JOMSOM: A total of 6,859 tourists visited Mustang district on Friday, the first day after Bhai Tika of the Tihar festival, authorities said. The influx came via the national pride Beni–Jomsom road, comprising 6,506 domestic and 353 foreign visitors, according to Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Chhiring Kippa.
The surge in tourists also led to heavy traffic on the Beni–Jomsom route, with 2,168 passenger vehicles entering Mustang on the same day. Over the first week of Kartik (Oct 17–23), 20,509 tourists, including 17,129 domestic and 3,380 foreign visitors, traveled to the district, with 6,736 vehicles using the road.
Since Shrawan, Mustang has received 118,589 tourists, including 91,125 domestic and 27,464 foreign visitors, police data shows.
The increase in visitors has also been reflected at Muktinath, where devotees flocked in large numbers after Tihar, said Treasurer Premesh Gurung of the Muktinath Development Committee. Security personnel and volunteers were deployed to maintain order, while health workers and high-altitude treatment centers were kept on standby due to the region’s cold weather.
Gurung added that CCTV cameras have been installed around the temple to ensure visitor safety.
However, the surge has posed challenges for traffic and tourist management, with hundreds of vehicles moving simultaneously along the Beni–Jomsom road and around 300 hotels unable to accommodate all visitors.
Rajup Prasad Lalchan, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said all operational hotels were fully booked and noted that Mustang has become a key religious and tourist destination during major festivals. The completion of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road has further boosted tourism in the district, Lalchan added.
Authorities have urged tourists planning to visit Mustang during the festive season to make hotel bookings in advance.
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