Perhaps one of the most trailed routes worldwide, the Annapurna circuit is a miraculous journey through valleys and gorges crossing the Thorung La Pass (5,416m). The past served as a secure border between Manang and Mustang during winter in the olden days, as snow would block any passage. Annapurna I was the first mountain over 8,000 meters that was successfully scaled. The Goddess of Harvests – Annapurna, stands 8091m tall and is the tenth-highest mountain in the world. Significant peaks of the Annapurna range are Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), and Annapurna South (7,219 m).
Know the Annapurna Facts:
- Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and is the largest protected area in Nepal. The conservation area covers 7,629 square kilometers over Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung.
- The Annapurna Circuit trek and Base Camp trek are the busiest trails in Nepal and are much favored even worldwide. In spring and autumn, the courses are the most active.
- The Annapurna I was first scaled by the French expedition of Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on July 3, 1950. After this successful expedition, however, both Maurice and Louis lost their gloves and had to be amputated due to lethal frostbite.
- Maurice Herzog’s book Annapurna, which he wrote after his successful expedition, became the best-selling climbing book, selling more than 11 million copies.
- Kali Gandaki Gorge is the deepest gorge in Nepal and lies between the Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. It is also considered one of the deepest in the world.
- The death rate for attempts to summit Annapurna I is very high (38 %). This number is astonishing compared to other mountains above 8,000m. For example, the death rate in Everest is around 6.5%.
- The top of Annapurna is made of Limestone, the same as Everest and Dhaulagiri I. Thus, the mountain was presumably formed on the ocean floor and gradually pushed by tectonic forces to its present condition.
- Tilicho Lake lies in the Annapurna Region and is among the highest in Nepal and the world. At an elevation of 4,919m, the journey to this beautiful lake is often taken for acclimatization. However, trekkers have been using a more challenging pass through here in recent times, contrary to the Thorung La Pass.
- Some villages in Mustang, such as Thini and Lupra, still practice the Bonpo religion. These are among the last places in the world to preserve this practice.
- Braga’s oldest monastery and Muktinath – a holy shrine for Hindus and Buddhists are famous pilgrimages. In addition, other Hindu and Buddhist sacred sites are located along the trail, showing a close companionship between both religions from ancient times.
