PARBAT: Once quiet highlands in Parbat are now drawing a steady flow of visitors as Hampal and Kokhedanda emerge as rising tourist hotspots, boosted by clear weather, holiday travel, and growing domestic tourism interest.
Kokhedanda in Modi Rural Municipality-1, Jhilibarang, located at an altitude of 3,309 meters, is developing as a new tourist hotspot and is one of the highest points in the district. The area offers panoramic views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and other mountain ranges, along with sunrise, sunset, and blooming rhododendrons.
From here, visitors can also view several districts including Parbat, Kaski, Syangja, Baglung, Myagdi, Lamjung and Tanahun.
Tourism entrepreneur Lek Bahadur Gurung, who has invested around Rs 12 million in a local cottage, said tourist flow has increased significantly after the establishment of accommodation facilities. The cottage can host around 40 Nepali and up to 15 foreign tourists per night, with a growing number of advance bookings, he added.
The site has also been decorated with flags of around 30 countries to attract international visitors. Tourists currently access Kokhedanda via multiple routes, including trekking from Kaski’s Nayapul–Ulleri–Banthati route, a longer drive-and-trek route via Patichaur–Bajung–Kyang–Lespar, and another route via Milanchowk–Shalija–Tare–Hampal in Parbat followed by a trek.
Nearby, Hampal Danda–situated at the junction of Jaljala and Modi rural municipalities at an altitude of 3,300 meters—is also gaining popularity for both religious and tourism value. The area is notable for hosting 12 varieties of red berries and is emerging as another key attraction in the region.
Local tourism entrepreneur Tilak Pun said domestic tourist arrivals in Hampal have recently increased, with visitors coming to observe, pick, photograph, and create videos and social media content featuring the seasonal red-flowered lilies that bloom from Falgun to Jestha. He added that the area features lilies in multiple colors, including red, white, yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, and purple.
Another entrepreneur, Narsingh Pun of Modi Rural Municipality-4, Lespar, said improved road and trekking access has significantly boosted visitor numbers. He described the blooming landscape as visually striking and increasingly popular among travelers.
Pun added that students, teachers, researchers, and foreign tourists frequently visit Hampal and Jaljala for study and exploration. The area, historically described in ancient texts as Kalanjar land, is also emerging as a religious and pilgrimage destination for Hindu visitors.
Joint efforts by federal, provincial, and local governments have supported infrastructure development in Hampal, located across Jaljala Rural Municipality wards 5 and 6 and Modi Rural Municipality wards 1, 3, and 4. Facilities such as shelters, viewpoints, drinking water systems, toilets, and road upgrades have been constructed to support tourism growth.
Hotel operator Tika Pun said local accommodations are fully occupied during the rhododendron blooming season, with consistent daily bookings. Visitors often stay in Hampal for a night before continuing their journey to Kokhedanda, Taprang, Punhill, Ghorepani, and Mohoredanda in neighboring districts.
According to Jaljala Rural Municipality Vice Chair Deepak Acharya, electrification in the area was completed last Mangsir, and efforts are underway to improve communication infrastructure. He said Jaljala offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, sunrise, sunset, and diverse hill landscapes.
The region provides views of over 16 peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Nilgiri, Gurja, Putha, Machhapuchhre, and Manaslu, along with surrounding districts such as Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Kaski, Syangja, Gulmi, Palpa, Gorkha, Tanahun, and Lamjung. Plans are also underway to develop an artificial lake by leveling a large field in Jaljala, for which the DPR has already been completed.
Meanwhile, a team from the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Parbat, recently conducted a two-day trekking expedition to promote tourism in Hampal, Jaljala, and Kokhedanda, holding discussions on infrastructure development, tourism potential, challenges, and future plans, according to FNJ Parbat President Laxman Sapkota.
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