Trekkers can complete the route through Machhapuchhre, Ghachwok, Lwangghalel, Rivan, Lahachowk, Sardikhola and Dhital VDCs in five days. It took around two years to develop infrastructures along the route, which was first identified during the Visit Pokhara Year 2007. Tourism entrepreneurs started promoting the route from the beginning of 2009.
Basanta Dawadi, president of Trekking Agencies´ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara Chapter, said about 1,000 trekkers have already visited the area.
Various tourism-related organizations, including TAAN Pokhara Chapter, Nepal Tourism Board and Annapurna Conservation Area Project, were involved in developing infrastructures in the newly introduced trekking trail.
“For the benefit of trekkers, we have set up different infrastructures like porter shelter, camping sites and trail marks at five different places along the route at the cost of Rs 3 million,” Dawadi added.
Bhaktar Bahadur Gurung, president of Machhapuchhre Tourism Development Committee, said tourists can trek through Tatopani of Sardikhola, Hile of Ghachowk, Rivan of Lahachowk, Lwanghalel and Milanchowk of Hemja. The route begins from Pokhara.
Apart from mesmerizing views of majestic Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and Lamjung Himal, diverse flora and fauna are the other attractions of the new trail.
“We are hopeful that this new route will be more popular among tourists due to its short duration and would help in local development,” Gurung added. The new trail takes trekkers to a maximum elevation of 3,700m.
Gurung said they had made arrangements of home stay facility in 400 houses along the route. Under this accommodation system, trekkers enjoy what local people eat and sleep at the homes of local people.
Local tourism entrepreneurs expect 2,500 trekkers to visit the route annually. They also plan to expand the route to Beshishahar of Lamjung and Annapurna Base Camp.
During the inauguration ceremony, Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation Shattrughna Prasad Singh handed over the keys of local tourism infrastructures to local people.
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