5 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
2hrs 30min walk from the Annapurna base camp
When to go
From February to May and October to November
Minimum stay
One day
Fishtail (Nepal)
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Vuillet Antonin
Practical information on Fishtail
Reviews of Fishtail
Machapuchare is a sacred mountain in the Annapurnas range in central Nepal. It's peak is 6,993m high.
My suggestion:
To get some great shots of Machapuchare and the Annapurnas, go to Sarangkot, near to Pokhara, where you'll find a peace pagoda - the view is magnificent.
My review
Machapuchare is not just any old mountain. Situated near to Pokhara, on the southern end of the Annapurnas range, Machapuchare has an unusual shape that is easily recognisable. On a clear day, you'll see that its peak has two points, hence its name, which means 'fish tail' in Nepali.
Mount Machapuchare , according to Hindu belief, is home to Shiva. I wonder if this god's blue skin is a result of the glacial cold? .. Consequently the mountain is considered to be sacred and climbing it is forbidden. Extreme sports lovers will be able to get close if they're doing the Annapurna Sanctuary Hike, as the final stop is not far from the Machapuchare base camp.
*After the devastating earthquakes that shook Nepal in April and May 2015 the country is slowly getting back on its feet. This article was written before these catastrophic events occurred.
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Vuillet Antonin
Machapuchare is one of the summits of the Annapurna mountain range. Situated in the centre of the North of the country, the mountainous region is one of the areas most beloved by trekkers.
My suggestion:
If you'd rather take your own snaps than buy a postcard, head there during the months of April, May, October and November so as to get close to the Annapurna mountains. At that time of year, you'll be able to capture those clichéd photos of Machapuchare.
My review
At an altitude of 6,993 m, it's not the most imposing mountain in Nepal, but it's doubtless one of the most distinctive. Whether because of its peak, or because of the superstitions surrounding it, the Machapuchare is unique. Its name means "fish tail", and that's probably how you'll hear people refer to it. You can actually clearly see that the summit splits into two sharp peaks.
The summit of Machpuchare is considered by the Hindus to be the dwelling of Shiva – the god of destruction, but also of creation. The mountain is therefore sacred, and no one is permitted to climb it. So the closest you'll be able to get to it is heading to its base camp, 3,700 m above sea level and not far from the sanctuary of the Annapurna mountains.
During your trip through Nepal, I'd definitely recommend that you stop off at Pokhara. This town, which trekkers love, offers unforgettable views. Even those who aren't keen to venture out onto the hiking trails should try the climb up to the Pagoda of Peace. In this temple, situated at the top of a hill, there are exceptional views down onto the lake and over the Himalayas. If Shiva – the god of nature – is feeling in a good mood, he'll even let you take a few clichéd photos of Machapuchare.
I should add that I visited Nepal before the earthquake in 2015; it's possible that these areas may have greatly changed.
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Clémence Zisswiller
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