Nepal tourist arrivals in 2026 have started with exceptional momentum. The first seven months delivered 692,887 international visitors — a 6.84% increase over the same period in 2025 (647,882), confirming that Nepal’s post-COVID recovery is now turning into sustained growth. January brought 92,573 arrivals, February 105,441, March 120,516, April 107,934, May 102,626, June 91,363, and July 71,775. June 2026 posted the strongest single month of the year at +19.5% year-on-year growth and 22% above the pre-COVID June 2019 benchmark. July’s monsoon-season dip to 71,775 is entirely seasonal — arrivals typically fall as the peak spring trekking window closes — yet it still edged out July 2025 by 2.3%. Nepal enters the autumn 2026 trekking season with strong global demand and booking momentum well ahead of previous years.
This page tracks Nepal tourist arrivals 2026 with monthly updates from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Bookmark it for current figures.
What’s Inside This Guide
- 2026 Monthly Arrivals — Data Table
- 2026 vs 2025 Month-by-Month Comparison
- Post-COVID Recovery Arc — 2019 to 2026
- Top Source Markets 2026
- What the Numbers Mean for Trekkers
- Autumn 2026 Outlook
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Plan Your Nepal Trek
Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2026 — Monthly Data
| Month | 2026 Arrivals | 2025 Arrivals | YoY Change | vs 2019 (pre-COVID) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 92,573 | 79,991 | +15.7% | +13.9% above 2019 |
| February | 105,441 | 96,880 | +8.8% | Above pre-COVID level |
| March | 120,516 | 121,687 | -1% | Near record level |
| April | 107,934 | 116,490 | -7.4% | Strong — April 2025 was all-time record |
| May | 102,626 | 86,216 | +19% | Strongest May on record |
| June | 91,363 | 76,425 | +19.5% | +22.0% above 2019 (74,883) |
| July | 71,775 | 70,193 | +2.3% | Below 2019 (78,329) — monsoon low season |
| Jan–Jul Total | 692,887 | 647,882 | +6.84% | Ahead of 2019 pace overall |
| August | TBC | 88,680 | — | — |
| September | TBC | 78,711 | — | — |
| October | TBC | 128,443 | — | — |
| November | TBC | 116,553 | — | — |
| December | TBC | 98,190 | — | — |
Source: Nepal Tourism Board official Tourism Insights. Nepal tourist arrivals 2026 data covers January–July. Remaining months added monthly as NTB publishes.
What the January–July 2026 data shows
The Jan–Jul 2026 total of 692,887 represents a 6.84% increase over the same period in 2025. June 2026 posted the strongest year-on-year growth of any month so far at +19.5% — pushing arrivals 22% above the pre-COVID June 2019 benchmark of 74,883. July eased to 71,775, a normal seasonal drop as monsoon rains close out the spring trekking window, but it still landed 2.3% ahead of July 2025. The pace naturally slows through the June–August monsoon period, yet the cumulative picture through July confirms 2026 remains Nepal’s strongest tourism year since the pandemic, with autumn — historically the highest-volume season — still ahead..
Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2026 vs 2025 — Month by Month
2025 set several monthly records that made direct comparison difficult for 2026. Understanding why March and April 2026 came in slightly below 2025 requires the context of what 2025 actually achieved.
Spring 2025 context — the bar 2026 was chasing
April 2025 set the all-time record for any April in Nepal’s history at 116,490 — a 106.5% recovery versus April 2019, meaning Nepal exceeded the pre-COVID benchmark for that month. March 2025 at 121,687 was equally strong, and the Jan–April 2025 cumulative of 415,048 set a new spring record. March and April 2026 coming in at 120,516 and 107,934 — within 1% and 7.4% of those record figures — represents a strong performance, not a decline.
Where 2026 outpaces 2025
January 2026 at 92,573 beat January 2025 by 15.7%, driven by strong growth from the US (+4.5%), China (+9.8%), Australia (+5.4%), and European markets recovering post-2025 political disruptions. May 2026 at 102,626 was the strongest May ever recorded in Nepal, exceeding May 2025 by 19%. February 2026 at 105,441 marked an 8.8% improvement over the same month in 2025. The early and late months of spring 2026 are clearly stronger than 2025 — only the peak spring window of March–April narrowed slightly, and that’s simply because the 2025 baseline was exceptionally high to begin with.
June and July 2026 — the monsoon months
June delivered Nepal’s best year-on-year growth of 2026 so far, with 91,363 arrivals marking a 19.5% jump over June 2025 and a 22% gain over pre-pandemic June 2019. This was driven substantially by the United States (11,836 visitors, 12.95% of the month) and China (9,995 visitors, 10.94%), alongside India’s continued dominance at 41,809 visitors.
July’s total of 71,775 marked a 21.4% drop from June — expected, since monsoon rains fall across most of Nepal and the peak spring trekking season has fully closed by early summer. Even so, July 2026 beat July 2025 by 2.3%, with a standout 61% year-on-year surge in Chinese arrivals (11,099 visitors) and continued strength from the US (7,754) and UK (3,773). Even Nepal’s quietest tourism months in 2026 are outperforming 2025 — a strong signal heading into the autumn peak.
Post-COVID Recovery Arc — 2019 to 2026
| Year | Total Arrivals | vs 2019 Baseline | Key Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,197,191 | Baseline (100%) | Pre-COVID record — highest in Nepal history |
| 2020 | ~230,085 | ~19% | COVID-19 — international travel collapse |
| 2021 | ~150,962 | ~13% | Border closures — near-total shutdown |
| 2022 | ~614,205 | ~51% | Recovery begins — borders reopen |
| 2023 | 1,014,882 | 85% | Strong recovery — first million since COVID |
| 2024 | 1,147,548 | 96% | Near full recovery |
| 2025 | 1,158,459 | 97% | 97% recovery despite September protests |
| 2026 (Jan–Jul) | 692,887 | Ahead of 2019 pace overall | Exceeding pre-COVID pace in multiple months |
The Nepal tourist arrivals 2026 recovery story is remarkable. Nepal went from 150,000 total visitors in 2021 to over 1.15 million in both 2024 and 2025. January 2026 is already running 13.9% above January 2019 — meaning Nepal has not just recovered but exceeded its pre-COVID baseline in that month. 2026 is on track to potentially surpass the all-time 2019 record of 1,197,191 if the strong momentum carries into autumn season.
Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2026 — Top Source Markets
| Country | January 2026 | % of Total | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 26,624 | 28.8% | Steady — largest market |
| China | 9,101 | 9.8% | +11.2% — strong recovery |
| United States | 8,406 | 9.1% | +4.5% |
| Bangladesh | 5,814 | 6.3% | Stable |
| Australia | 4,957 | 5.4% | +15.2% |
| Europe (combined) | 11,400+ | 12.3% | +3.7% — UK, Germany, France leading |
The Western market picture for 2026 is particularly relevant for trekking operators. US visitors at 8,406 in January represent a strong high-value segment — American trekkers typically book longer itineraries and higher-budget packages. Australian arrivals grew 15.2% in January, and European arrivals grew 3.7%, with the UK, Germany, and France all posting positive growth. The demographic driving 2026 Nepal arrivals aligns closely with the international trekking audience that EBC, ABC, and Langtang routes serve.
What the 2026 Arrival Numbers Mean for Trekkers
The arrival data has direct practical implications for anyone planning a Nepal trek in 2026. Strong demand means two things: the trail experience is better, and the booking timeline is shorter.
Spring 2026 was exceptionally strong — autumn demand follows
Strong spring arrivals in March–May consistently predict strong autumn demand in October–November. Nepal’s trekking seasons follow a predictable pattern — trekkers who research in spring typically book for autumn. With over half a million visitors already in the system by midyear and 2026 tracking above 2025 pace, autumn 2026 departure slots for EBC and ABC are filling faster than previous years. Trekkers planning October or November 2026 departures should confirm bookings well ahead of September, when the best itinerary options tend to disappear first.
The post-COVID confidence effect
The sustained recovery data — 97% of 2019 levels in 2025, and now exceeding 2019 in multiple 2026 months — removes the hesitation that held some travelers back in 2022–2024. Nepal is fully operational: teahouses are open, trails are maintained, Lukla flights are running on their normal seasonal schedule, and the Khumbu and Annapurna circuits are at full capacity. The 2025 September protests that briefly disrupted travel confidence are entirely in the past — NTB data shows a full rebound from December 2025 through mid-2026. 2026 is a genuinely good year to trek Nepal for the first time, or to return after the pandemic years kept you away.
Autumn 2026 Outlook
October 2025 was Nepal’s busiest single month on record at 128,443 arrivals. If 2026 tracks above 2025 as it has done through most of the year, October 2026 could set a new all-time monthly record. The combination of strong global demand, a recovering Chinese market, and robust Western arrivals suggests October and November 2026 will be the busiest autumn season Nepal has experienced since 2019. Departure slots at reputable licensed operators for October EBC and ABC treks are already limited — Mountain Hike Nepal is accepting bookings now for autumn 2026, with availability narrowing by the week.
Best treks to book for autumn 2026
October and November deliver the finest conditions of the year on every major Nepal trekking route — post-monsoon clarity, stable weather, reliable Lukla flights, and the Himalayan views that fill every trekking photograph. The routes seeing the highest international demand in autumn 2026 are Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Langtang Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal welcomed 692,887 international visitors in the first seven months of 2026 — January through July. That’s a 6.84% increase over the same period in 2025, and includes June 2026, the strongest single month of the year at +19.5% growth. 2026 is on track to be Nepal’s strongest tourism year since the 2019 record of 1,197,191 annual arrivals, if the autumn season performs as expected.
Yes — Nepal is fully open and safe for international tourists and trekkers in 2026. The September 2025 political protests that briefly disrupted travel confidence are entirely in the past. NTB data shows a full rebound from December 2025 onward, with January 2026 posting 15.7% growth over January 2025. All major trekking routes — Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang, and Manaslu — are operating on their normal seasonal schedule with no safety concerns.
October consistently records Nepal’s highest arrivals — 128,443 in 2025, its busiest month on record. March and April are the peak spring months, with April 2025 setting an all-time record at 116,490. June through August are quietest due to monsoon rains. For peak trekking season, October offers the most stable weather and clearest views, though slots fill 3–4 months ahead.
The drop from June to July is normal monsoon seasonality, not weaker demand. Nepal’s monsoon runs roughly June through August, closing the peak spring trekking window. Despite this, both months still beat 2025 — June by 19.5%, July by 2.3% — proving even Nepal’s quietest months are growing year-on-year. Arrivals reliably climb again from September as autumn season begins.
Plan Your Nepal Trek — 2026
The arrival numbers make one thing clear: if you’re thinking about October or November, you’re not the only one thinking it. Autumn is when everyone wants to be here — clear skies, stable trails, mountains that actually show themselves instead of hiding in cloud. And with 2026 already running ahead of last year’s strong numbers, the good departure dates aren’t going to sit open for long.
So here’s the honest rundown — what each route actually offers, who it’s really for, and what it costs. Pick the one that matches your legs and your time, not just the one with the best photos.
Everest Region
- Everest Base Camp Trek — 12 Days, from USD 1,039 — This is the one everyone searches for first, and there’s a reason. You walk the Khumbu, sleep a night in Namche, and stand at 5,545m on Kala Patthar while Everest catches the first light. Lukla flights and every permit are already built into the price — you just show up and walk.
- Everest Three Passes Trek — 18 Days, from USD 1,399 — For trekkers who’ve done a big one before and want the whole region, not just the highlight reel. Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La, plus EBC and Gokyo Lakes along the way. This is the full Everest experience.
- Nangkartshang Peak Trek — from USD 1,109 — A short, high-reward add-on for anyone already acclimatizing in the Khumbu. No technical climbing, just a steep push above Dingboche to a ridge with some of the widest Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu views on the entire trail.
- Lobuche Peak Climbing — from USD 1,999 — If EBC isn’t enough anymore, this is your next step. A real 6,119m summit with fixed ropes, crampons, and a licensed climbing guide — the most realistic way to say you’ve stood above 6,000m in Nepal.
Annapurna Region
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek — from USD 999 — The Sanctuary at 4,130m, with the entire Annapurna massif standing over you. Rhododendrons in spring, razor-clear views in autumn. Second only to EBC in how often people ask us about it.
- Annapurna Circuit Trek — from USD 1,198 — One of the great long walks anywhere, not just in Nepal. You cross Thorong La at 5,416m and watch the landscape shift from subtropical valley to high alpine desert in the space of days.
- Mardi Himal Trek — from USD 599 — Fewer people know this one, and honestly, that’s the appeal. High Camp at 4,500m puts Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna South right in front of you, and you’re barely 50km from Pokhara the whole time.
Langtang Region
- Langtang Valley Trek — 8 Days, from USD 799 — The closest real Himalayan trek to Kathmandu — seven hours by road and you’re at the trailhead. Kyanjin Gompa, the Langtang glacier, mountain views without the EBC-sized crowds.
- Yala Peak Climbing — 10 Days, from USD 999 — A genuine 5,732m summit that doesn’t require an NMA permit, which makes it the most affordable high-altitude climb in the country. A solid first big peak if you haven’t stood on one yet.
Off the Beaten Track
- Manaslu Circuit Trek — from USD 1,699 — Nepal’s best restricted-area circuit. Larkya La at 5,160m, villages that still feel Tibetan, and a full loop around the world’s eighth-highest peak — with a fraction of the people you’d see on EBC.
- Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek — from USD 1,999 — The extended version, adding Tsum Valley onto the classic circuit. Tsum was a restricted “hidden valley” until 2008 and still feels that way — ancient gompas, sealed-off Buddhist communities, and almost no one else on the trail before you rejoin the main Manaslu route.
Whichever one you’re leaning toward, autumn 2026 slots are moving fast — the numbers above make that clear. If you want in on one of these dates, the next step is a five-minute conversation, not a long form.
Nepal Is Back. The Numbers Prove It.
The Nepal tourist arrivals 2026 data tells a clear story: steady growth from January through July, a standout June performance 22% above pre-COVID levels, and autumn shaping up as the strongest trekking season since the pandemic. Seven months, 692,887 visitors, and a trajectory pointing toward Nepal’s first full post-COVID record year.
Book the Everest Base Camp Trek for Autumn 2026 →
Mountain Hike Nepal is a licensed local trekking operator based in Kathmandu — established 2018, Government Registration No. 189775/74/075. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that walks these routes. Autumn 2026 departure slots are filling now. We respond within 12 hours.
Data source: Nepal Tourism Board official monthly Tourism Insights reports. Mountain Hike Nepal — Licensed Trekking Operator | Govt. Regd. No: 189775/74/075 | Last updated: August 2026