The preparation for the implementation of the Dordi Himal Trekking Route, included in point 72 of the 100 agenda on governance reforms made public by the federal government, has raised new hopes in the tourism sector of Lamjung. The Dordi region has come into the spotlight again 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 circular Annapurna trekking route connecting Manang-Mustang is getting shorter with the expansion of the road, efforts to find an alternative have intensified. Since the trek, which takes about 21 days, can be completed in a week, the search for a new trekking route has become inevitable. 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.

Dordi Rural Municipality Chairman Yubaraj Adhikari said that 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 meters) and also connects with Gorkha. This trekking route, which takes about 9 days within the rural municipality, is named ‘Buddha Himal-Himalchuli Great Lakes Trail’.

On the first day of the trek, one reaches Ilampokhari (1,900 meters) or Damrang-Jumgadi (2,005 meters) from Nauthar Shera. On the second day, one reaches Lipe (3,105 meters), on the third day Notache (3,500 meters), on the fourth day Molomche (3,300 meters), on the fifth day Ukhand (3,500 meters) and on the sixth day, one reaches Memepokhari (4,456 meters). 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 meters), on the eighth day, Bahrapokhari (3,080 meters), 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 other market areas by descending to 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 more people. Dharamshalas that can accommodate up to 100 people have been built in Komrodanda at a cost of Rs. 9 million, 80 people in Molomche at a cost of Rs. 9 million, and 40 people in Lipe at a cost of Rs. 7 million. Preparations are underway to build a Dharamshala in Notache in the current fiscal year. Dharamshalas have already been built in the Bahrapokhari area on 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 region 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 a three-day trek from Gorkha to connect to this trekking route via Notache.

Other alternative trekking routes have also come into operation in the Dordi region. The ‘Lipe Lake Circular Trek’ 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 allows you to experience local culture, Bhedigoth and rural lifestyle along with natural beauty.

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

From Khinchowk, you reach Bahrapokhari (3,080 meters), Komro Danda (4,000 meters). On the fourth day of this trek, you take a break to acclimatize in the area. On the fifth day, you reach Memepokhari. On the sixth day, you visit Memepokhari. On the seventh day, you return from Memepokhari and reach Paulidanda (2,585 meters). From Paulidanda, on the eighth day, we reach Khurukharka (3,110 meters). From Khurukharka, on the ninth day, we reach Khinchowk, looking at the Tobrosyo waterfall.

From the trekking route, one 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, one can enjoy Laligurans, herbs, wildlife and various natural heritages.

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

At the Governance Reform Dialogue program organized on 9 Chaitra in Besisahar, the headquarters of Lamjung, there was also a discussion on the tourism potential of the Dordi region. Joint Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Dr. The team led by Bhishma Raj Bhusal had gathered information about the regional potential. At the program, the rural municipality chairman Adhikari said that promoting such a trekking route would not be possible without the support of the federal government. According to Purna Bahadur Gurung, the head of the Lamjung District Coordination Committee, tourism promotion will strengthen the local economy. ‘Operating homestays in rural areas has increased income, now it is necessary to organize high-mountain trekking routes,’ he said.