Kathmandu, 18 Nov: In a span of four months, more than 223,000 domestic and foreign tourists visited Mustang. According to the Mustang District Police Office, from the month of Shrawan to Kartik in the current fiscal year 2082/083, 223,059 people entered Mustang via road, trail, and air routes.
Visitor Statistics: Domestic Outnumber Foreign Tourists
The tourist arrival records of the District Police Office show that in these four months, there were 160,929 domestic tourists (89,340 male and 71,589 female) and 41,430 foreign tourists (24,545 male, 16,878 female, and 7 others). The month of Kartik saw the highest number of tourists, while Shrawan had the lowest. During this period, it is seen that 54,051 people entered via the two Pangre routes and other vehicles.
Kartik Sees Peak Season, Winter Visits Continue
Mustang experiences a crowd of tourists, sometimes beyond capacity, in the months of Baisakh, Jestha, Ashoj, and Kartik. Tourist arrivals in Mustang have not stopped even during the winter season. On the 30th of Kartik, 2,187 people entered via the Ghasa section of the Beni-Jomsom road stretch, and 19 entered via air route. Statistics show that 201 people entered via the Thorang La Pass through Manang district, and 1,390 people visited the famous religious site, Muktinath Temple.
Raju Lalchan, President of the Mustang Industry and Commerce Association, informed that the number of tourists entering Mustang is much higher than those departing. Tourists entering Mustang during the cold season come to enjoy the snow. During this time, compared to the upper region, domestic tourists also tend to return from the lower region.
Details of domestic and foreign tourists entering Mustang are collected at the check post at the entrance gate of Chhusang, Baragung Muktikshetra Municipality-3, which is a restricted/prohibited area. Meanwhile, the Lete Police Post keeps records during their departure. Most domestic tourists entering Mustang visit the famous Muktinath Temple. Ancient caves, man-made caves located far from settlements, Gumbas (monasteries), barren hills, Mustangi art and culture, weather, and attractive tourist destinations are the major attractions of Mustang.
