Rhododendron(Laliguras) adds charm to the enchanting Ghodepani in the eyes of tourists.

Rhododendron(Laliguras) is also the national flower of Nepal. Many species of rhododendrons are found in the same area, making it a major jungle of Gandaki Province where local residents, including the chairman of the rural municipality, Dam Bahadur Pun, reside.

'The colorful rhododendrons in full bloom make the jungle of Ghodepani area very enchanting and attractive,' he said. 'The increasing buzz of tourists to roam in the jungle filled with rhododendrons is adding to the charm of natural beauty.'

Groups of students, employees, and traders have come to visit Ghodepani, forming groups from places like Beni, Baglung, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. According to the Chief of the Tourist Police Office in Ghodepani, Deputy Inspector Premraj Gauli, there are about 60-70 foreign tourists and around 100 Nepali tourists visiting Ghodepani daily.

'We keep records of foreign tourists who come to Ghodepani-Poon Hill for sightseeing,' he said. 'After the spread of the coronavirus, the presence of tourists has been increasing from Chaitra of 2076 (March-April 2020).'

Akshata Bhattarai, who came to visit Ghodepani in a group of eight from Kathmandu, described the pleasure she felt while trekking in the secluded atmosphere and colorful jungle filled with rhododendrons. Punam Kharel, captivated by the view of the rhododendrons, hills, Himalayas, and sunrise, shared her experience in Chitwan.

With the blooming of rhododendrons until the month of Phagun (February-March), Ghodepani has seen an increase in activity. Meena Pun, Chairperson of the Hotel Management Subcommittee of Ghodepani, said, 'We have made arrangements to attract domestic tourists. Twenty-seven hotels in Ghodepani have been classified into two groups based on facilities and infrastructure, with eleven hotels classified as (A) and sixteen as (B), with different rates for different categories.'

A package ranging from NPR 950 to NPR 1600, including accommodation, meals, and breakfast, has been made for overnight stays, lunch, and breakfast. Previously, all hotels used to charge individually for overnight stays, meals, and breakfast, ranging from NPR 1500 to NPR 500 per person.

Hotels in Ghodepani can accommodate more than a thousand people daily. The meeting held on Phagun 28 (March 11) decided on the classification of hotels and the new rates, which will be effective from Chaitra 1, 2078 (March 14, 2022).

The main destination of the Annapurna circular trek, Ghodepani is situated at an altitude of two thousand eight hundred meters above sea level from the sea level. It takes about thirty minutes to reach Poon Hill after hiking uphill from Ghodepani.

Tourists who come to Ghodepani to observe the sunrise, Himalayas, and the jungle of rhododendrons from Pun Hill, located at an altitude of three thousand two hundred meters above sea level from the sea level, stay overnight in Ghodepani.

 

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