KATHMANDU, July 18: The number of foreign tourists visiting the Annapurna Conservation Area doubled to 508,476 in the last Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26.
Records maintained by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) show that a total of 278,113 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in the previous fiscal year. ACAP Project Chief Rabin Kadariya said a new record was set in tourist arrivals in FY 2025/26, with Indian tourists accounting for the largest share at 375,797 visitors.
Chinese tourists ranked second with 12,539 visitors, followed by 9,884 visitors from the United States. According to the project office, tourists from 169 countries visited the Annapurna region during the last fiscal year. Of the total visitors, 384,145 were from South Asian countries, while 124,331 were from the rest of the world.
"The number of tourists from South Asian countries, including India, increased by almost 300 percent in the month of Jestha," said Project Chief Kadariya. "This is the first time that Indian tourists have visited in such large numbers."
Annapurna Conservation Area sees surge in arrival of tourists
Kadariya attributed the rise in Indian tourist arrivals to the promotion of popular Nepali destinations such as Pokhara and Muktinath in India, improved transportation, and increased publicity through social media. He said many Indian tourists visit Pokhara and nearby destinations during the summer to escape the heat.
During the period between mid-April and mid-May, hotel occupancy in Pokhara, the region's main tourist hub, reached 90 percent. Kadariya said the number of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara typically rises during the pre-monsoon season.
Around 40 percent of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara also travel to Muktinath on pilgrimage. Meanwhile, tourists from other countries heading to trekking destinations in the Annapurna region generally spend some time in Pokhara. The Annapurna region is widely regarded as one of the world's premier trekking destinations.
Popular destinations in the region include Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, the Muktinath area, and Ghorepani in Myagdi. Kadariya said ACAP maintains records only of foreign tourists visiting these destinations.
Spread over 7,600 square kilometers, the Annapurna Conservation Area is renowned for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, Himalayan lifestyle, and unique cultural heritage.
The conservation area encompasses 87 wards across 15 local governments in the districts of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang. The Annapurna Circuit Trail is regarded as one of the world's finest trekking routes due to its scenic landscapes, tourism-friendly infrastructure, hospitality, and visitor facilities.
According to ACAP, trekkers can choose from short-, medium-, and long-distance routes through Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, and Myagdi, offering a wide range of trekking experiences.
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