Mustang, Pokhara and Dhorpatan overwhelmed as four-day holiday triggers tourism surge
Summary
Mustang, Pokhara, Myagdi, and Dhorpatan experienced a surge in tourism during a four-day holiday, overwhelming hotels and tourist sites amid a rise in visitors, especially from India. The influx caused accommodation shortages and challenges at popular pilgrimage sites such as Muktinath, where several deaths due to altitude sickness were reported.
Key Points
- More than 30,000 tourists entered Mustang over four days, overwhelming local hotels with limited capacity.
- Muktinath temple saw 20,000 to 25,000 devotees in three days, straining management resources due to space limitations.
- Hotels in Dhorpatan and Pokhara were at or above capacity, with many tourists unable to find accommodation.
- Thirteen people have died from altitude sickness in Mustang this fiscal year, mostly Indian pilgrims, prompting health and safety measures.
