Surge in Domestic Tourists at Annapurna I Base Camp After Festival

The Annapurna I Base Camp, located in Narchang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, has seen a significant increase in domestic tourists following the Bada Dashain festival. Over 800 domestic visitors have arrived at the base camp in the five days after the Tika day, according to Tej Bahadur Gurung, a campaigner for the Maurice Herzog trekking route.

The base camp, reachable after a two-day trek from Humkhola in Narchang, has become a popular destination for holidaymakers. Sushant Poudel, a domestic tourist who recently completed the trek, noted that the area and its trekking route were crowded with fellow tourists, in stark contrast to previous years when the camp was mostly deserted.

The recent surge in domestic trekkers has been attributed to the construction of new tourist infrastructures, including improved trekking trails and attractions like Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, caves, and waterfalls along the route.

Local hoteliers are thrilled with the rise in visitors, not only from Nepal but also from India, China, Taiwan, and Italy. Data shows that the number of tourists visiting the Annapurna base camp has increased sixfold compared to last year.

However, the influx of visitors has brought challenges. Tourists have raised concerns about poor garbage management and sanitation in the area, highlighting the need for better maintenance as the region becomes increasingly popular.