Machapuchare, also known as Fishtail Mountain or Machhapuchhre, is a peak in Kaski District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. It rises to 6,993 metres and is recognised by its distinctive double summit, which gives the mountain its name: the two points together resemble a fish's tail.
What to expect
Machapuchare is valued above all as a sacred mountain. Because of this status, climbing it is prohibited, so the mountain is best appreciated from a distance rather than as a summit goal. Visitors come to look at its striking profile, which is one of the most recognisable shapes in the Himalaya and a familiar sight from the surrounding hills.
Planning a visit
- Location: Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal.
- Suits: travellers interested in scenery, landscape and the cultural meaning of mountains.
- Not suited to: those hoping to climb the peak itself.
- Contact: +977-61-460742.
Because the mountain is part of a wider mountain landscape, a visit is often combined with time spent in the surrounding district, where the views and the local way of life form a large part of the experience. For current details about getting there and what is open to visitors, the contact number above is the best place to start.