Himalayan Hotspot Overrun: Mustang Sees Unprecedented Tourist Surge During Tihar Holidays
26th October 2025, Kathmandu
The scenic Himalayan district of Mustang has become the epicenter of domestic tourism this Tihar festive season, experiencing an unprecedented surge in visitors that has overwhelmed local infrastructure.
Himalayan Hotspot Overrun Mustang
The rush, driven by extended holiday breaks, highlights the region’s soaring popularity but also exposes the urgent need for sustainable tourism planning.
Jomsom and Marpha Fully Booked: Accommodation Crisis
Local authorities confirm that the influx of both Nepalese and international travelers has pushed Mustang to its limits. Hotels in key hubs like Jomsom and Marpha are reportedly fully booked, leaving many latecomers and last-minute travelers struggling to secure accommodation.
The District Police Office noted the sheer volume of people making Mustang one of Nepal’s most crowded destinations during the annual Festival of Lights.
The stunning backdrop of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, combined with the festive atmosphere of Tihar, has cemented Mustang’s status as a must-visit location, particularly for domestic tourists seeking a mountain escape accessible by road.
Traffic Gridlock on the Himalayan Highway
The enormous flow of tourists has translated directly into significant traffic congestion along the critical Beni–Jomsom–Korola road section. Key choke points, including the challenging sections near Guithebheer in Myagdi and Ghaiku Bheer in Mustang, have seen prolonged jams.
Police officials have clarified that the road conditions themselves are largely stable, meaning the gridlock is a direct result of the sheer density of tourist vehicles, from buses and jeeps to motorbikes, all heading to the high-altitude region simultaneously.
This underscores a core challenge: while improved road access has fueled a tourism boom, the infrastructure’s carrying capacity is now being severely tested during peak seasons.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Popularity with Sustainability
While the tourism surge is a welcome economic boost for local entrepreneurs in Mustang, the Tihar overcrowding serves as a crucial wake-up call for stakeholders. The situation points to a critical need for:
Regulated Accommodation: Encouraging structured growth in hospitality and potentially implementing a booking or entry system during peak festive periods to manage density.
Traffic Management: Developing dedicated tourist vehicle parking and staggered entry systems to alleviate congestion on the narrow mountain roads.
Promoting Year-Round Travel: Diversifying tourism promotion efforts to encourage visits outside of major festivals like Tihar and Dashain, ensuring a more sustainable flow of visitors throughout the year.
Mustang remains a vibrant travel hotspot, but its current popularity necessitates a strategic shift from simply encouraging arrivals to actively managing the visitor experience and protecting the fragile Himalayan environment.
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