The Sanctuary falls within the area managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and is an exercise in environmental and cultural protection accommodating the needs of both the visitors and the local inhabitants. There is a good mix of high mountains and Himalayan culture on this trek. The Annapurna Himal lies between the Kali Gandaki and Marsyangdi river valley, forming a solid mountain bastion. In its span of 40 miles, it encompasses some twelve peaks higher than 22,960ft (7000m). and numerous others over 19,680ft (6000m). As rhododendron forests give way to bamboo groves, which in turn vanish into the high-desert landscapes, people of Aryan stock give way to those of Mongoloid stock and the dominant religion changes from Hinduism in the lower reaches to Buddhism in the higher regions.