November 24: Mustang district witnessed impressive number of tourists last month. Almost 80,000 tourists visited the mountainous district during the month of Kartik (mid-October to mid-November).    
The number of domestic tourists visiting Mustang during the review month was very high, thanks to the festive season.    
According to the records of the District Police Office, a total of 5,504 international tourists and 73,879 internal tourists visited Mustang in during the review period.    
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) offices at Jomsom and Lhomanthang keep records of international tourists visiting the district while the Ghasa Police Post and Lete Police Post maintain the records of domestic tourists.    
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Mustang Bhojraj Pandey said that the district witnessed queues of tourists during the festivals of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath adding that almost 14,000 vehicles entered the district carrying tourists to Mustang in a month.    
Besides Beni-Jomsom route, the travelers arrived here from Pokhara-Jomsom air route too.    
Hotelier Surendra Gauchan of Hotel Ranipauwa at Muktinath said tourist arrival remained exciting in the month of Kartik. "Tourists did not come as expected during last year's festive season due to rain but this time the tourists preferred Mustang for their short trip due to better road network and clear weather," Gauchan argued.    
Autumn is considered an appropriate time to visit Mustang.    
With the impressive number of tourists in the district, the hoteliers and stakeholders here have expressed their satisfaction over the revival of tourism in Mustang.    
Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lhomanthang, Marpha, Thini and Dhumba Lake are the key touristic and religious attractions for visitors in Mustang. -- RSS