Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9781741792720
• eBook ISBN: 9781760340056

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Tour through the hidden backstreet courtyards and temples of Kathmandu, explore the base of the world's highest mountain and learn everything you need to know to trek through this incredible region -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the Nepal Himalaya and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - customs, history, environment Over 60 maps Covers Kathmandu, Everest Region, Annapurna Region, Langtang, Helambu, Eastern Nepal, Western Nepal and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya offers a comprehensive look at all you need to know to have a safe and rewarding trek. Looking for a guide focused on Nepal? Check out our Lonely Planet Nepal guide for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer. Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet,. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

Annapurna Region

Annapurna Region Highlights

Annapurna Himal

Annapurna Panorama Trek

Khopra Ridge Trek

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Nar-Phu

Nar-Phu Trek

Mustang

Mustang Trek

Towns & Facilities

Pokhara

Naya Pul & Birethanti

Besi Sahar

Jomsom

Annapurna Region

Why Go?

With well over 100,000 visitors a year, the Annapurna Himal has long been the most popular region among trekkers, and for good reason. The mountain views are exceptional, the villages you pass offer an exotic slice of Nepali and Tibetan culture, and the area is easily accessible, with excellent food and accommodation just about whenever and wherever you need it. During the 2015 earthquake, buildings collapsed in Jomsom and Mustang but most of the region escaped without serious damage.

The city of Pokhara, with its relaxed traveller hub of Lakeside on the shore of Phewa Tal, makes an excellent base for all the treks in the Annapurna region, including the famous Circuit, the Annapurna Sanctuary and several shorter treks. The Annapurnas are also the launching pad for adventurous treks into the restricted areas of Mustang and Nar-Phu. For many of these treks, you can be on the trail within an hour or two of leaving Pokhara.

When to Go

AAutumn and early winter (October to December) are ideal months for trekking, with warm days and cool nights; this is the peak season. There is very little rain (although mountain weather is always unpredictable) and usually the mountain views are crystal-clear. Bear in mind that October sees twice as many trekkers in the Annapurnas than any other month.

ASpring (March to May) is Annapurna's second-best and second-most popular season for trekking. The days are warming up and Nepal's famous rhododendron blossoms colour the trails.

AThe monsoon (May to September) brings rain and leeches to most trails, although not to Mustang and Nar-Phu, both sheltering in the Himalaya's rain shadow.

Best Mountain Views

AAnnapurna Sanctuary

AUpper Pisang

AKhopra Ridge

APoon Hill

AThorung La

Best of Mountain Culture

ALo Manthang

AManang

AGhandruk

AMuktinath

ANar-Phu

Annapurna Region Highlights

1 Trekking completely around the Annapurna massif, savouring the perfect views and crossing the 5416m Thorung La.

2 Watching the golden dawn light inch down the frozen fluted peaks from the Annapurna Sanctuary.

3 Savouring the breakfast views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhare from the traditional Gurung village of Ghandruk.

4 Trekking for days through eroded desert canyons, past ancient chortens and monasteries, to reach the fabled, walled city of Lo Manthang.

5 Acclimatising in style on spectacular side trips to holy Milarepa’s Cave or scenic Ice Lake, just outside Manang.

6 Overnighting in the medieval community of Phu, one of the most photogenic villages in the Himalaya.

7 Teaming up with other trekkers for the challenging three-day excursion to high-altitude Tilicho Tal.

1Environment

The Annapurna Conservation Area embraces the entire Annapurna Himal. From the valley floor (below 1000m) to the summit of Annapurna (8091m) there is an amazing variety of habitats.

Trails along the lower valleys weave through terraced fields, dipping occasionally into shady broadleaf forests. Upstream, you enter spectacular rhododendron forests, the gnarled pinkish limbs festooned with epiphytic ferns and orchids. Spring brings spectacular blooms, from red to pink to white. In the Annapurna Sanctuary a variety of wildflowers linger in bloom long after the monsoon, thanks to the area’s high rainfall.

Keep an eye out at watercourses for a number of small but striking birds, including the white-capped river chat and the plumbeous redstart. The brown dipper may be spotted by the water’s edge, and watch for a flash of turquoise as a white-breasted kingfisher takes flight. Of particular note are the large, soaring raptors that ride the thermals effortlessly for hours, such as the Himalayan griffon, golden eagle and lammergeier.

8Planning

Emergency

There is mobile phone reception in most villages in the Annapurna region and there are satellite phones in Thorung Phedi and Mustang. All Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) checkposts have emergency radios.

There are government hospitals at Besi Sahar, Chame and Jomsom, and health posts at Ghorepani and Muktinath. Emergency evacuation is possible from Jomsom and Manang (Hongde) airports. Pokhara has a CIWEC hospital.

Maps

Himalayan Maphouse produces several maps of the Annapurna region, focusing on specific treks such as Around Annapurna, Annapurna Base Camp, Tilicho Lake and Ghorepani to Ghandruk. All are essentially different extents of the same map, repackaged with a different cover and name. Mandala, Nepa Maps and Shangri-La also publish several decent Around Annapurna maps. Another popular map is the National Geographic/Trails Illustrated 1:135,000 Annapurna Adventure Map. All these and more are readily available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Permits & Regulations

No matter where you trek in the Annapurna region you come under the jurisdiction of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP; www.ntnc.org.np). You should buy a permit (Rs 2000) in advance at either the national parks/ACAP entry-fee office in the Tourist Service Centre at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu, at the ACAP counter in Pokhara’s Lakeside district, or at the ACAP office in Besi Sahar at the start of the Annapurna Circuit. You need two photos. Your permit is valid for one entry only. If you show up without a permit at an ACAP checkpoint (including Jomsom airport) you will be charged double the entry fee.

Independent trekkers (without a guide) will need to register with the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS; www.timsnepal.com), which can be done (for US$20) in Pokhara, at the Nepal Tourism Board, and Kathmandu (Click here).

Accommodation

You can safely assume you will be able to find room and board wherever you go on the main routes in the Annapurna region. The valley of the Kali Gandaki in particular boasts some of the best trekking lodges in Nepal and few sustained damage in the 2015 earthquake. During the busy October and November season, lodges are humming and bedding can get scarce. It’s not essential (blankets are generally available), but it’s a good idea to bring a sleeping bag on a trek to the Thorung La or Annapurna Sanctuary.

Lodge owners throughout the Annapurna region have formed l...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to the Nepal Himalaya
• Nepal & the 2015 Earthquakes
• The Nepal Himalaya’s Top 9
• Need to Know
• If You Like
• Planning Your Trek
• Clothing & Equipment
• Trekking Safely
• Regions at a Glance
• Kathmandu
• Everest Region
• Annapurna Region
• Langtang, Helambu & Manaslu
• Eastern Nepal
• Western Nepal
• Understand Nepal
• Nepal Today
• History of Trekking
• History of Nepal
• People & Culture
• Environment & Wildlife
• Directory A–Z
• Transport
• Health
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers