The Government of Nepal has identified three new trekking routes in Mustang, located in the beautiful Gandaki Province, to increase tourist influx and extend their stay. This official announcement was made by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as an alternative to routes altered by road construction.
According to ACAP Ranger Sanjok Thakali, the identified trekking routes connect Lupra–Muktinath, Tini–Tilicho Tal, and Kohetati–Shirkung–Saur–Chohopani–Chiman–Dumbatal. Consequently, infrastructure construction, publicity, and promotion have commenced.
Traditional trekking routes were altered by road construction between Beni–Jomsom and Jomsom–Kagbeni–Muktinath. As dust on the standard routes has made trekking difficult, tourists are seeking paths where they can enjoy nature undisturbed.
Hari Nepali, a trekking guide from Mustang, states that the number of foreign tourists visiting Mustang for trekking has decreased following road construction within the district. However, the total number of domestic and international arrivals is increasing. According to ACAP Jomsom, 29.12% of foreign tourists visited Mustang in 2022, but this figure dropped to 19.20% in 2023. A total of 90,365 tourists visited Mustang in 2023, including 18,166 from third-country nations and 72,190 from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.
Entry fees for the ACAP area (Lamjung, Kaski, Manang, Mustang, and Myagdi districts) are set at 1,000 rupees per person for SAARC nationals and 3,000 rupees per person for other international visitors.
