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Operators revise target for resumption of Nepal trips

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Tour operators have had to cancel trips to earthquake-stricken Nepal until the end of the month, after initially hoping to resume on May 11.


Both Intrepid Travel and G Adventures have confirmed that trips have now been cancelled until May 31.


A spokesman for the latter said this was “due to the level of damage to infrastructure”.


The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, on April 25, is now known to have killed more than 7,500 people and injured more than 14,500, with UK agencies warning of serious disease as a result.


The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all but essential travel to the country.


At present, Intrepid and G Adventures are focussing on fundraising, before longer term plans are made, and have so far raised £170,000 and £103,000 respectively.


A spokesman for G Adventures said: “Our current focus has been on repatriating our travellers and on getting supplies to villages in need via Planeterra, our non-profit organisation.


“We’re doing all we can to raise funds to help Nepal rebuild its infrastructure so it will be ready to receive tourists as soon as possible.”


G Adventures said its Nepal trips form a “small but significant part of our business due to the trekking, which is hugely popular for adventure travellers”, and Intrepid said it sends on average 1,400 passengers to Nepal each year.


A spokesman for Wendy Wu Tours added: “We have cancelled our Himalayan Adventure tour, traveling out on May 13.”


Wendy Wu tours visiting Tibet during May have had itineraries altered.

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