Domestic Trekkers Flow High in Annapurna Circuit

The world famous Annapurna Circuit trekking route has been a big draw for foreign adventurers for decades, but now the scenic walking trail in the Annapurna mountains of central Nepal has been pulling domestic thrill seekers in droves too.

According to the police office in Mustang, around 1,800 Nepali trekkers have been arriving daily since the start of the Dashain festival. The Jomsom and Muktinath trekking trails are part of the Annapurna Circuit.

Upper Mustang, Thorung La Pass, Tilicho Lake in Manang and a number of places in the Annapurna foothills are major attractions for domestic tourists. “More than a dozen reserved vehicles enter Mustang daily,” said Yogendra Yadav, sub-inspector of the Ghasa Police Office in Mustang. “This year, domestic visitor numbers have been encouraging.”

All hotels on the route from Jomsom to Mustang are packed. “This year has been really surprising. We have not seen such a big number of domestic visitors,” said Mohan Kumari Serchan, the proprietor of Hotel Muktinath in Jomsom.

Bel Bahadur Pun, an official at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (Acap) Jomsom, said that they didn’t keep records of Nepali vacationers visiting the area, but that their numbers were exceptional this year.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of domestic tourists had been increasing by the day. They added that a rise in disposable incomes was one of the major reasons behind the motivation to see one’s country.

“I have been mesmerized by the beauty of Muktinath,” said Pabitra Thapa, a local of Lamachaur, Pokhara.

“It was the experience of a lifetime. We enjoyed a lot,” she said. “I would like to visit this place again.”

Likewise, the number of sightseers travelling from Beni to Jomsom by motorcycle has risen sharply after the construction of the road.

The September-November period is considered to be the best time for trekking in Nepal due to the excellent weather and tantalizing mountain views.

According to a report entitled Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 published by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the total contribution of travel and tourism to Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP) was Rs173.7 billion (8.1 percent of GDP) in 2015, and is forecast to rise 6.5 percent in 2016.

Domestic travel spending generated 57.5 percent of direct travel and tourism GDP in 2015 compared to 42.5 percent for foreign visitor spending or international tourism receipts. Acap statistics show that foreign trekker numbers have also been rising. In August, there were 1,857 foreigners which is more than double the figure for the same period last year.

Likewise, 3,620 foreigners received trekking permits in September, up 89 percent compared to the same period last year.

Trekking Guide to the Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Trek is the second most popular trekking route in Nepal after the base camp trek to Mount Everest. Mount Annapurna and Everest has international reputation among the trekkers all over the world but with the trekking features, trekking to Mount Annapurna is more prefered.

The extraordinary mountain landscapes, biodiversity, pristine himalayan peaks and diverse culture, trekking to Annapurna circuit is getting popular as it is the classical trekking path in the world. Annapurna circuit trek covers the four hilly areas of Nepal Lamjung, Myagdi, Mustang and Manang where Lamjung and Myagdi are the beautiful lower region and Mustang, Manang are higher region. circumambulating the entire Annapurna massif including Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, Gangapurna, Lamjung, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, the trekking provides you to hike to the highest peak in Annapurna region; Thorung La Pass (5416m),  visit Muktinath Temple and sunrise views from Ghorepani Poon Hill (3210m).

Annapurna Circuit Trekking Itinerary

Annapurna Circuit Trek Map

Places to Visit
Manang
Gangapurna Lake
Thorong La Pass
Jomsom Muktinath
Marpha, Mustang
Ghorepani Poon Hill

Trekking Seasons
Pre Monsoon (March to May) and Post Monsoon (September to November) are the best seasons for trekking to Annapurna Circuit. Trekking during monsoon is also recommended. But during the winter season, the highest elevation Thorong La pass receive snowfall which may block the path but lower elevations remain clear and dry.

What to Bring/Annapurna Circuit Packing List
Hiking Clothes and gear
Pair of hiking boots
Soft and Light shoes
Lightweight Knapsack
Lightweight sleeping bag
Fabric band-aids
1 pair Hiking pants
1 Long Sleeve shirt
1 Short Sleeve Shirt
2 Pairs of Socks
1 pair of underwear Sun hat
Gloves
Raincoat
Sunglasses
Trekking poles
Backpack
Camera and Extra battery
Plug adapter
Water bottle

Toiletries
Soap
Shampoo
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
First aid kit



Cost and Permits
You need to obtain a permit for Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
SAARC Nationals – Rs. 200 (Approx. US $2)
Non-SAARC Nationals – Rs. 2,000  (Approx. US $20)
For trip cost, please email us info@nepalfootprintholiday.com.

Three Things a smart Trekking should do While Trekking Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Circuit Trek: Nepal Footprint Holiday

No doubt, Annapurna Circuit Trekking is the world's best hiking trail and Nepal's topmost popular trekking in Annapurna Region. The panoramic views of snow capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation of Annapurna Conservation Area, typical village lifestyle, traditional cultural highlights and the diversity of flora and fauna are the major highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trek. If you are planning for getting round the world's highest mountain peak, then visit Nepal this season. Nepal Footprint Holiday Treks arranges the around Annapurna Trek throughout the year with the best guides and equipment.

While trekking to Annapurna Circuit, you must be careful to some issues related to responsible tourism and here are the thing that you should keep in your mind.

Conserving the flora and fauna
Cutting of trees inside the conservation area is not allowed so firewood may be brought from elsewhere for your luxury. Hot showers are managed from firewood so do not spend time in the guest house rather you can take bath in the natural hot springs in Jinhu.

Minimize pollution
As much as possible, try to keep your garbage with you and dispose it off when you leave the conservation area. Places like Pokhara have a better waste and recycling programme and do not require locals and horses to bring trash down the mountain. Please don’t buy plastic water bottles. Take one or two bottles with you and buy water purification tablets before you leave. Most tablets will purify 1l of water in around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can buy boiled water from your guesthouse for around Rs 50. Try to use toilets whenever possible. Most guesthouses will let you use their toilets free of charge, but remember to bring your biodegradable toilet paper as they won’t have it. If a toilet is not available, make sure you relieve yourself at least 30 m away from any water source.

No to bargaining
Food prices are fixed and set according to altitude. As you climb higher, so does the price of the meals. Respect the prices and don’t try to bargain when it comes to food.

Being immersed in the nature of the Annapurna region of the Himalayas is a truly unique experience. You have the opportunity to experience culture unlike anywhere else on Earth. It is important that visitors do their part to keep the mountains beautiful for locals and other trekkers for years to come.