How Many People Trek to Annapurna Base Camp Each Year?

27th May, 2025

- Prajwal Acharya

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek is among the most visited trekking routes in Nepal. Nestled at 4,130 meters (13,550 feet), this moderately challenging adventure draws both beginners and seasoned trekkers from around the globe. But how many actually reach the base of the 10th highest mountain in the world each year?

Yearly Trekker Statistics and Trends (2018–2024)

Official data from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Nepal’s tourism authorities provide a year-by-year look at foreign trekker numbers in the Annapurna region (which includes the ABC trek). Below are the approximate figures and trends from 2018 through 2024, illustrating the growth, decline, and resurgence:

2018 (Pre-Pandemic Peak): ~180,000+ foreign trekkers visited the Annapurna region. The fiscal year 2018/19 saw about 183,357 trekkers – a record high before COVID-19. This period marked strong growth in Nepal’s trekking tourism.
2019: Approximately 181,000 foreign visitors, slightly below the 2018 peak. The year 2019 was one of the busiest on record, essentially maintaining the high trekker volume of the late 2010s.
2020: Negligible numbers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Nepal’s lockdowns, trekking virtually halted. ACAP recorded fewer than 5,000 trekkers in the 2020/21 period– a collapse from the previous years. (For much of 2020, foreign tourism was closed, so the Annapurna trails were almost empty.)
2021: 16,105 trekkers (approximate) visited in 2021. This reflects a minimal rebound once Nepal eased some travel restrictions. Trekker counts were still a small fraction of pre-pandemic levels in 2021.
2022: 129,733 trekkers, a strong recovery as international travel resumed, Tourism bounced back to about 70% of the pre-COVID peak, marking a significant jump from 2021.
2023: 191,558 foreign trekkers, a new all-time high for the Annapurna region. This surpassed the previous record and indicated a full recovery and growth beyond pre-pandemic numbers. According to ACAP, 2023 became “the highest number of visitors in [the region’s] tourism history.
2024: 244,045 foreign trekkers (record-breaking) visited the Annapurna region. This shattered all past records – 2024 saw about a 27% increase over 2023’s tally. Officials confirmed 2024 as the busiest year ever for Annapurna trekking tourism.

Trend Analysis: The above figures highlight a clear trajectory – an initial growth phase peaking in 2018–2019, an abrupt decline in 2020–2021 due to the pandemic, and a robust recovery in 2022–2023 culminating in unprecedented growth by 2024. The Annapurna region went from an all-time low during COVID lockdowns to an all-time high within a few years. Notably, 2024’s trekking numbers even exceeded the pre-COVID peak by a wide margin, indicating not just recovery but significant new growth in interest for the Annapurna/ABC trek.

Seasonality and Demographic Insights

Peak Seasons: Trekking in the Annapurna region (including ABC) is highly seasonal. The autumn (fall) months and spring months see the greatest influx of trekkers. ACAP officials note that arrivals soar in September–November and again in March–May, which correspond to Nepal’s post-monsoon autumn and pre-monsoon spring – periods of stable weather and clear mountain views. For instance, in a typical year like 2019, the highest monthly trekker counts were in March–April and September–October, aligning with these peak seasons. During the summer monsoon and winter off-season, visitor numbers drop significantly due to weather conditions.

Trekkers’ Nationalities: The demographic makeup of Annapurna/ABC trekkers has shifted in recent years. South Asian visitors (particularly from India) now form the largest group. In 2023, the Annapurna region welcomed trekkers from 173 different countries, but India by far contributed the most visitors – about 96,187 Indian nationals (roughly half of all foreign trekkers). This was a dramatic rise from around 53,700 Indian/South Asian visitors in 2019. After India, the next largest groups in 2023 came from France (~8,526), Germany (~7,641), the USA (~7,249), the UK (~7,174), and China (~6,323). The surge in Indian trekkers post-pandemic has driven much of the record growth, whereas Western visitor numbers (Europe/North America) have not yet fully rebounded to their 2019 levels. For example, non-South-Asian arrivals in 2023 were about 94,000, down from ~127,000 in 2019. Tourism officials have noted concern that certain international segments (e.g. European/American trekkers) are recovering more slowly, potentially due to factors like newly built road access impacting the classic Annapurna Circuit experience.

Age Groups: Detailed age breakdowns specific to Annapurna trekkers are not readily published by ACAP, but Nepal’s overall tourist data gives a clue. Nationwide, the 31–45 years age bracket is the largest among foreign visitors (about one-third of all tourists in 2023) ,and many trekkers fall into this prime working-age group. The second-largest group is ages 46–60 (around 27% of visitors), followed by younger travelers 16–30. This suggests that most Annapurna Base Camp trekkers tend to be adults in their 30s and 40s, with a sizable number of middle-aged adventurers as well. Trekking agencies note that while a wide range of ages attempt Nepal’s treks, the core demographic for high-altitude treks like ABC skews toward physically fit adults in their 30s and 40s.

Sources: The above insights are drawn from official statistics and statements by Nepal’s tourism authorities – notably the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the Nepal Tourism Board. ACAP’s records (often reported via the Nepal Tourism Ministry or press releases) provide the yearly trekker counts and breakdowns. These figures have been reported in Nepali news outlets and reflect permit data for foreign trekkers in the Annapurna region. The Nepal Tourism Board’s data on overall tourist demographics supplements this with age group and general tourism contex All indications show that Annapurna Base Camp remains one of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations, with trekker numbers reaching new heights in 2023–2024 after weathering the pandemic downturn. The trend underscores a thriving rebound in adventure tourism, especially during peak trekking seasons, and a diversifying visitor profile led by regional travelers.

Why Is Annapurna Base Camp So Popular?

The ABC trek has earned its reputation as a bucket-list experience due to several appealing factors:

✅ 1. Easy Accessibility

The trail begins from Nayapul or Jhinu, both easily reachable from Pokhara — Nepal’s second-largest city and a popular travel hub. This convenience significantly lowers logistical barriers for trekkers.

✅ 2. Varied Scenery

From subtropical forests and terraced fields to glacial valleys and panoramic alpine amphitheaters, the trek offers a changing landscape every day.

✅ 3. Rich Culture

The trail passes through Gurung and Magar villages, where traditional stone houses, monasteries, and warm local hospitality enrich the journey.

✅ 4. Ideal for Moderate Trekkers

With proper acclimatization, the ABC trek is accessible for first-time high-altitude hikers. The route doesn’t require technical climbing skills and has well-established accommodation along the way.

When Do Most People Trek?

Most trekkers choose the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These periods offer the best weather, stable skies, and lush greenery or crisp mountain views. During these months, the trails can be quite busy, especially near Ghorepani, Chhomrong, and Machapuchare Base Camp.

Off-season trekking in winter or monsoon sees fewer visitors but offers a more peaceful experience for well-prepared hikers.

Sustainability and Visitor Impact

The growing popularity of the trek has raised concerns over trail erosion, waste management, and overtourism. Local stakeholders and conservation groups now emphasize eco-friendly trekking, urging hikers to:

Use reusable water bottles and purification tablets
Avoid plastic packaging
Respect local customs and wildlife
Stay in certified teahouses that support local communities

Final Thoughts

Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues to attract tens of thousands of trekkers every year, thanks to its breathtaking beauty, diverse culture, and attainable difficulty. As tourism rebounds in 2025, it’s more important than ever to trek responsibly and help preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Himalayas.

Whether you're a seasoned mountaineer or a first-time trekker, ABC remains one of the most rewarding journeys on Earth.