LAMJUNG: Tourist arrivals on the Annapurna Circuit trekking route have begun to rebound after floods, landslides, and snowfall disrupted travel. The number of visitors had dropped sharply after incessant rain and snowfall blocked roads and trails from September 24 to 27. However, arrivals are now increasing as the trail to Thorong La Pass has become accessible again.
According to Bhupendra Gurung, in-charge of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) tourist check and information center in Dharapani, between 150 and 200 tourists are currently arriving daily. He said clearing accumulated snow from the trail leading to Thorong La Pass, which lies at an altitude of 5,416 meters above sea level, has made travel easier for trekkers heading from Manang to Mustang.
Tourist arrivals had begun to increase in mid-August, marking the start of the peak trekking season, but adverse weather conditions caused the numbers to plummet to just one or two visitors a day. Arrivals have now recovered to their previous levels, Gurung said.
According to records at the Dharapani center, details of 1,447 tourists were registered between October 4 and 11. Of them, 887 were male and 560 were female. The largest numbers of visitors during the period came from Israel (141), Australia (121), Germany (109), Spain (103), and the United Kingdom (97).
Gurung said that 400 to 500 tourists used to arrive daily during the peak season last year, but arrivals have been lower this year because of floods, landslides, and snowfall. He expects visitor numbers to rise further as road and trail conditions improve.
The Annapurna Circuit is a popular destination among domestic and international tourists for its spectacular Himalayan views, natural beauty, and opportunities to experience local culture and lifestyles.
Jagat and Dharapani are important stopover points along the route, which runs from Besisahar in Lamjung through Manang and across Thorong La Pass to Mustang.
Pancha Bahadur Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur in Jagat, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality–4, said business revenue had fallen to almost zero as floods and landslides kept tourists away. However, the recent return of visitors has increased daily earnings to between NPR 15,000 and NPR 20,000.
“During last year’s peak tourist season, daily earnings ranged from NPR 40,000 to NPR 50,000. This year, however, our businesses have been hit hard by floods and landslides. Until recently, revenue was virtually nonexistent because of the lack of tourists, but visitors have now started arriving again,” he said.
According to him, around 22 hotels operate in Jagat. He added that businesses in settlements along the trekking route also face challenges when tourists travel directly to Manang by road, bypassing these stopover points.
He expressed hope that improvements in road and trail conditions would attract more domestic and international tourists, helping revive local businesses.
Baburam Tamang, a tourism entrepreneur who operates a hotel near Bung Waterfall in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality–4, also said business had remained sluggish during the peak trekking season because of floods and landslides.
He said local entrepreneurs had become more optimistic following the recent return of tourists and expressed hope that arrivals would increase further as road and trail conditions improved.