GANDAKI: A total of 32,963 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna Conservation Area in Asoj (mid-Sept to mid-Oct), including 12,645 from South Asian countries and 20,318 from other countries.
Dr. Rabin Kadariya, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), said tourist arrivals increased by 2,416 compared with the same month last year, when 30,547 foreign tourists visited the area.
Asoj recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in the current fiscal year. The region received 17,913 foreign tourists in Bhadra (mid-Aug to mid-Sept.) and 26,591 in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-Aug).
According to Kadariya, tourist arrivals typically increase in Asoj and Kartik (mid-Oct to mid-Nov), which fall during Nepal’s main autumn tourism season.
The project office maintains records of foreign tourists travelling along the Annapurna trekking routes. However, a large number of domestic tourists also visit the region by road each year.
Autumn is considered one of the best seasons for trekking, making the Annapurna region a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
During this season, tourist activity increases at major destinations along the Annapurna Circuit and surrounding trekking routes, including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang and Ghorepani in Myagdi.
Kadariya said most trekkers visit the region between Dashain and Tihar, when weather conditions are generally favourable for trekking.
Covering approximately 7,600 square kilometres, the Annapurna Conservation Area is one of Nepal’s major trekking destinations. Its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, mountain landscapes and diverse local cultures attract both domestic and international visitors.
The region offers short-, medium- and long-distance trekking routes accessible from various locations in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang and Myagdi.
The conservation area encompasses 87 wards across 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang districts.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek remains a popular choice among trekkers, supported by its scenic landscapes, tourism infrastructure, local hospitality and available services.