June 17, Kathmandu. Prem Dorche Lama, the first climber of Mount Everest in Karnali, is a tourism entrepreneur by profession. At this time, the tourism sector seems to be at a standstill due to the Korana epidemic. In this situation, he visited the Everest region with nine Russian tourists last April.
“I have been to Mount Everest about 70 times. But this time the trip was very memorable, ”he said.
The tourism sector was booming across the country after the first phase of the Corona wave subsided. After making international flights a bit easier, foreign tourists started coming and getting information.
“In that case, a Russian group offered me a trip to Gokyo Lake in the Everest region,” he said. “We went on a trek to Gokyo Lake.”
In the past, tourists used to come along the way while trekking in the Everest region during this season. But this time it was deserted. “Even if we met people on the road, we had to maintain a physical distance,” he said.
During the journey, his group left Kathmandu and settled in Fakding. The next day we reached Namche from Fakding and stayed there. He said that this time Namche was deserted.
The road from Namche Bazaar to Sagarmatha Base Camp and Gokyo Lake is different. “We went to Gokyo Lake. We walked from Namche and settled in Dole, ”he said.“ From Dole we reached Gokyo Lake. ”
He said that the weather was not clear this time. He said that although the weather was clear for some time in the morning, it has been cloudy since mid-day.
“It’s not as pleasant to walk as it used to be when the weather wasn’t clear,” he said. It can be very boring. ‘
Probably due to global warming, snow is not seen in the mountains like before. It doesn’t even depend on the weather.
“In the past, when I was traveling, the flow of water in the rivers seen on the road was very high, but now it is very low. If this is the case then what is the condition of Himal? ‘
He said they returned by helicopter after spending two weeks in the Everest region.
Characteristic of Gokyo Lake
Lake Gokyo at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level. There are 6 main lakes in this area. These are the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Lake Thonak is the largest of these lakes. The Gokyo Lake area has been declared a Ramsar site since 2007.
This lake is considered a sacred place by both Hindus and Buddhists. Every year a fair is held here on the day of Janapurnima. It is believed that if you take a bath and worship here, your desires will be fulfilled. On the south side of the lake are the temples of Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. Thousands of devotees flock here.
After Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lake is a popular tourist destination. Gokyo village at an altitude of 4,790 meters is considered an attractive destination for tourists.
“We are trying to get the tourism sector back on track.”
Everest National Park and Annapurna Footpath are the first tourist attractions in Nepal.
Especially in the Everest region there was more activity. The reason was the climber Everest. Tourists were very excited when the ascent of Everest resumed after the first wave of Kovid in Nepal.
Soon after, Kovid’s second wave added some excitement. Ngawa Ngima Sherpa, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nepal Tourism Board, says that the tourism board is working out a strategy by discussing with the experts about the long-term plan.
“We are currently discussing and planning on how to restore the country’s tourism sector, not just the Everest region,” he said.
He said, “The infrastructure of the current trekking route in the Everest region is fine. It would be better to manage it further. If Gokyo, not only Mt. Everest but also other trekking in the Mt. That’s why we’re in discussions. ”
Currently, the only way to enter Everest is by air from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Kathmandu, you can go to Surke via Jiri and from Kathmandu, you can go to Surke via Salleri and Khari Khola by jeep. After that you can go to Everest by hiding.
Sherpa is of the opinion that the road network should be expanded if the number of tourists is to increase in the Everest region. ‘If the road network can be connected, the Everest region will be bustling not only during the season but also for twelve months and the number of tourists will also increase. Expensive destinations can be made accessible if the road can be touched, ‘he said.
He says that the existing structures in the Everest region can be operated by maintaining physical distance. He said, “I don’t think tourists will come in the same group as in the past.” They may come in small numbers in small groups. With a small number, the current structure can provide services by maintaining social distance. ‘
