MYAGDI: With the beginning of tourism season, the touristic activities have increased along the Maurice Herzog Trail and the Annapurna Base Camp.

A large number of tourists have arrived at the Annapurna Base Camp (also known as ABC among the trekkers and tourism fraternity) at Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi district.

Shyam Purja, a member of the local government, shared that as high as 40 trekkers have arrived here for trekking along the ABC.

Although the Annapurna Base Camp and Maurice Herzog Trail had long remained in obscurity despite their tourism potential, recent promotion, infrastructure development, and hospitality improvements are drawing increasing numbers of visitors to the region.
Purja believed that the number of trekkers could rise with the beginning of the Dashain vacation.

The ABC boasts a serene ambiance along the bank of Mistrikhola (stream) with rare flora and fauna. The base camp could be reached in two days after a trek from Narchyang and could be back in three days.

Until a few years ago, the base camp area was usually deserted. But domestic trekkers’ arrival has increased following the construction of various tourist infrastructures including the trekking trial and attractions like Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, caves and waterfalls along the trekking route.

As per the policy level decision from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the youths from Narchyang have run eateries and other business including camping.

Local entrepreneurs have also invested collectively in establishing hotels at key locations to boost tourism and generate income. The camping sites along the route can accommodate upto 50 tourists in a day.

However, tourists have also complained of poor management of garbage and sanitation in the area along with the increase in the number of tourists.