
• Langtang Helambu Trek
• Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

• Round Dhaulagiri Trekking - 22 Days
• Mustang Lo-manthang Trek - 19 Days
• Arun Valley Trekking - 17 Days
• Pike Dudhkunda Taksindu - 16 Days
• Kanchenjunga Trekking - 24 Days
• Makalu Base Camp Trekking - 13 Days
• Limi Valley Simikot Hilsa Simikot Trek
• Renjo Pass Trekking - 13 Days
• Round Manaslu Trekking - 20 Days
• Dhorpatan Jaljala Pass Trek - 16 Days

• Mera Peak Climbing - 20 Days
• Island Peak Climbing - 19 Days
• Pisang Peak Climbing - 23 Days
• Lobuche Peak Climbing - 25 Days
• Yala Peak Climbing - 16 Days