KATHMANDU: Several major trekking routes in the Annapurna region remain open and operational, with the Round Annapurna Circuit via Thorong La now accessible after a small number of trekking groups successfully crossed the high pass over the past three days, while heavy snow continues to disrupt routes towards Tilicho and Nar Phu.

According to a trekking safety advisory issued by the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) at 11:05 am on Tuesday, the Ghandruk-Ghorepani (Poon Hill), Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), Mardi Himal and Sikles routes are safe and operating as usual.

The Round Annapurna Circuit via Thorong La has also become accessible. TAAN said several groups had successfully crossed the pass in the past three days and expected conditions on the route to normalise within a couple of days as more trekkers use the crossing.

The Tilicho Trek from Manang, however, remains closed because heavy snowfall has blocked the trail.

The Nar Phu route towards Kang La Pass is technically open but remains impractical for trekking because of multiple trail obstacles, including landslides and heavy snow accumulation at the pass.

TAAN said route-cleaning Sherpas had headed towards Himlung Base Camp, while some trekkers who attempted to reach Nar Phu through Meta had turned back towards Koto in Manang.

The National Trust for Nature Conservation's Annapurna Conservation Area Project (NTNC-ACAP) separately reported that the trail from Birethanti through Ghorepani, Swatha, Khopra, Khair Lake, Khopra, Dobato, Tadapani and Ghandruk was safe and open.

The route reaches an elevation of 4,640 metres at Khair Lake.

Trekking activity remains substantial

NTNC-ACAP's latest checkpoint figures also indicate continued trekking activity across the conservation area.

The project recorded 573 check-ins at Birethanti, 147 at Dharapani, 138 at Jomsom, 548 at Chhomrong, 11 at Shikha, 185 at Pothana, 111 at Simpani-Bagaicha, 26 at Kagbeni, 11 at Sikles and 33 at Manang for the Round Annapurna Circuit.

Checkpoint records showed 355 check-outs at Birethanti, 54 at Dharapani, eight at Jomsom, 250 at Chhomrong, five at Pothana, six at Simpani-Bagaicha and 12 at Kagbeni.

The project also reported issuing 153 permits for the Round Annapurna Circuit, 148 for the Jomsom Trek and 238 for the Annapurna Sanctuary.

The figures indicate that trekking continues across multiple parts of the Annapurna region, although conditions vary considerably between lower and higher-altitude routes.

TAAN has advised trekkers to remain alert, travel with a licensed trekking guide and confirm current trail conditions with local authorities and area management bodies, including local governments and administrations, ACAP, the Manang Conservation Area Project (MCAP) and tourism committees.

The association said trail conditions can change and trekkers should obtain updated information before setting out on higher and snow-affected routes.