The days of spending nights in damp caves for travelers visiting Sobhang Dhuri are now over.
A new shelter house has been constructed at an altitude of 3,840 meters above sea level in Chimkhola, Raghu Ganga Rural Municipality-7, providing much-needed relief to tourists and locals.
Community-built infrastructure
The shelter was built by local residents Tara Garbuja Pun, Lokin Pun, Gopin Pun, and Hire Pun using wood and zinc sheets.
According to Tara Garbuja Pun, the facility can accommodate up to 20 people at a time. “We built this to ensure that guests and tourists no longer have to endure the hardship of staying in caves,” Garbuja said. He further revealed that an agreement has been reached with the ward office to eventually operate a restaurant within the building. Plans are also afoot to test paragliding flights from the Sobhang Dhuri ridge.
A natural vantage point
Sobhang Dhuri is a key highlight of the Dhaulagiri Icefall Trekking Trail, which connects Myagdi and Mustang. Its primary attraction is the panoramic view of Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167m)—the world’s seventh-highest peak—visible from its base to its summit. Visitors to the ridge can experience breathtaking sunrises and views of several Himalayan ranges, including: Gurja, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna Nilgiri, Manapathi, and Tukuche Machhapuchhre and Manaslu.
From this vantage point, one can also see Baglung Bazaar, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Poon Hill, and various rural settlements across Myagdi and Parbat. The trekking route is rich in biodiversity, offering sightings of Ghoral (mountain goats) and rare medicinal herbs like Panchaunle and Sheetal chini.
Improved facilities and access
While the area currently lacks commercial hotels, several steps have been taken to improve the experience for self-sustained trekkers
Tara and Gopin Pun installed two 500-liter drums near the camping site to collect rainwater and snowmelt. The Ward Office has added two more drums to assist both trekkers and local herders.
Following a proposal from the Ward Office, the Rural Municipality constructed public toilets at the site last year. Two years ago, the Mandali Youth Club of Chimkhola identified and mapped the trail passing through Patlekhet, Sijikhola, and Alekharka to Sobhang Dhuri.
Historical and strategic importance
Traditionally, used by Chimkhola residents as a summer pasture for livestock, Sobhang Dhuri is now being promoted as a "Viewpoint Center."
The Dhaulagiri Icefall Trail, first studied in 2011 by the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the then District Development Committee, serves as a vital link between the high hills of Myagdi and Lete in Mustang.
Sobhang Dhuri can be reached from Chimkhola in one day for fast-paced trekkers, while a leisurely trek takes approximately two days. Travelers are currently advised to carry their own supplies as formal restaurant services are still in the pilot phase.
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