A special trekking team commemorating the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of the first ascent of Annapurna I has officially entered the Annapurna region after departing from Pokhara, marking the start of a grand celebration known as the Hirak Mahotsav (Diamond Festival). The team arrived on Saturday at Narchyang, Ward No. 4 of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi district, a historically significant point in the Annapurna region. The arrival was marked by a vibrant and heartfelt welcome by the local community under the leadership of Annapurna Rural Municipality, who greeted the guests with traditional music and cultural performances.
Annapurna I Diamond Jubilee Celebration
The trekking initiative is being held to celebrate June 3, the day when Maurice Herzog of France became the first person in the world to summit a peak over 8,000 meters, Annapurna I (8,091 meters), in 1950. The event, thus, not only marks a significant day in the history of global mountaineering but also serves as a cultural and promotional event for Nepal’s tourism sector, especially for the relatively lesser-known North ABC route.
The commemorative trek includes a 14-member French delegation comprising Mathias Emmanuel Maximilian Herzog, the son of Maurice Herzog, and Simon Jacques, Herzog’s grandson. Accompanying them are French mountaineering researchers and a classical music group, adding an artistic and international dimension to the journey. The team from France was joined by a 60-member Nepali delegation, including tourism entrepreneurs, media professionals, and representatives from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), who began the journey together from Pokhara.
In an official welcoming ceremony at Narchyang, the French musical group enthralled the audience with a live performance of French classical music, symbolizing a blend of culture, tribute, and tourism promotion. This fusion of mountaineering history and cultural diplomacy marks a unique step in strengthening Nepal-France tourism and heritage ties.
During the event, Bharat Kumar Pun, the Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, expressed concern that although Maurice Herzog’s historical climb was from the northern face of Annapurna, the region has still not gained significant attention in tourism promotions. Pun emphasized the potential of the Annapurna North route and urged for collaborative efforts to bring this route into the spotlight of the global trekking community.
Mani Raj Lamichhane, Head of Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki Province office, highlighted that the trekking event was specifically organized to draw attention to Annapurna North, an area that remains overshadowed despite its historical significance. Lamichhane noted that after Maurice Herzog published his famous book “Annapurna” in 1950, following his successful climb, interest in the region began to grow, leading to the start of mountain tourism in Nepal. However, over time, most tourist attention has shifted towards the Annapurna South Base Camp, leaving the North side underdeveloped in terms of tourism infrastructure and promotion.
Krishna Prasad Acharya, President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Gandaki, also stated that the presence of Maurice Herzog’s family in this year’s celebration adds deeper value to the event. Acharya confirmed that while Annapurna South Base Camp sees a healthy influx of tourists, Annapurna North Base Camp continues to receive only a fraction of that attention. He reiterated TAAN’s commitment to work closely with the Nepal Tourism Board to promote the Northern route.
In celebration of this historic occasion, the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki, TAAN Gandaki, Annapurna Rural Municipality, and other tourism-related organizations have coordinated efforts to organize a grand Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Annapurna North Base Camp. This year’s celebration aims to bring long-term visibility and tourism development to the region.
A highlight of the upcoming events is the unveiling of a statue of Maurice Herzog at the base camp area. The ceremony is expected to be attended by high-level dignitaries, including former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who is scheduled to attend on June 3. Another milestone of the celebration includes the formal inauguration of the Maurice Herzog Trekking Trail, further immortalizing the legacy of the pioneering climber.
June 3 has been annually celebrated in Nepal and around the world in honor of Maurice Herzog, who, alongside Louis Lachenal, etched their names in mountaineering history as the first humans to conquer a peak above 8,000 meters. Their historic achievement on June 3, 1950, on Annapurna I opened the door to the golden era of Himalayan expeditions. I brought global attention to Nepal as a premier destination for trekking and adventure tourism.
As the Platinum Jubilee celebrations continue, the collective aim is not just to honor the past but to reinvigorate interest in the Annapurna North region, paving the way for sustainable tourism development, greater international collaboration, and deeper cultural exchange in the years to come.
