Home stay services started in Pakhathar

MYAGDI, SEPTEMBER 1: A homestay service has been launched in Pakhathar, located within the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, which spans the districts of East Rukum, Baglung, and Myagdi.

Pakhathar has been identified as a new tourism destination, and infrastructure is being developed accordingly with the support of the Gandaki provincial government's Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests, and Environment.

According to Jeevan Kumar Pun, Secretary of the Dhorpatan Tourism Promotion Organisation, homestay services have commenced in six houses with a capacity to accommodate 120 visitors. A trekking route via Kadekodanda has also been constructed from Pakhathar to Kiteni.

"We have increased the homestay capacity and are also working to further promote tourism by identifying new destinations to extend tourists' stays," Pun added.

The homestay accommodation capacity has been expanded, and tourism infrastructure has been constructed with an investment of Rs 1.2 million under the Gandaki provincial government's 'One Election Constituency-One Model Homestay' programme.

According to Pun, signposts have been placed at various locations, and the route has been improved by constructing stone steps in risky areas along the trekking path. Rooms in traditional wooden houses have been reserved for tourists.

Visitors are offered various delicacies prepared from organically produced local ingredients, including millet, buckwheat dhindo, potatoes, mushrooms, green vegetables, and a variety of dairy products. They are also served local chicken and mutton.

The 29 hotels and homestay facilities operating within the Hunting Reserve can accommodate 300 visitors daily.