The Annapurna Circuit trekking route has been cleared of heavy snow, easing access between Manang and Mustang and paving the way for the resumption of tourist movement along one of Nepal’s most popular trekking routes. The trail through Thorong-La Pass was reopened on Monday after a team of 20 people cleared accumulated snow from the route on the initiative of the Muktinath Hotel Association.
Snow clearance on Annapurna has made the high-altitude section of the Annapurna Circuit more accessible for trekkers traveling from Manang to Muktinath and Mustang. According to Suraj Gurung, president of the Muktinath Hotel Association, the trekking route connecting Manang and Mustang has now been made easier following the removal of heavy snow from the Thorong-La section. “There is now no problem trekking from Manang via Thorong-La Pass to reach Mustang in the Annapurna Area,” the association said, signaling improved access for trekkers preparing to travel through the area.
Thorong-La Trail Had Been Blocked by Heavy Snowfall
Heavy snowfall between September 24 and 27 had completely blocked the trail at Thorong-La Pass, bringing tourist movement through the high-altitude section to a halt. The disruption came just as the region was entering one of its important trekking periods. October and November are regarded as favorable months for adventurous trekking in the Thorong-La area, when weather conditions generally provide better opportunities for travelers to cross the high mountain pass.
The Annapurna Circuit is internationally recognized for its diverse landscapes, mountain scenery and challenging high-altitude sections. The Thorong-La Pass, one of the key points of the circuit, is particularly popular among foreign trekkers seeking an adventurous Himalayan experience.
The Manang–Mustang section is part of the wider Annapurna Circuit, which attracts trekkers from around the world. Tourism activity along the route is concentrated into a relatively short trekking season, with the Manang–Mustang circuit receiving trekkers for around five months each year. With the snow now cleared, tourism businesses along the route are expecting the resumption of regular trekking activity.
Improved Access Expected to Support Tourism
The reopening of the Thorong-La trail is expected to provide relief to tourism businesses in Manang, Mustang, and surrounding areas that depend heavily on trekking tourism. Trekkers generally begin the Annapurna Circuit from Besisahar in Lamjung, travel through Manang, and cross Thorong-La Pass before descending toward Muktinath in Mustang.
The route connects two distinct Himalayan landscapes and provides access to several major tourism destinations, making its accessibility particularly important during the peak trekking season. The Muktinath Hotel Association has urged travelers to visit the region, stating that the route from Manang through Thorong-La to Mustang is now accessible following the snow-clearing efforts.
Ghandruk Sees Gradual Rise in Tourist Arrivals
Meanwhile, tourist arrivals have also started to increase in Ghandruk, another major tourism destination in the Annapurna region, following improvements in road access. Ghandruk, located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-10 and 11 of Kaski, had experienced a sharp decline in tourist activity after floods and landslides disrupted the Birethanti–Ghandruk road.
The road has now been reopened after landslides were cleared from several locations, allowing tourists to travel to the popular mountain village more easily. Sneha Gurung, managing director of Nirmal Villa in Ghandruk, said tourism activity had gradually started to recover following the improvement in road access.
“With the festival season round the corner, the tourist season has also started. The roads have become easier too,” Gurung said. “In Ashar, Sawan and Bhadra, there were practically no tourists. Now they have slowly started coming. There is hope that the tourism business here will pick up.”
Tourism Businesses Call for Wider Road Access Message
Local tourism entrepreneurs, however, said tourist arrivals have not yet returned to normal levels despite the improvement in road conditions. Lakxin Gurung, owner of Hotel Rock and Mood and president of Rodhi Club Ghandruk, said it was important to communicate widely that the road to Ghandruk had become accessible.
“Tourists have started coming, but many might still think the road is bad,” he said. “Many might have even cancelled their plans thinking that the road to Ghandruk hasn’t been repaired yet. Now we need to send out the message that the road is accessible and people can come and explore without worry.”
According to Gurung, although landslides caused by continuous rainfall have been cleared and the road has improved, tourist numbers remain below expectations. His hotel can accommodate up to 45 guests, but while the property would normally be fully booked during this period in previous years, it is currently receiving only around five to seven guests a day.
Ghandruk Receiving 200–300 Tourists Daily
Bikram Gurung, chairman of the Ghandruk Tourism Management Committee, said tourism activity has gradually picked up as both road conditions and weather have improved. He said around 200 to 300 tourists are currently reaching Ghandruk each day.
“This is the time when tourists normally arrive. We were very concerned when the road was disrupted during this period,” he said. “After the road was restored through everyone’s efforts, guests have started coming.” He recalled that Ghandruk used to become heavily crowded during this period in previous years, sometimes forcing tourism businesses to turn away visitors because of limited accommodation.
Village Has Capacity for 2,500 Guests
Ghandruk currently has considerable accommodation capacity to cater to visitors during the peak tourism season. According to the tourism management committee, the village has 95 hotels and 45 homestays, which together can accommodate around 2,500 guests per day.
If visitor numbers exceed the formal accommodation capacity, local households can also provide additional lodging, according to the committee. “If there are more guests, arrangements can also be made to accommodate them in private homes,” Bikram Gurung said. “Our belief is that no guest visiting the village should have to be turned away.”
Autumn Season Brings Fresh Hope for Himalayan Tourism
The reopening of the Thorong-La trail and improved road access to Ghandruk come as Nepal enters one of its key autumn tourism periods. The post-monsoon months are particularly important for trekking and mountain tourism, with international and domestic travelers visiting destinations across the Annapurna region.
Improved access to major trekking routes and tourist villages is therefore expected to support the recovery of local tourism businesses that were affected by monsoon-related floods, landslides and snowfall. With Thorong-La now cleared of snow and the Birethanti–Ghandruk road accessible, tourism stakeholders in the Annapurna region are hoping that improved connectivity and favorable autumn weather will encourage more visitors to return to the region.
