Pokhara, Feb. 15 -- Trekkers have started returning to Annapurna base camp, one of the country's popular trekking trails, after it was closed a month ago following an avalanche that buried seven persons whose bodies are yet to be found.

The route was shut down for safety reasons after the snowslide at the Hinku Cave and Deurali section swept away four South Korean trekkers and their three Nepali guides on January 17.

More than 40,000 trekkers reach the base camp annually, which is one of the shortest trekking routes in the Himalaya and is known for being a budget destination. From Tuesday, tourists started thronging the Annapurna Sanctuary trekking trail that ends at the foot of the south face of Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain i...