The Annapurna Conservation Area, renowned for trekking, has seen a notable increase in tourist arrivals over the past three months, with 34,651 foreign visitors entering the region. According to data from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the number of tourists peaked in September with 23,088 visitors, compared to 5,249 in July and 6,314 in August.
Dr. Rabin Kadaria, head of ACAP, noted that September and October are prime months for tourism in the area, with an influx of visitors from both South Asian and other international regions. In September, 11,682 tourists came from South Asian countries, while 11,406 arrived from other parts of the world. In August, 3,383 tourists from the SAARC region and 2,931 from other countries visited the area. Similarly, in July, 3,350 SAARC tourists and 1,893 international visitors explored the region.
The Annapurna Conservation Area includes popular trekking destinations such as Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Sikles, Khumaidanda, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorangbhanjyang, Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and Ghodepani in Myagdi. These areas have become preferred spots for both international and domestic tourists.
In the last fiscal year, the conservation area recorded 222,180 foreign tourist arrivals, with 117,845 of them from Asian countries and 100,000 from other regions, further solidifying its status as a top destination for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
