GANDAKI, July 21: Tourists from 169 countries visited various destinations within the Annapurna Conservation Area during the last fiscal year.
A total of 508,476 foreign tourists visited the conservation area during the period. Of them, 384,145 were from South Asian countries, while 124,331 were from other parts of the world.
Indians accounted for the largest number of visitors to the Annapurna region during the fiscal year, which ran from July 17, 2025, to July 16, 2026. The area welcomed 375,797 Indian tourists, followed by 12,539 visitors from China and 9,884 from the United States.
Similarly, the area received 9,859 tourists from the United Kingdom, 7,939 from France, 7,848 from Malaysia, 7,634 from Germany, 7,448 from Bangladesh, 7,095 from Australia, and 6,398 from Israel during the fiscal year.
SAARC tourists make up 68 percent of visitors to Annapurna Regi...
Dr. Rabin Kadariya, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), said the number of foreign tourists more than doubled compared to the previous fiscal year.
According to ACAP records, 278,113 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in FY 2081/82 BS.
Dr. Kadariya said the number of tourists from South Asian countries, particularly India, increased by nearly 300 percent during the Nepali month of Jestha (May 15–June 14). He said this was the highest number of Indian tourists ever recorded during the period.
According to him, the surge in Indian arrivals was driven by the growing popularity of destinations such as Pokhara and Muktinath, improved road connectivity, and increased promotion through social media.
During the summer season, many Indian tourists travel to Pokhara and nearby destinations to escape the heat. Hotel occupancy in Pokhara, Nepal's tourism capital, reached up to 90 percent during the months of Baisakh and Jestha, he said. Of the Indian tourists visiting Pokhara, around 40 percent also travel to Muktinath.
The Annapurna region is one of the world's most renowned trekking destinations. Popular routes include the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghorepani, Tilicho Lake, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, and Muktinath, among other attractions.
Covering an area of about 7,600 square kilometers, the Annapurna Conservation Area is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty, rich biodiversity, Himalayan culture, and traditional mountain lifestyle.
The conservation area encompasses 87 wards across 15 local units in the districts of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang. It is regarded as one of Nepal's premier trekking and adventure tourism destinations due to its diverse landscapes, well-established trekking routes, and tourism-friendly infrastructure.
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