Simcote. The number of foreign pilgrims visiting Mansarovar and Kailash via Humla has increased. The number of foreign tourists has increased after the Hilsa checkpoint of Humla between Nepal and China came into operation on May 1.

A total of 5,842 people from India and other countries have visited Kailash Kailash via Nepalgunj from May to September. Of them, 5,517 are Indian pilgrims while 325 are from other countries, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of District Police Office, Shankar Pokharel.

According to him, the number of foreign tourists coming to visit Mansarovar Kailash is expected to increase after the border point comes into operation. Simbot Airport has seen a large number of Indian passengers lately as the route to Humla is shorter for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.

Dipendra Bhandari, who works at Simkot Airport, said that the number of religious tourists has increased after China opened the Hilsa border point for Indian tourists. “This is the highest number of Indian tourists coming to visit Mansarovar Kailash in Humla after the coronavirus infection,” he said. ’

According to him, five to 10 flights are operated daily from Nepalgunj when the weather is favourable. Sita, Summit Air and Tara Air have been operating flights in them. Various helicopters have been providing service to tourists from Simkot Airport to Hilsa.

Tourists started coming to visit Mansarovar Kailash in May last year. President of Humla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ram Bahadur Bhandari, said that most tourists reach Mansarovar via Hilsa. According to him, the hotels in the district headquarters Simkot and Hilsa are full of tourists for the past four months.

Simkot and Namkha rural municipalities of the district have also been collecting fees from foreign tourists visiting Humla. The price has been set at Rs 1100 per person for Indian tourists and Rs 1500 per person for tourists from other countries.