GANDAKI: A total of 2.632 million foreign tourists have visited the Annapurna region, one of the world’s most renowned trekking destinations, over the past 25 years.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), tourist arrivals stood at 65,313 in 2001 and peaked at 299,831 in 2025, marking the highest number recorded so far. The lowest arrival figure was recorded in 2021, when only 16,105 tourists visited the region due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Annual tourist numbers remained below 100,000 between 2001 and 2010. Arrivals first crossed the 100,000 mark in 2011, declared Visit Nepal Year, when 101,908 tourists visited the region. Tourist numbers dropped again in 2015 following the Gorkha earthquake, falling to 78,930. Although arrivals gradually increased thereafter, they declined sharply in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic before rebounding strongly from 2022 onward.
In 2022, the Annapurna region welcomed 129,723 tourists, followed by 191,558 in 2023 and 244,039 in 2024. Last year, in 2025, tourist arrivals reached a record high of 299,831.
ACAP Head Dr Robin Kadariya said that of the total tourists who visited in 2025, 177,628 were from South Asian countries, while 122,203 came from other parts of the world. “Tourist arrivals are increasing every year, from trekking enthusiasts to religious visitors,” he said, noting that 2025 set a new record.
Each year, millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit popular destinations along the Annapurna Circuit, including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, the Muktinath area, and Ghodepani in Myagdi.
ACAP maintains records only of foreign tourists visiting the region. Spread across 7,600 square kilometers, the Annapurna Conservation Area is widely regarded as a premier trekking destination, known for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, mountain lifestyles, and diverse cultural heritage.
The region offers short-, medium-, and long-distance trekking routes accessible from districts such as Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, and Myagdi. The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world’s finest trekking routes due to its scenic attractions, tourism-friendly infrastructure, local hospitality, and service facilities. The Annapurna Conservation Area covers 87 wards across 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang.
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