The scenic village of Sikles in Kaski district welcomed a total of 1,482 tourists during July, with domestic travelers accounting for the overwhelming majority of visitor arrivals, according to the latest tourism statistics. The figures show that 1,444 Nepali tourists, representing 97.4 percent of total arrivals, visited Sikles during the month, while 38 international tourists, or 2.6 percent, also explored the popular Gurung heritage destination despite the ongoing monsoon season.
Domestic Tourism Continues to Drive Visitor Growth
The latest data highlight the growing importance of domestic tourism in sustaining visitor numbers during Nepal’s off-season. Nepali travelers continued to dominate arrivals, demonstrating the increasing popularity of Sikles as a destination for short holidays, cultural experiences, and nature-based tourism. Among the domestic visitors, 982 were male, and 462 were female, reflecting strong participation from both solo and group travelers visiting the village during the month.
International Visitors Maintain Presence
Although international arrivals remained relatively modest during the monsoon season, Sikles still welcomed 38 foreign tourists, including 25 male and 13 female visitors. Tourism stakeholders say that while the rainy season generally records lower international arrivals due to weather-related travel challenges, the destination continues to attract foreign travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and Himalayan landscapes.
Male Visitors Outnumber Female Tourists
Overall, 1,007 male tourists visited Sikles in July, accounting for 68 percent of total arrivals, while 475 female visitors made up the remaining 32 percent. The gender distribution reflects the continued popularity of trekking, hiking, and outdoor activities among visitors to the region.
Sikles Remains a Popular Rural Tourism Destination
Located in the Annapurna region, Sikles is renowned for its traditional Gurung culture, panoramic mountain views, community-based tourism, and trekking routes leading toward the Annapurna Conservation Area. Despite the monsoon season, the steady flow of domestic visitors underscores the destination’s growing appeal as a year-round tourism hub. Local tourism entrepreneurs remain optimistic that visitor numbers will increase significantly with the arrival of the autumn trekking season, traditionally Nepal’s busiest period for tourism.
Sikles Tourist Arrivals – July
| Category | Number of Visitors | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tourists | 1,482 | 100% |
| Nepali Tourists | 1,444 | 97.4% |
| International Tourists | 38 | 2.6% |
| Male Visitors | 1,007 | 68.0% |
| Female Visitors | 475 | 32.0% |
| Nepali Male | 982 | — |
| Nepali Female | 462 | — |
| International Male | 25 | — |
| International Female | 13 | — |
