The preparation for the implementation of the Dordi Himal Trekking Route, included in Point No. 72 of the 100 Agenda for Governance Reforms made public by the federal government, has raised new hopes in the tourism sector of Lamjung.

The Dordi region has come back into the spotlight with the government's plan to prepare an implementable blueprint within a month after conducting the necessary studies for systematic tourism development.

As the world-famous Annapurna circular trekking route connecting Manang-Mustang is getting shorter with road expansion, efforts to find an alternative have intensified. The search for a new trekking route has become inevitable as the trek, which takes about 21 days, can be completed in a week. In this context, the Gurung Heritage Trail connecting Kaski, Lamjung and Manang has come into operation. Dordi Rural Municipality has given priority to identifying trekking routes in its high mountainous region.

According to Yubaraj Adhikari, Chairman of Dordi Rural Municipality, the 'Dordi Himal Trekking Route' is a potential destination that has already been identified. This trekking route, which starts from the rural municipality center Nauthar Shera, reaches the base area of ​​Himalchuli Himal (7,893 m) and also connects with Gorkha. This trekking route, which lasts about 9 days within the rural municipality, is named ‘Buddha Himal-Himalchuli Great Lakes Trail’.

On the first day of this trekking route, one reaches Ilampokhari (1,900 m) or Damrang-Jumgadhi (2,005 m) from Nauthar Shera. On the second day, one reaches Lipe (3,105 m), on the third day Notache (3,500 m), on the fourth day Molomche (3,300 m), on the fifth day Ukhand (3,500 m), and on the sixth day, one reaches Memepokhari (4,456 m). Memepokhari is considered the ‘head’ of the Dordi region, from where one reaches the base area of ​​Himalchuli Himal.

From Memepokhari, on the seventh day, one can reach Komrodanda (4,000 m.), on the eighth day, Bahrapokhari (3,080 m.), and on the ninth day, one can reach Bhulbhule of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, Pishil of Besisahar Municipality or Tapgaun of Dordi Rural Municipality, Hilletxar Majhagaun area and reach Besisahar and other market areas.

Keeping in mind the convenience of tourists on this trek, the rural municipality has built Dharamshalas at various places. A Dharamshala that can accommodate up to 150 people has been built in Memepokhari at a cost of Rs. 1.2 million. The local club has built another structure that can accommodate up to 80 people. Dharamshalas that can accommodate up to 100 people have been built in Komrodanda at a cost of Rs. 9 million, in Molomche at a cost of Rs. 9 million, in Lipe at a cost of Rs. 40 people. Preparations are underway to build a Dharamshala in Notache as well in the current fiscal year. Dharamshalas have been built in the Bahrapokhari area through private and community initiatives.

After being elected as the rural municipality chairman, the first village assembly led by Adhikari allocated a budget of Rs 2.65 million for the Lipe area for tourism infrastructure development. An additional Rs 1.2 million has been spent on infrastructure expansion. When Prithvisubba Gurung was the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Rs 3.5 million was invested for the Bahrapokhari-Memepokhari trekking route. Rs 1.5 million was allocated to widen the Ilampokhari-Lipe section.

In coordination with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), a detailed project report (DPR) and map of this trekking route have been prepared in collaboration with Dordi, Ajirkot and Barpak Sulikot of Gorkha, and Dudhpokhari and Marsyangdi rural municipalities of Lamjung. It can be trekked for about three days from Gorkha to connect to this trekking route via Notache.

Other alternative trekking routes have also come into operation in the Dordi area. The ‘Lipe Lake Circular Trail’ is a short trail that can be completed in four days. It returns to Nauthar Shera via Nauthar Shera-Ilampokhari-Lipelek-Damrang. Similarly, the ‘Memepokhari Cultural Trail’ is a journey of about 9 days, which, along with natural beauty, allows you to experience local culture, Bhedigoth and rural lifestyle.

For this trek, you have to travel about 180 kilometers from the federal capital Kathmandu to the Dordi rural municipality center Nauthar Shera or from there to the Hilebensi area. Then, after about an hour and a half of walking, you reach Khinchowk.

From Khinchowk, you reach Bahrapokhari (3,080 m.), Komro Danda (4,000 m.). On the fourth day of this trek, a rest is taken for acclimatization in the area. On the fifth day, Meme Pokhari is reached. On the sixth day, we will go around Meme Pokhari. On the seventh day, we will return from Meme Pokhari and reach Paulidanda (2,585 m). On the eighth day, we will reach Khurukharka (3,110 m) from Paulidanda. On the ninth day, we will reach Khinchok, looking at the Tobrosyo waterfall.

From this trekking route, you can observe the attractive views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Himalchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. When the weather is clear, the Shivapuri area of ​​Kathmandu can also be seen. On the trekking route, you can enjoy Laligurans, herbs, wildlife and various natural resources.

The rural municipality has arranged drinking water at various places along the trekking route. Accommodation arrangements have been made in Bhedigoth and local settlements. According to the vice-chairman of the rural municipality, Bichcha Bahadur Ghale, Gurung, Ghale, Tamang, Magar and Brahmin-Chhetri communities are living around this trekking route. One can experience the endangered culture here.

The tourism potential of the Dordi region was also discussed at the governance reform dialogue program organized on Chaitra 21 in Besisahar, the Lamjung district headquarters. The team led by Joint Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Dr. Bhishma Raj Bhusal had taken information about the regional potential. At the program, the rural municipality chairperson Adhikari said that the promotion of such a trekking route would not be possible without the support of the federal government.

Purna Bahadur Gurung, head of the District Coordination Committee, Lamjung, said that tourism promotion would strengthen the local economy. 'Operating homestays in rural areas has increased income, now it is necessary to organize high-mountain trekking routes,' he said.

Dharmaraj KC, elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Lamjung, points out the need to develop the Dordi region as a new tourism destination and emphasizes the promotion of adventure and recreational tourism. ‘The government is now focusing on promoting tourism in the Dordi region. If the Dordi Himal trekking route can be developed, it can take a big leap forward in the tourism sector,’ he said. He said that the plan to further promote and develop tourism by identifying a trekking route to reach the Ilampokhari-Dudhpokhari area of ​​this region has been moved forward.

Currently, a blacktop road has reached from Besisahar to Nauthar Shera. Unpaved roads have been constructed to the human settlements above that. This has increased access to the trekking route.