“Imagine standing in the middle of one of the most remarkable places on earth, dwarfed by a massive mountain amphitheater of rock and ice, celestial summits ascending into a brilliant blue sky. The quiet is profound human existence. Nepali is famous for such places such as this, but perhaps the most awe inspiring of all is the Annapurna Sanctuary.”

The trail follows Modhi Khola originating in the glaciers that tumble from semi circle of peaks high above. Then on to Ghancrung which rises above a high gorge from whers views of fearsome Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare are seen. The village of chomrong is strung out through a terraced hillside and gives way to plush meadowed alpine upland with thickets of coniferous forests that represent the divine presence of the gods. Above, across a lateral moraine we enter the heart of the Sanctuary. The annapurna Sanctuary, a place of refuse spiritual renewal for the locals, lies in a hollow of a giant glacier filled bowl and offers a 360 degree panorama of radiant molten peaks of no fewer than five massive mountains in the heart of the Himalayas. The melting snowfields give way to sweet grass and small lakes make it a heaven for wildlife and wildflower. The mountain side dotted with clusters of pink, purple, yellow and white alpine wildflowers and amongst it can be seen musk deer, barking deer, ghoral, blue sheep and occasional snow leopards in the alpine meadows.