Annapurna Circuit featured in Lonely Planet’s top 10 must-see travel destinations

 The US-based world's top travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has included Annapurna Circuit among the top 10 most incredible travel experiences in the world.

In its latest ‘Ultimate Travel List’ it reports that the Covid-19 has resulted in travel restrictions around the world and has clipped the travellers’ wings through 2020. “But now is the perfect time to plan ahead so you’re ready for your next adventure when it’s safe to hit the road again.”

“We’ve all got a list of places that we want to see for ourselves: places friends have enthused about, places we’ve read about, dreamed about,” it reads, adding, “This is our list, and it’s the 500 most thrilling, memorable, downright interesting places on this planet ranked in order of their brilliance.”

According to the publisher of world-renowned guidebooks, the walk around Nepal’s Annapurna massif, which has long been considered one of the world’s great treks, is incredible. “For scenery and cultural diversity, this has long been considered the best trek in Nepal and one of the world’s classic walks.”

It follows the Marsyangdi Valley to the north of the main Himalayan range and crosses a 5,416m pass to descend into the dramatic desert-like, Tibetan-style scenery of the upper Kali Gandaki Valley, it further reads, adding that the scenery is mesmerising and the sense of journey is psychologically satisfying, starting in rice paddies and climbing through yak pastures before crossing the mighty snow-bound Thorung La pass. “It’s everything a good trek should be – challenging, majestic and inspirational.”

Lonely Planet features Annapurna circuit in its list

 Lonely Planet has featured the Annapurna Circuit among the top 10 most incredible travel experiences in the world.

The world's number one travel guide publisher said in its latest ‘Ultimate Travel List’ that the Covid-19 has resulted in travel restrictions around the world and have clipped traveller’s wings through 2020. But now is the perfect time to plan ahead so you’re ready for your next adventure when it’s safe to hit the road again, the guide writes. “We’ve all got a list of places that we want to see for ourselves: places friends have enthused about, places we’ve read about, dreamed about.” 

This is our list, the guide writes, adding that it’s the 500 most thrilling, memorable, downright interesting places on this planet ranked in order of their brilliance.

“The walk around Nepal’s Annapurna massif, which has long been considered one of the world’s great treks is incredible,” the publisher of world-renowned guidebooks further writes. “For scenery and cultural diversity, this has long been considered the best trek in Nepal and one of the world’s classic walks.”

It follows the Marsyangdi Valley to the north of the main Himalayan range and crosses a 5,416 metre pass to descend into the dramatic desert-like, Tibetan-style scenery of the upper Kali Gandaki Valley, it adds, “The scenery is mesmerising and the sense of journey is psychologically satisfying, starting in rice paddies and climbing through yak pastures before crossing the mighty snow-bound Thorung La pass. It’s everything a good trek should be – challenging, majestic and inspirational.”

The Annapurna Conservation Area is the Nepal’s first conservation area and the largest protected area that covers an area of 7,629 sq-km, making it the most popular trekking destination in the country. There are several features that make the Annapurna region a unique place in the world. It has the world’s deepest river gorge – Kali Gandaki Gorge – which is 3 miles deep and 1.5 miles wide and is a valley with fossils from the Tethys Sea dating back to 60 million years. The region contains among the world’s largest rhododendron forests in Ghorepani. Tilicho lake, located in Manang, north of Annapurna massif, is the world’s highest altitude fresh water lake.

“And at the end of the day some of Nepal’s best lodges offer hot meals, apple pie and pots of milky tea,” the guidebook writes, adding that it’s however the side trips that make this a truly great trek, notably up to high-altitude Tilicho Lake or to the village of Ngawal, where terraces offer views of snow-capped peaks just across the valley. “Build in a couple of extra days, shake off the crowds, and take your time – this is not scenery to rush through.”

Lonely Planet ranks Everest base camp as 4th best trek in the world

Though Covid-19 has halted the movement worldwide hurting the tourism industry, Lonely Planet has listed Nepal’s Everest base camp as 4th best trek in the world.
“The Everest base camp trek that passes through Sherpa villages, glaciers and finally to the lap of the world's highest mountain – Mt Everest – has been ranked 4th best treks in the world,” reads the leading travel guide book publisher in the world, Lonely Planet. ‘The 10 best treks in the world’ – updated in June 2020 by the travel guidebook – reads that everybody wants a glimpse of the world’s highest mountain and that’s the reason why the Everest base camp trek has become so popular. “Reaching a height of 5,545m (18,193ft) at Kala Pattar, this two-three-week trek is extremely popular, thanks to its spectacular scenery but also romanticism; successful trekkers are able to proudly say they've stood at the base of the world's highest mountain.”
The trail threads between small, characterful mountain villages en route to the famous campground and is trafficked by Sherpa people of the Solu Khumbu, it further reads, adding that the heights reached during this trek are literally dizzying until you acclimatise to the altitude, and the continuous cutting across valleys certainly has its ups and downs. “Be warned: prime trekking season brings serious crowds.”
Most of the trek is through the Sagarmatha National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site as Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt Everest – and a refuge for musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, black bear and many spectacular types of iridescent pheasant.
Among the top 10 lists of the world's best trek, Mt Everest base camp trek trails behind the GR20 trail that goes through Corsica, France diagonally from North to South; Inca Trail in Peru and Pays Dogon in Mali, one of Africa’s most breathtaking regions. Other best treks, according to the Lonely Planet, are—Indian Himalayas in India; Routeburn Track in New Zealand; Overland Track in Australia; the Narrows in the US; the Haute Route in France-Switzerland and Baltoro Glacier & K2 in Pakistan.
The travel guidebook reads that these 10 classic treks are amongst the best on the planet; all of them require a sturdy pair of lungs, fit legs and a good amount of preparation. But the reward is an experience that lasts a lifetime.
Mt Everest has captivated intrepid men and women since the 1920s. The exploits of legends including George Mallory, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa put the mighty mountain on the map; thousands have followed, making huge sacrifices – many with their lives – in their own attempts to the summit, according to Lonely Planet.
Popularly known as the ‘Third Pole’, the trek to Mt Everest base camp has become an achievable goal for people from all walks of life who want a glimpse of the world’s highest peak in past few years. “In 2018, more than 56,000 people trekked in the Everest region.”

Kathmandu is Lonely Planet’s new 5th top city

Kathmandu is one of the top 5 travel destinations, according to Travel Guidebook Lonely Planet.
The Travel Guidebook listed Kathmandu as the 5th top travel destination among the ‘ten cities primed to capture travelers’ imaginations' in 2019. The Lonely Planet has revealed its ten picks for the best travel destinations and experiences for the next year.
Capital of Denmark Copenhagen is the top destination, followed by Shenzhèn of China, Novi Sad of Serbia and Miami of Florida tops the list. Kathmandu is the fifth top travel destination, according to the Lonely Planet that lists Mexico City of Mexico, Dakar of Senegal, Seattle of Washington, Zadar of Croatia and Meknès of Morocco are also in the top 10. Seville, the capital of Spain’s southern Andalucía region, was the global travel guidebook’s top destination for 2018.
"In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, news reports from Kathmandu showed a city broken and in mourning, but today the narrative is all about reconstruction and rejuvenation," Lonely Planet describes, adding, "Sure, there’s work to do restoring the magnificent monuments that crumbled during the disaster, but historic sites are being returned to their former glory, and moves to calm the city’s infamous traffic, smog and noise have made Kathmandu more liveable than it has been in decades."
There’s even reliable electricity and wi-fi as bonus creature comforts in the atmospheric and maze-like alleyways of the old city, the description further reads.
According to Lonely Planet, Sri Lanka, Germany and Zimbabwe are the top 10 countries to visit in 2019, whereas Egypt’s Southern Nile Valley is the best value destination.

Lonely planet recommends trekking in Annapurna Region

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 Annapurna 8,091 metres, Dhaulagiri 8,167 metres and 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.

Nepal re-positions itself at the global tourism map, receives Best in Travel 2015

The world's famous travel publisher – Lonely Planet – awarded Nepal 'Best in Travel 2015' award at World Travel Market 2014 (WTM 2014) today.

Khumbu Region of Nepal has been awarded as one of the top 10 regions to travel by Lonely Planet under Best in Travel 2015 category.

The four-day long global travel and tourism exchange platform – WTM 2014 – concluded in London yesterday.

World Travel Market is the leading global event for the travel industry which caters top travel trade companies and government tourism organisations from around the world for promoting business and exchange new ideas and travel trend.

 This year Nepal’s stand at the World Travel Market 2014 was designed based on Nepali pagoda style temple having intricate wooden carvings festooned with prayer flags around the stall showcasing its nature and cultural products.

The visitors asked about nature, culture, adventure at the Nepal stall.

Nepali delegation – led by minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Deepak Chandra Amatya – had joint secretary at the ministry Sadhu Ram Sapkota along with senior officials of Nepal Tourism Board and 12 travel trade companies.

Meanwhile, minister Amatya also attended UNWTO and World Travel Market Ministers' Summit at the World Travel Market 2014.

Participants at the UNWTO and World Travel Market Ministers' Summit stressed that 'immense synergies' between mega-events as tourism should be used to generate long-term benefits for the destinations and its people.

Speaking at the opening the Summit, UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai stressed on infrastructure development, investment, job-creation, involvement of local community for organising mega events.

Khumbu one of the Lonely Planet’s 10 best regions to explore in 2015

Lonely Planet ranked Khumbu region – also known as the Mt Everest region – among the 10 best regions to explore in 2015.

The Australia-based world’s largest travel guide publisher, cautioning the would-be visitors about recent mishaps in Nepal, has placed Nepal in the sixth spot after Gallipoli in Turkey, Rocky Mountain National Park in the US, Toledo in Belize, Tasmania in Australia and Norway Arctic in Norway.

"Mt Everest was a classic journey following in the footsteps of Tenzing and Hillary into the planet’s most jaw-dropping mountain arena, home to the world’s highest peak," it wrote, adding that trekkers are rediscovering the region’s remoter trails, with Nepal’s Maoist uprising firmly behind it. "We don’t really need to sell one on the mountain glories of the Khumbu region; just a whisper of the word ‘Everest’ and everyone in the room snaps to attention."

The travel guide publisher has also asked to try the high-altitude Three Passes trek or adventurous Mera Peak expedition. "And since 2015 marks a half-century since Major Jimmy Roberts organised the first commercial trek in Nepal, it might be time to dust off those trekking boots,” the guide book further said, suggesting to tread the old-school approach routes to Mt Everest from Jiri and Tumlingtar, along parts of the 1,700-km-long Great Himalaya Trail, if one wants something more authentic. "Already popular, the trails to Mt Everest are only going to get busier in future seasons."

Why trek to Everest, Lonely Planet elaborates, "Well, as Mallory famously quipped, ‘Because it’s there’."

This month’s tragic events in Annapurna region, which killed dozens of trekkers have pushed mountain safety to the top of the agenda. "Extreme weather can occur in the Himalaya at any time, and it is essential to monitor local weather conditions and seek shelter if conditions deteriorate," it suggested, asking the trekkers to be properly equipped – on any trek – and "inform people of where you are going and when you will be back, and seek local advice as you trek.”

Fans of the bizarre will want to hike up to Khumjung Monastery to get a peek at its yeti scalp," it said, adding, "nearby Pangboche Monastery had its famous yeti hand stolen in 1991, but a replica is now on display."

With 60 flights daily at the Lukla airport – the airport at the highest part of the world – in the peak season and 200 people queuing up to attempt Mt Everest on a good day, overcrowding on the trails is an ever-pressing issue. The crowd has also increased waste dumped around. Finding a sustainable way to deal with the waste produced by so many trekkers and porters in such a remote region is a complex problem, though solar-powered technology is making a difference in many trekking lodges, it added.

However, each Mt Everest climber is required to carry eight-kg of waste off the mountain – to clean the garbage – from this year. "Likewise, air safety in Nepal is yet another concern, after air crashes in 2010, 2011 and 2012 killed dozens of trekkers and Nepali staff en route to or from the region," it added.

The Mt Everest region receives around 36,000 trekkers and mountaineers annually. Many of the lodges one stays in will be run by retired summiteers, and most families have at least one member employed as a climbing porter or trekking guide," Lonely Planet wrote.