To Compare the Everest region, another very popular trekking destination is around the Annapurna .The Annapurna region lies towards the north of Central Nepal. This is the most popular and major trekking destination in Nepal was inscribed as a ‘Conservation Area’ in 1986.A Sanskrit name that can be translated as Goddess of the harvests or more simply the provider, according to a recent survey Annapurna region has been recognized as one of the world’s best trekking trails. More than 50,000 tourists annually visit this area. The Annapurna trekking region consists of peaks are labeled in five using some variation Annapurna I, II, III, IV,V except it Annapurna South, Himchuli, Dhaulagiri ,Manaslu , Machhapuchhre , Nilgiri ,Tukche peak and several other peaks.
The trek’s major highlights are the ancient mid-western salt route settlement of Manang, Thorong –La pass between Nepal and Tibet, Muktinath Temple and the deepest gorge of world Kali Gandaki river gateway to Annapurna trekking region is the famous city of Pokhara.
Mustang, or Lo Manthang, the desert plateau located in the upper valley of the River Kali Gandaki, and to the north of the main Himalayan range also falls in this region. Tourist access to Mustang is controlled to help retain its exclusiveness. The highlight of the trek includes the visit to the Mustang Palace, the visit to Lo Manthang and pony rides to the Nepal-Tibet border.
Different ethnic groups living and working together in this region like Hindu, Buddhist and Tibetan Lamas. The most prominent ethnic groups of Annapurna region are Manange,Thakali and Gurung. Due to the extremes of elevation the region contains a remarkable diversity of flora, sub-tropical lowland forests of oak, bamboo and rhododendron in the south to the high alpine meadows and windswept desert plateaus in the north, bordering Tibet. Animals found here are pika, blue sheep and Himalayan Thahar.