KATHMANDU: The Annapurna Conservation Area Project(ACAP) has recorded the entry of 246,575 foreign tourists from January to October 2025, surpassing last year’s total of 244,045 visitors for the entire year, the ACAP reported.
Among the tourists, 146,968 came from South Asian countries, while 99,607 were from other countries. April saw the highest influx with 44,763 tourists, whereas January recorded the lowest at 9,359 visitors.
Although the Gen-Z movement in September led to a slight dip in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, October saw an increase of 1,557 foreign visitors. Except for May and September, tourist numbers were higher than in 2024, ACAP Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said.
Tourist arrivals are expected to gradually decrease after November and rise again from March onwards. The Annapurna region, famous worldwide for trekking tourism, typically sees more international visitors between September–November and March–May. While most Indian tourists travel by road to destinations like Muktinath, foreign tourists prefer trekking routes.
ACAP tracks only foreign visitors entering the Annapurna region, but domestic tourists traveling by road to Mustang and other destinations have also been increasing annually, Dr. Kadariya added.
The Annapurna Circuit, including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal in Kaski, Lwang, Ghorepani, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La, Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and Poon Hill in Myagdi, attracts hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists each year.
The region’s natural beauty, biodiversity, Himalayan culture, and heritage make it a prime destination for both domestic and foreign visitors. ACAP offers trekking options of varying distances through Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, and Myagdi districts.
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