The International Mountain Museum is a must-see attraction in Pokhara for mountain enthusiasts and climbers from all over the globe. Pokhara, a quiet yet dynamic town, comes to mind when the International Mountain Museum is mentioned. In Pokhara, Nepal, the International Mountain Museum displays a collection of art and information about living and mountain climbing over 12,000 feet. Every year, around 70,000 individuals visit the museum. These visitors come to observe the numerous displays, which include world-famous summits and the mountain climbers who climbed them, mountain culture and lifestyle, biology of mountain flora and fauna, and geologic formations that formed the mountains and their associated rock classes. Nepal Mountaineering Association founded the International Mountain Museum on December 1st, 1995. It had a soft opening on May 29, 2002, and then a formal opening on February 5, 2004.
The International Mountain Museum, located at the foot of Fishtail Peak and the gateway to the mountain region, was built with the goal of keeping comprehensive records of the victorious eight thousanders, geographic flora and wildlife, and human activities in the region. Before approaching the museum’s main entrance, the form of the museum’s roof mimics a mountain skyline. The museum is divided into four display halls. Each one focuses on a different aspect of mountain life. The hall of mountain people will be your first stop, followed by the Hall of World mountains, the Hall of Mountain Activities, and lastly the Hall of Temporary Display.
- Hall of Mountain People: The mountain people’s hall is divided into two sections: Nepalese mountain people and mountain people from across the world. It contains information on the residents of the highlands. It also includes a beautiful mandala that is quite lovely to look at.
- Hall of World Mountains: Mountain, geological, flora and fauna, and dedications are the four parts of the World Mountain Hall. It recognizes the world’s highest mountains and gives their heights. It also includes information on the mountains’ geological formations and classifications, mountain wildlife, and the notable mountaineers and summiteers.
- Hall of Mountain Activities: The mountain activities hall is divided into five sections: equipment, ecology and the environment, pictures, climate change, and touch screen. This section of the museum focuses on climbers, equipment, climate, and climate change, as well as a timeline of the 26,247-foot peaks as they were summited. In furthermore, there is a side exhibition of stamps from across the world with mountain scenes on them.
- Hall of Temporary Display: There are objects on loan in this section. We can feature pictures of Dr. Tony Hagen and others supplied by ICIMOD there. There is also a prayer area and a library.
Location of International Mountain Museum: This museum is situated 2 miles southeast of Pokhara’s lakeside. It takes about 10 minutes to drive there or 30 minutes to walk there. I recommend walking to the museum because there are many lovely routes that go there. Because it is not a direct path, you may get lost, however if you followed Lakeside Road south east, you will be able to find it.
Entrance Fee: The cost of entrance is determined by your nationality. Nepalese citizens will be charged $0.8, SAARC citizens will be charged $2, and other international nationals will be charged $4 to enter the International Mountain Museum.
Best time to Visit: The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. The ideal time to visit is early in the morning, although you risk being overwhelmed by schoolchildren. The main building of the museum is wheelchair accessible.
Every year, more than 70,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit the International Mountain Museum (IMM). The International Mountain Museum (IMM) chronicles, preserves, and shows historical and contemporary advancements in mountain and climbing across the world. This contemporary museum has all you need to know about mountains and the history of climbing, from a representation of the world’s highest peaks to a display of Everest climbers’ gear. You came to Nepal to view the mountains and old buildings. Of course, Nepal has a museum dedicated to the country’s mountains, as well as the mountain climbers and equipment used to conquer them. In a multi-story museum building, there are many interesting exhibitions. After you’ve seen the museum displays, walk outside and be surprised by the views of the mountains in the background of the museum – they’re just magnificent!
-By: Saru Niraula for Land Nepal
