Mustang, or Lo Manthang, the desert plateau located in the upper valley of the River Kali Gandaki, and to the north of the main Himalayan range also falls in this region. Tourist access to Mustang is controlled to help retain its exclusiveness. The highlights of the trek include the visit to the Mustang Palace, the visit to Lo Manthang and pony rides up to the Nepal-Tibet border.
The region is said to have seven ethnic groups living and working in this area, from Hindu farmers to Tibetan Lamas. The most prominent ethnic groups of Annapurna region are Gurungs, Thakali and Manangba. 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, most bordering Tibet. The Animals found here are Pika, Blue Sheep and Himalayan Tahr.
The well known trekking routes of this region are Jomsom, Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Sikles, Lamjung, Dhaulagiri, Upper Mustang and within the Pokhara area. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn. Unlike other parts of Nepal, even the monsoon months are ideal to visit to Upper Mustang that falls in the rain shadow area. Most trekking routes in the Annapurna region are well serviced by Teahouses or better known as Tea House Lodges.
Whatever the areas of the trek chosen, it is most likely that Pokhara would be either the starting or ending point of your trek in the Annapurna Region. Higher Limits Treks & Expeditions is highly familiar & experienced on every trail in the area.
