Pokhara, May 10 A newly constructed alternative trekking route that connects Birethanti to the Hidden Lake in Annapurna Rural Municipality has come into operation. The trail is expected to boost tourism and support ‘Internal Tourist Visit Year 2019’ and ‘Visit Nepal Year 2020’. It takes around seven days to cover the approximately 35-kilometre route that passes through Tamu, Mohoriya and Tadapani villages. The newly opened route is moderate to strenuous. On the first day of trekking, one can reach as far as Mohoriya. It takes one more day to reach Thamdanda, while on the third day of trekking one can reach Tadapani. Fourth and fifth days will take you to Dobato and Phortebas, respectively. “From Phortebas, it’s two hours’ walk to reach the Hidden Lake, said Ram Prasad Dhungana, chair of Thamdanda Homestay Management Committee. “From the Hidden Lake, it takes only a day to reach the popular tourist destination Ghandruk,” Dhungana said. President of Western Regional Chapter of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal Hari Bhujel said the new trekking route would help explore and conserve the tourist destinations and religious places in the area. President Dhungana said Rs 700,000 had been spent in the construction of the trekking route. Annapurna Rural Municipality had contributed Rs 500,000, western regional chapter of TAAN contributed Rs 200,000 and Annapurna Conservation Area Project chipped in with Rs 75,000 for the project. Trekkers can experience panoramic views on the way and quite often can spot wildlife, such as deer, mountain goats, Himalayan Tahr, tigers, bears as well as birds like lophophorus and munal. The trekking route stretches from an altitude of approximately 1,050 metres to 4,500 metres. It starts from Birethanti and passes through Tamu, Mohariya, Tadapani and reaches the Hidden Lake. Thamdanda is the last stop of the trekking route. Dhungana said plans were afoot to start community homestay services at Thamdanda and construction of infrastructure for the same would start soon.