Gandaki. A total of 273,646 foreign tourists have visited Annapurna Conservation Area in the last 11 months.

Of them, 115,555 are tourists from other countries while the rest are from South Asian countries including India.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, the tourists visited the area from January to November. The highest number of 44,763 tourists arrived in April last year while the lowest number of 9,359 tourists entered the region in January, said project chief Dr Rabin Kadariya.

A total of 12,068 tourists visited the area in February, 36,834 in March, 34,716 in May, 26,008 in June, 14,233 in July, 12,132 in August, 19,386 in September, 37,076 in October and 27,071 in November.

A total of 244,045 tourists visited this area in 2024 while tourist arrivals increased in 2025. According to Project Chief Dr Kadariya, although the number of tourists in September and May last year was slightly less as compared to the previous year, the number of tourists in other months was higher than that of the previous year. According to him, the number of tourists will decrease with the onset of winter season and the number of tourists will increase again after March.

The number of foreign tourists increases in this region from September to November and from March to May. The number of tourists visiting various tourist destinations in the region via road also increases during this season. Though most of the Indian tourists going to destinations like Muktinath use roadways, tourists from other countries prefer trekking.

The project office has been keeping data only of foreign tourists visiting Annapurna region. The number of domestic tourists reaching Mustang and other destinations via road is increasing every year. The Annapurna circuit trekking route is a favorite of tourists from all over the world. According to the project office, 191,666 foreign tourists visited this area in 2023. A total of 18,836 tourists visited Nepal in 2020 and the number of tourists visiting Nepal has been increasing every year since then.

Annually, millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal of Kaski, Lwang, Ghandruk village, Tilicho Lake of Manang, Thorangla Bhanjyang, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, Ghodepani of Myagdi, Pun Hill among other destinations along the Annapurna circuit trekking route. Annapurna region is preferred by domestic and foreign tourists due to its natural beauty, biodiversity, mountain life, wildlife, culture, etc.

The Annapurna Conservation Area covers 87 wards of 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang. The Annapurna circuit trekking route is known as the world’s best trekking destination in terms of mountainous ranges, tourism-friendly infrastructures, climate, hospitality and service facilities to locals.