सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Manang. Known to the world as a place worth visiting, Manang has recently been attracting increasing numbers of foreign tourists. Although domestic tourist statistics are not kept, the number of tourists visiting the city is increasing annually according to the records of foreign tourists.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Unit has stated that Manang is a priority for foreign tourists visiting the Annapurna Trek, which is recognized as one of the most dangerous treks in the world. In 2024, 30,866 tourists entered Manang. According to the head of the unit, Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, there are statistics that 18,499 men, 12,362 women and five other foreign nationals visited here in a year.
The records of the unit in Dharapani indicate that tourists visiting the city also go on the Annapurna Trek as well as the Manaslu Trek. According to him, according to the annual statistics for the past three years, the highest number of French citizens have visited here.
Chief Bhujel said, “We have found that more French citizens have visited here compared to other countries.” In 2024, 3,316 French citizens visited. According to him, 3,066 citizens from Israel, 2,355 from Germany, 1,900 from the UK, and 1,831 from India have visited here.
Says that the attraction of tourists here has changed because the Himalayan region, high mountains, and biodiversity are abundant, and tourists who come here are attracted to observe the reality of human life, local cuisine and culture, lifestyle, natural beauty, and the Himalayan scenery. Twenty-two thousand 39 tourists have visited the Thorangra Bhanjyang and Tilicho Lake, while 8,827 tourists have traveled the Manaslu Trek, he said.
Says that there will be two seasons of tourist movement, with the highest number of tourists arriving in the first season (March, April and May). Similarly, the arrival of tourists in the second season is comparatively less in September, November, October and December. The statistics show that 21,247 tourists have entered in 2023. In 2023, 18,083 foreign nationals have visited Thorangra Bhanjyang, Tilicho Lake, Gangapurna Lake, Ice Lake and other glacial lakes, while 3,164 foreign nationals have traveled the Manaslu Trek. The head of the unit, Bhujel, informed that the highest number of French citizens visited Manang in 2023 as well.
15,855 foreign citizens visited Manang in 2022. Most of the foreign tourists who come here come to travel on the Annapurna trekking route, which is ranked tenth in the world. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Unit has stated that the number of citizens from France, Israel, Germany, India, as well as other countries is gradually increasing. In addition, the head of the unit, Bhujel, mentioned that citizens from 125 countries including the United States, Australia, China, Russia, the Netherlands, and Poland are coming here.
The number of tourists visiting here has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic and the floods and landslides of BS 2078. Tourists come to see the views of the mountains, hills, the customs, culture, rituals, and natural beauty of the people of Manang. Most of the tourists who come here travel from Manang to Pokhara via the Annapurna Trek, crossing Thorangla Bhanjyang and passing through Mustang.
The journey begins from Manange Chautara, the entrance to the Annapurna Trek, in Lamjung Besisahar Municipality-7. Five districts, including Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, and Kaski, are connected by the Annapurna Trek. Tourists travel from Kathmandu to Besisahar by vehicle. Recently, with the ease of road transport, tourists have been reaching Chame and Khangsar by vehicle. Only then does the trek towards the main destination begin.
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