Indian Tourists Flock to Nepal, Over 2,000 Vehicles Cross Daily

Nepal's tourism sector is experiencing a significant surge, largely driven by an influx of visitors from neighboring India. Data from six major border checkpoints reveals that more than 2,000 Indian vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and buses, enter Nepal daily, carrying holidaymakers and pilgrims.

This increase is revitalizing tourist hubs across the country, from east to west. Tourism entrepreneurs, who had faced challenges recovering investments, report a substantial improvement in business. Vehicles with Indian registration plates are now a common sight on highways connecting border crossings to popular destinations like Mustang, Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Bardiya.

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A large number of Indians are visiting Nepal, particularly during school holidays.

While religious sites such as Pashupatinath and Muktinath continue to draw visitors, there has been a notable rise in leisure travel. Families and groups of friends are increasingly choosing Nepal for its mountain scenery and cooler climate. Border towns are also attracting visitors for casinos and spas. Destinations like Lumbini, Bardiya, and Chitwan are popular for cultural and wildlife tourism, while Palpa, Baglung, Mustang, Manang, and Pokhara are favored for their landscapes and pleasant weather.

To facilitate the growing number of self-drive tourists, customs offices have streamlined entry procedures. Harihar Paudel, chief of the Bhairahawa Customs Office, noted that around 600 Indian tourist vehicles enter daily through the Belahiya point, with numbers doubling to 1,200 during Indian school holidays. An online system has been introduced to simplify the process. Indian tourists, primarily from states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, typically stay for three days, according to customs data.

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The main destinations for visitors entering through Bhairahawa are Muktinath and Korala in Mustang, Pokhara and Chitwan.