Local demand promotion of Hiunchuli and Annapurna I base camp

Kathmandu, Nov. 24: Tourism entrepreneurs along the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trekking Route have suggested the government to promote Hinuchuli Base Camp and Annapurna I Base Camp as additional two attractions.

They said that these two attractions could be promoted as an extension of the ABC trekking or new tourism products.

“Tourists and Trekkers can go up to Hiunchuli and Annapurna I Base Camp with local guide. It can be an interesting day up there,” said Tej Bahadur Gurung, owner of Paradise Garden Hotel at the ABC, 4130 metre height.

Korean tourists pose for photo at Annapurna Base Camp. Photo: Mod Dhakal

Tourists can go to those base camps and come back to the ABC in a day, said Gurung.

Majestic Annapurna I  (8091 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m) are seen from the ABC along with Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and other peaks.

But, there have been no promotions of these two additional destinations beyond the ABC.

Hotel operators en route the ABC say that the promotion of Annapurna I and Hiunchuli base camps will not only increase the number of trekkers but also increase their stay in the Annapurna region.

“All the hotels on the route will be benefited by the two new destinations,” said Raj Kumar Gurung of New Chhomrong Guest House at Chhomrong, gateway to the ABC.

Manager of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Pokhara Office Surya Thapaliya said that the two new destinations could be promoted but currently the NTB has no plan for it.

Instead, this year it is promoting frozen glacial lake on Sikles-Tangting route (3000 m) and Hidden Lake (4300 m).

“Tourists are surprised to find the glacial lake at the height of just 3000 m while trekkers can go up to ABC after visiting Hidden Lake,” said Thapaliya.

According to him, there should be proper amenities to promote any tourism destination, and private sector also should be interested to go there.

The ABC is likely to receive the record number of tourists this year.

According to Netra Sharma, In-Charge at the Tourists Check Post Office Chhomrong said that the number of tourists trekking up to the ABC may reach about 30,000 about 25 per cent up from 2016.

Meanwhile, the government is set allow the hotels on the route to construct additional rooms to accommodate the growing number of tourists.

Sharma said that a three-member committee is studying the matter.

The growing number of tourists in the past couple of years has pressurized the government to permit the hotels and lodges to construct additional rooms.

Each hotel is likely to get permission to construct six additional rooms.

As each station on the route has four hotels, 24 additional rooms will be added which will create space for 120 more tourists.