Gandaki, April 7: The world-famous Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has received 139,579 foreign tourists for trekking from last Shrawan to Phagun(Aug 2024 to March 2025). This is 30,169 more than the same period last year. According to Project Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya, the highest number of tourists, 33,310, visited the area in last Kartik(November/Dec). The lowest number of tourists, a total of 9,034, entered ‘ACAP’ in Magh(Feb/March).
Project Chief Dr. Kadariya said that there has been an increase in tourist traffic since February. He said that the number of tourists will increase further during this season as Chait-Baishakh(May) is considered the best time for trekking. Last year, Chait had seen the highest number of tourists of the year, 35,265. The number of trekkers visiting the area is less during the rainy and winter seasons. Project Chief Dr. Kadariya said that Asoj-Kartik and Chait-Baishakh are considered the best times for trekking.
According to the data of the last three years, the number of tourists visiting the area has increased every year. In the fiscal year 2079/80(2023/2024), 172,108 tourists entered the ‘ACAP’, while in the fiscal year 2080/81, 222,180 tourists visited the area. With four months left to the end of the fiscal year, the Planning Office estimates that the number of tourists will increase in the current fiscal year as well compared to last year.
“The number of tourists has increased in every month of the current fiscal year compared to last year,” said Project Chief Dr. Kadariya. “Tourism in this region has returned to its old rhythm, and the number of foreign tourists coming by road for sightseeing and trekking is increasing.” Although most Indian tourists visiting destinations including Muktinath use the road route, tourists from other countries prefer trekking.
‘ACAP’ only keeps statistics on foreign tourists traveling on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Project Chief Dr. Kadariya said that it is not possible to ascertain the number of domestic tourists entering places such as Mustang and Manang via road. The Annapurna Circuit Trek has been a favorite of tourists from all over the world.
Millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal in Kaski, Sikles, Lwang, Ghandruk Village, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorangla Bhanjyang, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, Ghodepani in Myagdi, Punhill and other destinations along the Annapurna Cycle Trail every year.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is known as one of the best trekking destinations in the world due to its attractive destinations including the snow-capped mountains, tourism-friendly infrastructure, climate, hospitality of the locals and service facilities. According to ‘ACAP’, short, medium and long distance trekking in the Annapurna region can be done through routes including Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi.
The Annapurna Conservation Area, spread over 7,600 square kilometers, encompasses 89 wards of 16 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang.
