Tourist arrivals on the Annapurna Circuit trekking route have started to recover after being severely affected by floods, landslides, heavy rainfall and snowfall. The flow of trekkers has increased as the trail leading to Thorong La Pass has become accessible again.
The trekking route experienced a sharp decline in visitor numbers following continuous rainfall and snowfall from Ashwin 8 to 11, which disrupted roads and trekking trails in several sections of the Annapurna region. With snow cleared from the route to Thorong La, movement between Manang and Mustang has gradually resumed.
1,447 Tourists Recorded in Eight Days
According to Bhupendra Gurung, in-charge of the Tourist Check and Information Centre at Dharapani under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), around 150 to 200 tourists are now arriving daily. Gurung said the removal of accumulated snow along the trail to Thorong La Pass, located at an elevation of 5,416 metres above sea level, has made the route more accessible for tourists travelling from Manang to Mustang.
Tourist arrivals had already started increasing from Bhadra with the beginning of the main trekking season. However, the adverse weather between Ashwin 8 and 11 brought the movement almost to a standstill, with only one or two tourists arriving daily at one point.
The situation has now improved significantly. Between Ashwin 18 and 25, a total of 1,447 tourists were recorded at the Dharapani Tourist Check and Information Centre. The figure included 887 men and 560 women. Among the visitors during the period, the highest number came from Israel with 141 tourists, followed by Australia with 121, Germany with 109, Spain with 103 and the United Kingdom with 97.
Arrivals Still Below Last Year’s Peak
Despite the recent recovery, tourist arrivals remain considerably lower than last year’s figures during the peak trekking season. Gurung said the Dharapani section received around 400 to 500 tourists daily during the main season last year. This year, however, floods, landslides and snowfall have disrupted the movement of trekkers and reduced visitor numbers.
He expressed optimism that arrivals would increase further if roads and trekking trails continue to improve. The Annapurna Circuit remains one of Nepal’s most popular trekking routes, attracting domestic and international visitors with its spectacular Himalayan landscapes, natural beauty, diverse terrain and distinctive local cultures and lifestyles.
Local Tourism Businesses Begin to Recover
The recent increase in trekkers has also brought relief to tourism businesses operating along the route. Panch Bahadur Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur in Jagat of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-4, said businesses had been hit hard after floods and landslides caused tourist arrivals to decline.
According to him, income had fallen to almost zero when tourists stopped arriving. With the gradual return of trekkers, however, his daily income has now recovered to around Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000. “During the peak tourist season last year, we used to earn around Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 a day. This year, the business was affected by floods and landslides. Until a few days ago, income was almost zero due to the absence of tourists, but they have now started arriving gradually,” he said.
There are around 22 hotels operating in Jagat, according to Gurung. He noted that businesses located along the trail have also been affected by the increasing use of roads, as some tourists now travel directly to Manang by road instead of walking through intermediate settlements. He expects tourist arrivals from both domestic and international markets to increase further as road and trail conditions improve.
Businesses Hope for Stronger Trekking Season
Baburam Tamang, a tourism entrepreneur operating a hotel near Bung Waterfall in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-4, also said the business had remained largely deserted during what should have been the main tourist season because of the floods and landslides. The recent return of tourists has brought renewed optimism among tourism entrepreneurs along the route, he said. Tamang expects visitor numbers to increase further if road and trekking conditions continue to improve, allowing tourists to travel more safely and conveniently through the Annapurna Circuit.
Thorong La Key to Annapurna Circuit Recovery
The route from Besisahar in Lamjung through Manang and across Thorong La Pass to Mustang is a major attraction for trekkers visiting the Annapurna region. Settlements such as Jagat and Dharapani serve as important overnight stops along the route. With the Thorong La section becoming more accessible following snow clearance and improvements in trail conditions, tourism stakeholders are hopeful that the Annapurna Circuit will regain momentum during the ongoing peak trekking season.
