Mustang, November 3
A total of 290,287 foreign tourists visited Mustang district in the first 10 months of 2026.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, under the National Trust for Nature Conservation, 262,012 tourists from SAARC countries and 28,275 from other countries visited the district between January and October.
A total of 161,141 foreign tourists from SAARC and other countries visited Mustang between January and December 2025. The number of visitors in the first 10 months of 2026 represents a 77.62 per cent increase compared to the total for 2025.
ACAP Jomsom Chief Rajesh Gupta said the number of foreign tourists had increased by 123,475 compared to the previous year, even with two months remaining in 2026.
According to ACAP’s tourism statistics, the number of tourists from SAARC countries increased by 97 per cent in the first 10 months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Gupta said the number of visitors from SAARC countries had increased by 129,146, with two months still remaining in the year.
Similarly, while 23,604 tourists from other countries visited Mustang in the 12 months of 2025, the source says 4,671 fewer tourists had arrived by the end of October 2026, representing a 16.5 per cent decline.
Gupta said the number of foreign tourists visiting Mustang this year would not be lower than last year’s, as November and December were still to come.
Tourism in Mustang was partially affected this year by the devastating flood at Rasuwagadhi, the obstruction of the Jomsom-Korala road, suspension of air services and adverse weather conditions.
Despite these disruptions, the number of tourists visiting Mustang in 2026 has increased compared to 2025. According to ACAP Jomsom, the nearly 100 per cent growth in visitors from SAARC countries was largely due to the arrival of Indian tourists. The number of Indian visitors coming to worship at Muktinath Temple has been increasing every year, ACAP said.
Similarly, among tourists from other countries, many enter Mustang from Manang via the Thorong La Pass along the Annapurna Circuit trekking route, according to ACAP.
