SOLUKHUMBU: The number of foreign tourists leaving the Everest region has increased by 70 percent, as cold weather sets in.
The number of tourists departing is now higher than those entering the region.
In the past week, 711 foreign tourists arrived in Lukla by plane, while 2,400 tourists left the Everest region, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Lukla.
Sanjay Shrestha, an ATC officer at the CAAN, stated that on November 19, as many as 223 foreign tourists arrived in the region while 362 left.
On November 20, a total of 119 foreign tourists entered the region while 320 left.
Similarly, on November 21, a total of 80 foreign tourists reached in the region while 374 tourists via air from Lukla.
Other dates showed similar trends, with more tourists departing than arriving.
Tourism entrepreneur Dik Bahadur Darnal explained that the increasing cold weather has caused many tourists to cut short their trips to Everest.
Some tourists are returning from Lukla and Namche without venturing to higher elevations due to freezing temperatures.
“With the cold intensifying and water freezing, many tourists are choosing to return early,” Darnal said. “This has become more noticeable since early Kartik, when snowfall in the upper regions began.”
Pressure on Lukla flights
“As the tourist season winds down, flights from Kathmandu and Ramechhap to Lukla are often empty, but flights returning from Lukla are crowded with passengers,” said Shrestha.
“In some cases, it’s hard to secure a seat on the return flights.”
Most flights to Lukla are now carrying cargo due to the reduced number of incoming tourists.
This has led to difficulties for businesspeople and tourists in securing return tickets.
Tourists now often have to book return flights four to five days in advance, according to tourist guide Pemba Sherpa.
The increasing number of foreign tourists has made it difficult for Nepalis to secure tickets as well.
The airfare for foreign tourists from Lukla to Kathmandu has been set at Rs 29,480, while Nepali passengers pay Rs 11,000.
Many passengers have complained that foreign tourists are given priority due to the higher fares, making it even harder to get tickets.
In some cases, tourists are choosing to walk back to Kathmandu via Salleri, accessible by jeep.
Currently, about 100 flights take off and land at Lukla Airport each day, operated by private airlines such as Tara, Sita, and Summit Airlines.
Increased security presence
As the number of returning tourists rises, security has been stepped up in the region.
Nepal Police and Tourist Police have been mobilized to ensure the safety of tourists.
Dwarika Prasad Ghimire, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, mentioned that there is now a greater focus on securing tourists returning from Everest.
“We have a police post in Dingboche, at an altitude of 4,410 meters, and officers patrol all the way to the Everest Base Camp,” Ghimire said.
The Everest region experiences two main tourist seasons: from first week of March to May-end, and from third week of September to November end. The rest of the year is considered the “off-season.”
Everest National Park and its attractions
The Everest region falls under the Everest National Park, which is renowned for its mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, and adventure tourism.
The park, established in 2032 BS, covers 1,148 square kilometers in the Solukhumbu district.
It is home to Mount Everest and several other peaks above 6,000 meters, including Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, and Ama Dablam.
In 2007, Gokyo and its associated lakes were included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, and the park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The park’s range spans from 1,800 meters to the summit of Everest at 8,848 meters.
It is home to various species, including musk deer, Himalayan tahr, langur monkeys, and a wide variety of birds such as the Himalayan monal, Tibetan snowcock, and chukar partridge.
In addition to mountain climbing and trekking, the region’s cultural sites, such as the Tengboche Monastery, attract thousands of visitors each year.
Local communities also benefit from the growing tourist interest in the area.
Comment