Tourist numbers fall on Annapurna Circuit as rainy season begins

LAMJUNG: With the onset of the rainy season, the arrival of foreign tourists on the world‑famous Annapurna Circuit has declined. On the trekking route where 500–600 tourists used to visit daily during the peak season, currently only five to 15 tourists are arriving each day.

Bhupendra Gurung, chief of the Tourist Check Post and Information Centre of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Dharapani, said tourist arrivals have decreased with the start of the rainy season. He said that while 50–60 tourists used to arrive daily towards the end of the tourist season, since the beginning of Ashar the number has dropped to one or two on some days and 10–15 on others.

Gurung added that more than 40,000 foreign tourists have entered the Annapurna Circuit from 17 July (Shrawan 1) to 9 June (Ashar 25) of the current fiscal year 2025/26, about 1,500 higher than the same period of the previous fiscal year. He said that while 2,775 tourists visited the trekking route last May–June (Jestha), only 800 had arrived by 9 June.

Pancha Bahadur Gurung, a hotel entrepreneur from Jagat in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality‑4, said the decline in tourist arrivals has affected hotel incomes. He said he used to earn Rs 50,000–60,000 per month during the tourist season but current earnings are not even equivalent to one‑third of that amount. “Previously, it was difficult to handle the business, but now there is plenty of free time,” he said. “Tourists come, take photos, and return. Income has decreased significantly.”

Hotel entrepreneur Gurung said those who make a living from tourism are currently sustaining themselves solely on income earned during the peak season. He said that along with the decline in tourists, hotels, lodges, restaurants, porters, guides and transport operators have also been affected.

Khus Bahadur Tamang, who runs a hotel near Bung Waterfall, said business has slowed during the rainy season. He said that due to road conditions, the risk of floods and landslides, and travel discomfort, tourists do not wish to travel, resulting in a drop in both arrivals and earnings. “When the roads were safe, tourists used to arrive in groups. Now, due to the increased risk from the rain, tourists are afraid to come,” he said.

Travelling the Annapurna Circuit becomes challenging as the risk of floods and landslides increases on the Besisahar–Chame road during the rainy season. Nabin Bistar, Information Officer of the Road Division Office, Lamjung, said the risk of floods and landslides on the road remains high from Ashar to the first week of Ashwin. He said manpower and equipment have been kept on standby at various locations to prevent road blockages.

Bistar added that although the road is operating under normal conditions, travel could be affected by continuous rain or heavy landslides.

The Annapurna Circuit, considered one of the world’s best trekking routes, allows tourists to observe the natural and cultural heritage of Lamjung, Manang, Kaski, Mustang and Myagdi. The gateway to the route is Besisahar in Lamjung. Tourism entrepreneurs expect that arrivals will return to former levels once the rainy season ends and the weather improves.

(With inputs from RSS)