Exploring the Newly Opened Trekking Route to Mount Api Base Camp in Sudurpaschim Province
The trekking route to Mount Api Base Camp in Darchula, Sudurpaschim Province, welcomes adventurers with newly established infrastructure aimed at attracting tourists.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal and in collaboration with the Department of Tourism under the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP), the route now boasts essential amenities such as residential houses, bridges, and signboards. Additionally, the Department of Tourism played a vital role in constructing the road from Thaikot to the base camp.
With a local population of approximately 7,000, the municipality has launched various tourism-oriented initiatives to ensure high-quality services for visitors. Through partnerships with the Nepal Tourism Board, the municipality has conducted specialized training programs, including homestay training for women and trekking guide training for youths.
Situated just 23 miles from the district headquarters, Khalanga, Api Himal Rural Municipality offers a diverse landscape comprising mountains, hills, and scenic vistas. Mount Api, towering at 7132 meters, along with 16 other peaks exceeding 6000 meters, presents ample opportunities for adventure seekers. The region is dotted with significant religious sites, rich in local culture and natural beauty, and renowned for its abundance of mountain herbs and plants.
The amalgamation of high hills, mountains, traditional culture, and scenic landscapes positions Api Himal Rural Municipality as a premier tourist destination in Sudurpaschim. The newly accessible trekking routes are poised to stimulate employment, bolster the economy, and elevate the social, cultural, and educational stature of the rural community.
Moreover, the trekking route serves as a conduit for villagers to capitalize on tourism-driven economic opportunities, such as selling agricultural products to trekkers. Api Himal Rural Municipality, encompassing wards like Khandeshwari, Ghusa, Guljar, and Sitola, holds immense natural, cultural, and religious significance. Notable attractions include Dharmi Cave, Markandey Cave, Syaule Temple, Surmanbhawani Temple, and the origin of the Chameliya River. Kalidhunga Lake, nestled at 4,500 meters and a mere two-hour walk from the base camp, entices visitors with its breathtaking beauty. Travelers can also immerse themselves in local Madhesi customs, arts, dances, and the unique culture of the Byansi community, exclusive to Darchula district.
Furthermore, within the Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) along the trekking route, a diverse array of wildlife, including musk deer, lophophorus, Himalayan tahr, pheasants, and snow leopards, thrives. The region is also abundant in medicinal herbs such as yarsagumba, panchaule, satuwa, and jatamansi, contributing to the area’s economic prosperity through herb collection and export, as evidenced by ANCA’s highest annual revenue statistics.
