Mardi Himal along with Mt Machhapuchhre. Photo Courtesy: GVTrek

August 6:  A new trekking route leading to Mardi Himal has been constructed with the support from the Gandaki Province.    
According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the route that begins from Melbot in Pokhara Metropolitan City-25 passes through Astam, Dhital, Dhampus, Pritam Deurali, Dhital Lwang and Ghalel Kalimati.    
The project cost is approximately Rs 1.5 million. Gandaki Province has provided Rs 1 million provided for the project while the remaining amount has been contributed by a Germany-based organisation.    
Many tourism infrastructures have been constructed on the way. The project aims to facilitate tourists, including domestic and foreign tourists, to reach the 5587 meters mountain that has attracted many tourists of late, the project coordinator Bishwo Adhikari, told RSS.    
Stone floor tiles have been used on the two meters wide route.    
To reach the mountain, one can catch a vehicle up to Australian Camp through Dhampus, Kalimati and Siding from where they can use the route.    
"We have constructed a new route to the mountain. We believe that tourists on the way will be attracted to biodiversity and natural scenes like Laligurans(Rhododendron) forest, Rudramahadev and Panchebaja Park," RSS quoted  Adhikari as saying.    
Plans are afoot to construct a cycle lane on the way, said the project officials.    
It requires additional Rs 5 million to expand the route to Dhital, said Adhikari, adding that the federal and provincial governments have been requested to support the project in this regard.