MUSTANG: Mustang witnessed an impressive number of tourists last month.

Almost 80,000 tourists visited the mountainous district during the month of Karkit. The number of domestic tourists is very high, thanks to the festive season.

According to the records of the District Police Office, a total of 5,504 international and 73,879 internal tourists visited Mustang in Kartik.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) offices at Jomsom and Lhomanthang keep records of the international tourists visiting the district while the Ghasa Police Post and Lete Police Post maintain records of the domestic tourists.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Mustang Bhojraj Pandey said that the district witnessed queues of tourists in the festivals of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath adding that almost 14,000 vehicles entered the district by carrying tourists in Mustang in a month.

Besides the Beni-Jomsom route, the travelers arrived here from the Pokhara-Jomsom air route too.

Hotelier Surendra Gauchan of Hotel Ranipauwa at Muktinath said tourist arrival remained exciting in Kartik month.

“Tourists did not come as expected during the last year’s festive season due to rain but this time the tourists preferred Mustang for their short trip due to better road network and clear weather,” Gauchan argued.

Autumn is considered an appropriate time for Mustang visit. With this impressive number of tourists in the district, the hoteliers and stakeholders here have expressed their satisfaction to the tourism bounce-back in Mustang.

Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lhomanthang, Marpha, Thini and Dhumba Lake are the key touristic and religious attractions for visitors in Mustang.