The Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Conservation region is the most geographically and culturally diverse protected area anywhere in the world. Nowhere else in Nepal can one meet and experience such a wide variety of human culture. There are in fact seven ethnic groups living and working the region. Due to the extremes of elevation the region contains a remarkable diversity of flora; from 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.It is home to a vast range of wildlife, the grey langur monkey and a variety of cats and rodents flourish at lower levels, Himalayan black bear and the snow leopard are found at higher altitudes, over 440 species of birds have also been recorded.
It is hardly surprising the Annapurna region remains the most popular trekking destination in Nepal. The area is dominated by both the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himal which sweep from the low hills at 700 m to pierce the sky at 8,000 m within a distance of 50 km.
Most treks in the region commence from the scenic lakeside town of Pokhara. Whilst Pokhara has developed considerably over the past 15 years, it still remains an ideal setting with arguably the most impressive mountain backdrop anywhere in the World.
Pokhara provides a great base to prepare for and relax after trekking. Access to the mountains is relatively easy....within a few hours of commencing your journey, tremendous high mountain close up views can be experienced.
Vast reams of material have been written on Nepal over the years, in particular over the past fifty years with the successful summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The past twenty has slowly seen Nepal become a well recognised holiday destination. 
