World’s leading travel guide ‘Lonely Planet’ has included Annapurna Region in its list of ‘Best Places to Travel in October 2015’.
Saying that one can gain some serious altitude in Nepal, Lonely Planet has suggested going trekking to Annapurna Region in October. “Do your bit for Nepal’s economy and enjoy spectacular views as reward,” it said, adding, “Everyone has seen the news reports from the April 25 earthquake in Nepal, but most reports neglected to mention that most of Nepal was untouched by the disaster, including the most popular trekking areas. With the clearing of the monsoon rains, October is once again peak season for trekking, and the Annapurna region is a great, nay epic, place to start.”
“In the process of visiting the region, one will be performing a valuable social service, helping Nepal to rebuild after the disaster by investing directly in the local economy,” Lonely Planet writes further.
At the time, when the tourism entrepreneurs have been wary of tourist arrivals due to damaged world heritage sites because of devastating earthquake, Lonely Planet’s listing is expected to bring back the tourists in October.
From the gateway town of Pokhara, which saw little damage from the tremor, classic trekking routes like Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek offers the kind of views normally reserved for mountaineers, it added. Pokhara is easy to travel from Kathmandu, and it’s easy to make arrangements for a trek on arrival.
The Annapurna Circuit is the most popular trekking route in Nepal. It includes Thorong-La pass. The trek reaches an altitude of 5,416 metres at Thorong-La pass, touching the edge of the fabled Tibetan plateau. The magnificent mountain scenery seen at close quarters includes Mt Annapurna 8,091 metres, Mt Dhaulagiri 8,167 metres and Mt Machhapuchchhre 6,993 metres.
The Lonely Planet has also recommended travelling Jordan’s Petra, Mexico, Britain, Italy and New Mexico for the world-renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.