Four New Options for Trekking in Nepal

Trekking enthusiasts will no doubt be delighted by the news that four new trails have been opened in Nepal – Dhorpatan Trail, Nagi-Narchyang Trail, Panchpokhari Trail, and Lower Solu Trail. Taking between one to three weeks, depending on the option chosen, the new hiking trails aim to promote community-based tourism, a concept which is proving to be popular in this mountainous country with its isolated rural communities.

The Nagi-Narchyang trail starts at Galeshwar in Nepal’s Parbat district, passing through Nagi, Narchyang and Tatopani on its way to Beni in Nepal’s Myagdi District. As a community-based and eco-friendly trekking route, Nagi Narchyang offers accommodation with local families or in lodges run by local communities. Nagi has a community lodge, with lodging in the homes of local families available in Bashkharka, Tikot, Dandaketeri and Khiwang as some of the other villages on the route.

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is already well established as a destination of choice for many visitors to Nepal. The new trekking route takes five days to complete, starting at Beni and passing through Darbhang, Takum and Marena before reaching Dhorpatan. The route also offers community-based accommodation options with Dhorpatan being the only place in Nepal where strictly controlled licensed hunting is permitted.

Offering breathtaking mountain views and incredible bio-diversity, the lower Solu trail lies in the Everest segment of the Great Himalayan Trail. The newly launched Solu trek will also offer community-based hospitality. The Great Himalayan Trail consists of ten sections – The Far West; Humla; Rara, Jumla & Mugu; Dolpa; Annapurna & Mustang; Ganesh Himal & Manaslu; Lantang & Helambu; Everest & Rolwaling; Makalu Barun; and Kanchenjunga.

The Panchpokhari Trail in the Sinhupalchowk district of Nepal incorporates what is considered to be one of the most important wetland sites in the world. Located in Dorjee Lhakpa and Jugal Himal, the wetlands consist of five lakes with sacred meaning for the Nepalese people. These are Bhairav Kunda, Ganesh Kunda, Nag Kunda, Surya Kunda and Saraswati Kunda.

Tourism statistics for 2010 revealed that more than twelve percent of the tourists visiting Nepal did so to enjoy the spectacular trekking and mountaineering opportunities. With the opening up of the new trails, trekking enthusiasts now have four more good reasons for visiting Nepal.