Increasing number of tourists visiting Upper Mustang

The number of tourists visiting Upper Mustang, a semi-restricted area, has increased. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the number of tourists visiting the area has increased in 2023 compared to 2022 and the government has earned 229.99 million 44 thousand.

Pramodaraj Regmi, head of ACAP Jomsom branch, informed that 3,487 tourists visited Upper Mustang in 2023. "In 2021, 621 and 3222 tourists went to visit Upper Mustang," he said.

He said, "The ease of road transport, publicity, and promotional programs has increased the arrival of tourists in Upper Mustang."

In Upper Mustang, which was visited by seven foreign tourists last January, 23 in February, 162 in March, 425 in April, 712 in May, 149 in June, 118 in July, 278 in August, 478 in September, and 800 in October. 30, 280 foreign tourists arrived in November and 23 in December.

The government has declared the area from Kagbeni to the upper reaches of Mustang as a prohibited and controlled area. The Immigration Department has set an entrance fee of US$500 for tourists visiting Upper Mustang. By paying that fee, foreign tourists going to Upper Mustang get a ten-day entry permit. After 10 days, additional revenue of 50 dollars per day has to be paid to the government.

Foreign tourists who have gone to Upper Mustang cannot go up from Nechung in Choser of Lomanthang Rural Municipality-2. In 1992, the government opened Upper Mustang for tourists. Vikal Sherchan, a member of the Gandaki Provincial Assembly, said that it is necessary to determine the fees and create a process that is suitable for tourists of all classes and economic status.

The people's representatives requested Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha, who came to Mustang last August and October, to free Upper Mustang from the semi-prohibited area. Artistic mountains, desolate desert-like geographical features, mud houses, mountain lifestyle, old Tibetan culture, palaces of historical importance, monasteries, Chorten, and Korala are the attractions of Upper Mustang.