MUSTANG: As many as 772 foreign tourists have entered Mustang via Thorong La pass through Besishahar-Manang.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom check post reported that 43 foreign tourists from SAARC countries and 729 tourists from other countries entered Mustang in the two weeks after heavy snowfall.
Foreign tourists cross the Thorong La Pass peak along the round Annapurna Circuit Trail at an altitude of 5,416 meters above sea level through Manang towards Muktinath.
The trail is considered adventurous and risky for foreign tourists. Foreign tourists have started turning up to Mustang after the Thorong La Pass trail, which was blocked by heavy rain and snowfall on last September 26, was cleared.
Towards Manang side too, security personnel and local tourism entrepreneurs worked together to remove snow on the Thorong La Pass access route, making the round Annapurna Circuit trail easier.
Every year the trail operates in two seasons, attracting foreign tourists who usually trek in May, June, and July.
Assistant for Natural Resource Conservation at ACAP Jomsom, Sanjog Thakali, shared that a notable number of foreign tourists come to Mustang via Thorong La Pass even during October and November before the snow arrives.
After clearing off snow on the Thorong Pass trail, 772 foreign tourists had reached Mustang by Thursday, he informed.
