Pokhara, October 5
The number of tourists heading to the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trekking route has increased significantly in recent days after roads disrupted by floods and landslides were reopened.
Tourism entrepreneurs say the improvement in weather and disruptions on trekking routes in the Manang and Manaslu regions have also diverted tourists towards the Annapurna Base Camp, increasing visitor numbers in the area.
According to Dilip Gurung, secretary of the Chhomrong Tourism Management Committee, around 300 tourists are currently reaching Annapurna Base Camp each day.
There are six hotels and lodges at the base camp with a combined capacity to accommodate up to 350 tourists.
“There are currently no domestic tourists, but the number of foreign and South Asian tourists has increased. All the roads leading here have now reopened, making the trek easier,” Gurung said.
The tourism sector in the Annapurna region had been badly affected after continuous rainfall, floods and landslides disrupted roads and trekking routes at several locations.
The road at Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar along the Annapurna route had remained blocked for an extended period after the Modi River eroded sections of the road. The rural municipality reopened the road in the first week of October after working on it for nearly one and a half months.
Gurung said tourists who had planned to travel to Manang and Manaslu were increasingly choosing ABC as an alternative after roads and trekking routes in those areas were affected by landslides.
“Among Manang, Manaslu and Annapurna, the route towards Annapurna Base Camp is comparatively easier. That is one reason why tourists from South Asian countries are increasingly choosing ABC. We expect Nepali tourists to start arriving after Dashain,” he said.
Travel to the starting points of the trek from Pokhara has also become easier after roads disrupted by floods and landslides in different parts of the Annapurna region were reopened.
Himbahadur Gurung, ward chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality-11, said the road from Pokhara through Ghandruk to ABC is currently open.
He said trekking routes have also been reopened in some places through temporary arrangements.
“Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar are open. There are no major problems above Ghandruk either. Both permanent and temporary routes to ABC are now open. Tourists can come through Nayapul, Ghandruk and Chhomrong,” he said.
Meanwhile, a trekking route that had been disrupted after the Kimrung River swept away a suspension bridge two months ago has also been reopened after a temporary wooden footbridge was constructed across the river.
Annapurna Base Camp is located at an altitude of around 4,130 metres above sea level. The trek is considered one of the world’s renowned trekking destinations, offering visitors close-up views of the Annapurna mountain range and Machhapuchhre.
The route is particularly popular for its sunrise views from close to the mountains, mountain scenery, and opportunities to experience local culture and lifestyles.
During the ABC trek, visitors can experience Gurung culture, local lifestyles, mountain settlements, forests, waterfalls, rivers and Himalayan landscapes.
The route through Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp is one of the area’s major attractions. Trekkers can also see Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Annapurna I from close range.
With the number of domestic and foreign tourists increasing in the Annapurna region, the rural municipality has also recently started operating a first-aid centre with a focus on tourist health.
The centre has been established at Machhapuchhre Base Camp and provides immediate basic medical treatment to tourists and local residents experiencing common health problems or emergencies in the ABC and Machhapuchhre Base Camp areas.
Tourists trekking to ABC have previously fallen ill, with some deaths reported due to altitude sickness at high elevations.
