MYAGDI: Bhurung-Tatopani hot spring in Annapurna Rural Municipality-2 of Myagdi district has become a popular destination for domestic and international tourists seeking relaxation after long journeys.
Located along the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, part of the Kaligandaki Corridor connecting China and India, the natural hot spring serves as a resting place for travellers heading to Mustang, trekking along the Annapurna Circuit and visiting the Annapurna Base Camp via the Maurice Herzog Trail.
Visitors say bathing in the naturally heated water helps them unwind and recover from travel fatigue. Bimlesh Shakya of Kathmandu shared his experience, saying the warm water helped relieve his tiredness and the cold he experienced while travelling to Mustang.
“After bathing in the hot water, the fatigue from the journey and the cold of Mustang seemed to disappear. My tired body felt refreshed,” he said.
Visitors also report relief from body aches and tiredness after bathing in the hot spring. Those arriving from colder destinations particularly enjoy the warmth of the naturally heated water.
Water emerging naturally at around 55 degrees Celsius along the banks of the Kaligandaki River is collected and channelled into ponds and bathing areas. With the tourist season underway, the number of visitors coming to bathe in the hot spring has increased.
Pritam Purja, an employee at the hot spring, said visitor numbers had risen in recent days, with around 200 to 300 people bathing daily.
There are two ponds and bathing areas along the Beni-Jomsom road, allowing visitors to choose a suitable place. Bathing facilities are available from 6 am to 10 pm. Annapurna Rural Municipality charges an entry fee of Rs. 50 for Nepali visitors and Rs. 150 for foreign visitors.
Local government seeks operator for hot spring
Annapurna Rural Municipality has invited bids for a two-month contract to operate the Bhurung-Tatopani hot spring in the current fiscal year 2083/84 BS. The minimum bid price has been set at Rs. 950,000 for collecting entry fees and operating a hotel. The deadline for submitting proposals was Monday.
Om Prasad Fagami, chair of Ward No. 2, said the contract had been limited to two months because infrastructure development work was needed at the site.
According to Fagami, the operating contract was awarded for Rs. 500,000, excluding taxes, in fiscal year 2082/83 BS. In fiscal year 2081/82 BS, the contract was awarded for Rs. 562,000, while the amount in fiscal year 2080/81 BS was Rs. 550,000.
Annapurna Rural Municipality Chair Bharat Kumar Pun said revenue generated from the hot spring had been used to support education, healthcare and infrastructure development.
The funds have helped cover the salaries of private teachers at Sarvodaya Secondary School and Himalaya Basic School in Tatopani. Revenue has also supported laboratory operations at health posts, infrastructure construction and the conservation of the hot spring ponds.
Conservation work is also underway to control erosion along the Kaligandaki River.
Across the river, Paudwar Tatopani hot spring in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 is another attraction in the area. A contract worth Rs. 5.01 million has been signed this year for its operation.
Flooding in the Kaligandaki River has not affected the Bhurung-Tatopani and Paudwar hot springs. However, the hot spring at Ratopani in Ward No. 6 has been turned into a swamp by floodwaters. No bids have been submitted this year for operating the Sekarku hot spring in Ward No. 1.
Tourism supports local businesses
Around 20 well-equipped hotels are operating in the Bhurung-Tatopani market, with a combined capacity to accommodate more than 500 tourists a day.
Local businessman Raju Hamal said hotels had begun filling up as visitor numbers increased. More than half of the tourists staying in Bhurung-Tatopani this year are travelling to or returning from Annapurna Base Camp, he added.
Many domestic tourists from different parts of Nepal stop at Bhurung-Tatopani before continuing their journey. Those heading to Annapurna Base Camp typically take a jeep to Humkhola, where they begin their trek.
The hot spring has thus become an important stop for tourists travelling to Mustang, trekking in the Annapurna region and returning from their journeys. It also serves as a valuable source of income for local businesses, helping strengthen tourism in the area.