Top 15 Great Reasons to Do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

May 10, 2025 | 09:50:02

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Less talked about but many stories are connected with Annapurna Himal. In Nepalese mountaineering, interesting stories and facts about Annapurna Himal are found. Which reflect the historicity, excitement and courage of Nepalese mountaineering. It is known as the tenth highest mountain in the world. Due to the technical difficulty of climbing and the high death rate, it is considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb.

According to the Himalaya Database, which has records of climbing expeditions in the Nepali Himalayas, 175 people have successfully climbed Annapurna as of 2020. However, not everyone reports their climb to the Himalaya Database. Therefore, the actual number of successful climbs may be higher.

According to the same data, 72 people have died on Annapurna I as of 2020. This data proves how risky climbing this mountain is. Some have called it the mountain of corpses. Climbers are still setting out on such a terrifying journey. Even at the cost of human existence, the desire to set a record has not diminished in them at all.
For the first time in the 72-year history of Annapurna Himal climbing, a clean-up has been carried out. The Nepali Army team removed 3,600 kg of garbage from the clean-up. In the spring season, 54 people, including 16 women, from five climbing teams have obtained climbing permits. This has collected a royalty of Rs 10,426,410. Perhaps because of the joy gained after the success of a risky climb, climbers are drawn to the pleasant dream of the future more than the risk every year.

Not a mountain, but a mountain range

Annapurna is not just a mountain, but a mountain range in itself. Renowned geographer Late Hark Gurung’s book ‘Vaishaya Vidhya’ contains extensive mention of its structure and form. The book mentions that the mountains of the province start from Annapurna east of Kaligandaki and end at the Jugal Himal north of Kathmandu. First of all, the Annapurna Himalayas are clearly visible from Pokhara between Kaligandaki and Marsyangdi. It is also a mountain range in itself.
Although the song “The Shadow of the Fishtail” on Fewa Lake connects Pokhara and Machhapuchhre, Annapurna is another symbol of beauty for Pokhara. This mountain is located in Kaski district. Annapurna is more exciting than other mountains for viewing the mountain range. ‘Annapurna’ is a Sanskrit name which means ‘storehouse of food grains’. Based on this, this mountain is also known as the ‘god of the season’ at the local level. It is believed that worshipping this mountain will bring the season.
With an altitude of 8,091 meters, this mountain is also a part of the Himalayas, the highest mountain in the world. Tourists are very excited to see the sunrise from here. This mountain range stretches from west to east. Apart from the intervening peaks and glaciers, there are five mountains: Annapurna South (23,683 feet), Annapurna I (26,545 feet), Annapurna II (26,041 feet), Annapurna III (24,787 feet), and Annapurna IV (24,688 feet). We know the overall form of this as Annapurna Himal (8,091 meters).
After climbing Annapurna Himal, Herzog wrote the book Annapurna, mentioning the risks of climbing and his story. The book, published in 1951, became a topic of discussion around the mountains of Nepal all over the world.
The overall form and height of Annapurna Himal is represented by Annapurna I (26,545 feet). Since it was climbed for the first time from the southern face, it is known as Annapurna I Himal, representing all the Annapurna ranges. Many businesses have been named after this mountain. Therefore, this mountain also has a commercial relationship.

Climbing before Everest

This mountain was climbed before the world’s highest peak, Everest. On June 3, 1950, it was climbed by Louis Lachenal and others under the leadership of Maurice Herzog of France. Only 3 years later, on May 29, 1953, Everest was climbed. After the successful climb of this mountain, the then 3rd Maharaja of Nepal, Mohan Shamsher, honored Herzog.
After climbing the mountain, he wrote the book Annapurna, mentioning the risks of climbing and his story. It was published in 1951. This book of his made the study of Nepal’s mountains famous all over the world. The French Alpine Club sent a team of climbing experts, including Herzog, to study the two mountains of Nepal, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. The team, seeing the greater risk of Dhaulagiri, started studying from the northern face of Annapurna. However, after failing there, Herzog mentions in the book that he succeeded in climbing from the southern face along with studying.
The fact that they did not use supplemental oxygen during the climb made this achievement even more remarkable. Herzog’s travel book Annapurna has long been considered the most important and inspiring book in the field of mountaineering. This mountain is listed as very dangerous. Although the climb was successful, most of Herzog’s fingers had to be amputated due to snow by the time he returned. The story of how he returned alive after enduring great hardship and risk is interestingly mentioned in the book.

Nepal’s Largest Conservation Area

Along with the Annapurna Himalayas, the conservation area of this region is also another tourist attraction. The Annapurna Conservation Area is the largest conservation area in Nepal, located in the northern regions of the Gandaki Province of western Nepal. Its area is 7,629 square kilometers. This conservation area includes mountains over eight thousand meters high, the world’s deepest gorge of the Kaligandaki River, and the places with the highest and lowest rainfall in Nepal. It is also the most important tourist destination in Nepal.

This conservation area is spread over Kaski, Lamjung, Myagdi, Mustang, and Manang districts. It is a conservation area managed and promoted by the National Nature Conservation Fund with the help of locals. This area mainly includes the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Himalayas, the Dhaulagiri, Manang, and Mustang valleys, the Gurung and Thakali cultures, and the Annapurna Trek, which is considered the best in the world based on natural scenery.

This protected area has contributed greatly to the development of the tourism industry in Nepal by providing a unique opportunity for domestic and foreign tourists to enjoy the unforgettable natural scenery and the beautiful scenery. This protected area is famous for its various animals and mountainous flora such as snow leopard, musk deer, chiru, Tibetan donkey, Tibetan hare, and narwhal. Famous religious sites such as Muktinath and Damodar Kund and cultural heritage sites such as Lomangthang are also located within this area.

As a major trekking destination in Nepal, the development of this area has also contributed to the creation of employment at the local level and the improvement of livelihoods through earning foreign currency. The Annapurna region, which includes the mountain ranges, mountains, trekking trails, and protected areas, is known as a model and picturesque tourist area in Nepal. Since mountain climbing, trekking, and observation of the protected area can be done simultaneously in this area, it is a center of attraction for foreign tourists.