PCR report mandatory in Mardi and Machhapuchhre treks

Pokhara: With the increase in the number of domestic tourists on the two famous trekking routes of Kaski district, those who come for trekking have to bring a mandatory PCR report to prevent the possible risk of corona infection.

Tourists on the famous Mardi Himal trekking and Machhapuchhre model trekking have decided to report the PCR negative to those who come on trekking from October 7 to prevent the risk.

A meeting of stakeholders including ward chairpersons of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality wards 7, 8 and 9, Tourism Management Committee Australian Camp, Mardi Trek Tourism Management Committee, Machhapuchhre Model Trek Management Committee and other stakeholders decided to run business and reduce risk by following health safety standards, Secretary of the Machhapuchhre Model Trek Management Committee Kul Prasad Adhikari said.

He said, “After the closure of trekking elsewhere, the number of pedestrians in Mardi and Machhapuchhre has increased significantly in the last ten years. The crowd of domestic tourists has increased in Mardi and Machhapuchhre after the world-famous Annapurna Cycle Tour was stopped by local businessmen.”

Krishna Prasad Dawadi, Ward Chairman of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-8, said that efforts have been made to keep the locals, trekkers and businessmen safe due to the huge crowd. He said that PCR has been made mandatory after the locals of Dhampus, Ghalel, Siding, Kalimati and other places felt insecure during the Mardi trek.

Mount Mardi trekking has become a tourist destination in recent years. As the base camp of Mount Mardi can be reached, it has been developed as Mardi Himal trekking route.

It is located at a distance of 22 km from Pokhara. It passes through Kalimati and Siding. The Machhapuchche model trails starts from Siding of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality-9. This trek can be done from Riding, Lahachok, Ghachok and the former Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality including Siding.