Manang, a popular destination for trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area, is currently quiet. From June to August, Manang is considered off-season for tourism activities. Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Manang Office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), highlighted the decrease in domestic tourists during the monsoon season. “During the months of Asar to Mangsir and from Poush to Baisakh, there is a significant decline in tourist numbers in Manang,” he said.
Furba Lama, a tourism entrepreneur from Chame, emphasized that tourism is the main source of income for Manang residents. “Currently, due to the monsoon season, tourism activities are minimal, and entrepreneurs have spare time,” he stated. During the cold season, business owners temporarily close hotels and travel to places like Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Lama’s experience is that road expansion has reduced the charm of the Annapurna Circuit trekking route. “Previously, a trek of 28 days has now been shortened to just one week, reducing the appeal for foreign trekkers,” he said. Hotel businesses along the trekking route have been affected after the road came.
Due to the severe geography and risky roads, tourism activities in Manang are disrupted during the monsoon season. Travelers need to journey on risky roads near the cliffs and along the banks of the Marsyangdi River. The trekking route here is also highly hazardous.
Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of ‘ACAP’ in Manang, informed that last year, 21,495 foreign tourists visited Manang. The majority of tourists come from European countries. Due to the Hamas-Israel war, there has been a recent decline in Israeli tourists. ‘ACAP’ lacks domestic tourist information. Several Indian and Nepali tourists arrive to visit Manang by motorcycle ride. Himalayan district Manang’s headquarters are at an altitude of five thousand four hundred meters above sea level, Thorong La Pass is to be crossed to reach Muktinath.
