Named after the Hindu goddess of food and harvest, the Annapurna massif symbolises abundance and nourishment.

Encircling mighty peaks - among them Annapurna I (8,091 metres/26,544 feet) - the range presents a dramatic amphitheatre of mountains that seem to glower and glow in equal measure.

The range is bordered by two mighty rivers, the Kali Gandaki to the west, known for its canyon which many believe to be the world’s deepest, and the Marsyangdi to the east.

These natural features create striking landscapes ranging from subtropical forests and terraced farmland at lower elevations to barren, Tibet-like high-altitude deserts.

One iconic route is the Annapurna Circuit, a trail that has drawn trekkers for decades and remains one of the most celebrated trekking experiences worldwide. But relatively few undertake the entire trail these days.

To the north, it cuts through the Yosemite-like valley of Manang and crosses the famous Thorong La pass (5416 metres/17769 feet). The trail turns south to the verdant Annapurna foothills, dotted with laid-back villages and forests of bamboo and rhododendron.

The region can be divided into three parts: Upper Annapurna, following the trail through Manang north of the mountain chain; Lower Annapurna, characterised by lowland forests populated by ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Magar, Thakalis; and finally, the Annapurna Sanctuary, a one-of-a-kind natural amphitheatre encircled by some of the world’s highest peaks.

Trekking in the Annapurna region is not without its challenges, with the altitude and sudden shifts in the mountain weather. Careful planning and an itinerary with a buffer day or two are standard requirements.

Yet, the reward is immense - the chance to visit one of the most stunning landscapes on Earth.

As you explore the trails, cross mountain passes, or simply soak it all in from the patio of a teahouse, you reconnect with the natural world and time distills into small, granular moments, and then without you knowing it at first, seemingly stand still.

The predominant ethnic group in the Annapurna foothills is the Gurungs, a resilient and hardy people of Tibetan origin.

Closely related to them are the Magars to the west and the Thakalis to the northwest.

The smaller Manangi group resides north of the Annapurna range.

A bit further north lies the little visited valleys of Nar and Phur, populated by a people perhaps older than all those further south.

For explorers, image makers, and casual walkers alike, the Annapurnas beckon with its promise of discovery and self-discovery.

Time slows to gradual ripples across a coffee mug. The stars peer down in their countless numbers.

Your woes, unmovable as they have seemed to be, are a memory from a previous life.

Settle in with a favourite book, chat with new-found friends about the day’s adventures, tune in to Saint-Saëns’s “The Swan”, or simply take a beat and have a well-deserved rest.