Over 1,700 foreign tourists visit Upper Mustang in four months

  By Harikrishna Sharma,Mustang, Nov. 18: More than 1,700 foreign tourists visited Upper Mustang in the last four months. 

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Area Office Lomanthang, a total of 44 tourists from SAARC countries (35 men and 9 women) and 1,666 tourists from other nations (930 men and 734 women) visited various destinations in Chhusang-3 of Barhagaun Muktichhetra Rural Municipality, Lomanthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality. In total, 1,710 foreign visitors reached Upper Mustang during the period.

Umesh Paudel, Chief of the ACAP Office in Mustang, said that during the current fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83), 194 tourists visited in July, 279 in August, 520 in September and 717 in October.

Most tourists entering Upper Mustang via Kagbeni in Lower Mustang were from European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and the United States. Tourist numbers dropped slightly in October as many international visitors cancelled their bookings following the Gen Z protests in the country.

Paudel said, “Most foreign tourists visit Mustang between April and October. The numbers may fluctuate, but those who do come help promote Mustang’s beauty.” Many visitors plan their trips to coincide with sightseeing in October and the Tiji Festival in April/May (Baishek).

Foreign tourists visiting this semi-restricted area must pay an entry fee of Rs. 1,000 if they are from SAARC countries, and Rs. 3,000 for visitors from other countries, payable to ACAP. 

In addition, tourists must pay the Department of Immigration US$ 500 for a 10-day permit, with an additional fee of US$ 50 per extra day if they wish to stay longer.

To support visitors, ACAP Lomanthang has installed information boards, signposts and hoarding boards across the region, helping tourists identify routes and destinations more easily. 

Visitors to Upper Mustang tend to spend more time exploring ancient caves, monasteries, the Lomanthang Palace, traditional mud-house settlements and the area’s unique culture and lifestyle, rather than visiting the Korala border point.

The government opened Upper Mustang to foreign tourists in 1992. However, representatives from federal, provincial and local governments have repeatedly called for reducing the high permit fees, arguing that they have led to decreased tourist numbers in this restricted area.