A New Hiking Route to link famous Manaslu and Annapurna

A new trekking route has been established for the development of Nepal's mountain tourism sector. The new trekking route has been constructed under the initiative of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). As the random development of road access threatened the trekking trail in Annapurna and soon Manaslu will be the same as Annapurna now.

Considering the domestic and foreign tourists who want to undertake long journeys, TAAN has constructed a new trekking route connecting two local levels of Gorkha and three local levels of Lamjung. The trekking route, named 'Buddha Himal-Himalchuli Great Lake Circuit Trail', starts from Barpak Sulikot in Gorkha and reaches Dudhpokhari, Dordi, and Marsyangdi Rural Municipality in Lamjung.

This trek will reach the base of Buddha Himal and Himal Chuli. One can reach Rupina La Pass in Gorkha on the trek. Similarly, famous religious pilgrimage sites, including Memepokhari and Barahapokhari in Lamjung, can also be reached through this trek. According to TAAN, the trek will take 18 days to complete.

The trekking route can be accessed from Ajirkot in Gorkha, which is at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level. The trekking route includes natural and cultural areas such as Gorkha Barpak, Ajirkot, Nagepokhari, Dudh Pokhari, Notanche, Lipelek, Memepokhari, Barah Pokhari, and Thulagi Lake. Similarly, from the lower part of the trail, one can reach Pishil and Marsyangdi rural municipalities of Besisahar via Ajirkot Bhachkek in Gorkha, Dudhpokhari Bichaur, Ilampokhari, Lipelek, Damrang, Kirtipur, Tapgaun, Barpokhari, Hilletxar in Lamjung, and then via Pishil in Besisahar.

TAAN Chairman Pandey says that this trail offers breathtaking views of large religious lakes, beautiful waterfalls, and stunning peaks. The trekking area is home to many species of birds and mammals, including endangered wild animals such as musk deer, deer, red panda, and the national bird, the danphe. This trekking area has a lot of potential as it is rich in various types of grasslands and herbs.

TAAN, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has already studied the trekking route and produced a documentary in coordination with five local levels in two districts.

Nilhari Bastola, the former president of TAAN, says that the trekking route will be an excellent destination for mountain trekking tourists.  "Since I have been the chairman, I have been searching for new destinations and trekking routes since I became the chairman, as the trekking routes in Nepal, which have great potential for mountain trekking, are being destroyed by the local level's reckless construction of motorways."

He says. Along with the trekking route, TAAN has prepared a new one that connects Umakunda Rural Municipality of Ramechhap to Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality via Dudhkunda Municipality of Solukhumbu. The 'Everest Dudhkoshi Cultural Trek' is being constructed to develop the Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu as a tourist destination.

Similarly, in Chauri Deurali Rural Municipality of Kavrepalanchok, a trekking route connecting Timal to Sailung via Chauri Deurali has been developed and promoted, and work on the 'Ganga Jamuna Tinsure Trekking Route' connecting seven wards of Gangajamuna Rural Municipality of Dhading has also been taken forward, says Ramchandra Sedhai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TAAN.