Tourist surge overwhelms Annapurna and Mustang: Hotels fully booked amid unprecedented influx

KATHMANDU: The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Myagdi and the Himalayan district of Mustang are witnessing an extraordinary surge in domestic tourists, creating an unexpected tourism boom across the region. What began in the final week of Ashoj (mid-October) has continued well into the second week of Kartik (late October), leaving hotels, restaurants, and homestays struggling to accommodate the overwhelming influx of visitors.

Hotel operators in Myagdi, Mustang, Baglung, and Parbat districts report that nearly all accommodations have reached full capacity, forcing local administrations and private sectors to collaborate on alternative arrangements.

During the long festive holidays of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, thousands of students, young travelers, employees, and Nepalis returning from abroad for celebrations have chosen Mustang and the Annapurna Base Camp as their top holiday destinations. The scenic routes and improved road connectivity have made these locations ideal for short-term adventurous trips.

Domestic and Foreign Arrivals Break Records

Mustang remains the leading destination for domestic travelers, with the sacred Muktinath Temple attracting thousands daily. Visitors are also exploring popular sites such as Korala Pass, Lo Manthang Palace, Chhoser Cave, Marpha village, Kagbeni, and Dhumba Lake. The district annually draws over 800,000 domestic and 150,000 foreign tourists, according to local tourism authorities.

Meanwhile, more than 500 trekkers reach Annapurna Base Camp each day, and roughly 8,000 people enter Mustang via Myagdi’s roadways daily. Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,190 meters, can be reached within three days through scenic routes passing waterfalls, the Panchakunda Lake, and the foothills of the Annapurna range.

“We Never Imagined This Many Tourists”

Hotel entrepreneur Hari Krishna Shrestha from Beni said the current tourist numbers have far exceeded expectations and accommodation capacity.

“Even during Dashain and Tihar, Muktinath and Upper Mustang always attract crowds, but this time, the rush to Annapurna Base Camp has pushed hotels and restaurants beyond their limits,” he said.
“Tourists have money, but the lack of proper management and state-level execution of tourism policies has forced many to struggle for meals and lodging.”

Emergency Arrangements and Coordination

To handle the overwhelming flow, local administrations, security forces, hotel associations, and chambers of commerce have requested travelers to make advance bookings. Arrangements have also been made to accommodate tourists in private homes, community halls, and dharmashalas in Kushma, Baglung, and Pokhara. Myagdi hotels can host around 2,000 guests per day, while Mustang hotels can manage around 3,000, according to officials.

Raju Hamal, a hotel entrepreneur from Bhrung-Tatopani, said all lodges along the Maurice Herzog trekking route — linking Myagdi and Mustang — are fully booked until the end of this week.

“Occupancy remains high even though tourist arrivals may decline after Chhath as schools and offices reopen,” he said. “This surge has provided a big relief to hotel operators who faced losses after poor turnout during Dashain due to political movements and unfavorable weather.”

Social Media Boosts Tourism

According to Suvin Shrestha, president of the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, widespread coverage on social media and in national media has significantly boosted interest in the region.

“Pilgrimages to Muktinath, sightseeing of barren mountains, and cultural exploration of Himalayan lifestyles have made Mustang a dream destination,” he said. “Young travelers are increasingly drawn to Annapurna Base Camp for its adventure and scenic experience.”

He added that the massive turnout has encouraged new investment opportunities in the hospitality sector while also pressuring the government to expand hotel capacity and improve infrastructure along the Annapurna trekking corridor.

Tourists and locals alike have demanded urgent road upgrades along the Beni–Jomsom route, standardization of transport fares, expansion of hotel capacity, and improvement of communication and electricity services. Travelers heading to Annapurna Base Camp have also urged authorities to repair the Narchyang–Humkhola road section and ensure better trekking management.

Hari Bahadur Bhandari, the Gandaki Provincial Assembly member from Myagdi-1(A), said all three tiers of government — federal, provincial, and local — along with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the private sector, must work in coordination to identify and address tourism management challenges.

“The unprecedented flow of tourists this season is both a sign of Nepal’s growing domestic tourism potential and a reminder that infrastructure and hospitality standards must urgently improve to sustain this growth,” Bhandari emphasized.

The continued influx of domestic and foreign visitors has not only revitalized the local tourism economy but also underscored the need for policy reform, sustainable infrastructure, and capacity enhancement in Nepal’s prime trekking and Himalayan destinations.