Pokhara. In the last financial year 2080/81, 222 thousand 180 foreign tourists came to visit the world-famous Annapurna region for trekking. Among them, there are 117,845 tourists from Asian countries and 14,256 tourists from other countries. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the highest number of tourists visited the area last March was 35,265 and the lowest in July was 5,401 tourists.
The head of the project, Dr. Ravin Kadaria, said that almost 50,000 more tourists came last year compared to the previous year 2079/080. In that year, a total of 172,510 tourists came to the Annapurna region, including 89,777 from South Asian countries and 82,733 from other countries. According to him, Yam Padayatra is considered best for tourism in Nepal between October-October and Chait-Vaisakh.
He said that although most of the Indian tourists going to Muktinath and other destinations use the road, tourists from other countries prefer walking. ‘Acap’ keeps only the data of foreign tourists walking on the Annapurna cycle path. The head of the project, Dr. Kadaria, said that the number of domestic tourists going to Mustang, Mustang etc. by road cannot be ascertained.
He says that the Annapurna cycle trail is becoming the choice of tourists from all over the world. According to him, in 2023, 191,558 tourists from 173 countries visited the Annapurna region. Every year, millions of domestic and foreign tourists reach the destinations like Annapurna base camp, Mardi Himal in Kaski, Lwang, Ghandruk village, Tilicho lake in Manang, Thorangla Bhanjyang, Upper Mustang, Muktinath region, Ghodepani in Myagdi, Punhill on the Annapurna cycle trail.
89 wards of 16 local levels of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang are included in the Annapurna conservation area spread over seven thousand six hundred square kilometers. Annapurna region has become the choice of tourists due to its natural beauty, biological diversity, mountain life, civilization, culture etc.
In terms of attractive destinations with snow ranges, tourism-friendly infrastructure, climate, hospitality of local people and service facilities, Annapurna cycle path is known as the best destination in the world for trekking. According to ‘Acap’, short, medium and long distance trekking in Annapurna region can be done through Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and other routes.
