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Explore the unexplored exotic trekking route in western Nepal Himalaya
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Machhapuchhre Himal
Machhapuchhre Model Trek is a new trekking tourism product in Annapurna conservation area in western Nepal initiated with the aim of developing it as viable alternative route on the back drop of the declining popularity of conventional Annapurna Circuit trek (ACT). The construction of 29-km motorable road from two sides (Besisahar – Chame & Beni – Muktinath) has pushed this conventional trekking route in risk. Though the road construction in Annapurna region as an integral part of the natural process of development may benefit to larger local population in gross through urbanization and probably enhance the possibility of developing surrounding tourist destinations like Tilicho lake, Upper Mustang (restricted area) and Damodar Kund; its sure to decline the charming of this conventional route ACT among the potential trekking tourists who trek there in thousand of numbers for being close to nature and experience simplerural life.
Machhapuchhre Model Trek route, situated toward north from Pokhara on a distance of 12 km for its trekking starting point, covers the area of approximately 20 sq. km in the periphery of seven Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely Lahachowk, Ghachowk, Machhapuchhre, Rivan, Lwanghalel, Sardikhola, and Dhital inhabited by a mix of 16,000 ethnic groups.
This unexplored and exotic Machhapuchhre Model Trek route is a unique blending of nature and culture. The mixture of varied ethnic groups like Gurung, Tamang, Damai, Kami, Chettri, and Brahmin in their age old collective traditional lifestyles and cultures in the set up of unspoiled nature that consist of snow-capped Himalayas (Mt. Mardi, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt.Annapurna and its ranges), beautiful mountain landscapes, natural hot water springs, eye catching tea garden, rhododendron forest, ancient caves, numerous waterfalls, various species of wildlife, birds and herbs, and organic agriculture products determine its tremendous feasibility to excel.
This route also encompasses additional potential adventure activities like Honey Hunting, Mountain biking, Horse riding, Fishing, cannoning, and Peak climbing (Mardi Himal), etc.
Trekkers may choose the length of trekking from 3 – 9 days as per their convenience and the availability of leisure time in a varied altitude from 1000 meter to 3682 meter. However, there is an alternative that could be lengthened the trekking up to 1 month here. Korchon is the highest point with 3682 meter from where both Pokhara valley and the virgin mount Fishtail are clearly visible
The Machhapuchhre Model Trek route was explored initially by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Western Regional Chapter in support of Nepal Tourism Board in the year 2007. This development of this route as a trekking tourism product is supported by Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North – South with small scale infrastructure elements buildings through a year long Partnership Action for Mitigating Syndrome (PAMS) Project in 2009. This innovative project was conceptualized and backstopped by a PhD and senior level researchers, their findings, and recommendations at Kathmandu University held in collaboration with at NCCR North-South. It also aims to establish a conflict-sensitive tourism code of conduct in seven villages of this trekking area by the active involvement of Machhapuchhre Tourism Development Committee. The project, through the development of mountain tourism in a cordial environment, has the ultimate aim of contributing the upliftment of mountain economy of Nepal.
This unexplored and exotic new trekking route is developed on two fold models viz. camping trek as well as community based village tourism with home stay provisions in seven villages to provide direct and indirect benefits of tourism to local people with special focus to women. The camping trek is facilitated by PAMS project with the construction supports for five camp sites, five supporters’(porters’) shelters, and a number of trail markings in five villages. Other collaborating stakeholders on the development of this trek route on sustainable and participatory approaches includes Machhapurchhre Tourism Development Committee consisting of seven VDCs (for institution building and conflict sensitive tourism Code of Conducts formulations), Annapurna Conservation Area Project (for conservation guidelines and inputs), and Nepal Tourism Board (for human resource development and achievability feedback).
The trekking map of this new trekking route was formally launched by Mr. Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the 31st annual general meeting of TAAN held on August 28, 2009 in Kathmandu.
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