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TAAN to study trekking trails

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) is all set to start exploring two new trekking trails — Great Buddhist Master’s Trail and Mahabharat Rhododendron Trail — in the Timal region of Kavre district, from August 19.

“We will study the trail for two weeks. The trek will start from Timal region of Kavre district and go around Mahabharat range,” said general secretary of TAAN Mohan Lamsal.

During the two weeks, a team of representatives from TAAN and the mountaineering sector will explore the area and prepare an official map, which can later be used by tourists for treks in these areas.

The ‘Great Buddhist Master’s Trail’ will start from Panauti and will head towards Narayansthan (Timal region) and finally end in Lubhughat. “The trail has been named the Great Buddhist Master’s Trail as the region has some Buddhist religious sites dating back to the 8th century,” he said.

TAAN also has plans to connect the Buddhist trail with the ‘Mahabharat Rhododendron Trail’. “There will be two alternate trails for the Mahabharat Rhododendron Trail,” said Lamsal. According to him, it will be connected by two different trails — one by the Buddhist trail and the other will be from Sindhuligadhi to Mahabharat Range and will end in Khopasi.

The introduction of new trekking trails will bring employment opportunities for the people of those areas, said officiating president of TAAN Zambu Sherpa. “On a clear day one can easily observe the Langtang range, Gaurishankar and Ganesh Himal,” he said.

According to TAAN, both the trekking trails have natural and cultural attractions. TAAN has stated that it has fixed a budget of Rs five lakhs for the exploration and mapping of both the trails. “Once we complete the exploration and mapping process we will further move ahead with the cost analysis of the route and fix the total number of days required to complete the trek,” Sherpa said.

According to TAAN, it also has plans to promote the trails for agro tourism and ‘Dark Sky Destination’, because during clear weather one can easily explore the night sky. Recently, TAAN completed the study of a new trekking route that links Rara National Park in Mugu to Khaptad National Park. The exploration trip had started on June 7.

The trail begins from Talcha airport in Mugu and passes through Sirkot, Sukhadhik and Kolti of Bajura. It enters Khaptad National Park from Kolti and passes through Tamail, Budhakholi, Baaisdhara, Surmasarobar, Dhulichaur and Chainpur before ending in Dhangadi. It was the first time that TAAN had explored new trekking trails in the far-western region.

TAAN had also completed the exploration of new trekking trails in Humla and Mugu in April.

source: the himalayan times,15 August 2013