With the onset of the tourism season, activity has surged along the Maurice Herzog Trail and the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Myagdi district.
According to Shyam Purja, a local government representative, as many as 40 trekkers recently arrived to explore the ABC route, signaling renewed interest in the trail.
Although the Annapurna Base Camp and Maurice Herzog Trail had long remained under the radar despite their natural appeal, recent efforts in promotion, infrastructure development, and hospitality services have helped draw more visitors. Purja added that the number of trekkers is expected to rise further during the upcoming Dashain vacation.
Located along the bank of the Mistrikhola stream, the base camp offers a serene environment enriched with rare flora and fauna. The site can be reached after a two-day trek from Narchyang and trekkers typically return within three days.
Until a few years ago, the base camp area remained largely deserted. However, the construction of trekking trails and new attractions—including Panchkunda Lake, Futphute Lake, caves, and waterfalls—has encouraged more domestic trekkers to visit.
As part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) policy, local youths from Narchyang now run eateries, camping services, and other small businesses along the route. In addition, local entrepreneurs have collectively invested in establishing hotels at key points to boost tourism and create livelihoods. The camping sites currently have the capacity to host up to 50 tourists a day.
Despite the progress, tourists have raised concerns about garbage management and sanitation, highlighting the need for better waste-handling systems as visitor numbers rise.
