Activity increases along Maurice Herzog Trail as tourists flock to Annapurna Base Camp

MYAGDI: With the start of the tourist season, activity has increased along the Maurice Herzog Trail and at Annapurna Base Camp, officials said.

A large number of visitors have arrived at Annapurna Base Camp, commonly known as ABC among trekkers and the tourism fraternity, in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi district. 

Shyam Purja, a member of the local government, said that around 40 trekkers have arrived for trekking along the ABC, and he expects the numbers to rise with the start of the Dashain holidays.

Although Annapurna Base Camp and the Maurice Herzog Trail long remained obscure despite their tourism potential, recent promotion, infrastructure development and improvements in hospitality are drawing growing numbers of visitors to the region, officials said.

The ABC offers a serene ambience on the banks of the Mistrikhola, with rare flora and fauna. The base camp can be reached in a two‑day trek from Narchyang, and the return can be completed in three days.

Until a few years ago, the base camp area was usually deserted, but domestic trekking has increased following the construction of various tourist infrastructures, including the trekking trail and attractions such as Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, caves and waterfalls along the route.

Under a policy decision by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), young people from Narchyang now run eateries and other businesses, including camping services. Local entrepreneurs have pooled investment to establish hotels at key locations to boost tourism and generate income. Camping sites along the route can accommodate up to 50 tourists a day.

However, visitors have complained about poor waste management and sanitation in the area amid the increase in tourist numbers.

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