Tourist arrivals have increased on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, one of Nepal's tourist destinations. In the fiscal year 2082/083, 40,377 tourists entered the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

According to ACAP, 24,731 of the tourists who came throughout the year were male, 15,633 were female and 13 were of unknown gender.

In the previous fiscal year 2081/082, 37,336 tourists entered. In the fiscal year 2080/81, 22,371 tourists visited the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Area Conservation Office, Manang, has stated that tourist arrivals increased by 3,041 people or 8.14 percent in 2082/083 compared to the fiscal year 2081/082.

According to Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, head of the ACAP Area Conservation Office, Manang, 34,312 tourists from non-SAARC countries have entered the trekking route last year. Of these, 19,706 are men, 14,593 are women and 13 are others.

From SAARC countries, 6,065 tourists, excluding Nepal, have visited the Annapurna Circular Trek. Of these, 5,24 are men and 1,041 are women. ACAP does not collect data from Nepalis. Earlier, ACAP, which had been collecting data on tourists according to the English year, has started collecting data on tourists according to the Nepali financial year last year.

Among the SAARC countries, the highest number of tourists came from India, 5,424. Then came 600 from Bangladesh and 24 from Sri Lanka. The ACAP data mentions that the lowest number of tourists came from Afghanistan, 2 and only 3 from Bhutan.

The highest number of tourists from non-SAARC countries, 3,893 from Israel, have visited the trail. 3,13 from France and 2,644 from Germany have visited the trail. According to the data, 1/1 person from 12 countries, 2/2 from 11 countries and 3/3 from 10 countries have visited the Annapurna Circuit Trail.

According to ACAP, the highest number of tourists, 8,165, have entered the trail in Kartik. Then 7,200 in Baisakh, 6,560 in Asoj and 6,126 in Chait. 3,331 in Mangsir, 2,759 in Jestha, 2,093 in Falgun, 1,218 in Poush, 1,198 in Bhadau and 779 in Asar. Last year, the lowest number of tourists, 373, had entered in Shrawan. Last Magh, 575 tourists visited.

Tourist arrivals on the Annapurna Circuit Trek are high in the autumn (Asoj-Kartik) and spring (Chait-Baishakh) seasons. Kanchha Ghale, Chairman of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality in Upper Manang, says that the number of tourists increases during these months as the weather is clear, the view of the mountain ranges is clear and the environment is conducive for trekking.

Tourist arrivals on the Annapurna Circuit Trek, which is considered one of the major trekking destinations in Nepal, have been increasing in recent years. ACAP has stated that work is being done in Manang, the main destination of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, by prioritizing sustainable tourism promotion, waste management, and expansion of tourist-friendly services.

According to ACAP, since 2081/082, tourists entering Manang from Gorkha under the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) have also been included with tourists coming on the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

In 2080/81, 22,371 tourists visited the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Including those entering from Gorkha, 37,336 tourists visited the Annapurna Circuit Trek in 2081/082. This is an increase of 14,965 or 40.08 percent.

In Manang, which is part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, tourist arrivals have increased recently due to the identification of new destinations and the granting of permits to climb the mountains. Tourist arrivals have increased with the identification of Kazinsara Lake (5002 m) in Chame Rural Municipality. The arrival of foreign tourists has increased with the opening of Himlung Himal (7126 m) in Narpabhoomi for climbing since last year.

According to Binod Gurung, Chairman of the Tourism Entrepreneurs' Committee, Manang, the travel time of the Annapurna Circuit Trek has been shortened recently. The main reason for this is the road. ‘The trek that used to take 21 days can now be completed in 7 to 10 days. The short journey has also led to an increase in tourist arrivals in this area,’ he said.

According to him, the trek, which used to start from Besisahar, now starts from Jagatkshetra in northern Lamjung, Dharapani in lower Manang or the district headquarters Chame. Not only that, but now hotels with facilities have opened. ‘High class’ hotels are in operation. The previous hotels have also provided facilities. That is why the number of tourists has increased, he said. ‘Nowadays, there is no bandh strike in the country as compared to the previous one. It is easy for tourists. That is why the number of tourists has also increased in this area,’ he said.

Bhujel, head of ACAP Manang, said that the number of tourists on the Annapurna circular trek has increased due to the lack of natural disasters in the Himalayan region and positive publicity. He said that the number of tourist arrivals has been increasing year by year due to the increase in tourist arrivals from SAARC country India in recent times. According to him, there has been an environment for traveling even without the bandh.

The journey of the Annapurna circular trekking route, which starts from Besisahar, the headquarters of Lamjung, passes through Manang, crosses Thorangla Bhanjyang (5,416 m), one of the highest Himalayan peaks in the world, and is completed after reaching Pokhara via Muktinath, Jomsom, and Myagdi in Mustang.