Lumbini: The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is on an official visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, during his three-day trip to Nepal. Guterres, who arrived from Pokhara, is scheduled to reach Lumbini via helicopter from the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

Upon arrival in Lumbini, Guterres will be driven from Lumbini Gate No. 4 to the Peace Lamp site. Local communities, including Buddhist abbots, vikkhus, priests, nuns, indigenous Tharu groups, and hotel entrepreneurs in Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, are set to warmly welcome the UN Secretary-General along the route from Shanti Deep (peace lamp) to the Mayadebi Temple.

The welcome party will also include Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dil Bahadur Chaudhary, and officials from the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT).

During his visit to Lumbini, Guterres is expected to convey a message of world peace from the birthplace of Lord Buddha. He will also plant a sapling to symbolize peace. The UN Secretary-General is scheduled to depart for Kathmandu at 10:30 am.

Gyanin Rai, Senior Director of the LDT, believes that Guterres's visit to Lumbini will help promote the significance of Lord Buddha's birthplace and the message of peace, contributing to the development of tourism in the region.

Annapurna Base Camp

In addition to his Lumbini visit, Antonio Guterres made a trip to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) as part of his mission to assess the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region and engage with local communities. The Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4,130 meters above sea level.

The Annapurna Base Camp is a renowned trekking destination, offering stunning mountain views and insights into Nepali village life. It gained global recognition after French climber Maurice Herzog led the first successful ascent of the mountain in 1950. This area has become a favored trekking location for tourists from various parts of the world, and its popularity has continued to grow over the years.

The region also hosts an annual marathon competition from the Annapurna Base Camp to Ghandruk, celebrating the historic ascent of Mt. Annapurna and promoting its significance in the mountaineering world.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, serene Gurung and Magar villages, and lush rhododendron, bamboo, and alpine forests, offering an unforgettable trekking experience.