A new trekking route to Mardi Himal which commences from Melbot(Hemja),Pokhara Metropolitan City-25 uptill Astam has been constructed. Currently,to summit the 5,587metre peak mountain,one has to head Dhampus, Kalimati, Siding of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality, Kaski and Australian Base Camp of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski through any vehicle and then can begin the trekking expedition, therefrom. 

Pokhara. 

To reach the peak, a 500 m long new route that starts from Melbot in Pokhara-25 till Astam has been developed alongside tourism friendly infrastructures being built.From that place, it again goes via other areas like Dhital, Dhampus, Pritam Deurali, Dhital Lwang, Ghalel Kalimati and then leads to the final destination- Mardi Himal.The overall cost of the project has been supported by Gandaki Province government who had disbursed Rs 1 million in last fiscal year budget and a Germany based organisation donated four hundred fifth thousand rupees for this cause.

Image courtesy: Index Adventure. 

'We have initiated the project in order to elevate the trekking experience of tourists constituting both domestic and foreigners going on Mardi Himal trek- a popular choice for most trekkers lately. Also,taking into consideration about the distance of trekking routes being shortened due to unmanaged road infrastructures,we have explored this new trekking route such that a two meter wide footpath paved with stone tiles has been designed, likewise ours forthcoming plan include construction of cycle lanes along this trail',said Bishwo Adhikari,the coordinator of the project committee.He believes that,as there's no motorable road from Melbot till Astam, travellers travelling through this segment will be highly enticed towards the culture, lifestyle,biodiversity and natural wonders like Laligurans forests, Rudramahadev and Panchebaja Park which lies en route and they can significantly extend their stay.The federal and state government have been approached to render assistance in road expansion towards Dhital thereby necessitating more funds i.e. about Rs 5 million and for other endeavours, accordingly, added Adhikari. Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, the secretary of the committee on the other hand stated that, as of now they plan to construct the road uptill Dhital only but suggested the government to prepare a feasibility study regarding building bicycle lanes on footpaths uptill Mardi.