Parbat, 11 April: The construction of a trekking route from Jaljala, the famous religious and tourist destination located at the highest point of the district, to Mate Lake has been completed.
The construction of the trekking route from Mate Lake to Jaljala has been completed as part of the Tangle-Bhamarkot-Dandakamere-Mate-Jaljala-Mohoredanda-Kokhe Danda-Ghodepani trekking route, which has been developed as an alternative destination to the Annapurna Circuit Trek, listed among the ten best trekking routes in the world.
A two-kilometer-long trekking route has been constructed this year with the financial support of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of the Gandaki Province Government. According to Man Bahadur Khadka, Chairman of the Parbat-Bhamarkot-Ghodepani Tourism Area Development Committee, the trekking route was constructed at a cost of Rs. 3 million. He said that the construction of the trekking route, which began last Mangsir, was completed this week.
A 16-kilometer-long trekking route from Kaski’s new bridge to Mate Lake, along the trekking route connecting Tangle-Bhamarkot-Dandakamere-Mate-Jaljala-Mohoredanda-Ghodepani in Modi Rural Municipality of Parbat, had already been constructed. Tourism entrepreneur Tika Pun informed that with the construction of two kilometers of the remaining area this year, tourists will be able to travel easily up to Jaljala. He said that if an additional one kilometer of trekking route can be constructed, it can be connected to the tourist destination of Myagdi, Mohoredanda.
The attraction of tourists has increased recently after the construction of a new trekking route connecting Nayapul from Modi and Jaljala rural municipalities of Parbat to the famous tourist spot Ghodepani in Annapurna rural municipality-6 of Myagdi. Tourism entrepreneur Pun said that since there was no trekking route from Mate Lake to Jaljala, tourists were forced to make a difficult journey through grassy and shrubby paths, but now they are able to travel easily.
With the ease of the trekking route, there has been a rush of people to see and pick red-bellied toadstools in the Hampal and Jaljala areas. Pun, who has been operating a hotel in Jaljala, said that hotel bookings have started happening almost daily. 12 varieties of red-bellied toadstools of different colors are found in the Hampal and Jaljala areas. Pun said that since red-bellied toadstools are present from Falgun to Jestha, the participation of tourists has increased significantly here this season. With the ease of the trekking route, there has been a significant participation of not only domestic but also foreign tourists.
Hotelier Pun informed that although the trekking route connecting Ghodepani via Nayapul-Mohariya-Tangle-Bhamarkot-Falate-Dandaketeri-Thamako Dill-Hampal-Jaljala-Kokhe Danda-Moharedanda-Phulbari-Punhill, which was identified 13 years ago, has been operational, the construction of a systematic trekking route in the Hampal area has just begun. He said that once the trekking route is constructed, it will be easy to trek at any time of the day or night.
With the help of Jaljala Rural Municipality and Modi Rural Municipality, electricity facilities have been extended to Jaljala and Wifidanda in November. Pun said that now there is a need to electrify the trekking route so that it can be walked at night.
This trail has been in regular operation since last October after the management of shelters and places to eat and sleep. Pun said, “Culture, nature and adventure are the attractions of this trail.” This trail is considered very attractive for stress management, as well as for viewing the picturesque mountain ranges, beautiful forests, climate, sunrise and sunset.
Through the organization established in 2068 BS, a 16-kilometer trekking route from the new bridge to Mate, the highest point on the mountain, has been constructed with the assistance of Rs. 16 million so far, including the then District Development Committee, the rural municipality after federalization, the provincial government, and the federal government.
The trekking route has been constructed by identifying the stone steps. In addition, 10 rest areas have been constructed on the trekking route. This trekking route covers wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 of Modi in Parbat, 5 and 6 of Jaljala and wards 6, 7 and 8 of Annapurna in Myagdi. Homestays are operated in Lausibot, Bhuk, Tangle and Lespark, which are located on this trekking route, where you can travel while observing the mountains and hilly geography. The diverse customs, culture, lifestyle and life of the Magar, Gurung, Dalit, Kshetri and Brahmin communities are the attractions of this trekking route.
This trekking route, which can be traveled in two nights and three days, is home to various herbs, forest products, and wild animals including deer. You can also see cattle and buffalo herds and travel while observing the mountains of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Tea shops, restaurants, and community lodges have been operating in Phalate, WiFidanda in Hampal, and Jaljala in Parbat along the trekking route. The Parbat-Bhumarkot-Ghodepani Tourism Area Development Committee has been making arrangements to take tourists who come with prior information.
