MYAGDI: The base camp area of Annapurna I, located in Narchang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, is experiencing a surge in domestic tourist arrivals.
Tej Bahadur Gurung, a campaigner for the Maurice Herzog trekking route, reported that over 800 domestic tourists visited the area within five days following Tika Day during the Bada Dasain festival.
The base camp can be accessed via a two-day trek starting from Humkhola in Narchang.
Sushant Poudel, a domestic tourist who recently returned from the base camp, noted that the site and the trekking path were bustling with local visitors enjoying their holiday after the festival.
Previously, the base camp area was often quiet, but the increase in domestic trekkers can be attributed to the development of various tourist infrastructures, including trekking trails and attractions such as Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, and nearby caves and waterfalls.
Recent data reveals that the number of tourists visiting Annapurna base camp has surged sixfold this year compared to last.
Local hoteliers are thrilled by the rise in visitors, which now includes more Indian, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Italian tourists compared to the previous year.