Annapurna Region Welcomes Nearly 275,000 Foreign Tourists in 11 Months

The world-renowned trekking destination, the Annapurna Conservation Area, welcomed 273,646 foreign tourists over the past 11 months, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Of them, 115,555 were from countries outside South Asia, while the rest were from India and other South Asian nations.

ACAP officials said the arrivals were recorded between January and November. April saw the highest inflow with 44,763 visitors, while January registered the lowest at 9,359. Monthly arrivals included 12,068 in February, 36,834 in March, 34,716 in May, 26,008 in June, 14,233 in July, 12,132 in August, 19,386 in September, 37,076 in October and 27,071 in November.

Tourist arrivals in the first eleven months of 2025 have increased compared to the same period of 2024, when 244,045 foreigners visited the region. Although September and May saw slightly fewer visitors than last year, arrivals in other months were higher, said ACAP chief Dr Rabin Kadariya. He added that numbers typically decline during the monsoon and winter and rise again from March.

The peak tourist seasons in the Annapurna region span from September to November and March to May. Accessible road network has contributed to the rise in number of Indian pilgrims to destinations such as Muktinath during favourable seasons. Trekkers from other countries, however, continue to prefer the region’s trekking trails.

ACAP maintains data only on foreign tourists entering the conservation area, but officials said the number of domestic visitors travelling by road to Mustang and other destinations has been growing each year. The Annapurna Circuit remains one of the most sought-after trekking routes globally. ACAP data shows that 191,666 foreign tourists visited the region in 2023. After just 18,836 arrivals in 2020 due to the pandemic, numbers have been rising annually.

Major attractions within the Annapurna Circuit include the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Lwang and Ghandruk villages in Kaski, Tilicho Lake and the Thorong La Pass in Manang, Upper Mustang and the Muktinath area, as well as Ghorepani and Poon Hill in Myagdi. The region draws hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors every year for its natural beauty, biodiversity, Himalayan landscapes, culture and hospitality.

The Annapurna Conservation Area spans 7,600 square kilometres and covers 87 wards across 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang districts. Its diverse landscapes, trekking-friendly infrastructure, favourable climate and warm local hospitality have made the Annapurna Circuit one of the world’s top trekking destinations. -- RSS