A Look Into The Region

As viewed from the Kingdom of Nepal, the spectacular Annapurna Massive adorns our cover. For thousands of years trading caravans have carried salt from the plateau of Tibet via the route from Mustang to Pokhara, and on to Kathmandu, while wheat and other grains and produce were hauled from Kathmandu into Tibet. More recently, the range has drawn trekkers since the pioneering exploits of one Bill Tillman who is credited with being the first trekker in Nepal having obtained permission from the Maharaja in 1949. Described in "Nepal Himalaya", the mountaineering classic, Tillman covered areas along the Kali (river) Gandaki, Hellembu and Everest regions. This photograph was taken on the road between the township of Jomson and Pokhara, the main city in central Nepal. A week-long trek along this ancient route is virtually unchanged providing visitors a great feeling of outdoor exhilaration and offering numerous guest houses and small settlements, hospitable to weary travellers.