Recentfusion.com–Pokhara: Machhapuchhre Model Trek, which was explored 9-year before, confining seven Village Development Committees (VDC) of Kaski district in Mid-Nepal, has been luring numbers of domestic and foreign trekkers.
This was explored by Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Western Regional Association Pokhara as an alternative route when the world famous Round Annapurna Trek reached to the verge of collapse due to the road buildings. “We have opened model trek, collaborating with local communities two week before beginning the tourist season in Nepal,” said TAAN Pokhara former President Narayan Sapkota.
The newly opened model trek, elevates 900m to 3,700m, comes across the northern VDCs- Ghachok, Lahachok, Machhapuchhre, Lwang Ghalel, Ribhan, Sardikhola and Dhital- of Kaski district. According to TAAN, trekkers can go by three to 10-day in this route however there is an alternative that could be lengthened the trekking up to one month here. Korchon, which is locally known as Korja is the highest point of this route.
The map of the route was revealed in TAAN’s national convention held in capital city Kathmandu on Aug 28, 2009. At that time more than 832 member agencies of TAAN had informed about this virgin route. Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South, South Asia Regional Coordination Office and Partnership Actions for Mitigating Syndromes (PAMS) project built few porter centers in separate camp sites along the model trek and the rests are being built. Hospitality training to local people from Kabhre, Lwang, Dhiprang and other villages has already been provided. Machhapuchhre Tourism Development Committee’s Bhakta Gurung said that the route adopts the trekking concept of home stay and the organized campaign.
Numbers of hot spring pools in the bank of Seti River, facility of recreation in snow even in the month of April, observation of various spices of pheasants, the Annapurna Mountain Range including virgin peak Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), flora and fauna are the major attractions of this route. More than half dozens of caves, water falls, wildlife, teagardens, rural handicrafts and culture also could be observed and enjoyed here. Most of the people are the Gurung and the farming, animal husbandry and remittance are the major sources of income.
Nepal Tourism Board, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), NCCR and PAMS have assisted the TAAN in the exploration, development and promotion of this model trek. This route has adopted the concept that the living standard of people could be uplifted through rural tourism.
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