Annapurna trekking sees new wave of Indian, Bangladeshi visitors

Pokhara / Aug 2: There was a time when the Annapurna trekking region was dominated by European and American visitors. Many of them spent weeks completing long trekking routes. However, the number of these long-haul trekkers has been steadily declining in recent years. Tourism entrepreneurs attribute the decline to the expansion of motor roads along trekking trails, which they say has reduced the appeal of the region for many Western visitors.

While the number of European and American trekkers has fallen, the Annapurna region has recently begun attracting a growing number of Indian and Bangladeshi visitors. Tourism entrepreneurs now describe these two groups as the region’s newest trekking market.

Although Indian religious pilgrims have long travelled to Muktinath in Mustang for worship, tourism entrepreneurs say Indian tourists visiting specifically for trekking have started increasing only in the past few years. Religious pilgrims generally travel directly to Muktinath Temple and return without trekking.

In contrast, younger Indian travellers are now increasingly exploring trekking routes in Manang and Mustang. Likewise, young visitors from Bangladesh have also begun arriving in larger numbers. Statistics from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) show that the number of Indian and Bangladeshi trekkers in the Annapurna region has grown significantly in recent years.

According to ACAP chief Dr. Rabin Kaderiya, Bangladeshi visitors now rank eighth among the top 10 nationalities visiting the Annapurna region. A total of 7,484 Bangladeshi tourists visited the area during the last fiscal year.

Although Indians make up the largest share of foreign visitors to the Annapurna region each year, Kaderiya said there is no separate data showing how many come specifically for trekking. During fiscal year 2025/26, 375,797 Indian nationals visited the Annapurna region. However, ACAP estimates that nearly 25,000 Indians trekked to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in the review year.

“Until a few years ago, very few Indians trekked to the base camp. In recent years, the number has increased significantly,” Kaderiya said. “Apart from that, Bangladeshi arrivals are also rising steadily. Earlier, Indians rarely came for trekking and Bangladeshi trekkers were almost nonexistent. Today, trekking trails are crowded with visitors from both countries.”

Trekking entrepreneur Som Thapa also says the region is witnessing growing interest from Indian and Bangladeshi trekkers.

“Earlier, Indians mostly travelled to Mustang for religious purposes. Most of them were elderly pilgrims whose only goal was to visit Muktinath Temple. Very few went trekking,” he said. “Now, however, Indian trekkers are becoming increasingly common, and Bangladeshi visitors are joining them.”

According to Thapa, Bangladeshi tourists are a relatively new market for Nepal’s tourism sector. Significant numbers of Bangladeshi visitors only started arriving after the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of them are now taking up trekking.

“Bangladeshi visitors are increasingly attracted to trekking. Most are young travellers,” he said. “Since Bangladesh has no mountains, Nepal has become their preferred destination for experiencing the Himalayas.”

Thapa recalled that until a few years ago, the Annapurna trails were dominated by European and American trekkers, while Indian and Bangladeshi visitors were rarely seen. However, road expansion has reduced the number of Western trekkers, and South Asian visitors are gradually filling that gap.

“Indians once visited Nepal mainly for religious purposes, but young Indians are now showing greater interest in adventure tourism. Bangladeshi travellers are following the same trend,” he said. “Both groups generally prefer shorter trekking routes. Longer trekking circuits have shrunk because of road construction.”

Some visitors now drive to the edge of the Himalayan region before beginning their trek, allowing them to complete the journey within a shorter period.

“They can experience the mountains without spending weeks trekking,” Thapa said. “The shorter trekking duration has made these routes much more attractive.”

He added that Bangladeshi youth, unable to experience mountain landscapes at home, are increasingly saving money to travel to Nepal.

“People’s travel preferences have changed. They now place greater value on exploring new places,” he said.

Krishna Acharya, president of the Gandaki chapter of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), said the growing interest among Indian and Bangladeshi visitors is encouraging for Nepal’s trekking industry.

“Older Indian visitors usually travel to religious sites, while younger generations prefer trekking,” Acharya said. “Many even ride motorcycles to Manang and Mustang. Alongside them, Bangladeshi trekkers are also increasing.”

Mani Raj Lamichhane, senior director of the Gandaki office of the Nepal Tourism Board, said young travellers from India and Bangladesh are increasingly drawn to trekking.

“Neither India nor Bangladesh offers the kind of Himalayan trekking experience available in Nepal,” Lamichhane said. “At the same time, social media has greatly increased awareness of trekking in the Annapurna region.”

He said Nepal has become the ideal destination for Indian and Bangladeshi visitors who want to see snow-covered mountains and experience the Himalayas up close.

“Indian visitors over the age of 50 usually travel to Muktinath, while younger travellers are increasingly choosing the Annapurna region,” he said. “Those with limited time visit Ghandruk, while those with more time trek all the way to Annapurna Base Camp.”

According to Lamichhane, trekking businesses have benefited significantly from the increasing number of Indian and Bangladeshi visitors.