On the 74th anniversary of Maurice Herzog’s historic ascent of Annapurna I, ambassadors from nine countries are embarking on a trek in the Annapurna Rural Municipality of Kaski. This significant event commemorates Herzog’s first steps on the formidable peak.
The names of one municipality each in Kaski and Myagdi are derived from the name of Annapurna Mountain. The Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province Office, has organized the program for ambassadors and high-ranking officials of foreign missions to trek from Dhampus to Astam via Dhital on Sunday.
As part of the annual program for the fiscal year 2023/2024, the Gandaki Province Office of the Board is celebrating Annapurna Day with a special event on Sunday and Monday.
While special events are being held in Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province, to commemorate the first ascent of the 8,000-meter-high peak, Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi is also marking the day. The Annapurna Himal can be climbed from routes in both Kaski and Myagdi.
Naveen Pokharel, head of the Tourism Board Gandaki, announced that a statue of Maurice Herzog, created by Annapurna Rural Municipality, will be unveiled in Pokhara and placed at Annapurna Base Camp in Myagdi.
During a press conference organized to provide information about Annapurna Day, Pokharel revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Foreign Secretary Seva Lamsal, and ambassadors from the USA, UK, India, China, Israel, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, and Malaysia will participate in the ceremony.
Three mountaineers who have already climbed Annapurna—Purnima Shrestha, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, and Lakpa Dendi Sherpa—will be honored at the event. They will also share their climbing experiences during the program.
The event, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is supported by Pokhara Metropolitan City and the Gandaki Provincial Government. Distinguished guests attending the ceremony will be offered boating on Phewa Lake and a cable car ride to Sarangkot.
On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal became the first to summit Annapurna I, one of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.
Looking ahead to the 75th Annapurna Day next year, the renowned book ‘Annapurna’ by Maurice Herzog will be released in Nepali translation, and Herzog’s wife will be invited to the ceremony, according to Pokharel. Annapurna Day holds special significance for Nepal’s mountaineering and tourism sector.
“We remember the day that marked the development of the tourism sector and the beginning of mountaineering, introducing our mountains to the world,” Pokharel emphasized. “Through this program, we aim to promote the entire Gandaki Province and Nepal’s mountain tourism in the global market.”
