Annapurna Conservation Area Welcomes Over 246,000 Tourists in 10 Months

Gandaki, Nov 12 — The Annapurna Conservation Area has witnessed a significant rise in tourist arrivals, welcoming 246,575 foreign visitors between January and October 2025, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

Of the total, 146,968 tourists arrived from South Asian countries, while 99,607 came from other parts of the world. The data shows that April recorded the highest number of visitors with 44,763, whereas January saw the lowest, with 9,359 arrivals.

The tourist inflow in the first 10 months of 2025 has already surpassed the 244,045 total visitors recorded in 2024, signaling a steady recovery and growth in Nepal’s trekking tourism sector.

“Compared to last year, the number of tourist arrivals increased in all months except May and September,” said Dr. Rabin Kadariya, Chief of ACAP. He added that the Annapurna region continues to attract both trekkers and surface-route travelers, with popular destinations including the Muktinath area.

Known globally as one of the most scenic trekking routes, the Annapurna Circuit remains a top choice for adventure enthusiasts. In comparison, the region hosted 191,666 tourists in 2023, while only 18,836 visitors were recorded in 2020 due to the pandemic’s impact.

Tourism activity in the Annapurna region typically peaks between March–May and September–November, aligning with Nepal’s prime trekking seasons.