Lamjung, Oct. 29 -- Foreign trekkers are returning to the Annapurna Circuit as favourable weather and repairs to damaged trails and roads restore access to one of Nepal's most popular trekking routes.

Visitor numbers had fallen sharply after heavy rain, floods, landslides and snowfall in late September disrupted travel for nearly three weeks. With conditions improving, arrivals have picked up.

On October 13, a record 552 foreign tourists for the year checked in at the Tourist Checkpost and Information Centre in Dharapani, Manang, operated by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The centre recorded 473 arrivals on October 14 and 443 on October 15.

During the Dashain holiday alone, 5,384 foreign tourists trekked the circuit be...