July 28, 2025

The Annapurna region is one of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations — and with good reason. It offers some of the most diverse and dramatic mountain views anywhere in the Himalayas. From snow-covered giants towering over deep gorges to sacred unclimbed peaks, the mountains here are more than backdrops — they are storytellers of geology, spirituality, and culture.

Here’s a practical guide to the most iconic mountains you’ll see while trekking in the Annapurna region, including the best viewpoints and their unique significance.

1. Annapurna I (8,091 m) – The Goddess of Harvests

  • World Rank: 10th highest
  • Trekking Views: Best seen from Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, and Khopra Ridge
  • Cultural Note: Named after the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment; considered sacred
  • Trivia: First 8,000-meter peak ever climbed (1950), but also one of the most dangerous

2. Machapuchare (6,993 m) – The Sacred Fishtail

  • Best Viewpoints: Visible from Pokhara, Mardi Himal Trek, and ABC route
  • Cultural Note: Sacred to Lord Shiva; climbing is prohibited out of respect
  • Visual Signature: Distinct double summit shaped like a fishtail

3. Annapurna South (7,219 m) – The Watcher of the Sanctuary

  • Trekking Views: Prominent on the way to ABC and from Khopra Danda
  • Often Photographed With: Hiunchuli and Machapuchare
  • Notable Feature: Glacial bowl views from the Annapurna Sanctuary are framed by this peak

4. Hiunchuli (6,441 m) – The Snow-Covered Ridge

  • Name Meaning: “Snow-covered hill”
  • Viewpoints: Seen from ABC and throughout the trail past Chhomrong
  • Tied To: Machapuchare as part of the sacred southern rim of the sanctuary

5. Gangapurna (7,455 m) – The Glacier Goddess

  • Viewpoints: Most prominent from Manang and the upper Annapurna Circuit
  • Named After: Ganga, the Hindu goddess of the Ganges River
  • Climbing History: First climbed in 1965 by a German expedition

6. Tilicho Peak (7,134 m) – The Guardian of the High Lake

  • Location: Near Tilicho Lake (one of the world’s highest lakes)
  • Best Seen From: Tilicho Base Camp and Khangsar village
  • Trivia: Occasionally misattributed as the location of the “highest lake in the world”

7. Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) – The White Mountain

  • World Rank: 7th highest
  • Viewpoints: Spectacular from Poon Hill, Ghorepani, and especially from the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
  • Geography: Lies just west of the Kali Gandaki gorge — the deepest gorge in the world

8. Nilgiri North, Central, and South (6,000–7,000 m range)

  • Viewpoints: Visible from Jomsom, Marpha, and Upper Mustang trails
  • Name Meaning: “Blue Mountain” in Sanskrit
  • Visual Signature: Striking triad of peaks rising sharply over the Kali Gandaki valley

9. Tukuche Peak (6,920 m) – Rarely Climbed Beauty

  • Best Seen From: Near Yak Kharka on the Dhaulagiri Circuit
  • Notable For: Remoteness and challenging weather conditions
  • Rarely Visited: Known more to climbers and serious trekkers

10. Lamjung Himal (6,983 m) – Gateway Peak

  • Seen From: Lower stretches of the Annapurna Circuit, especially around Besisahar
  • Cultural Association: Marks the eastern edge of the Annapurna range

Best Viewpoints in the Annapurna Region

ViewpointKey Peaks Visible
Poon HillDhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli
Mardi Himal High CampMachapuchare, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli
Annapurna Base CampAnnapurna I, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli, South
Khopra RidgeAnnapurna South, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri
Manang ValleyGangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Chulu Peaks
Tilicho LakeTilicho Peak, surrounding glacial ridges
Jomsom/MarphaNilgiri Range, Dhaulagiri

In the Annapurna region, every trail leads to a new face of the Himalayas — whether it’s a sacred summit, a hidden ridge, or a snow-glinting giant standing watch over ancient villages.