Image credit: KE Adventure
Discover where clients can travel as the country bounces back from the earthquake
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Nepal hit the headlines with a bang in April, when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck, triggering an avalanche on Everest, and leading to more than 9,000 deaths.
The travel industry rallied round, raising more than £250,000 in less than three days, with hundreds of thousands more flooding in over the following months.
But now, as the dust – literally and metaphorically – settles, and we near trekking season, is it time for tourists to help by returning to Nepal?
Getting back on track
From adventure specialists to more mainstream operators such as Tauck and Cox & Kings, companies are set to take tourists back.
In fact, some have already started. G Adventures has been running departures in the Annapurna region since June, started Everest treks in late August, and has six itineraries on offer in the region.
Intrepid Travel has been running its full programme of trips to Nepal since September 1.
In the months since the earthquake hit, the operator has worked with the Nepalese government and engineering specialists Miyamoto International to carry out a safety assessment of the Annapurna and Everest regions, two of the most popular trekking areas.
The results were the proof the company felt it needed to resume its 25 itineraries.
Slow going
But others are frustrated at the Foreign Office’s delay, despite having given much of the country the green light, in lifting the travel restrictions to certain trekking areas, including Manaslu, the Langtang Valley, and Everest region and base camp trekking routes.
The Australian government recently relaxed its advice and most operators hope the UK will follow suit soon.
Exodus is holding off running any tours to Nepal due to the Foreign Office advice and insurance issues.
Managing director Pete Burrell says: “We are struggling with the Foreign Office’s stance on Nepal. This damaged mountain kingdom needs its tourists like never before. If they wait any longer to lift their travel warning, it will be too late for this season, which will have dreadful consequences in the country.
“We want to send trekkers there, people want to go, the Nepalis are desperate for this business, the porters, guides and Sherpas are ready, yet one unnecessary stumbling block remains in place. The sooner they lift this effective ‘ban’, the sooner Nepal can recover properly. By continuing with this, the Foreign Office is kicking a country that is already on the canvas.”
Image credit: G Adventures
But why is the Foreign Office advice so important, if operators think it’s safe to return?
Well, apart from the fact many travellers may be nervous about ignoring the government’s advice, they may not be covered by their insurance if they go to areas where the Foreign Office advises not to travel.
Ground level
Reports from the ground suggest that, except in some areas where exceptional damage was sustained, Nepal is broadly back to normal from a tourism point of view.
The airport is open and fully functional, and tourist amenities are running normally, with the roads, including the busy highway to Pokhara, all open. The all-clear has been given for many trekking routes, streets have been cleared and monuments reopened.
The restoration of temples damaged in the quake has begun, and there are rebuilding works ongoing to the historical sights in and around Kathmandu, including Durbar Square and the Unesco-listed temples at Bhaktapur.
Explore is operating six of its Nepal trips, all within the areas in which the Foreign Office says it is safe to travel, and Cox & Kings confirms that from this month, it will run trips, with some changes to hotel accommodation and sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Tauck’s 17-day Northern India and Nepal tour, which includes three days in Kathmandu, resumes this month.
KE Adventure Travel – which estimates that at least 90% of hotels, restaurants and shops are open as normal – is running all of its planned treks, climbs, bike rides and discovery tours, except for those in the Langtang, Rolwaling and Manaslu areas.
Image credit: KE Adventure
Some of its tours extend into the areas the Foreign Office is advising against travel to, but the company has found that the British Mountaineering Council will offer travel insurance that covers those areas.
Intrepid is also running some trips to areas where the Foreign Office doesn’t recommend going, based on its own safety assessments, and says clients have been able to get insurance.
UK managing director Michael Edwards says: “One of the best things we can do to support the Nepali people is to help clients travel to this amazing country.
While we respect the Foreign Office’s duty to advise its citizens, its current conservative warning against travel to the Everest region is now in contrast to many other government advisories and has the potential to hamper the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.”
The lowdown
So, can clients return if they wish?
If they’re going to areas with no Foreign Office restrictions, then there seems to be no compelling reason why not.
This will cover most non-trekking itineraries, so clients who want to experience the Kathmandu area’s cultural sights, the beautiful scenery in the lowlands surrounding Pokhara and a safari in the Chitwan National Park to spot rhinos, deer and monkeys should be fine.
Some trekking routes have been given the OK by the Foreign Office, so clients shouldn’t have any trouble with their insurance, although as always they should check to be sure.
When it comes to the areas currently off-limits from a Foreign Office point of view, the organisation has been telling UK operators it plans to review the rest of its advice soon, so it’s worth keeping an eye on its website and checking with operators.
Clients may decide they want to go anyway despite the advice, in which case it will be worth double-checking their insurance covers them. gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Ask the expert
Brian Young, managing director, G Adventures:
“Agents are going to be vital to helping Nepal recover. The best way to help the country to get back on its feet is to travel, and agents can confidently encourage their clients to rebook their trip, or to book a trip to Nepal if they are looking for a holiday that will help make a difference. G Adventures is travelling only to non-affected areas of Nepal, and those that have been restored and are fully functional, including the Everest trek.”
