This is definitely going to be a strenuous trek, passing through a tremendous range of ecological zones from sub-tropical to alpine. It is also culturally diverse and we will be meeting Hindu Gurung and Magar people in the South, Buddhist Manangis or Manangba and Thakali in the Northern part of the zone and it is or will be the real Circuit for us. Our route follows two major river valleys the Marshyangdi and the Kali Gandaki, later crossing between them over the high Thorang-La at an elevation of (5416m), which is known as a Biggest Pass of the world as well.

We will be going up the Marshyangdi valley alongside the riverbanks. A scenic side trek through the wild backcountry side. Enroute high lights - are the strange villages of the area that was not opened to foreign travelers until 1977 AD. As you will see /find out for yourself the country is very arid, dominated by weird cliffs of yellow rock eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail and by the lowering heights of the Himalaya across Manang as one. Manang village is situated on a plateau at 3535m. We will be spending a day here in Manang village for rest. The people of the villages of Manang are Buddhists by religion - and they are traders, many of them world travelers and some of them may have traveled farther on the globe than any one of you and me.

We continue further ascending again, following the riverbanks up towards the Thorang - La Pass at 5416m and the highest pass on this trek. The views from the pass itself are out standing high Himalayan breathtaking scenes, perhaps even more. The pass can be very difficult or impossible in the winter. Crossing this Thorang-La pass is a major undertaking, unless we have the requisite experience, equipment and adequate clothing.

Crossing this Berlin Wall like Himalayan High Pass 5416m, we enter to a completely new world of the Kali Gandaki valley. We stop at Muktinath for a day before descending down toward the Kali Gandaki Gorge passing, through several interesting villages like Jomsom (2713m.), Marpha (2665m.), Tukuche and Ghasa (2042m.), popularly known as Thak Khola Valley as well.

At Tatopani (1520m.) we cross the deepest gorge in the world at 2000m, walled by two highest Himalayan Pyramids; Annapurna I (8014m) and Dhaulagiri I (8000m), thereby exiting the Northern flank of the ANNAPURNA. We enter the forest belt at Ghorapani (2850m.). Ghorapani, perhaps one of the best few viewpoints in Nepal , offers most majestic views of the Dhaulagiri and

Annapurna and finally we are completely at the Southern flanks of the Annapurna . Certainly this trek has given us every bit of the circuit-trek environment. The trek finally takes through many interesting villages to arrive at Pokhara, a most popular destination with its famed Phewa Lake dominated by towering 8000m Peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri just 15 to 20 km distances away.

In the western part of Nepal , lies the great Himalayan range of Annapurna (8091m.), offering several (7000m) sister peaks on its shoulder. It?s Southern flank is very green and gets the highest precipitation of rainfalls, making the land therefore fertile and inhabitable by different ethnic groups for centuries.

The Southern flank of Annapurna is very famous trekking route, passing through several beautiful villages and dramatic view points, leading to North of Modi Khola valley and up the canyon between Hiunchuli (6441m.) and Machhapuchhare ? Fishtail ? mountains. This valley floor or basin rarely receives more than seven hours of sunlight even on a clear day.

The inhabitant of this area are mostly the Gurungs, one of the ethnic groups of the Himalayan hills, they are peasant farmers and shepherds. The fearsome Nepalese Gorkha?s soldiers (especially the ethnic Gurungs) hail from this is region. The mighty soldiers whose names have been written down in golden letters in the book of history, for their bravery in the great world wars, winning medals of valor - ?the Victoria Cross? and not just few but many. Our adventure trip to the Annapurna Sanctuary starts from Pokhara, a scenic spot. Our trek combines with the spectacular mountain scenery with incredible ethnic and cultural diversity and traverses through very strange locales. The Gurung villages enroute are particularly colorful and absolutely you can expect to meet strange but friendly, little shy and smiling ethnic people of the high hills.

Flora and Fauna - The spectacular wet rhododendron forests are interspersed with other various species. ?Rhododendron? the national flower reaches heights of 18-19 meters and ranges in color from white, Pinkish Red and Blood Red. There are over 30 species of Rhododendron in Nepal . The other conifer species of trees found are the Sal, Acacia, Rosewood, Silky cotton trees, Chestnut, walnut, Oak Hemlock Alder, Birch, Silver fir, Bluepine and the Maples etc.

Birds - small and the large birds are found along the water courses - the Thrushes, White capped river chat, Plumbeous redstart, Little fork tail, Whistling thrush, Large pied king fisher, White breasted king fisher, Eurasian king fisher, Brown dipper, the White breasted dipper and vultures - Himalayan Griffin and Lamergeir.

Mammals - like the rhesus Macaque and common Languor monkeys, Yellow-Throated Marten, Himalayan Weasels and the Ghoral - a wild goat that still roam the high grassy moraines and can still be seen, if you are lucky. There are still more different species of wild animals found in the area.

Annapurna Conservation Area Project - the Annapurna Conservation Area Project covers 2600 sq. km covering the famous Annapurna Sanctuary as well. The conservation area is run by a non-governmental, non-profit organization (the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, or ACAP) which is funded by various International Trusts. Its primary objectives are to improve local standards of living, to protect the environment and develop more sensitive as well as sustainable Himalayan Tourism. 

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