Machhapuchhare means "Fish Tail" (6997 m), is a sacred mountain for the Gurung people.
Like all mountains in the world the vegetation on the Himalaya slopes could be divided into some zones. Until the elevation of 2700-3000 m stretches a zone with subtropical evergreen forest. Prevalent trees in the lower parts are the chestnuts, in the upper part the oaks. Above 3000 m grows the spectacular wet rhododendron forest interspersed with hemlock and fir. The tree line is on the elevation 3600 - 4000 m. In the area from the tree line to the permanent snow line thrive only the most tenacious of wildflowers.
Those vegetation zones are typical for the well watered southern slopes of the Himalaya. The north of the Himalaya is the rain-shadow area and are extremely dry. There stretches a high desert, similar to the Tibetan plateau.
Since it opened to foreign trekkers in 1977, the trek around Annapurna has become the most popular trek in Nepal. After the some parts of the trek was controlled by Maoists, the count of the tourists went rapidly down. The Annapurna Circuit has the advantage of having accommodation available each night in the many tee-houses on the trail.
The walk to the Annapurna Base Camp can be tacked on as a side trip from the Annapurna Circuit trek. To make it is strongly recommended, because it leads through the area still covered with mountain forests. The Maoists use the forests as maneuver area.
The Annapurna Circuit follows the old trading route from Tibet to India. There are many steep parts on the trail and a lot of rivers to cross. By all river crossing points there are suspension bridges available. The best trekking time is before and after the monsoon period. From mid-December to mid-March the Thorung La and the Annapurna Base Camp are often closed due to the snow and avalanches.
