Annapurna

An essential guidebook to the Annapurna region; the most popular trekking area in Nepal and a magnet for those who love mountains. The guide describes 14 treks, such as the classic Annapurna Circuit, as well as introducing routes in Mustang, Damodar and Nar-Phu. The guide gives comprehensive background information on trekking seasons and the different style options open to visitors, as well as details of all the essential items to take and recommendations on how to make the most of your trip. Annapurna is not defined by one single soaring summit; rather it is a vast massif of a series of multiple peaks and spires. These mountains dominate the landscape and provide an abundance of exciting trails and many different areas for trekking, including some suitable for all abilities (with easy options in the foothills).

Auteur

Sin Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons met in 1983, on a trek from Kashmir to Ladakh. By then Bob had already driven an ancient Land Rover from England to Kathmandu in 1974 and led overland trips across Asia, Africa and South America as well as decrepit old tourist buses around India. He had also lived in Kathmandu as a trekking company manager. Before they met, Sin had worked in computer programming and systems analysis, but her heart had always been in the Himalayas, after a trip there on her way back from working in New Zealand. Since they met they have been leading and organising treks in the Alps, Nepal, Algeria and Niger; they have hitched across Tibet, driven a busload of over-50s overland to Nepal, explored the Sahara and driven across Africa to Gabon. Some of this was real work, but luckily that proper job has not materialised. A journey by slightly less ancient (only 21 years old) Land Rover from England to Cape Town, provided the basis for the fourth edition of the Bradt guide Africa Overland. In complete contrast Sin and Bob have since updated the Bradt guides to the Maldives and the Cape Verde islands. However, they regularly return to their first love, Kathmandu and the Himalayas, where they work with various publishers in Kathmandu, and have written guides on the Kathmandu Valley, Ladakh and Tibet. For Cicerone they wrote the guide to Mount Kailash and Western Tibet, as well as updating the Grand Canyon guide. During 2011 they revisited Tibet, this time driving the same old Land Rover back from Kathmandu to the UK overland via Lhasa, Kazakhstan, Russia and across Europe. It was with great relish that they returned to one of their former trekking haunts in Nepal - the Annapurna region - to research a new Cicerone guide, and to contribute to Trekking in the Himalaya.

Contenu

Map key Overview Map Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Geography Climate Plants, animals and birds Brief history People of Nepal Religion Cultural considerations Getting there Visas and permits When to go Style of trekking Accommodation on trek Food Money matters Health matters Mountain safety Hazards and security What to take Maps Photography Communications Kathmandu - Gateway to the Himalayas Pokhara - Gateway to the Annapurnas How to use this guide The last word 1 Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek 1 Annapurna Circuit Trek 2 Annapurna Sanctuary Trek 3 Ghorepani Circuit (Poon Hill Expedition) Trek 4 Annapurna-Dhaulagiri Trek 2 Restricted Areas - Mustang, Damodar and Nar-Phu Trek 5 Mustang Trek Trek 6 Nar-Phu Trek 3 Other treks Machhapuchhre region Trek 7 Mardi Himal Trek Trek 8 Machhapuchhre Korchon (Model) Trek Parbat Myagdi Trek 9 Parbat Myagdi Link Trek 10 Parbat Myagdi Circular Ridges north and east of Pokhara Trek 11 Siklis Trek Foothills of Lamjung Himal Trek 12 Khatri Thanti-Besisahar Trek Trek 13 Ramgha-Besisahar Trek Trek 14 Gurung Heritage Trek Appendix A Trek summaries and suggested schedules Appendix B Religious and other terminology Appendix C Useful words and phrases Appendix D Books, films and music Appendix E Useful contacts