One of the most underrated mountains in Nepal is the Machhapuchhre mountain which is also called the Fishtail mountain. Known for its elegant beauty, the fishtail mountain is the home to Lord Shiva. Just below 7000m, Machhapuchhre provides you with some stunning views along with beautiful weather and beauty. Annapurna Himalayas is the parent range for Fishtail and its iconic double summit is massively eye-catching.
Highlights of Fishtail Mountain
- Stunning view of mountains like Annapurna South, Mardi, etc.
- Beautiful sunrise view from Sarangkot Point and Poonhill.
- Presence of variety in flora and fauna like Rhododendron, blue poppy, snow leopard, etc.
- Chance to view a variety of birds including Himalayan Monal.
- Understanding the local Gurung culture in Ghandruk village.
Where is Fishtail Peak (Machhapuchhre) Located?
Trekkers might have heard about Machhapuchhre or the fishtail mountain over and over again. The exact location of Fishtail Mountain is around the Annapurna Himalaya range. It is in the north-central region of Nepal and also 25 km north of Pokhara. Mostly popular for its fishtail-shaped double summit you will find great cultural value of the mountain. The best part about Machhapuchhre is the fact that you will get plenty of side treks and it makes the journey even more worth it.
A Sacred Mountain Machhapuchhre
Readers might find it interesting but Fishtail Mountain has never been climbed. Yes, that is right. There has never been an official climb that has been made to Fishtail Mountain which makes it sacred and special. It was Jimmy Roberts the British Army Officer who demanded the prohibition from expediting the Fishtail mountain. The main reason for this is the sacredness of the mountain.
According to the Gurung community, Fishtail (6993 m) or Machhapuchhre mountain is the home to Lord Shiva who is the protection of the region. With the presence of the lord at the summit rocks, the locals don’t allow for the climb to the top. Along with that the two peaks of Machhapuchhre are considered to be Nara and Narayan stating that the sacred nature of the mountain remains at the top. Whatever the case, Fishtail is a pyramid-style mountain with beautiful and symbolic views.
Side Trek Around Fishtail Mountain
As the readers might have understood that Machhapuchhre isn’t the one to be ascended it is critical to know you have other trekking options as well. For anyone who is thinking of side treks around Fishtail Mountain, there are plenty of options. Some of them include:
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Annapurna Base Camp Trek
One of the toughest and most beautiful treks in the region is Annapurna Base Camp Trek. An uneven trek, ABC allows you to get a beautiful view of Fishtail Mountain and takes you to the base of Mount Annapurna (8,091 meters (26,545 ft).
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Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
One of the easier side treks that allows you for brilliant Fishtail mountain view of the Ghorepani-Poonhill trek. Walking through the beautiful Annapurna region you have a chance to explore the rhododendron and pine forest. Trekkers will also have the option of enjoying the Gurung culture.
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Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
A heartwarming trekking option, Annapurna Sanctuary Trek takes you to the Annapurna Massif. Rhododendron forest, Gurung village, and beautiful sunrise will compliment you all along the way. This trek ends at 4130m at the foothills of ABC.
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Annapurna Circuit Trek
A circling trek to the Annapurna massif, the Annapurna circuit trek is a journey of the Himalayas. From diverse landscapes to cultural richness and heart-stopping views, you will find everything at the Annapurna circuit trek.
Best Time to Do Fishtail Mountain View Trek
An astounding opportunity to enjoy the beauty, of Fishtail Mountain journey can be made any time of the year. But if the trekkers are interested in only the best views of the mountains, there are limited times. Spring and Autumn must be the perfect selection for you. March to May is the time for the spring season when the skies are clear and there is a beautiful vibe around the trail.
Meanwhile autumn lies between September to November. This is the season of Nepalese festival where you will find welcoming nature and hospitability everywhere. With pleasant weather, no intense sun, and breathtaking experience, Autumn might also be a better choice.
How Hard Is Fishtail Peak Trekking?
Trekking in general can be tough in Nepal but with Fishtail Peak it isn’t very tough. The major reason for it is the fact that we won’t climb the fishtail peak. The maximum altitude that trekkers will gain is around 4000m. Not only that trekkers will also have well-scripted itinerary packages that will allow for better acclimatization and a worthy experience.
As the trails for the Machapuchhre peak trek aren’t the most rugged and tough we could make it pretty easily. However, Karma Eco Adventure is aware every trekker to achieve basic fitness
Permits Required For Fishtail Peak Trekking
It doesn’t matter whether you do the Machhapuchhre trek or the Everest Base Camp Trek, which permits a key in the context of Nepal. A lot of the time the permits are similar while there are some specialized permits for some treks too. In the context of the Fishtail Peak Trek or Machhapuchhre Trek, you will have to own different permits. The first one is the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit to keep the records.
Secondly, you will also need to own the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for visiting the Annapurna region. Lastly, trekkers need to own the Machhapuchhre Municipality Permit which talks about your visit to the Fishtail region. All of these permits can be gained at Nepal Tourism Board or the local area of the place you visit. However, booking your trek with Karma Eco Adventure means we will arrange all the permits for you.
Food and Accommodation at Fishtail Peak Visit
Alike a lot of other treks in Nepal you will find similar food and accommodation even at Fishtail mountain trekking journey. As we climb higher in altitude, the food turns out to be authentic Nepalese food. Trekkers will have to stay at the local teahouses and lodges which the local families run. Trekkers will also get basic facilities of shower, blanket, bed, pillow, etc. Added to that the twin shared bathrooms and bedrooms are the primary focus.
Karma Eco Adventure will provide 3-time meals for all trekkers, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hygiene and food safety will be maintained to the optimum level too.
Cost of Fishtail Peak Visit
It is hard to predict the accurate cost of a Fishtail or Machhapuchhre mountain visit. The major reason is that the cost could be different based on the quality of service, the time of the year, and the time taken for it. Meanwhile, many trekkers have been interested in extending the trek by adding some side treks as well. All of this makes the trek more worth it and increases in cost.
The trekkers unaware of the actual cost can come in contact with Karama Eco Adventure. We would help the interested trekkers with cost, itinerary, and many more.