KASKI: The number of tourists trekking to the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) has increased significantly in recent days as the weather improves and roads previously blocked by floods and landslides have reopened.
Tourism entrepreneurs say tourist arrivals in the Annapurna region have increased after continuous rains subsided and weather conditions improved. The number of tourists heading to ABC has also risen as trekking routes in the Manang and Manaslu regions remain affected by landslides.
According to Dilip Gurung, secretary of the Chhomrong Tourism Management Committee, around 300 tourists are currently reaching Annapurna Base Camp each day. There are six hotels and lodges at ABC, with a combined capacity to accommodate up to 350 tourists.
“There are no domestic tourists, but the arrival of foreign and SAARC tourists has increased. Now that all the roads leading here are open, trekking has become easier,” Gurung said.
The tourism sector had earlier been badly affected after roads and trekking routes in various parts of the Annapurna region were disrupted by heavy rain and floods. Roads were blocked for an extended period after the Modi River eroded sections of the road at Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar in Annapurna Rural Municipality. The rural municipality reopened the roads in the first week of Asoj after they had remained blocked for about one and a half months.
With landslides blocking some roads and trekking routes leading to the Manang and Manaslu regions, tourists who had planned to visit those destinations have started choosing ABC as an alternative, Gurung said.
“Among the Manang, Manaslu and Annapurna regions, the route to Annapurna Base Camp is relatively easy. That is why tourists from South Asian countries have increased their preference for ABC. We expect Nepali tourists to arrive after the start of Dashain,” said Gurung.
The reopening of roads blocked by floods and landslides has also made it easier to reach the starting points of the ABC trek from Pokhara. Improved road access and the restoration of trekking routes have contributed to the increase in tourist movement.
Annapurna Rural Municipality-11 Ward Chairman Him Bahadur Gurung said that all roads from Pokhara to Ghandruk and ABC are now open. He said the trekking route has also been reopened, although temporary arrangements have been made at some locations.
“Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar have reopened. There is no problem above Ghandruk now. All permanent and temporary roads leading to the ABC trekking route have been opened. Nayapul, Ghandruk and Chhomrong can now be reached from all sides,” Ward Chairman Gurung said.
Similarly, a trekking route that had been blocked for two months after the Kimrung River swept away a concrete suspension bridge has been reopened following the construction of a temporary wooden bridge over the river.
Annapurna Base Camp is located at an altitude of about 4,130 metres above sea level. The ABC trek is considered one of the world’s most popular trekking routes, offering close-up views of the Annapurna mountain range and Machhapuchhre.
The trek is popular among both domestic and foreign tourists because it offers opportunities to experience mountain landscapes and sunrise views, as well as the local culture and way of life. Trekkers can observe Gurung culture, traditional lifestyles, mountain villages, lush forests, waterfalls, streams and spectacular Himalayan scenery along the route.
The route to Annapurna Base Camp via Machhapuchhre Base Camp is the main attraction of the area. During the trek, visitors can enjoy close-up views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna I and other Himalayan peaks.
As the number of domestic and foreign tourists on the Annapurna trekking route increases, the rural municipality has also recently established a first-aid centre to address tourists’ health needs.
A first-aid centre has been established and brought into operation at Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The centre will provide tourists and locals visiting the ABC and Machhapuchhre Base Camp areas with immediate first-aid services from health workers in cases of common health problems and emergencies.
In previous years, tourists undertaking the ABC trek have fallen seriously ill and, in some cases, died because of altitude sickness.
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