In a significant tribute to Nepal’s mountaineering legacy, the Annapurna Diamond Festival is set to be held from Jestha 16 to 21 (May 30 to June 4) at the Annapurna Base Camp in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, Myagdi. The grand celebration marks 75 years since the first successful ascent of Annapurna I (8,091 meters) the first eight-thousand to be climbed by humans.
The festival will commence with the inauguration of a marathon that starts from the base camp itself, as confirmed by Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairperson Bharat Kumar Pun. The opening ceremony will also include the unveiling of statues of the legendary climbers Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, and Nepali climber Sonam Wangchu Sherpa who were part of the historic expedition in 1950.
Adding to the celebration, a newly constructed open-air museum and the Maurice Herzog trekking trail, which links Narchyang with the base camp, will be officially inaugurated. This trail retraces the exact path taken by Herzog during the original ascent.
A Milestone in Mountaineering History
On June 3, 1950, a French expedition team led by Maurice Herzog, along with Louis Lachenal and two Nepali Sherpas, successfully reached the summit of Annapurna I. This historic achievement marked the first successful climb of any peak above 8,000 meters, three years before Mount Everest was summited in 1953.
Despite the base camp and the main route falling within the Annapurna-4 Narchyang area of Myagdi, the region has remained underrepresented in official records. Chairperson Pun stated that with federalism now in place, the local government has taken proactive steps to highlight the region’s significance, focusing on infrastructure development, route promotion, and record-keeping.
Festival Organizers and International Guests
The event is being organized under the leadership of Annapurna Rural Municipality, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), TAAN Gandaki, and local tourism development committees.
One of the key highlights of the festival will be the participation of Matthias Herzog, son of Maurice Herzog. He will be joined by French climbers, ambassadors from various countries, and notable figures from Nepal’s tourism and mountaineering sectors. Matthias Herzog had retraced his father’s path to the base camp just last Kartik (October–November), paying homage to the route that carved its place in global mountaineering history.
Main Attractions of the Diamond Festival
Among the major events is a 30-kilometer marathon race from the Annapurna Base Camp to Narchyang. According to Chitra Tilija, member of the marathon subcommittee, around 60 participants are expected. Each of Annapurna’s eight wards will send five runners, with additional participants from five other municipalities and the Narchyang region.
Cash prizes for the winners are set at NPR 50,000 for the first place, NPR 30,000 for second, and NPR 20,000 for third. The festival will also feature a stone memorial archiving the names of climbers, as shared by Tej Gurung, a member of the tourism development committee and key advocate of the Annapurna base camp trail.
Narchyang will host the main cultural program, including traditional ancestral dances, floats from all eight wards, open dance performances, and honoring of climbers both Nepali and foreign who have contributed to the promotion of Annapurna and mountaineering in general.
Herzog’s Legacy and International Contributions
In a symbolic gesture, climbing equipment used by Maurice Herzog will be handed over by his family to the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. Furthermore, Herzog’s famous book “Annapurna”, translated by the French Embassy, will also be officially released during the festival.
Reviving a Hidden Identity
Though the Annapurna Base Camp route lies in Myagdi, the district has long been under-credited in official documents. Chairperson Pun emphasized that the Diamond Festival is an effort to reclaim this forgotten legacy, establish the rightful identity of the region, and promote its tourism potential.
The newly inaugurated Maurice Herzog Trail, identified and promoted since 2068 BS by local entrepreneur Tej Gurung, has gained prominence with improved lodging facilities, rest stops, hotels, and information centers. Today, the trail is recognized as a viable, scenic, and culturally rich trekking route.
Scenic Beauty and Trekking Ease
The Annapurna Base Camp trek, especially from Pokhrebagar to Humkhola (20 km by road) and Humkhola to Base Camp (16 km by foot), offers both convenient accessibility and awe-inspiring natural beauty. The trail features highlights like the mesmerizing Panchakunda Lake and sparkling waterfalls, making it a magnet for domestic and international tourists alike.
As the festival gears up, the Annapurna region is witnessing an increase in tourist traffic, thanks to improved infrastructure and growing interest in heritage-based tourism. The municipality aims to establish the Annapurna Base Camp as a secure, adventurous, and top-tier tourist destination.
The Annapurna Diamond Festival not only celebrates a pivotal moment in mountaineering history but also paves the way for a sustainable tourism future rooted in legacy, culture, and local empowerment.
