Annapurna base camp filled with domestic tourists

MYAGDI, Oct 19: The arrival of domestic tourists has increased in the base camp area of Annapurna I located in Narchang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4.

More than 800 domestic tourists have reached the area in the five days following the day of Tika under Bada Dasain festival, said Tej Bahadur Gurung, the Maurice Herzog trekking route campaigner, Annapurna base camp can be reached after a two-day trek from Humkhola in Narchang.

Sushant Poudel, a domestic tourist who came back after reaching the base camp, said that the base camp of Annapurna I and the trekking route leading to it were crowded with domestic tourists holidaying following the festival.

Until a few years ago, the base camp area was usually deserted. But domestic trekkers' arrival has increased following the construction of various tourist infrastructures including the trekking trial and attractions like Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, caves and waterfalls along the trekking route.

Data shows that the number of tourists visiting Annapurna base camp has increased by six times this year compared to last year. Local hoteliers are excited as the number of Indian, Chinese, Taiwanese and Italian tourists has also increased compared to last year.

However, tourists have also complained of poor management of garbage and sanitation in the area along with the increase in the number of tourists.