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Mount Annapurna I
8,091 m
KASKI DISTRICT

Annapurna I

"Goddess of the Harvests"

Elevation
8,091 m
26,545 ft
Location
Kaski District
Gandaki Province
Best Season
Spring & Autumn
Mar–May / Sep–Nov
Standard Route
North Face Route
Nepal Side

Goddess of the Harvests

Annapurna I, at 8,091 m the tenth highest mountain in the world, crowns a 55 km-long massif that looms above the lakeside city of Pokhara. Its Sanskrit name means 'Goddess of the Harvests'.

In 1950 a French expedition made Annapurna I the first 8,000 m peak ever climbed — three years before Everest — and the mountain has never lost its aura: statistically it remains one of the most serious of the 8,000ers. Yet the region around it is Nepal's most walked: the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp treks pass through some of the most varied and beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Key Highlights

  • Tenth highest mountain on Earth at 8,091 m.
  • The first 8,000 m peak ever climbed (France, 1950).
  • Crowning summit of the great massif that rises above Pokhara.
  • Set within the Annapurna Conservation Area — Nepal's largest protected area.

Quick Facts

First Ascent
June 3, 1950 (Maurice Herzog & Louis Lachenal, France)
Average Summit Temp
-15°C to -30°C
Parent Range
Annapurna Himal, Himalayas
Coordinates
28.5311° N, 83.5728° E
Beyond the Basics

Annapurna I: Climbing & Trekking Guide

Route, acclimatisation and permit notes for Annapurna I from the Nepal Side side, plus practical safety advice.

Annapurna I: Geography and Name

Annapurna is Sanskrit for 'Goddess of the Harvests' — a fitting name for the massif whose glacial waters irrigate some of Nepal's most fertile valleys and famous terraced farmland.

The official elevation of Annapurna I stands at 8,091 m (26,545 ft), the highest of the major summits in the 55 km-long massif within the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Historical Fact: On 3 June 1950, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit — the first time in history that any 8,000 m peak had been climbed.

Annapurna I: Climbing Routes

Annapurna I is one of the hardest 8,000 m peaks to climb, yet the massif shelters Nepal's two most celebrated treks.

  • Annapurna Circuit Trek: The legendary 15–20 day walk around the massif, crossing Thorong La (5,416 m) from lush valleys into the arid trans-Himalaya.
  • Annapurna Base Camp Trek: A shorter 7–11 day pilgrimage into the Sanctuary (4,130 m) — a natural amphitheatre ringed by 7,000 m peaks.
  • North Face Summit Route: The historic 'French Route' of 1950, still one of the most serious and least-repeated climbs among the 8,000 m peaks.

Annapurna I: Permits, Season and Safety

The standard season on Annapurna I is Spring & Autumn (Mar–May / Sep–Nov). Storm Risk: Weather in the Sanctuary and on Thorong La can change within hours. Check conditions at Manang and do not cross the pass in poor visibility.

Approaches to Annapurna I begin from Nepal Side in Kaski District, where the main objective is the North Face Route. Confirm current permit, insurance, and national park requirements before departure.

  • Permits required: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit & TIMS card.
  • Best months for trekking: March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn).
  • Elevation: 8,091 m (26,545 ft).

Annapurna I: Approach and Acclimatisation

Plan for road travel to the Nepal Side trailhead, then several days of walking before you reach the foot of Annapurna I. Gain height gradually, take a rest day before moving to high camp, and keep a spare weather day in reserve during Spring & Autumn.

Summit day on a 8,091 m objective is long, so start early and set a clear turn-around time. If the North Face Route is crowded or the snow is unstable, waiting a day is almost always better than pushing on.

Annapurna I: Facts and Figures

Annapurna I "Goddess of the Harvests" stands at 8,091 m in Kaski District, Gandaki Province. The figures below summarise the mountain for trip planning.

  • First Ascent: June 3, 1950 (Maurice Herzog & Louis Lachenal, France)
  • Average Summit Temp: -15°C to -30°C
  • Parent Range: Annapurna Himal, Himalayas
  • Coordinates: 28.5311° N, 83.5728° E