Manaslu draws 15,000 foreign tourists a year

By Our Correspondent,Sulikot, Jan. 6: A total of 14,980 tourists visited the Manaslu region of northern Gorkha during 2025, according to a report. 

Despite challenges such as unseasonal floods, landslides, snowfall, difficult terrain and Gen-Z movements, the Manaslu region of northern Gorkha has witnessed a significant rise in tourist arrivals.

According to the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) office in Gorkha, a total of 14,980 tourists visited the Manaslu Conservation Area during the year 2025. 

This figure includes 14,738 foreign tourists, 344 visitors from SAARC countries and 240 domestic tourists.

MCAP Chief Santosh Serchan informed that tourist numbers have increased by nearly 40 per cent compared to 2024, when 10,602 tourists visited the region. 

“Despite natural disasters and other obstacles, Manaslu has continued to attract more visitors every year,” he said. The MCAP office has set entry fees at Rs. 3,000 per person for foreign tourists, Rs. 1,000 for SAARC nationals and Rs. 200 for Nepali visitors.

According to MCAP information officer Bhuban Ojha, tourists are required to pay the entry fee at designated counters in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or Damside, Pokhara. If the fee is not paid at either location, visitors must pay double the amount at MCAP checkpoints in Jagat or Samagaun to enter the conservation area.

Usually, both domestic and international tourists extend their stays while visiting high-altitude settlements such as Samdo, Samagaun and Lho, where they experience a unique blend of mountain lifestyle, culture and pristine natural beauty.

The growing appeal of the Manaslu trekking route is attributed to its rich indigenous culture, pristine landscape and comparatively less crowding than other popular trekking destinations. 

For foreign tourists, the cultural similarities between these settlements and Tibetan settlements also add to their charm.

The increase in tourist arrivals has brought renewed optimism to local communities.

Hotel entrepreneur Nima Dorje said the flow of visitors has brought excitement among the locals of northern Gorkha. 

“Standing in the shadow of the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Manaslu, many tourists describe the place as a piece of heaven,” he shared.

With nearly 15,000 visitors in a single year, the Manaslu region has emerged as a promising spot for tourism, showcasing not only majestic mountains but also a vibrant culture.

MCAP officials believe that with better use of resources and effective tourist management, Manaslu could become one of Nepal’s most prominent tourist destinations in the coming years.