KATHMANDU, May 17: The trekking route leading to Mount Api Base Camp Trek in Darchula of a Sudurpaschim Province has been operated and necessary infrastructure set up for tourists.
Bharat Singh Thekre Bohora, chairman of Api Himal Rural Municipality said that due to the systematic construction of the trekking route to Mount Api Base Camp, it will significantly enhance tourism in Sudurpaschim province. He said that this trekking route was the most organized and comfortable route among the high hills and mountains of Sudurpaschim.
Bohara said that the trekking route to Mount Api Base Camp has been constructed with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal and in cooperation with the Department of Tourism under the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP).
He said that residential houses, bridges, and sign boards have been constructed by STLRP in collaboration with the rural municipality. The department provided assistance in constructing the road from Thaikot to the base camp.
With a population of around 7,000,this municipality has organized tourism related programs and aims to provide quality and standardized services to tourists. In collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, this municipality has provided homestay training for women and trekking guide training for the youths.
Challenging but picturesque route to ABC
Api Himal Rural Municipality, which is 23 miles away from the district headquarters, Khalanga, has mostly mountains, hills and diversity along with geographical complexity. Mount Api (7132m), the highest mountain of Sudurpaschim, lies within this rural municipality. Along with it there are 16 peaks with a height above 6000 meters including Nampa, Kapa Chuli, and Jethi Bahurani. This rural municipality has a lot of abundant potential for adventurous tourists and holds equally significant religious places rich in local culture and many beautiful spots. Mountain herbs and plants are also found in this municipality.
According to Guna Raj Bhattarai, section officer at the Tourism Promotion Section of the Ministry of Tourism, the combination of high hills, mountains, traditional culture, and scenic tourist spots plays an important role in making Api Himal Rural Municipality an excellent tourist destination in Sudurpaschim.
He added that operating trekking routes is expected to improve the prospects of employment and economy and also the social, cultural and educational status in the rural municipality.
Bhattrai said that this trekking route has opened the path to Mount Api and the government should promote and highlight it as a key attraction for both internal and external tourists.
According to him, there is a need to develop hotels and infrastructure with more services facilities with the cooperation of the private sector on the trekking route and it should be researched whether it is easy or not for ascending Mount Api.
He said that villagers can generate income by selling agricultural products to bypassers. It will create employment opportunities subsequently, bringing economic prosperity in the district due to the trekking route.
The Api Himal Rural Municipality includes six wards such as Khandeshwari, Ghusa, Guljar and Sitola, this area holds a huge significance of natural, cultural and religious aspects apart from the mountains. Among the religious places, there are many heritages such as Dharmi Cave, Markandey Cave, Syaule Temple, Surmanbhawani Temple and the origin of Chameliya River. Kalidhunga Lake is located at 4,500 meters and is two hours walk from base camp which provides scenic beauty and attractions to tourists.
Similarly, they can also watch local Madhesi custom, dance and culture, arts and dances of the Byansi community which can be observed only in Darchula district of Nepal.
Within the Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) along the trekking route, there are variety of wild animals like musk deer, lophophorus, Himalayan tahr, pheasants, snow leopard as well as medical herbs like yarsagumba, panchaule, satuwa, jatamansi and others. According to the data of ANCA, the annual revenue collected from this area is highest among all areas due to collection and exports of herbs.
This is how one can reach Api Base Camp
To reach Mount Api Base Camp, one can travel by road or air from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi, then travel by motor vehicle from Attariya to Makarigad of Api Himal Rural Municipality. One has to then walk two days from Makarigad to the base camp.
One can reach the base camp from Makarigad to Khandeshwari in Api Himal Rural Municipality via Thala village. Through this way, one can reach Mount Api Base Camp in two days while enjoying the scenic beauty of cultural and religious places such as Naupatasiti, Simir and Dhauli Cave.
