Darchula — The three-day Api Himal Tourism Festival 2083 has begun at the Api Himal Base Camp in Darchula, aiming to promote the region as a major mountain tourism destination in Sudurpaschim Province.
The festival was inaugurated by Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah and brings together cultural, tourism and community activities designed to highlight the natural and cultural attractions of the Api Himal region.
The festival programme includes cultural performances, literary activities, sports competitions, yoga and meditation sessions, along with discussions on climate and the challenges facing mountain communities.
Organisers say the event is intended to promote Api Himal and its surrounding landscapes while creating greater awareness of the region’s tourism potential among domestic and international visitors.
Api Himal Rural Municipality has set a target of attracting around 10,000 domestic and international tourists during the current fiscal year. Local authorities are also seeking to use tourism to support local products, businesses, employment and community-based economic opportunities.
The Api Himal area is known for its high Himalayan landscapes and remote mountain communities. Mount Api, at 7,132 metres, is the highest peak in Sudurpaschim Province, making the region particularly significant for mountaineering and adventure tourism.
The festival also provides a platform for local communities to showcase their culture, traditions, food and products, while encouraging visitors to explore an area that remains less developed as a mainstream tourism destination compared with Nepal’s better-known trekking regions.
Through the festival, organisers hope to increase tourism activity in Darchula, strengthen local participation in the tourism economy and promote Api Himal as an emerging destination for mountain, cultural and adventure tourism.
