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.
w 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
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.”
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.” 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.
We want to send trekkers there, and the Nepalis are desperate for the business, yet one stumbling block remains
w 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.
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travelweekly.co.uk 8 October 2015
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