सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Gandaki. Kaprudanda, located in Madi Rural Municipality-2 of Kaski, has been developing as a tourist destination after studying its tourism potential five years ago with the expansion of the road network. The Nepal Tourism Board, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province, and Madi Rural Municipality have studied its tourism potential and started developing Kaprudanda as an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
Ten years ago, Kaprudanda was a sheepfold and a grazing area for cattle. Locals say that the place where shepherds take their livestock is now becoming an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Himal Gurung, the owner of Hotel Midnight Campers in Kaprudanda, said that the number of tourists visiting this place is increasing with the development of infrastructure including roads, hotels and other facilities targeting tourists after studying the tourism potential and challenges.
‘The open terrain amidst the dense forests of Guranse, from here, along with the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset, one can simultaneously observe the views of the Manaslu Himal, Annapurna II, III and IV, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Mardi, Buddha, Hark Gurung and other mountains. This place has become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists in the last five years,’ he said.
The road was built five years ago, keeping in mind the tourism potential here. Although the pandemic affected tourism activities for two years, the attraction of domestic and foreign tourists has been increasing since then, said hotel operator Himal Gurung. “There were stables here many years ago, but now there are none,” he said, adding that this is also an archaeological site. Senior citizens say that during the reign of King Ghale in Kholosothar, the king used to send his envoys to Kaprudanda to collect taxes.
According to locals, the round-shaped flat land at the head of the village used to be a place where villagers used to graze their cattle. “The villagers used to cut grass and return home only in the evening. Therefore, this place is also connected to the traditional livelihood of the people here. From here, it is about a 10-hour walk to reach Kholasothar, the birthplace of the Gurung tribe, said Bhupal Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur here.
According to tourism entrepreneur Gurung, with the promotion activities being carried out through social media and other means during the Corona epidemic, now between 100 and 150 tourists are reaching here daily. He informed that since it is surrounded by jungles, tourists come to observe various species of birds as well as the picturesque scenery and beautiful mountains.
Tourists who like trekking and hiking reach Kaprudanda after a four- to six-hour walk from Tangting, a tourist Gurung village in Kaski. Recently, after the construction of a motorway to reach here, some have been coming here with private vehicles, informed tourism entrepreneur Gurung. He mentioned that domestic tourists come here from places like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Butwal and others to see the mountains.
10 young people from Butwal came here on motorcycles on Christmas (December 10) this year. Suman Thapa, a young man, mentioned that he had received information from social media earlier and was further impressed by the mountainous views, enchanting natural beauty, and delicious local food after coming here.
“Kaprudanda, which can be reached by motorcycle, is an excellent destination to see the mountains, understand the Gurung heritage and lifestyle, and observe the environmental beauty,” he said while sharing his experience. “It is necessary for the concerned agencies and the state to pay attention to promoting tourism by promoting such places.” This can promote the country’s tourism and achieve economic prosperity.’
Hoteliers say that there has been a surge in domestic tourists coming here from Pokhara and surrounding areas, especially during the past few years, when it has snowed. Gurung, the owner of Hotel Midnight Campers, informed that after the snow falls, there is a surge in the number of tourists from the hotels on the mountain to the village below Tangting. He said that during the snow, tourists stay in Tangting or Kapru and return the next day after playing in the snow.
Tourism entrepreneur Gurung informed that four well-equipped hotels have been brought into operation in Kaprudanda after the arrival of tourists has increased. According to him, a package of Rs 1,500 has been fixed for tourists coming here, including evening tea, corn, food, sleeping tents, and breakfast and tea the next day.
The Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Gandaki Province, has emphasized on promoting Kaprudanda, which is located at an altitude of 2,900 meters above sea level, by including it under the Gurung Heritage Trail, said the founding president of the association, Bobarjung Gurung. He informed that a promotional trek was completed in the second week of this month from Sikles via Kapuche-Kori-Thulolek-Kholasothar to Kaprudanda and from there to Yangjakot along the trekking route.
According to Gurung, the trekkers who reach Kholasothar walk about four hours from there, after having breakfast in Tapra, they walk for another five hours to reach Kaprudanda, looking at the hills, mountains, forests and mountains. He said that trekking here is a specialty of enjoying the view of the mountains along with the lush forests, colorful flowers, and the sounds of birds.
Kisham Kumari Gurung, President of the Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Gandaki Province, said that efforts are being made to promote and develop Kaprudanda as a Gurung heritage trekking route due to the sheepfold, the route to get salt, and the traditional relationship with the settlement.
Gandaki Province President Gurung informed that the association has been carrying out various activities by prioritizing the promotion and development of these sites by connecting Kapru and the surrounding areas with the Gurung Heritage Trekking Route. He emphasized that the local, provincial and federal governments, as well as all concerned, should cooperate and coordinate in this work of the association.
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