Gandaki, 26 Ashoj(October 12): It is sunny autumn. The celebration of the festival. The upcoming big festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chhath have made the villages and towns full of joy. Celebrating the festival in family gatherings is going on, people are also making travel plans because of the long vacations at this time. October to November is considered to be the best time for trekking. Tourist destinations such as Annapurna and Manaslu, which are famous for trekking, have seen an increase in domestic and foreign tourists.
Nepali people especially go out for trekking right after celebrating Dashai. Some enjoy walking with family and some with friends. Trekking tourism in Nepal, which was introduced by foreign tourists in the past, has recently become equally popular among domestic tourists as well. The number of tourists visiting various destinations by road and air is also significant during this time. Tourists go on a walk to enjoy the natural beauty, unique geography, climate, biological diversity, mountain life, civilization and culture. Walking is also considered suitable for physical, mental health and fitness.
World famous destinations for trekking tourism are in Nepal. Millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit these destinations every year. If you are also planning to travel during this year’s Dasai holiday, then these tourist villages around the tourist capital Pokhara can be your choice. Tourists are attracted by the attractive destinations, Raithane life, food, clean climate, hospitality, culture, lifestyle etc. We have presented this content based on conversations with local tourism professionals, village leaders and officials of tourism promotion agencies.
Charming Sikles
Sikles village is located at a distance of 41 km from Pokhara. This village in Madi rural municipality-1 of Kaski is a popular destination for sightseeing. The slums lying in the arms of the snow-covered mountains, the surrounding green forests and kharka, the headwinds of the mountains, the Madi river sighing at the bottom, etc. have made Sikles picturesque. This Gurung-populated village, which opens up in different characteristics in every season, is a confluence of nature and culture. It is a unique heritage of rural tourism.
Sikles village is perched on the banks of the Madi river flowing from the foothills of the Annapurna mountain. Along with the beautiful nature, the village environment, lifestyle, rich food and warm hospitality easily attract the tourists who come there. Houses of the same pattern, stone and zinc roofs. Stone yard and path. Window and door reflecting the old architecture. Small alleys, alleys and tagara are the beauty of Sikles. Anyone who reaches there after a busy daily life forgets the stress. They focus on nature and culture and calm the mind.
This village, which looks bright in the morning and afternoon, is struck by lightning at night. The cycles under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) are more popular for trekking. The number of tourists has increased after the Sikles-Kapuche-Kori footpath was put into operation. Trekkers reach the 3800-meter high Kori Lake through the Kapuche Himaltal in the lap of the Annapurna Himal from Sikles.
There are two footpaths to Kori from Sikles via Tas and Kori via Kapuche Himtal. Kori trek can be done in three days. Hotels have opened in Kori after the increase in tourist activities. Communication materials promoting the tourism sector, YouTube, etc., have exposed the sector more. Two decades ago, the foundation of tourism business was laid in Sikles. The tourism business of Sikles, which initially started with community housing, has now taken a leap.
Dozens of guesthouses and hotels are in operation. Investment in hotel business is increasing. Sikless is considered as the starting point of Nepal’s peace process. On June 2, 2063, the Chairman of Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ went public for the first time in Sikles after underground politics. A few months later, a comprehensive peace agreement was signed. A peace monument has also been built in Sikles, which is considered as the starting point of the peace process along with the people’s war.
Tourists who reach Sikles enjoy the Gurung Museum, Peace Memorial, Sikles Park, view of the mountains, Gurung temple, original culture, costumes, tableaux, dances etc. Tourists who prefer trekking choose short and long distance treks. Sikles can be reached by a two-and-a-half-hour motor journey from Pokhara. Walking takes one day. As the Pokhara-Sikles road is being upgraded, the transport service has also become easier. Siklas is at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. There are more than four hundred houses of the same design and pattern. 95 percent of which are inhabited by Gurung. The beauty of Siklas is revealed by the snow chains that look like lace in winter and the rain and clouds in the rain.
Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal have added beauty to this village. The small ponds, ponds and waterfalls on the lake and Khark have also attracted tourists. Domestic products such as doko, sekhu, mandra, chitra made from nigalo are made here. The sight of women weaving allo and dhaka cloths with looms is attractive. There is a daily package of 1200 rupees for domestic tourists in the houses here. In which you get one meal of meat, one meal of plain food, breakfast/evening and one night’s sleep. From Pokhara, you can reach Sikles in an hour on foot and an hour by motor. In the food, you can find local flour, gundruk, corn, bhatta, potatoes, and local chicken meat. In beverages, the guests prefer home-made products. Original dances and music are presented for the entertainment of tourists.
Wow! Lwang
Lwang village located in Machhapuchha Rural Municipality-8, which is connected to Pokhara Metropolitan City of Kaski, is a popular destination in near city. Crowdy Gurung houses are the main attraction here. A single-family house painted in white and ocher colors. Stone roof, courtyard and road. Window and door reflecting the architecture. Small streets, lanes and alleys. These are the attractions of Luang village. You can escape from the noise of the city in Luang village, which is decorated with nature and culture. Luang village, the center of rural tourism, is attractive in itself.
Rural life, lifestyle, Raithane food and hospitality also attract tourists to Lwang village. After Gharbas was put into operation in 2067, this village took a leap in tourism. homestay, which was initially started with seven houses made up of village leaders, has now expanded to 26 houses. The house has the capacity to host up to 400 guests in one night. Tourists have chosen Luang village to enjoy the nature and enjoy the home life. Mainly domestic tourists visit Luang village. The surroundings of this village, which can be reached by a two-hour drive from Pokhara, are comfortable. Luang village is considered suitable for sunbathing in any season.
Located at a height of 1400 meters above the sea level, the view of the sunrise over the mountain peaks like Machhapuchha, Annapurna and others is enticing. For the study and research of Gurung culture, local and foreign scholars have also come to Lwang village. The locals have introduced the Gurung culture and traditions to the guests. Raithana is used to taste the food, take them to the rice fields and teach them how to cultivate, and also teach them how to make kitchen dishes. Domestic products such as doko and sekhu made from nigalo are also introduced to the tourists.
In the household kitchen, grain and vegetable crops produced in the village are used. Tourists spend one to two nights in Lwang village. Those going to Annapurna base camp and Mardi trek also rest in Lwang village and start their journey. Luang village is also chosen for shooting movies. Filming of movies like ‘Prasad-2’, ‘Dui Nambari’ took place in this village. The tea garden at the top of the village is another tourist attraction. The tea garden spread over 1,200 plants gives a glimpse of Elam. Tourists also come there to see the tea plantations. Luang village tea has been exported to Europe.
Tea was planted for the first time around the year 2053/54 in Lwang village under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Tourism activities started after the office of ‘ACAP’ was located in Lwang village. A total of 1,200 rupees per person has been set for overnight stay with dinner and breakfast, including food, in Lwang village. Apart from food, other dishes and drinks have to be paid separately. The ‘package’ contains one piece of plain food and one piece of meat. Rural beauty, culture and lifestyle are the main attractions of Luang village. When you go to Lwang village, you can reach the nearby tourist spots like ‘Pokhara Cannoning’, Ghalel village. Luang village can be reached by a 20 km motor journey from the tourist city of Pokhara. It takes about four hours to walk. One can walk along the banks of the Mardi river crossing Bhir and forests. Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality – 25 from Hemja to drinking water, Bhandabari, Kholamukh to reach Lwang village.
Ghandruk to see the Himal
Around 2026/27, Ghandruk has been established as a popular tourist destination in Nepal. Initially, only one/two hotels were serving the tourists, but from 2040/42 onwards, more hotels were added to Ghandruk. The number of tourists also started to decrease. Ghandruk village located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-10 and 11 of Kaski is known as a trendy destination among locals and foreigners. Thousands of tourists step there every year. They enjoy nature and culture. Mountain style house in the lap of the mountains. Rural environment and climate. Art, culture and lifestyle of Gurung community. Houses open to welcome guests. Dishes made from local produce. These are the things that attract tourists to Ghandrakuma.
The view of the nearby Annapurna and Machhapuchhre snow ranges from Ghandruk is enticing to anyone. Some houses in Dandagaon are still preserved. Some businessmen have decorated the old house and run it as a hotel. The trend of opening hotels in concrete buildings is increasing. In the name of modernity, there is also concern that the old features of Ghandruk will be destroyed. Ghandruk has 54 hotels including resorts and 18 houses. There are 800 rooms in the hotel ranging from tourist level to normal. In the tourist season, up to 2/3 thousand tourists reach there in one day.
After the natives, most Chinese tourists make Ghandurak their destination. Tourists from India to Europe and America have reached there. Annapurna Base Camp of Annapurna Conservation Area, Punhil-Ghorepani of Myagdi and Ghandruk, which is located on the connecting trail, is also considered as a resting place for tourists. From Nayapul on Pokhara-Baglung highway, one can reach Ghandurak in five/six hours by walking through Birethanti, Syaulibazar, Kinche. It can be reached in an hour and a half by motor.
