Nepal
Pokhara & the Annapurna Region
Nepal's adventure heartland — lakeside Pokhara, the Annapurna trekking villages and the dramatic high valleys beyond, with everything to plan a visit in one place.
The Annapurna region is where most travellers come to meet the mountains — a sweep of country radiating out from lakeside Pokhara, ringed by the Annapurna massif and the spire of Machhapuchhre. It holds Nepal's most loved treks, a chain of trailhead villages and hill towns, and the high rain-shadow valleys of Manang and Mustang beyond the peaks. Whether you come for a single sunrise or a two-week walk, this is the country's adventure heartland.
How to explore the Annapurna region
Base in Pokhara for the lake, the sunrise from Sarangkot and easy access to every trail, then head out: Ghandruk and Besisahar as classic trekking trailheads, Manang for high-altitude alpine valleys, and Mustang for its walled towns and Tibetan-influenced desert. Stop in the preserved hill towns of Bandipur and Tansen, climb to Gorkha's hilltop palace, or pass through the river-road gateways of Beni, Baglung and Kushma. Pick a destination below to dive into its sights, stays and food.
Destinations in this region
Frequently asked questions
What is the Annapurna region known for?+
The Annapurna region is Nepal's adventure heartland, centred on lakeside Pokhara and ringed by the Annapurna massif and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail). It holds the country's most popular treks — the Annapurna Circuit, the Annapurna Base Camp route and Poon Hill — along with the high desert valley of Mustang, the alpine village of Manang, and a string of hill towns and trailhead villages across the Gandaki watershed.
How many days do you need in Pokhara and the Annapurna region?+
Two to three days is enough to enjoy Pokhara itself — Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda and a sunrise from Sarangkot. Add a week or more if you plan to trek: a short Ghandruk or Poon Hill loop runs three to five days, while the full Annapurna Circuit through Manang or a Mustang trip takes ten days to a fortnight.
What are the best trips in the Annapurna region?+
Base in Pokhara for the lake and mountain views, then head into the hills: Ghandruk and Besisahar as classic trailheads, Manang for high-altitude acclimatisation, and Mustang for its walled towns and Tibetan-influenced desert landscape. Bandipur and Tansen offer preserved Newari hill towns, Gorkha its hilltop palace, and Beni, Baglung and Kushma are gateway towns along the river roads.
When is the best time to visit the Annapurna region?+
Autumn (October to November) and spring (March to April) bring the clearest mountain views and the most stable trekking weather. Winter is cold at altitude but quiet and crisp in Pokhara, while the summer monsoon brings cloud and rain to the lower trails — though the rain-shadow valleys of Mustang and Manang stay relatively dry.
