Rupakot hiking expected to bring tourists in eastern Pokhara

KASKI, April 18: Nepal already boasts a great array of trekking and hiking routes. Scenic views, friendly people and untouched nature means such hikes have lured tens of thousands of tourists to the country. A new hiking route in Kaski district is therefore an exciting prospect for both hikers and local entrepreneurs. This new route is located in Rupakot VDC and begins on the banks of Rupa Lake and concludes at Chisapani hill, 1300 meters above sea level. The start of the hike happens to be in the same region as where Prince Charles of the U.K. once trekked during his Nepal visit. Therefore, in his tribute, the route has been named the "Royal Hike."

"We hope the new hiking route will extend the stay of tourists visiting Pokhara, which is the main reason for opening this route," said Pushpa Adhikari, operator of Rupakot Tours and Travels. "It will bring Rupakot VDC and other unknown parts of Pokhara to the attention of tourists," he added. The eastern part of Pokhara Valley remains largely unknown even though it boasts seven beautiful lakes and authentic communities like Lekhnath town.


Uttam Chalisey, managing director of the Rupakot Resort, added that the place carries a huge potential for growth in tourism .

Pokhara is the second most visited tourist destination in Nepal after Kathmandu.

Adhikari, who holds Non Resident Nepali (NRN) status, had invested three million rupees and brought Rupakot Resort into operation. His company offers hiking packages for the Royal Hike.

According to Adhikari, the package includes bringing tourists from lakeside to the bank of Rupa Lake where they begin their hike, a lunch at Rupakot Resort and return transportation to lakeside. Although room rates of the Rupakot Resort are the most expensive in Pokhara, Adhikari noted the menu rates are competitive which will also lure domestic tourists to the resort.

The package costs $60 for foreigners but is available for Rs 4,000 to domestic tourists.

The seven kilometers hike takes around five hours to complete. "If you walk fast without stopping, it can be completed in two hours," said Mohah Gurung, sharing his experience of the hike, "It's quite an enthralling experience."

Adhikari said the appeal of the hike was centered on the beautiful mountain and lake vistas, villages untouched by urbanization and the experience of walking amongst untouched nature. The route covers the Bhimsen Hills, Kirakokhor, Faalbhanjyang, Kot Bhairav temple and the Chisapani hill.

Prince Charles hiked this route during his visit in 1982. He started from Majhathana of Kaski, continued towards Kalika, Beghnath and Hangshapur. He finished his hike at Rupakot.

"With the start of this hiking route, stakeholders believe there will be large numbers of tourists traveling to this area soon," said Damodar Thapa, hotel entrepreneur of Pachbhaiya village.

More than 300,000 tourists staying more than two days visit Pokhara every year. Most of these tourists are on their way to visit the Annapurna Conservation Area.

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