GANDAKI: In the past 11 months, as many as 273,646 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), one of the world’s premier trekking destinations.
Of these, 115,555 came from countries outside South Asia, while the remainder were mainly from neighboring nations, including India.
According to Dr. Rabin Kadariya, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, the highest monthly arrivals were in April (44,763), and the lowest in January (9,359). Other monthly arrivals were: February 12,068; March 36,834; May 34,716; June 26,608; July 14,233; August 12,132; September 19,386; October 37,766; and November 27,071.
Tourist numbers in 2025 have surpassed the 244,045 visitors recorded in 2024, with growth seen in most months except May and September. Arrivals typically peak from March to May and September to November, with Indian tourists favoring road routes to destinations such as Muktinath, while other foreign visitors prefer trekking.
The Project Office tracks foreign tourists, while domestic tourism in the region is also rising annually. Popular trekking and sightseeing sites include Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake, Thorang La Pass, Upper Mustang, Ghodepani, and Poon Hill.
The Annapurna Circuit and Cycle Trail are renowned for their natural beauty, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
Spanning 7,600 square kilometers across 87 wards in 15 local levels of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang, the Annapurna Conservation Area continues to attract millions of domestic and foreign tourists annually, reinforcing its status as a world-class trekking destination.
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