Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Annapurna Conservation Area


The Annapurna conservation Area is one of the best trekking trails in the world. The area spreads around Kaski, Mustang, Manang, and Lamjung districts of Central Nepal. Starting with an altitude of 790 m, the area reaches as high as 8,091 m of mt. Annapurna. Ghandruk is the first experience and further down is Ghorepani that provides fantastic panoramic view of the Annapurna ranges. Equally eye catching area hills of rhododendron that blossom every spring. The turning point of the Annapurna Circuit is Jomsom. The trek southeast from Jomsom, leads to the scenic Tilicho Lake area at an altitude of 4,919 m. In the circuit route, is the famous Hindu religious sites Muktinath Temple. The vegetation in this region includes various species of orchids and rhododendron. Wildlife includes 102 different kinds of mammals including rare endangered snow leopard and a very good population of blue sheep. The region also boasts of around 474 species of birds including multi-colored impheyan, koklas and blood pheasants. In addition the region is also home to 39 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians.