A total of 573,977 domestic and international tourists visited Mustang district during the first ten months of the current fiscal year 2082/83, reflecting continued growth in tourism arrivals and increasing attraction toward the Himalayan district renowned for its religious, cultural and natural heritage.
According to the District Police Office Mustang, the tourist arrivals were recorded between Shrawan and Baishakh of the ongoing fiscal year through the police check post at Ghasa in Thasang Rural Municipality along the Beni–Jomsom–Korala roadway.
Domestic Tourists Lead Visitor Arrivals
Among the total arrivals, 420,086 were domestic tourists while 153,891 were foreign visitors, according to Information Officer and Police Inspector Santosh Basyal. Police statistics show that among domestic visitors, 219,817 were male tourists while 200,269 were female travellers.
Similarly, among foreign visitors, 90,957 were male tourists while the remaining arrivals were female travellers. Authorities say the increasing number of domestic visitors has continued to play a major role in sustaining Mustang’s tourism economy, particularly after improved road access and growing social media promotion of the district’s attractions.
Baishakh Records Highest Tourist Flow
According to the police data collected at the Ghasa check post located at the border area between Myagdi and Mustang, the highest tourist arrival was recorded in Baishakh with 105,503 visitors entering Mustang during the month. In contrast, the lowest tourist movement was recorded in Shrawan, when only 19,791 domestic and foreign tourists visited the district.
Officials attributed the sharp rise in tourist arrivals during Chaitra and Baishakh to favorable weather conditions and the arrival of the spring tourism season, which attracts large numbers of travellers to the Himalayan region. Police Inspector Basyal stated that tourist movement significantly increases during the spring months as weather conditions become more suitable for road travel, pilgrimage tours and sightseeing activities.
More Than 131,000 Vehicles Enter Mustang
The growing influx of tourists has also resulted in a sharp increase in vehicular movement toward the district. According to police records, a total of 131,672 vehicles of different categories entered Mustang via the Korala road corridor through Myagdi between Shrawan and Baishakh of the current fiscal year.
The expansion and improvement of road connectivity have made Mustang increasingly accessible for domestic tourists travelling by private vehicles, motorcycles, jeeps and tourist buses. Tourism entrepreneurs believe easier transportation access has contributed significantly to the district’s rapidly expanding tourism market in recent years.
Autumn and Spring Seasons Drive Tourism Growth
Police data also show strong tourist arrivals during the autumn season before winter began. A total of 75,599 tourists visited Mustang in Ashwin while 83,766 tourists arrived in Kartik, reflecting high travel demand during the festive and post-monsoon tourism period.
Tourism officials say Mustang receives major tourist inflows during both spring and autumn, considered the most favorable seasons for travel in the Himalayan region due to clear skies, moderate temperatures and scenic mountain views. The district has increasingly become a preferred destination for both religious tourism and adventure travel.
Indian Pilgrims Continue to Dominate Foreign Arrivals
According to Inspector Basyal, Indian tourists account for more than 80 percent of Mustang’s total foreign arrivals. Large numbers of Indian and Nepali pilgrims travel to Mustang primarily to visit the sacred Muktinath Temple, one of the most important religious pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists.
Located in Varagung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality, the temple attracts thousands of devotees every year seeking religious blessings and spiritual experiences. Apart from Muktinath, tourists also visit Kagbeni for religious rituals including Shraddha and Tarpan ceremonies. Similarly, travellers are increasingly attracted to destinations such as the Korala Border and the historic walled city of Lo Manthang.
Mustang’s Unique Geography and Culture Draw Global Attention
Tourism stakeholders believe Mustang’s growing popularity is driven by its unique Himalayan geography, rich biodiversity, ancient Tibetan-influenced culture and distinct mountain lifestyle. The district is known for its dramatic landscapes, desert-like terrain, monasteries, caves and preserved Himalayan traditions, making it one of Nepal’s most distinctive tourism destinations. Experts also note that the region’s cultural authenticity, traditional settlements and spiritual significance continue to attract both domestic and international travellers looking for unique experiences beyond mainstream tourism destinations.
Tourist Arrivals Continue Upward Trend
Last fiscal year, a total of 705,779 tourists visited Mustang district, including 555,326 domestic tourists and 150,453 foreign visitors. Although tourism activities witnessed some partial impact during Bhadra due to the Gen Z youth movement and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran, officials say the overall tourism trend in Mustang continues to rise annually.
Tourism entrepreneurs and local authorities believe Mustang’s tourism industry will continue expanding in the coming years as infrastructure improves, road access becomes easier and international interest in Himalayan destinations grows further.
With rising visitor numbers, stakeholders have also emphasized the need for sustainable tourism management, improved hospitality services and preservation of Mustang’s fragile natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
