SATV 18 July, Kathmandu: The number of foreign tourists entering the Annapurna region has set a new record. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) said more foreign visitors than ever before visited the region. A recent increase in tourists from SAARC countries led to the overall rise in visitors, according to the project.
According to ACAP chief Rabin Kadariya, 278,113 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in fiscal year 2024/25. He said this is the highest number ever recorded. Among them, 157,786 were from SAARC nations and 120,327 were from other countries.
He said, “The arrival of Indian religious tourists has increased significantly. When their number grows, total arrivals also rise. A large number of Indian pilgrims enter the region to visit Muktinath in Mustang district.” Kadariya added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muktinath seven years ago increased the temple’s popularity among Indian pilgrims and boosted arrivals.
“Modi’s Muktinath visit made the temple more well-known among Indian religious travelers. This rise in interest boosted total visitor numbers,” said Kadariya, “Recently, many Indians have also started coming for trekking. In addition, Indian tourists arriving to escape the heat have helped increase arrivals.” Indian arrivals surge between Chaitra and Jestha (mid-March to mid-June), when India faces intense heat. Many visit Nepal to escape the summer.
According to ACAP, the Annapurna region welcomed 172,108 foreign tourists in fiscal year 2022/23. Of them, only 82,705 were from third countries. In fiscal year 2023/24, arrivals increased to 222,180, including 104,296 from third countries.
“As the COVID-19 infection subsided, foreign tourist arrivals began increasing. Still, we need to bring more visitors from third countries than from SAARC nations,” said Kadariya, “When travel becomes more convenient, tourist numbers naturally rise.”
The Annapurna circuit trek is one of the world’s most famous trekking routes. While it used to take 28 days to complete, it now takes just a week, thanks to road expansion. Starting from Lamjung, trekkers pass through Manang, cross the 5,416-meter Thorong La Pass, and descend to Mustang. Many also trek to Annapurna Base Camp and Upper Mustang. Popular villages like Ghandruk and Ghorepani also attract a good number of foreign tourists.
Fewer from third countries
In fiscal year 2018/19, 132,215 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region, i.e. the highest number recorded until that point. After that, COVID-19 reduced arrivals. By 2022/23, only 82,705 third-country visitors arrived in the region. In 2023/24, the number reached 104,296. This fiscal year 2024/25, third-country arrivals rose to 120,327.
“As SAARC visitor numbers increased, total arrivals in 2024/25 reached an all-time high. Still, arrivals from third countries remain low. We haven’t yet surpassed the 2018/19 figure,” said Kadariya, “Compared to 2018/19, arrivals in 2024/25 are still short by 12,000. Even though the overall arrival is a new record, third-country tourists haven’t set a new high.”
He said the overall rise was mainly due to more tourists from SAARC nations. “There has been a notable increase in arrivals from SAARC nations. While it’s true that arrivals bounced back after COVID-19, the growth is especially strong among SAARC tourists,” he added.
Indian tourists spend a night
Though a large number of Indian tourists visit Annapurna, their stay is brief, ACAP reported. Among SAARC visitors, Indians cover a majority. Most come to visit Muktinath. On average, they stay only one night in the region.
“Since they’re religious visitors, shorter stays are natural,” said Kadariya, “They come for temple visits, and their trip ends after the darshan.”
However, tourists from third countries still stay about 10 days. “Trekkers from third countries spend at least 10 days. Earlier, they stayed for up to 28 days,” he said, “Now that motor roads reach deep into trekking routes, the stay duration has dropped. Previously, tourists had to trek all the way, but now they can drive high into the mountains.”
