Annapurna Fang (Varaha Shikhar) — Nepal's Most Underrated 7,000 m Peak

Annapurna Fang (Varaha Shikhar) stands at 7,647 m in the Annapurna massif of Nepal — the third highest peak in the entire Annapurna group, yet one of the least known mountains in the Himalayas. The reason is simple: its official name is Varaha Shikhar, not Annapurna anything. Without the word Annapurna in its name, climbers and researchers overlook it entirely despite it being taller than most mountains people spend their entire careers dreaming about. Only two climbing teams have ever stood on its summit. Nine have tried. Three have died attempting it.

From Poon Hill at sunrise or Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, Annapurna Fang is immediately recognisable — a cluster of 2-3 sharp pointed summits grouped tightly together like the letter M rising above the ridgeline. Most trekkers photograph it without knowing its name. This guide fixes that.

Key Facts — Annapurna Fang at a Glance

What is Annapurna Fang?

Annapurna Fang — officially Varaha Shikhar — is a 7,647 m peak sitting between Annapurna I (8,091 m) to the north and Annapurna South (7,219 m) to the southeast, in Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal. It is the third highest summit in the Annapurna group and forms part of the dramatic southern wall of the Annapurna massif visible from trekking routes across the region.

The name Varaha comes from Sanskrit — Varaha is the boar avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, one of the most powerful forms in Hindu tradition. Shikhar means peak or summit. The mountain's official name therefore carries deep religious significance that its common name, Annapurna Fang, completely obscures.

Despite reaching 7,647 m — a height that places it among the highest mountains in the world — Varaha Shikhar receives a fraction of the attention given to its neighbours. It has been climbed exactly twice in recorded history.

Where is Annapurna Fang Located?

Annapurna Fang sits between Annapurna I to the north and Annapurna South to the southeast, forming the southwestern section of the Annapurna massif's high wall. The nearest settlements to its base camps are Ghalemdi and Himalaya village — the same Himalaya Hotel that Annapurna Base Camp trekkers pass through on Day 8 of the route, where the only coffee machine on the upper trail serves trekkers before the final push to Deurali.

From Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m, Annapurna Fang's distinctive clustered summit is visible across the Annapurna glacier. The glacier sits in the middle distance between the trekker and the mountain — giving the view a layered depth that makes the ABC glacier viewpoint one of the most photographed spots on any Nepal trek.

How High is Annapurna Fang?

Annapurna Fang stands at 7,647 m (25,088 ft) — the third highest peak in the Annapurna group. Here is how it compares to every major Annapurna summit:

At 7,647 m Annapurna Fang is 444 m higher than Annapurna South — the peak most trekkers associate with Annapurna Base Camp. Yet almost nobody knows Annapurna Fang by name.

The Southwest Face of Annapurna Fang

The southwest face is the defining feature of Annapurna Fang and the primary reason it is so recognisable from southern viewpoints. The face rises steeply from the Annapurna glacier system and presents serious objective hazard — icefalls, seracs, and unpredictable snow conditions that have contributed to all three fatalities on the mountain.

From Poon Hill at sunrise the southwest face is what trekkers are looking at when they photograph Annapurna Fang — the sharp pointed cluster of summits catching the first light of day. The face is oriented to receive direct morning sunlight, which is why it appears so dramatically defined in early morning panorama photographs from Poon Hill and Ghorepani ridge.

The climbing route from Beni base camp covers 10.6 km to the summit. The Lumle approach is slightly longer at 12.6 km. Both routes ultimately face the same technical challenges on the upper mountain.

Has Annapurna Fang Been Climbed? — Climbing History

Only twice. Out of nine attempts. With three fatalities.

First ascent — May 17, 1980
Sepp Mayerl and Hermann Neumair of Austria reached the summit on May 17, 1980, together with Ang Chopal Sherpa of Nepal. It was a significant achievement — the mountain had resisted all previous attempts and would not be climbed again for another 27 years.

1984 — Scott Fischer attempt
Four years after the first ascent, American climber Scott Fischer — later known for his role in the 1996 Everest disaster — led a team to Annapurna Fang. The attraction was partly practical: permit costs in the region were among the cheapest in Nepal at the time. Severe conditions forced the team to retreat without reaching the summit.

Second ascent — November 29, 2007
The second successful summit came 27 years after the first. On November 29, 2007, Park Soo Seok, Siting Sherpa, and Wangdi Sherpa reached the top via the east face and south ridge — a different line from the 1980 route, proving the mountain had more than one possible path to the summit but no easier ones.

Current status — as of 2022
2 successful summits. 9 total attempts. 3 fatalities. No team has summited Annapurna Fang since 2007. It remains one of the least summited and most underestimated 7,000 m peaks in the Himalayas.

Where Can You See Annapurna Fang?

You do not need a climbing permit or expedition experience to see Annapurna Fang up close. These four trekking viewpoints give the best views:

1. Poon Hill (3,210 m) — Best sunrise view

At Poon Hill sunrise Annapurna Fang appears in the panoramic sweep to the left of Annapurna South. Look for the cluster of 2-3 sharp pointed summits grouped tightly together — like the letter M on the horizon. The southwest face catches the first light of day making it one of the most dramatic elements of the Poon Hill sunrise panorama. Our guides at Majestic Trails Nepal point it out to every group because most trekkers photograph it without knowing its name.

2. Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) — Closest trekking viewpoint

From ABC the full southwestern Annapurna wall is visible. Annapurna Fang appears between Annapurna I and Annapurna South across the glacier — the M-shaped cluster of summits clearly visible from the glacier viewpoint 2 minutes from the tea houses. This is the closest any non-technical trekking route brings you to Annapurna Fang.

3. Tadapani (2,630 m) — Full day views

Tadapani offers clear views of the complete Annapurna southern face including Annapurna Fang throughout the day — no early morning start required. The mountain is visible from the village on any clear weather day.

4. Ghorepani Ridge — Afternoon light

The ridge above Ghorepani and the trail toward Tadapani gives open views of the entire Annapurna southern wall. Late afternoon low-angle light hits the southwest face particularly well on clear autumn and winter days.

How to Get to Annapurna Fang Base Camp

For climbing expeditions two approach routes exist:

Via Beni:
Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara then drive to Beni. Route: Beni — Lete — Thulobugin — Mristi Khola — Base Camp. Caravan distance: 36.8 km. Climbing route: 10.6 km. Full expedition: 45 days.

Via Lumle:
Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara then to Lumle on the Pokhara-Beni highway. Caravan distance: 35.5 km. Climbing route: 12.6 km. Slightly shorter caravan but longer climbing route than the Beni approach.

Emergency services near base camp:
Police posts at Tatopani and Ghandruk. Army post at Beni. Health centre at Tatopani and Ghandruk. Tourist police at Ghandruk, 23.5 km from base camp.

See Annapurna Fang on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The closest non-technical trekking route to Annapurna Fang is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. On the Majestic Trails Nepal 14-day ABC package trekkers see Annapurna Fang from three distinct viewpoints — Poon Hill sunrise on Day 5, Tadapani ridge the same afternoon, and the ABC glacier viewpoint on Day 9. No other non-technical trekking route in Nepal provides this combination across multiple days and elevations.

Our guides point out Annapurna Fang specifically at each viewpoint — the mountain most trekkers photograph without ever knowing its name. After reading this guide you will.

→ View our Annapurna Base Camp Trek — 14 days from Kathmandu.