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Annapurna Conservation Area

Protected area in the Annapurna range of the Nepalese Himalayas

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28.7800°N · 83.9700°E

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Why visit Annapurna Conservation Area

Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,629 km2 (2,946 sq mi) in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. It ranges in elevation from 790 m (2,590 ft) to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m (26,545 ft). The conservation area stretches across Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung Districts. Annapurna Conservation Area encompasses Annapurna Sanctuary and is known for several trekking routes including the Annapurna Circuit.

◈Annapurna Circuit trek — one of the world's classic high-altitude routes, crossing Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m through dramatically shifting terrain from subtropical lowlands to Tibetan plateau

◈Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) inside the Sanctuary — a glacial amphitheatre ringed by eight peaks above 7,000 m including Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Machapuchare

◈Mustang and Manang districts within the northern rain shadow zone — arid, high-desert landscapes culturally and geographically distinct from the southern slopes

◈Poon Hill viewpoint above Ghorepani — pre-dawn views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs, accessible as part of the Ghorepani-Poon Hill loop without committing to a full circuit

◈Diverse ecological zones across a single trek — from subtropical forest and rhododendron stands to alpine scrub and glaciated terrain, with documented populations of snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and red panda

◈Kagbeni and Muktinath in upper Mustang — Muktinath temple complex is a significant pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, with 108 water spouts and an eternal flame fed by natural gas

◈Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) — one of the highest lakes in the world, reached via a side trail from the Annapurna Circuit near Manang, requiring a full day's acclimatization hike

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⚠ Travel Notes

·ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) required for all visitors — available in Kathmandu or Pokhara; TIMS card also required for most trekking routes
·Thorong La Pass can close without warning due to snowfall even in peak season; several trekkers have died attempting the pass in whiteout conditions — check conditions in Manang before proceeding
·Acute Mountain Sickness is a serious risk above 3,500 m; the standard acclimatization day in Manang before Thorong La is not optional for most trekkers
·Southern approaches (Ghandruk, Chhomrong, ABC route) receive extremely heavy monsoon rainfall June–September — trails become slippery and landslide-prone, leeches are prevalent, and the Sanctuary can be cloud-locked for days
·Northern areas (Mustang, upper Manang) are in the rain shadow and remain more accessible during monsoon, but road access from Beni or Jomsom can be disrupted by flooding in lower valleys
·Teahouse infrastructure is well-developed on main routes but becomes sparse and basic on less-traveled trails — carry cash as ATMs are limited beyond Pokhara and Jomsom
·Restricted Area Permit required for Upper Mustang (beyond Kagbeni) — USD 500 for the first 10 days, only accessible through a registered trekking agency