Over 325,000 Tourists Visit Mustang in Seven Months

Mustang: A total of 325,558 tourists traveled to Mustang during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the District Police Office.

Police records show that between mid-July and mid-January, 69,814 foreign nationals and 255,744 domestic visitors entered the district.

Monthly data indicate that 19,781 tourists arrived in July, 23,205 in August, 75,599 in September, 83,766 in October, 49,500 in November, 39,153 in December, and 32,04 in January. Most travelers entered via the nationally recognized Beni–Jomsom road.

During the same period in the previous fiscal year, 340,729 domestic and foreign tourists had visited Mustang. This year’s figure reflects a decline of 18,171 visitors, or 5.33 percent.

Police Inspector Nawaraj Neupane informed that tourist records are maintained for visitors entering by road through Ghansa at the Myagdi–Mustang border. Data are also compiled by police units for travelers arriving through the Pokhara–Jomsom air service and for trekkers entering via Thorong La Pass from Manang.

According to district statistics, 454,326 domestic and foreign tourists visited Mustang in fiscal year 2080/81 BS. The number rose significantly to 755,779 in fiscal year 2081/82 BS.

Tourist arrivals in Mustang have generally shown an upward trend in recent years, particularly with the continued upgrades to the national pride Beni–Jomsom–Korala road, which has made travel more accessible.

Among SAARC nationals, Indian tourists constitute the largest group, primarily visiting Muktinath Temple before returning. Other foreign visitors typically reach Mustang via the Beni–Jomsom road or trek through Manang across the Thorong La Pass.

The number of domestic pilgrims traveling to Kagbeni Dham to perform Shraddha rituals for their ancestors and to visit Muktinath Temple has also been increasing. Meanwhile, recent improvements to the Jomsom–Korala section have enabled more domestic tourists to access the Korala border area. Approximately three percent of foreign visitors travel onward to Upper Mustang.