Annapurna Conservation Area

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Annapurna Conservation Area

Mountain

A 7,629 km2 protected area in western Nepal spanning low valleys to the summit of Annapurna I. Travellers come for multi-day treks, spectacular high-mountain panoramas and traditional Himalayan villages.

Annapurna Conservation Area PokharaLumbiniButwalHimalchuliPhewa LakeMaya Devi TempleAnnapurna (mountain range)MachapuchareAnnapurna Conservation Area

Annapurna Conservation Area essentials

Address: Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi and Lamjung districts, Western Nepal

Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal’s largest protected area, covering 7,629 km2 and ranging from about 790 m to the summit of Annapurna I at 8,091 m. The conservation area stretches across several districts and includes a wide band of the Annapurna massif and its foothills. Elevation differences create dramatic changes in landscape and climate over relatively short distances.

The park includes the high cirque of the Annapurna Sanctuary and is the setting for several classic routes such as the Annapurna Circuit. Those routes pass alpine meadows, rhododendron forests, terraced villages and high passes. The southern slopes of the range receive heavy monsoon rain while the northern rain shadow is much drier; snow accumulates seasonally at higher elevations.

Visiting the conservation area means multi-day trekking for most highlights, with strong cultural encounters in Gurung and Tibetan-influenced settlements and varied wildlife and plant communities. The area is managed as a protected and regulated zone, so check permit and local access requirements before you go. Services are concentrated at towns and popular trailheads; many high routes are remote and require planning for weather, altitude and resupply.

  • Annapurna Sanctuary: A high glacial basin ringed by towering peaks, reached by a multi-day approach and prized for its enclosing amphitheater of mountains.
  • Annapurna Circuit: A long-distance trekking route that traverses diverse ecosystems and crosses high passes, with sweeping views of the massif.
  • Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint: A short climb from Ghorepani offering easily accessible sunrise panoramas across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
  • Tilicho Lake: A high-altitude lake on a side route of the circuit, notable for its striking alpine setting and long approach.
  • Muktinath Temple and Mustang foothills: A pilgrimage site and the beginning of much of Upper Mustang’s stark, rain-shadow landscapes within the conservation area.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Annapurna Conservation Area#

Weather and snow vary strongly with elevation; the best windows for trekking are the clear, post-monsoon autumn and the warmer spring period.

Autumn (best)
October - November · -10°C - 8°C (14°F - 46°F)
Stable skies, clearer views of the peaks and well-established trail conditions make this the busiest and most reliable season for high routes.
Spring (good)
March - May · -9°C - 10°C (16°F - 50°F)
Warmer temperatures and rhododendron blooms attract trekkers; some high passes may still hold late snow, so check conditions.
Monsoon (less suitable)
June - September · 0°C - 12°C (32°F - 54°F)
Heavy monsoon rain on southern slopes brings trail erosion, leeches at lower elevations and unreliable mountain views; the rain-shadow north is drier but access is often affected.

Weather & Climate near Annapurna Conservation Area#

Climate

Annapurna Conservation Area's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in June) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 12°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 74 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MayJuneNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
16°
Warmest Month
-36°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -14° - -1° -13° 49 mm partly cloudy 58% 3.0 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.4h
February Poor -13° - -1° -12° 52 mm partly cloudy 63% 3.3 m/s 1.2 high 11.1h
March Acceptable -9° - 3° -8° 48 mm partly cloudy 68% 3.9 m/s 1.6 very high 11.9h
April Acceptable -7° - 7° -4° 26 mm partly cloudy 68% 3.7 m/s 2.0 very high 12.7h
May Good -3° - 11° 1° 17 mm partly cloudy 70% 3.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.4h
June Good 1° - 12° 4° 12 mm overcast 76% 3.7 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.8h
July Acceptable 3° - 10° 4° 77 mm overcast 82% 3.0 m/s 1.9 very high 13.6h
August Acceptable 2° - 10° 4° 73 mm overcast 83% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 13.0h
September Acceptable 0° - 10° 3° 45 mm overcast 80% 2.6 m/s 1.8 very high 12.2h
October Acceptable -6° - 8° -2° 42 mm some cloud 64% 2.7 m/s 1.5 high 11.4h
November Good -11° - 3° -8° 11 mm some cloud 49% 2.7 m/s 1.0 high 10.6h
December Acceptable -13° - 1° -10° 39 mm some cloud 46% 2.9 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Annapurna Conservation Area#

The usual gateway is Pokhara, a tourist city with domestic flights and road links to the Annapurna region; many treks start from Pokhara or nearby towns. International travellers commonly arrive via Kathmandu and continue to Pokhara by domestic flight or by road.

From Pokhara and other lowland towns the final approaches are a mix of paved or rough roads and multi-day trekking trails; some valleys have short local flights to mountain airstrips or seasonal jeep services. Plan for the last stretch to be on foot for popular high routes and check local transport options and trail conditions before departure.

Tips for Visiting Annapurna Conservation Area#

  • Check local access requirements before you begin trekking.
  • Allow time to acclimatize; many routes rise quickly to high passes and altitude sickness is a real risk.
  • Avoid the monsoon months for high trekking routes because heavy rain, landslides and poor visibility are common.
  • Pack layered clothing and reliable rain gear, as conditions change sharply with elevation and exposure.
  • Carry cash and basic supplies when you leave towns, since services are limited on remote sections of the trails.