The word Annapurna is a Sanskrit word. It has two words Anna + Purna seperately. Where “Anna” stands for GRAIN and “Purna” stands for FULL, thus the meaning for the word is “Full OF GRAINS” in common Nepali language. This is also popular as “GODDESS OF THE HARVEST” in Nepal. The Annapurna Trek is one of the famous and popular trekking routes lies on the central-north part of Nepal. This trekking region is considered one of the best treks in the world, though road construction is threatening its reputation and its future as a classic trek. Yet no one disputes that the scenery is outstanding: 17 to 21 days long, this trek takes you through distinct regional scenery of rivers, flora, fauna and above all – mountains.
Trek with Eagle!
Eagle Treks and Expedition and its guide make this trek easier and memorable for your life time. There are five districts that are passed through on the trek; Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi and Kaski. Lamjung, Myagdi and Kaski of the lower elevations are both predominantly Hindu and with lush green subtropical valleys with villages and terraced farming.
Manang and Mustang districts are of the higher elevations and are predominantly Tibetan Buddhist. The Manang people are Gurung (not Tibetan descent) and are very proud of their unique cultural heritage and merging of lower land Gurung and Tibetan cultural influences. People of Mustang identify themselves a lot closer with Tibet and the Mustang region has actually been part of Tibet in history. Mustang also is one of the last places in the world to view the ancient Bonpo Religion in action. Villages to note for Bonpo are Thini and Lupra near Jomsom, and Nargon near Kobang.
Annapurna trek goes counter-clockwise from Besisahar to Nayapul and reaches its summit in Throng-La (pass) at the height of 5416m, or 17,769 feet. The route goes past the following mountains: Manaslu (an 8,000-plus meter peak), Langtang Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III and Gangapurna, and, of course, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri — passing through the world’s deepest gorge in between those two 8,000-plus meter peaks. Poon Hill, at the end of the trek, affords views of those two mountains, as well as South Annapurna and Machhapuchhre, the “Fishtail Mountain.”
The trek also goes through Buddhist villages and Hindu holy sites, most notably the village of Muktinath, a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus, and Braga, one of the oldest monasteries in the region.
The eastern portion of the trek follows the Marsyangdi River upstream, to its source near the village of Manang. To get there several days of up-hill hiking are required. Then the route goes over the pass, a grueling day of hiking, and back down the other side, where it meets up with the Kali Gandaki River. At the end of the trek, several options are available: following the river further to the road proper to Beni and catching a bus to Pokhara, or adding on a trek to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC Trek), it is also called the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.
We can operate Annapurna trek as “tea-house trek,” meaning there are villages with lodges and restaurants to eat and stay in along the entire route. You are expected to eat breakfast and dinner in the same lodge where you are spending the night.