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, established in 1985, is the largest protected area in Nepal. It covers 7,629 square kilometers in Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung.
- The Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp treks are the busiest trails in Nepal and are much favored worldwide. The courses are most active in spring and autumn.
- 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, lying 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, contrary to the Thorung La Pass, trekkers have been using a more challenging pass through here in recent times.
- 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 is the oldest monastery, and Muktinath is a holy shrine for Hindus and Buddhists, a famous pilgrimage. In addition, other Hindu and Buddhist sacred sites are located along the trail, showing a close companionship between both religions from ancient times.
