Rescue of stranded tourists begins

By Hari Krishna Sharma

Muktinath (Mustang), Oct. 30: A joint rescue team of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police has been deployed to rescue a group of 15 people, including three foreign nationals, who are stranded in snow at ‘Hidden Valley’ below Tukuche Himal in Thasang Rural Municipality-1, Mustang.

The team had entered Mustang via the base camp of Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh highest mountain, but got trapped due to heavy snowfall. 

Following this, a 10-member rescue team from the High Altitude and Mountain Warfare School of the Nepal Army, Indrabox Battalion, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force has been sent for rescue.

According to the Muktinath-based Secret Himalaya Trade and Expedition travel agency, the 15-member group, including three British female tourists, has been trapped in the snow since Monday.

Chief District Officer (CDO) of Mustang, Bishnu Prasad Bhusal, said that as the weather had slightly improved on Wednesday, the tourists were descending from the upper area, and additional rescue teams were sent from below for support.

“The tourists have enough food supplies, but it takes around two days to reach them on foot,” he said.

Bhusal added that a team has already departed by road, and helicopter rescue will also be carried out if possible. As up to five foot of snow has accumulated in the area located at an altitude of around 5,100 metres, the authorities decided to send a rescue team to ensure the tourists’ safety rather than letting them descend alone.

After receiving reports of over five foot of snow in the Hidden Valley area, a meeting of the District Security Committee was held and the rescue operation was immediately mobilised. Since the trekking trail has been buried under snow, the rescue team has carried snow-clearing equipment to open the path.The rescued tourists will undergo health check-ups before being handed over to the concerned travel agency, according to the Mustang District Police Office.

Earlier, a German tourist and his guide had gone missing along the Dhaulagiri trekking route near Dhaulagiri Base Camp via Dhampus Lake in Thasang-1.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chiring Kippa Lama said that around 19 days ago, heavy snowfall in high-altitude areas of the Dhaulagiri Circuit, where it usually snows for six months a year, caused serious difficulties for trekkers.

Although the Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking route is popular among foreign tourists for its long and adventurous trail connecting Myagdi and Mustang, its remote geography, poor infrastructure and lack of clear route signs often lead to communication problems and isolation for trekkers.

Tourists increase in Annapurna I

Meanwhile, our Myagdi correspondent Thakur Prasad Acharya reported that within one and a half month’s period, more than 12,000 domestic tourists have visited the Annapurna I Base Camp, located in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi.

Taking advantage of the Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festival holidays, tourists have flocked to the base camp via the Maurice Herzog Trek, which passes through Panchakunda Lake.

According to Tej Gurung, tourism entrepreneur and campaigner of the Maurice Herzog Trail, around 200 to 300 tourists visited the base camp daily in September/October (Ashoj), while the number increased to 500 to 600 per day up to October 29.

He said, “This trail has been open for three years, and this year, we have seen the highest number of visitors so far. We estimate that around 6,000 people visited in September/October and 6,000 to 7,000 more by the end of this month.”

Gurung added that beautiful photos and videos of Annapurna Base Camp, Panchakunda Lake and waterfalls along the route have gone viral on social media, attracting a surge of domestic tourists from across the country.

A video showing an avalanche falling from Tilicho Peak to the Annapurna Base Camp area, posted on TikTok by Yogesh Magar from Baglung, went viral within hours. Similarly, a video of brothers from Damak, Jhapa, celebrating Bhai Tika beside Panchakunda Lake during Tihar also gained attention.

Annapurna’s scenic videos have now flooded social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, turning the region into one of country’s most trending travel destinations.

Tourists trek through the Maurice Herzog Trail, which features attractions like Phutphute Waterfall, Mistri Khola, Panchakunda Lake and panoramic Himalayan views.

Binita Gyawali from Butwal said, “After seeing so many videos on TikTok and Instagram, we wanted to experience it ourselves. So our family of nine came for the trek. The waterfalls, mountains and landscapes are amazing.”

Similarly, Sisam Bajgain from Damak said, “Compared to other treks, this one is short and enjoyable. You can reach the base camp and return in two days and the natural beauty makes it thrilling.”

Tourists usually travel by vehicle from Beni to Humkhola and then hike to the base camp. With the growing number of visitors, hotels in Beni, Galeshwar, Pokharebagar, Bhurung Tatopani, Narchyang, and along the route are packed.

A tourist spends around Rs. 10,000 on average for the entire trip from Beni to the base camp and back. Based on that estimate, the tourism business in the area has generated around Rs. 120 million in transactions.

According to Gurung, hotels and restaurants have been opened along the trail and near Panchakunda Lake to serve the increasing number of trekkers, although managing the flow has become challenging.

Hotel operator Raju Hamal from Tatopani said, “A few years ago, this area was little known, but now it is very popular. Domestic tourists from all over Nepal are visiting Annapurna. To sustain this growth, we need better communication facilities, more hotels, reliable security and proper trail maintenance and sanitation.” President of the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Subin Shrestha, said that the rise in tourist arrivals for the Annapurna trek has boosted the entire district’s economy.

The Maurice Herzog Trek (Annapurna Expedition Trail) starts from Humkhola in Narchyang, and it takes about two days to reach the base camp. Travellers can enjoy the natural beauty of glaciers, rivers, and waterfalls along the way.The Annapurna Base Camp considered a “virgin tourist destination”, lies close to Beni and has become a major attraction due to its natural beauty, glaciers, and scenic waterfalls.

From Pokharebagar, the administrative centre of Annapurna Rural Municipality, it takes about 22 km by vehicle to reach Humkhola, and another 21 km on foot to reach the base camp, passing through Phutphute Waterfall and Panchakunda Lake along the way.