Nepal Travel Advice | Nepal

VISA on Arrival

2012-02-15T11:54:00.000+05:45

Nepal is one of the few countries which has this fantastic convenience of getting visa on arrival. All you have to do is

a. Fill up a form (download pdf here)
b. Bring two passport sized photographs
c. Have your fee in hard currency cash (USD, Euro, Pounds Sterling) - equivalent to $ 25, 40 or 100 (for 15, 30 and 90 days multiple entry respectively)
d. Stand in queue

Latest details on visa fee will be available on this link from the Immigration Department

So lets make it even more easy - The form looks like this (or a different variation of this - which is mostly very ill designed)

pic. Nepal Visa Application Form

You can download a copy of the form here - in pdf, fill up one copy of it, paste a photograph at the top. If you already have this ready, you will beat the rest of the people, who have to first find the form, then fill it up, and then only stand in queue.

Enjoy! and btw, welcome to Nepal!

About Time! The US Travel Advisory has been lifted!

2011-12-20T15:25:00.001+05:45

Finally, on 7th December, good news filtered down from the US Ambassadors Facebook page, stating that the US has finally removed the travel advisory on Nepal. His post read

"Great news - with all the progress in Nepal, we have been able to lift the State Department travel warning that has been in place for so long. A positive step for Nepal."

This was probably the best news of 2011 for the tourism industry (better than the Nepal Tourism Year 2011, which finally decided to advertise Nepal on CNN and BBC only in Nov 2011). So much to that!) A collective huge sigh of relief in Nepal, which has been reeling from over 15 years of tensions in Nepal and bad image from foreign travel advisories. So, welcome to all Americans again to Nepal. Hopefully, the travel insurance conditions will relax and outbound travel companies will take up an interest again.

I do not understand why this was not done earlier, but then I am no expert on American Foreign Policy (of which I doubt if there is an expert anyways). Agreed, at some point during the Maoist insurgency, there was threat to Americans, as the Maoist explicitly stating that they hate Americans; though in reality, the small volume of Americans who did travel during that time, enjoyed the same benefits as any other tourists, and paid up the same level of extortion money on the trails, no more, no less. No one was directly harmed, and except for a few incidents of slapping or roughing up tourists who refused to pay up (come on, you do not argue with a man with a gun when he demands USD 2 per day of trekking and gives you a receipt for it, so you may not get extorted twice).

But am not surprised anymore on delays from foreign governments, particularly less so from the American. The tourism industry of Nepal is not their concern, but their backsides are, for sure, which, in America's case, is hardly covered, considering the mess they get into all around the world. The saving grace might be the small bits they cover up, in places like Nepal, by putting blanket travel advisories (see, we protect our people, from the MAOISTS of Nepal, who are a threat to American freedom of movement! And we will only remove the travel advisory when we are comfortable that it is stable).

Since 2007, when I started this blog, I have been writing that in Nepal, you need to pad your trip, because there might be delays (caused by landslides, busses not being on time, flights not taking off, or the odd political demonstration which announces a general strike in cities, in small towns, and also sometimes on the road between destinations). This has not changed, though the political demonstrations might have gone done a slight bit (even the proverbially patient people of Nepal have had enough!). So why all this delay in lifting the travel advisory?

One could say that the travellers who really want to come will still travel, advisory or not. Its true, but it can also have drastic effects. Typically, for the long haul tourism industry like in Nepal, it will take about two years before this positive news will make an impact. Firstly, the travel industry in the US will take it cautiously, they will have to develop new programs and start marketing it. Client will be cautious, but lower insurance premiums will promote it now a bit. And of course, the flow has to start, and then it has to self propagate.

I sincerely hope that the shortsighted political bunglers we have as leaders in Nepal will not let the situation slide from wherever it is (which is nowhere) and bring the dreaded travel advisory back before that!

Having said all this, have to thank Scott H. DeLisi, the American Ambassador in Nepal. He does like traveling around Nepal, and I am sure he lobbied on behalf of Nepal, and plays a part in making this happen.

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 : Advisory Update

2010-12-30T11:37:00.008+05:45

Nope, this is not a promotion for Nepal Tourism Year, 2011, which btw, will be inaugurated on the 14th of January, 2011... a year where the country prepares to welcome 1 million tourists, from the 0.55 million or so in 2010. A big leap for Nepal. Achievable? Not a lot of people think so. Here's what I think!

It does not matter at all whether we reach a million or not. What matters is that after over a decade of wallowing in frustrations over the depression caused by the Maoist struggle and the subsequent never ending 'political struggle' (fueled by incompetent politicians and their minions' never ending ambition for power), the country will get something to celebrate about, and hopefully will inject some zeal and zest in the tourism industry, already the second biggest foreign exchange earner in the country.

The biggest stumbling blocks will be the infrastructure (hotels, roads), the political confusion (which will fuel general strikes - even though political parties have promised not to hold any in 2011, I personally would not even take their word with a sack of salt), the bad domestic airline safety record and the slow reaction to tourism problems by the government (remember the October issue at Lukla).

The biggest plusses will be the travellers who brave all this to enjoy the beauty that Nepal presents, and the people who service these travellers, which has been Nepal's biggest asset. They really make it happen.

So what advice can I give to people looking to travel to Nepal in 2011?

1. Avoid the main seasons and come just prior to just after the season, if you are planning regular itineraries. This way you will not have to jostle amongst the thousands of tourists making their way into the tourism sites like EBC. ABC, Langtang Valley etc... best times in my calendar? Feb, May, Sep and Nov to December.

2. Check out the Off the Beaten Trails, like Dolpo, Rara, Jumla, Chepang Hills, Humla, Bardia - you will enjoy them more and there will be far greater service and experiences. Also these can be done at other times of the year, besides the main seasons, hence lesser travellers.

3. Pad your trip with a few days, do something extra (a bit uncommon) like cycling in Kathmandu Valley, or Pokhara, or Chitwan (these are new and developing, excellent new experiences)

And some usual advice

4. Ask the right questions to the operators you are negotiating with (find out if they follow responsible practices and are good on safety)

5. Read up before you come, so you are aware of whats happening in the country.

6. Bring along the only thing you need to bring when you travel... a great attitude.

See you in the mountains (and the mid-hills and the plains)!

Readings:

a. Official Nepal Tourism Board Website - www.welcomenepal.com
b. News from Nepal as it happens - www.nepalnews.com
c. Guidelines to travelling responsibly in Nepal by socialtours
d. Some interesting trip ideas by socialtours

Travel Advisory Update: November 2010

2010-11-01T22:22:00.006+05:45

pic: Yoga in the mountains!

Just got informed via Facebook of the latest UK FCO Travel Advice on traveling to Nepal, so feel compelled to make my comments and put in my independent advice too from Nepal. Read the FCO Travel Advisory here.

On the whole, its very well written, and very comprehensive. I would only have a few comments.

The first point on the advisory says "There is a significant increase in crime during the festival season, which occurs from October to November, including thefts, purse and bag snatchings, pickpocketing, and break-ins." . Fair enough. But to make it more relative, it should be mentioning that the level of crime in Nepal is very low compared to similar populated cities in the world. Hence, the better advice here is to ask travellers to exercise caution as they would in any city in the world.

The second point talks of a seasonal outbreak of Dengue in Chitwan District. What it does not mention is what that season is (a bit confusing for one who might know about the regular Dengue breaking season (around the rainy season in July - September) and where exactly in Chitwan it broke (confusing because most tourism happens in the Chitwan National Park, where no case has not been reported).

Love how the last point mentions that most travel in Nepal is trouble free. This is an important one to note. Well done FCO.

The air travel section talks about the Agni plane crash where tourists earlier this year. This could be misleading. Whereas it did happen and tourists should be informed that this has happened, maybe its more relevant to put it to perspective. What is the percentage of air crashes in Nepal compared to successful flights? It is very low. Keeping it real is important. This is very well done in the AIDS section where its clearly mentioned that the prevalence rate is 0.5% of the adult population, giving the AIDS situation some perspective.

I love the portions where its clearly mentioned that one should rely on local knowledge. Always my chant time and again. Also great advice on the trekking in Nepal section. I wish some 'responsible travel' tips would also be integrated. The FCO could help us do a little 'promotion' of responsible practices.

Well done FCO... a great all round Travel Advice this time!

So, the prognosis, be cautious (as you would be in any country in the world), do not do things you would not do in a big city anywhere in the world (like walk alone as a woman in the early hours of the morning in the city), listen to locals, rely on good operators to design your trips, and most importantly, keep enjoying travel to this incredible country.

See you in the mountains!

Crisis Averted - and its Business as usual in Nepal

2010-05-29T07:50:00.005+05:45

Cartoon by Rajesh K C (www.rajeshkc.com)

We have saying in Nepal - "hatti ayo! hatti ayo! phussa...' ... basically meaning that there is a lot of hype built up but eventually nothing really happens. This is typical in Nepal, and this is exactly what happened midnight May 28th, and yet another crisis was averted, as it is usual in Nepal, at not the eleventh hour, but the first hour, which is beyond the twelfth! as usual, late again!

The international coverage this 'crisis' got inspired me to write this post, as I am sure the international press will NOT cover the fact that the 'crisis' has been averted, and concerned travelers out there will wait for information on what this means for their travels to Nepal.

Well, this is what I think will happen. Nothing! This is usual in Nepal. To give you a feel of what the mood like in Nepal today - there is a realization all across the nation that the political parties are an incompetent bunch, who tread over each other feet, and including their own from time to time, drag the country around left and right and backwards, but seldom forwards! And they are fed of all this! This needed to happen in this country and it looks like that realization has finally dawned.

This means that the challenges the parties face in getting the people behind them is even greater, which is good, as it could mean that they will finally perform, as opposed to 'perform', if you know what I mean!

Regardless, let me go into the advisory part.

No change in the situation in Nepal, except that there should be fewer bandhs (closures) as the last big closure of seven days, orchestrated by the Maoists, backfired terribly, and all political parties must be looking at that and thinking of the bad publicity that will bring them. This is good, means there will be lesser obstructions to travel in the future.

In any case, that was the only thing affecting travel in this country, and it looks like it will lessen.

So pack your bags, make sure you carry a headlamp (electricity is still erratic in this country) and some money - cash (sometimes ATM's do not work when you need them to) and come over.

See you in the mountains!

Travel Advice: Maoist Indefinite Strikes since May 02, 2010

2010-04-28T21:06:00.012+05:45

photo Associated Press from www.sulekha.com

UPDATE 07 May: There was a massive rally in protest of the general strike today by the citizenry. Tens of thousands converged at the heart of the capital, Kathmandu Durbar Square, to pray for the end of this stupidity!

And it seems to have worked. This evening, the general strike of the Maoists has been called off!

At least for now, sense will prevail!

UPDATE 06 MAY: No change on the streets, the protestors are still there, now with live revolution music on stage (though the singers were crap!)

Interestingly, Kathmandu is waking up, and getting fed up of the seige. Tomorrow, there is a huge peace rally planned to oppose this strike. Its starts at Basantapur (Durbar Square Kathmandu) and will go around the city, I guess. It starts at 0900 hours.

Here is a link to the event on facebook: PEACE RALLY MAY 07

ADVICE: No idea how the Maoist will react. However, if you are in Nepal and want to make a statement, be there! But also remember, if you are a foreigner, this is non of your business, and tough you might feel the need to help out, you do not have to. Do not bring yourself in harms way. If one foreigner is hurt, the consequences can be drastic for tourism in general for this country. That would do more damage than good!

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UPDATE 05 MAY: Not much of a change in the situation, despite hopes in Kathmandu that the stalemate would end! The protestors are still on the streets... more shops are open in the back alleys, none in the main roads! Its safe... and people are milling around all the time!

Food prices have skyrocketed!

Maoists are heading home too... some rains have come, and its time for the maize fields! I wonder how long this CAN last?

ADVISORY: If you are coming into Kathmandu, flights are the only way in... You will get transport from the aiport, for Rs. 200 to the center of town.. Try choosing a hotel which is good (meaning has a restaurant, so you can get food) settle in and walk out to experience a country changing!

If you are already in Kathmandu, you know exactly what to do! News spreads fast. Yet - a word of caution - listen to locals.. and always ask a local when you step out. We know whats happening, usually better than any tourist!

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UPDATE (Apr 29): Took about 45 minutes for the 20 minute ride from Sanepa to my office in Thamel on a mountain bike... there are small batches of the 100,000 maoist cadres who have entered Kathmandu making small routes of demonstrations (mostly just noisy with some slogan shouting and even dancing and singing - a la South Africa?). Heard from other members of the team that parts of the traffic in Chabahil (Always a troubled zone) is closed due to these demonstrations.

btw, all demonstrations as far as we know now, are non-voilent... wonder if Prachanda and BRB are planning a demonstration a la Bangkok.

One good news - Some are even doing sanitation campaigns and cleaning up parts of the city! Whew! never thought it would take maoist cadres to get that done!

Bad news - also hear that a lot of them are children under 18. Gross violation of Child Rights!
Bad news # 2 - Maoists demanding donations and rooms at Sauraha, Chitwan National Park. not good! Looks like they are back to their old ways!

SO Travel Advice?

SAME AS BEFORE... excercise caution, your life is not in danger, consult locals to where to go and where there are no demonstrations... there are always hotspots in the city... avoid them!

Readings:-

1. http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=18011
2. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/1-top-story/5719-maoist-cadres-continue-to-enter-kathmandu-in-large-numbers-.html
3. http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/04/29/national/maoists-demanding-hotels-to-provide-employees-for-agitation/313309/

and if you want to protest, the DIE NEPAL BANDH DIE page on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nepal-Everest-Base-Camp-Trek/5774072263#!/group.php?gid=60117778340&ref=search&sid=598131944.2239917929..1

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Apr28 (wed): Ok, this calls for a advisory update. I was at my office in Thamel and as I walked out, saw hundreds of Maoist cadres who were camped at a party palace (have to do the tourist agency thing here... a party palace is a place which is set up for conducting parties, mainly weddings) which was captured! Hear that they are bringing in over 20,000 cadres a day. Till May 1st, that will amount to over a 100,000 people. Whew! To do what?

Nothing spectacular in fact! Its just a show of power. The Maoists are not in the government so want to show off that they still have the capability to bring people together...

What will probably happen is that on Saturday May 01, they will have some fun, then on Sunday there will be a general strike, which will progressively weaken from Sunday afternoon onwards.. Kathmandu is hot right now, and I mean temperature hot! Do not underestimate the power of heat! Protestors will wilt!

So what does it mean for travel. If I had opportunities to change dates, I would not arrive in Kathmandu saturday or sunday... though you are safe, just bad days to get from airport to Hotel... you can use the government supplied safe transport, which is SAFE, but it still is a hassle.

However, if you cannot change, do not panic... you are safe... but need to take precautions, and need to have all details of hotels agents etc... and a way to reach there on foot, or on rickshaws.

Expect to spend a bit more money than what you anticipated in case you need to travel.

Watch this space... updates will come, if required!

Nepal Travel Advisory: April 2010

2010-04-09T13:10:00.003+05:45

Kathmandu from Syoyambhunath Stupa (monkey temple) - Rene Jungsnickel

So, its been too long that I did not write. Reason - there was nothing to write about. No news - in the world of travel advisories - is definitely good news!

Same is true today too. However, its been far too long, and I felt compelled to write something at least. So, on to the description of the situation in Nepal.

Security: Is good. There is a rise in crime in the city, but even then, it is comparatively very very low. Advice would be to practice normal caution as you would in any city in the world. Most acts of violence in the city happen either in gang clashes (not concerning tourists) or outside nightclubs amongst young drunks. So a word of caution there - if you are into clubbing, do not get into arguments with drunks. Thats common sense too!

Political Situation: There is not much to write about the political situation in Nepal, as no one really knows what the political situation is. Suffice to say that it is confused at the top, the people are politically aware (sometimes I believe a bit toooo aware) but unable to make an impact, resulting in confusion all around. Demonstrations and that brilliant way to make a statement that we have come to love in Nepal - General Strikes, are still popular.. so they could disrupt your travels in Nepal a bit... Again to reiterate, if you are using common sense here, you will never be hurt, unless you are in the very wrong place at a very wrong time, plain bad luck types!

However, these strikes, demonstrations are concentrated in the cities, most of them happening in the capital, Kathmandu. Stay the least possible in Kathmandu if you plan on trekking, and if you are planning trips in Kathmandu, pad your days well.

Keep abreast of developments through resources such as

- this blog
- www.nepalnews.com
- Facebook page dedicated to General Strikes in Nepal
- www.myrepublica.com

Happy travels!

Its Calm in Kathmandu

2009-08-31T22:02:00.003+05:45

The rains? Fatigue? Sense finally coming in? There must be some reason... but there is a lull in the mindless political aggravation seen in the streets of Kathmandu. I landed on the 16th August to a relatively quiet Kathmandu... OK, that is an exaggaration. Kathamandu is never quiet. But there was no big demonstration or tyre burning that is the symbol of defiance. And it has been quiet ever since... No, its not because I arrived! :-)

However, the good news is for travel. There has been no disruption to travel to any of our travellers recently, and that is very very good sign for things to come, specially since the season is coming upon us.

So, ADVISE for those coming in the season - There might be an odd burst of demonstrations from time to time, but it is getting rarer and rarer.

These are good times. Utilize it to the fullest!

See you in the mountains!

No respite for Kathmandu streets

2009-06-29T17:55:00.004+05:45

pic from www.daylife.com

There is no respite for Kathmanduites... the maoists at the end of their marathon politburo sessions have vowed to continue on with protests... which right now runs at around 3 to 4 general strikes a week or so... Daily life in Kathmandu is getting more and more complicated.

-------------- from www.nepalnews.com

"We had serious discussions on the current problems in the country as well as the party's internal issues during the politburo meeting. We were successful in reaching the right conclusion and consolidating the party unity," party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the end of the meeting.

He said the politburo has decided to push for a national government in place of the "unethically and unconstitutionally established" government of 22 parties. A government, he said, should be formed as early as possible.

Saying that the 'reactionaries' are trying to derail the peace process and keep the Constituent Assembly inactive, Dahal said the party has vowed to stand up to the 'conspiracies' of reactionaries. He also said the party would continue agitations unless the President's 'unconstitutional' move is rectified.

The politburo meeting, which ran for two weeks at the office of the Maoist sister organisations at Koteshwor, passed Dahal's 19-page long political document with minor amendment.

Senior leader Mohan Baidya and his hardliner loyalists had criticised Dahal's document for deviating from the long-held policy of 'people's revolt' to establish 'people's republic'. However, they did not bring up separate proposal to counter Dahal's policy document.

It was the first meeting of the Maoist politburo after the party's exit from the government.

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TRAVEL ADVISORY: Avoid cities as much as possible (as this is where the protests are), do pad your trips with some extra days, as there could be delays due to the hassle factor... also the monsoon has set in, so delays are even more inevitable. Once you are out of the cities, you are fine.

From the frying pan to the fire

2009-06-12T22:24:00.004+05:45

pic: not from any of these strikes, but taken off the net, to show how students block roads

It used to be the Maoist who were terrorizing life in the far outreaches of the country, going through villages, demanding food and shelter for the "people's movement" from poor farmers in the village, forcing young people to join the "People's army" etc.

All that, in comparison to what life is in Nepal today, is nothing. Today the Maoist Affliliated organisations are the ones who are wreaking havoc in the country. The latest is a systematic shutdown of groups of districts in the country, played like an organ.

When will the Nepalese people ever realise that the ukhan "aphnei khutta ma bancharo hannu" is applicable here. All this shutdowns, these strikes, are only affecting us, the people of Nepal. Isn't that utter stupidity?

Anyways, I have a purpose here, and that is to give a travel advisory.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Your trip can be hampered by these systematic shutdowns of districts, specially if your travel takes you through them. There is no knowing when the next shutdown is and where it will be, though a few days notice is generally there. Listen to locals

Having said that, all these "action" are still centered around important towns and cities. If your travels takes you primarily to the villages, as is usual with travel in Nepal, you are fine. Just go faster through the towns and cities, thats all!

As a foreigner, you are generally 'safer', unless you really happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The chances for this are very very very slim!

See you in the mountains!

US Travel Advisory Reviewed! Church Bombed

2009-06-01T21:58:00.004+05:45

Ben raised a very relevant issue in another article in this blog about the US Nepal Travel Advisory being changed and the Church being bombed in Nepal. I am trying to respond here to his post which goes a bit like this:-

talk to someone in Nepal first? how about this:

"This information is current as of today, Mon Jun 01 2009 11:32:04 GMT-0400 (EDT): May 22, 2009

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Nepal and urges caution when traveling in country. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans on short notice. This replaces the Travel Warning for Nepal dated November 21, 2008 and updates safety and security information."

read more here.....

Here is my response.

Ben, you have rightly posted the change of the Nepal Travel Advisory from the US, and the article about the Church bombing is pertinent. But let me give a little local prespective into this.

1. The US changed the advisory as soon as the Maoist (the ones in the terrorism list of the US) stepped OUT of power... I think they were afraid that once they went out of power, they would go back to the jungle. This extortion, strikes, etc, but YCL elements has been going on for some years now. This was completely supported by the Maoists, who were in power, but the US did not worry about the travel advisory then. I guess what I am trying to tell you is that the situation is no different than a year ago, even though the US just changed their travel advisory. The extortion by the YCL is mainly targetted at Nepalese, not tourists, though on trek routes sometimes, they will request "donations" for the "cause"

Travel in Nepal is still safe for tourists, though as I always say, the hassle factor is there. Interestingly, once the Maoists have come down from power, the protests are there but lower in intensity. But this might just be a lull in the action...

2. The Church bombing was not carried out for political reasons.. this was utter stupidity from Hindu extremists (most likely, who am I to know for sure), not connected to the problems in Nepal directly at all... there are elements in Nepal and elsewhere who think that when the King was made to step down and Nepal turned republic, the chances of a Hindu kingdom on earth has been killed forever, rightly so... Nepal was the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, and revered by extremist Hindus for that. The bomb in a church is a testament of their anger, directed at a religion which was banned several years ago.

Hope this clears the air a bit.

So Advisory today would be:

1. Again, hassle factor in Nepal is there, strikes, jams etc are rampant, and come without notice... pad your trip adequately.
2. Try to get out of the city as fast as possible, the countryside is far more hassle free.
3. I will never stop saying this, listen to locals!

See you in the mountains!

Travel Update - Nepal

2009-04-29T22:10:00.007+05:45

So I am back with another travel advisory about Nepal. Was silent for this long on travel advisories as there was not much to report...

Was reading articles on how difficult it is to travel around Nepal nowadays with highway closures, strikes etc. e.g. this article from www.nepalitimes.com "Obstacle Course" by Kunda Dixit - so I am thinking, damn! this will scare a lot of people away! Did he really paint the right picture?

So here I am, doing up a google map of popular tourism sites in Nepal, and showing where the problems are, I will also try to keep this updated as much as I can... so that potential travellers can see where the problematic travel is:-

Remember though, he also writes in that article,

"The war may be over, there is supposed to be peace, but the nationwide highway blockades, curfews and chaos have made life even more difficult than it was during the conflict. The only difference is that people aren't being killed."

Though he goes on to talk about the public lynching of suspected child smugglers, but that I think is a bit different!

View Nepal Travel Advisory in a larger map

the GREEN circuit - Press Release

2009-04-24T19:00:00.001+05:45

24th April – The Green Circuit has been launched ‘LIVE’ today amidst the Responsible Travel Network Meeting at SATTE, New Delhi. This is a collaborative initiative started by socialtours.com in February, which was pitched at ITB Berlin at the last network meeting.

This new product offers clients an excellent opportunity to experience a selection of the best ‘responsible’ products in the Indian sub-continent. One can land at any of the many international airports, or arrive at a train station to start the journey, all of it is done overland within the sub-continent, so as to reduce carbon emissions. One can then finish off at an international airport or a train station, choose to continue the trip in one continuous circuit, or come back another time to continue on with the next product.

The product is being jointly marketed, meaning it can be booked individually, or together with any of the partner operators. It is also being offered in international retail travel portals. Again, working on responsibility ethos, it is customizable, so can be broken up into smaller trips to fit traveler requirements

We believe the scalability of the product, and it is meant to be inclusive, not exclusive, working on the ethos of responsibility, but at this stage, we are offering select products from these four operators, to smoothen out logistic challenges with zero compromise on visitor experience. Once this phase is over, we will open it to other products and operators, who are no doubt, also responsible.

The product can currently be viewed at

www.socialtours.com
www.theblueyonder.com
www.grassroutesjourneys.com
www.helptourism.com/blog

www.tourdust.com
www.traveltocare.com
www.responsibletravel.com

We invite international operators to talk to us to determine ways to market it. And also travelers to come into these websites, make enquires and/or book directly with us!

Namaste!

Vishwaraj Gyawali, Founder Director
socialtours.com travels

the GREEN circuit: launching soon...

2009-04-22T15:42:00.003+05:45

Am not sure if this is a suitable place for this launch information, but considering that it is a tourism product, thought I might as well put it here too!

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The Green Circuit is an initiative started by socialtours.com in February 2009. It tries to bring together some of the best ‘responsible’ products in the sub-continent together in a circuit, which can then be offered to travellers all around the world. The idea is to make this information known using each others websites and the promotions that we all individualy do, creating a mass awareness of responsible practices, and also generating business for all involved.

It is aimed to become a win win situation where ‘responsible’ operators and products hand hold, share, learn, link (which are all responsible practices in itself) to the betterment of the whole.

With an aim to also make the trip “greener”, we will also support by providing information and service support to connect to these products using train and ground travel. The products are also convieniently developed around international airport, so that access is easy.

View Green Circuit, Indian Subcontinent in a larger map

Nepal: the Tamang Heritage Trail

17 days, heritage sightseeing, moderate trekking, jungle safari
from £ 675 per person

About 150 years ago, Nepal fought Tibet over salt, and some of the biggest areas where this war took place is in the Langtang Region of Nepal, wherein lies the third most popular trekking trail in Nepal. This area is connected to Tibet and the trails in this region were used by traders from Tibet bartering in Salt and mountain goats for meat (changra) with foodstuffs from the south. Developed by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program, the “Tamang Heritage Trail” is the newly developed tourism product, off the beaten track, which highlights an ancient lifestyle combining it with picturesque scenery and healing baths in natural hot springs.
Read more…

Eastern Himalaya: Red Panda Tea and Elephant Trail

22 days, culture, wildlife and tea gardens
from INR 67,000 per pax nett

East Himalaya is a part of one of the EIGHT HOTTEST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS of the world. This is a part of the Indo-Burma region. Other then India, the East Himalaya touches the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal occupies more than 100,000 sq. kms of East Himalaya approx. which is about 25% of the Indian Himalaya. This shows a major portion of the Himalaya is existent in the East. Similarly, the whole of Nepal and Bhutan are a part of the East Himalaya.
Read more…

East India: Orissa Odyssey

15 Days Kolkata - Visakhapatnam
from 980 Euros per person

An epic adventure through timeless India; stretching from the bustle of India’s renown cultural capital Kolkata, through vast tracts of pastoral plains and palm-fringed paddies, to dense mangroves and tranquil boat rides twisting though the tangled mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika National Park. From natural wonders to the irrepressible man-made marvels of ancient India’s earliest temples at Bhubaneshwar and Konark to the sea swept coastal town of Puri, one of India’s Char Dhams (four holy hotspots of Hinduism). Cruise along Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest salt lake lagoon and camp under a starlit sky.

Read more…

South India - The Malabar Holidays

14 days, culture, spice tour, beaches, homestays
from 815 USD net per person

Malabar was once a British Principality of India. After Independence, Malabar as a state was no longer recognized and the region was divided to form the northern part of what is today called Kerala. Though Malabar has no geographical boundaries, no presence on a map of India, it still exists as a state of mind: laid-back, slow, to live and let live. This is the spirit we capture in this package that begins with Cochin and goes along backwaters, River Nila, Mountains of Wayanad, and ends at the virgin beaches of Kannur in Malabar region.

read more...

Travel to Tibet Restrited: again!

2009-03-01T04:43:00.002+05:45

Well, Tibet has been closed again for travel... for how long, who knows? why? no one knows.

The only thing we know is that the last travellers coming back reported that the Army was on the streets and checking tourists' camaras and as always, generally being a pain in the ass.

We also know that in Tibet, Loshar was not celebrated as much this year, nor was it in the Tibetan communities living here. That is mostly in protest of the violence around the problems during the Olympics!

So the advisory: If you are planning Tibet, talk to someone in Nepal first and find out what the situation is... in any case, travel to Tibet is pretty unsure nowadays... If you are planning on Tibet... have an alternative ready...

Here are some:-

1. Hidden Valley of Mustang trek - about 15 days
2. Manang trek and Thorong La Pass - 13-15 days
3. Mountain Biking in the Kathmandu Valley - 1 day to about 7 days

There are dozen of other trips to choose from...

Happy travels!

Nepal Travel Advisory Updated - NOT!

2009-02-19T17:41:00.006+05:45

So what does it mean when there are no posts here for some time?

No, it does not mean I am lazy, nor that this advisory blog has quietened down... just means that I have nothing to say, and that Nepal is safe, and there is not much to advice on... but maybe I should start giving travellers some tips...

Read news on Nepal at www.nepalnews.com, www.nepalitimes.com, www.ekantipur.com etc. regularly.. you will see that apart from the bickering of politics or the demonstrations on the streets, there is not much going on... Oh, I must correct myself... We do have news! Real good news! a 40 year old woman in some village in the south of Nepal gave birth to her 18th baby @ one baby a year! Voila! We are good at something after all!!!

Have started (very lazily, I must admit (but still readable) a gastronomical guide to Thamel and Kathmandu on www.iknowagreatplace.com

Other interesting things you might want to do, around this blogsite

Follow me on my tweet @ www.twitter.com/socialtours
or Read my other blog @ http://socialtours.blogspot.com

or just write to me, or send in a comment, to ask me questions (if you have any specific requests) ... might motivate me to write something!

Just thought about something... to show how uneventful it is today.... this is the front page of our most favoured news portal today @ nepalnews.com
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UML's top three sit for consensus leadership
The top three leaders who have indirectly announced their candidature for the top job of the CPN (UML) have finally sat for...

Maoists to start campaigning for by-elections
Unified CPN (Maoist) has directed its party members to intensify campaign for the upcoming by-elections slated for April 10.

NC leaders ramp up rhetoric against Maoists claiming UML as its own (news analysis)
As the Nepal-Oli alliance emerge stronger in the ongoing UML general convention much to the detriment of the future of the...

CA members refuse to go to remote districts
Most of the CA members have refused to go to remote districts for the collection of public opinion for the new constitution.

NN VIDEO

No End to Politically Aggravated Lunacy!

2008-12-23T18:16:00.001+05:45

Yup! I found the perfect expansion of NEPAL as it stands today (sorry.. as it is moving into the future...) But just to put it to record... we used to once say it stood for "Never Ending Peace and Love" (not perfect "inglis" but the message was there), which was given up a long long time ago. We had hung on desperately to this till about 1995/96, when all hell finally broke loose! Mention that nowadays and you might be stoned (literally or transcendentally)...

I cannot describe exactly what I feel nowadays towards my beloved nation. I am patriotic, there is no doubt about that, but this is not blind love. I can SEE a lot, and what I see makes me want to vomit!

Ours is a country who could have sat still and still gained. Every Nepali loves that, we are a pretty lazy bunch anyways, and can be contend with very little. Crushed between two giants, we have had the best that can be had from these massive economies, considering our situation. The cost of existence in Nepal is still comparatively low. I have lived in Ghana in West Africa for the past few years, and the cost of living in a country that produces little and has very little industrialization is very evident, where everything is astronomically expensive. We still have the benefit of open borders, our currency pegged to the Indian Rupee, and a good "understanding" between smugglers and police that releases enough chinese goods to make every citizen happy.

So, it is clear that there was no reason to "have eaten the tail of a goat" (bakhra ko puchhar khane)... if we had just stayed calm, kept ourselves peaceful and patient (you would have thought that we would have learnt a bit from the teachings that came out of Buddha's extreme starvation meditation which brought about enlightenment), we could have benefited a lot from these two 21st century superpowers.... actually, we still can, but we might just have reached the point of no return!

No, but we are Nepalese people, lovers of momo and buffalo meat! I think we have the brain the size of the buffalo meat inside those damn momos! We are lovers of proverbs (like "aphnu khutta ma bancharo hanne") which is exactly what we like to do (wake up countrymen, those proverbs are there for us to learn from them, not prove it!)... So we go forward and prove "lata ko desh ma ganda tanderi", "nepali ko salla kharani ko dalla" and "gu kotaye ganauchha" . How hopeless are we?

I think there will be lots of you who share this sentiment, specially as we get closer and closer to the threshold level of proverbial Nepali patience.

But I do not want to dwell on this. I am out to write about politics and politicians, I am raving mad and I hope I can draw blood!

I cannot believe there can be any other country in this world (OK, which is not ruled by a dictator or a bunch of gun toting teenagers) where a lawmaker, a leader elected by the people to review the laws of the land, can defend attacks on someone else's property and injury to people as a form of "self-defense"..

A country where it takes forever to form a government because the politicians cannot stop squabbling..

A country where mass murderers can become saviors overnight, where criminals with a track record can represent the same people they conducted their crimes on.

Where unions who represent the masses who need employment are out to shut industries or create an environment where industries cannot survive

Where the only education you can get (at least nowadays) is how to burn tires and throw stones at the police and how to bring a country to a standstill.

Where does this come from? I thought we were reasonably smart people, who discovered how to eat "sisnu ko jhol" in case of emergency, learnt how to preserve "saag" by making "gundruk", were talented enough to enjoy and cultivate the art of insta-ballad ("Dohori") etc.. When did we turn from this into sheep, following the lunacy of these politicians who cannot see beyond their own asses, with their heads stuck up you know where...

OK, I cannot continue, at this point I am thoroughly disgusted, my threshold is reached. (let me go and vomit now!)

Safety in the Terai

2008-12-02T21:05:00.005+05:45

At this particular moment in time, Nepal should be glad that there are no iconic tourist attractions except Chitwan in the Terai. OK, people can correct me... there is Lumbini, Bardia, Janakpur etc... but they are not an attraction to the level of Chitwan....

Thankfully, Chitwan is not affected by the unrest in the Terai as much as other areas, so tourists can still go there. This must be a blessing for the several hundred entrepreneurs who have their investments there.

hence ADVISORY: Chitwan is still unaffected (at least not that much) by the violence in the Terai, so you can still travel there. Get some local information though, there could be a strike or two along the way, which might delay you.

I know a great place

2008-11-26T20:22:00.002+05:45

I have started writing a gastronomic guide to the tourism district of Thamel in Kathmandu. Its up at the website www.iknowagreatplace.com and you can find it directly here. This is a new initiative from www.responsibletravel.com and is a wonderful place to add your travel tips.

Thought this qualified as a travel advisory! :-)

Trekking back on Track!

2008-11-22T16:24:00.004+05:45

Going by what is being reported, we might be just back on track, after seven/eight long years of being in the slump. News reports are now showing that the trekking business is rebounding back in giant leaps. Looks like "change" (the big buzzword nowadays in the world) in government was what was required in Nepal too.

picture courtesy: rajesh k.c www.rajeshkc.com

Even the Khumbu reported choked villages in October, full of trekkers, and situation of not finding accomodation starting to happen. Read this in this Nepalitimes Article.

It is difficult to say if this is a blessing or a curse. Tourism entrepreneurs who are reading this might have a shine in their eyes, and even have tears of joy (we are back in business! yaaah!) but the trekker who wants to peacefully enjoy his walking holiday will be like, how can I avoid this rush (damn, sounds like mass tourism!)

There is good news for both parties though. And you can read it in that article hyperlinked above, or in the synopsis right here. Some years ago, the idea of a trans Himalayan trekking route, stretching from Pakistan, and including Tibet, Nepal for most of the way, India and Sikkim began to emerge, and was called the Great Himalayan Trail. The idea was to create this trail that would take several months to complete, but would offer options for people to enter at a particular point and exit at another, giving rise to possibilities of several custom trips (and side trips)... this might save the industry in Nepal... creating increased possibilities for both industry professionals and for the clients alike, so that everyone does not have to tread the same ground.

This has multiple benefits of course. The trekking dominated tourism of Nepal, has mostly been limited to the Annapurna Region, the Everest Region and the Lantang Region, in that order. It is not that trekkers do not go to other areas, but few and far between (good for them, but a small critical mass is required for the industry as a whole and the infrastructure to develop). Also, for too long, these three areas have been the only ones to benefit directly form the tourism Dollar (Oops, should I rather say Euro or Pound?) so its high time the rest of Nepal (which is equally if not more beautiful) gets its share too.

Only recently has new routes such as the Chepang Hill Trail (to Chitwan), Renjo La Trail (Everest Region), the Tamang Heritage Trail (Langtang Region), and Nar Phu Valley trips (Annapurna Region) been worked on and marketed. Good news is trekking these new routes can result in (thankfully) smaller number of other trekkers.

Of course, traditional off the beaten trails like Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Gauri Shankar Area and Humla have always been there and are reasonably developed, but for normal holiday makers with normal budgets, these are a bit expensive.

ADVISORY:

1. Time your trek in the beginning or end of the tourism season. This will ensure that the villages are not crowded. You will also do something really responsible by doing this. Help spread the tourism season a bit more. Nepal is still beautiful. So when is this

Spring before season timings: early Feb or late April, May
Fall before season timings: End August or Late November, December

2. Be drastic, and choose to come in summer. Yeah, yeah everyone talks about the monsoon and all, but there are tons of areas in the rain shadow, and trekking in summer can be real real cool up there! Places like Manang, Mustang (ok, thats a bit expensive), Gosainkunda etc, can be real fun. We actually even have a big group coming next year in June - (peak summer/rainy season)to go up to Everest Base Camp, and i tell you, they WILL have a blast!

3. Forget the race to EBC, ABC, Kanjin Gompa, and try some of the Off the Beaten Trails... You will notice a drastic difference in the charm of trekking there.

4. Wait a few years, train a lot, and hit the Trans Himalayan Trail for three months, from Pakistan to the Northeastern border of India.

See you in the mountains!

Advisory: Riots in Kathmandu

2008-11-20T19:28:00.006+05:45

So this morning brought fresh news of the student protest in Kathmandu, inspiring me (I wish there were better things that would inspire me) to write up another advisory on travel to Nepal. So here goes.

What happened: YCL (read young maoists) in some remote district captured some youth and kidnapped them. They were later found dead and buried. YCL of course, denies that they were involved. Whatever.

(by the way, this picture is not from this riot. I just pulled it off the internet. courtesy: someone)

Of course, this has started a wave of anti-YCL demonstrations, and in Nepal, demonstrating means burning tyres, throwing stones, closing down shops and establishments, stopping cars and vehicular traffic, and having a friendly tussle with the police, abiet careful if you are in the middle.

However, to put matters to prespective, student protests usually extend around campuses in Kathmandu, and here is a google earth map of kathmandu to show you where the riots and protests would be focussed on. Just aviod the areas marked with circles. Sometimes they also tend to walk towards Singha Durbar, and this can be loud and bloisterous, but never as violent as when they are in their own backyards.

So the advisory is:

1. Avoid hotspots, shake your head in wonder at our system, and carry on with your trip.
2. If you are coming soon, try and pad your trip. Generally a good rule, as Nepal tends to pull surprises at you, and if you end up having an extra day in the end, you will not regret it anyways.
3. Ask locals whats going on and what to avoid. There is no resource better than the situation on the ground, and in Kathmandu, the word of mouth way works best.
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On another topic, today was also a mixed feelings day for me about Nepal, if you are interested, read it here on the socialtours.com blog

So where is the Industry now?

2008-11-10T03:09:00.002+05:45

This follows something that I have written about before, but it is important in my mind that we revisit it. Where is the tourism industry in Nepal today?

The tourism industry had taken quite a hit in the 10 or so years of insurgency in Nepal, which finally seems to have closed its chapter. We have other problems, but hopefully insurgency at a nationwide scale as before will not come now that the Maoists have come overground.

However, the industry proved its resilience, growing even during some peak turmoil years, after the initial shock and lowest point in 2001. I personally think that part of this growth was also a global trend, fueled by the 9/11 attacks, the Bali bombing, the Madrid bombing, and the London bombings, which all proved to people that there were worse problems than in Nepal, and really, we are not really safe anywhere. So people kept coming, and the tourism industry had enough people coming to keep it striving. It also did other things.

It made the industry resilient. The industry had learnt that they have to fend for themselves, and traditional agents in the markets were quick to be disloyal when the advisories went sour. This made companies making efforts at reaching to the market, going into trade fairs, starting building better websites and marketing direct. Clients now are dealing with better websites, service, and more professional companies than before.

Companies are also now more conscious of market requirements and responsibility issues. In 2006, a project on marketing of sustainable products of Nepal by UNEP, SNV, Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Government, got over 50 private sector operators join the Sustainable Tourism Network. Several of them got selected for the MAST project and received training and even attended some trade shows as part of the marketing effort. It does not prove much, but shows that operators are conscious and willing to make changes for the market.

Internationalism is also coming in. Nepal recently hosted a major international mountain biking championship, actively does an international kayak championship every year, and boasts the highest marathon in the world, the Everest Marathon, which starts at 5350 meters or so at the Everest Base Camp and ends at 3440 at Namche Bazaar. (interesting fact: the first race was won by a Nepalese trekking cook!)

So the message is: Nepal is more than ready. If anything good came out of the insurgency, it did make the industry more resilient and professional.

Travel Advisory Summary

2008-11-04T21:34:00.005+05:45

The US Travel Advisory (read the full advisory here)

Not updated since May 2008 (that in itself is a good sign), the only thing that is still relevant now is probably the fact that the political rallies and demonstrations in the Valley and outside the valley tend to get violent sometimes,

My advise: Please listen to what is happening when you are in the country. These things tend to be localized, so long as you avoid the areas, there is no danger to you.

The British Travel Advisory (read the FCO advice here)

Updated on 30th October, this is recent, and talks about the same issues really. Says there are chances of acts of Terrorism, strikes and general closures and to avoid hotspots.

My comment: I think this is pretty clean, though most of the acts of violence they quote are from around May 2008... nothing much has happened recently.

The Australian Travel Advise (read it here)

The Australians have tagged it at "high degree of caution" citing extortion on trekking trails, general strikes, political rallies that turn violent, pick-pocketing and petty crime in the city, and even Taxis not agreeing to use the meter as examples.

My take on this: I think it is a bit "over the top"... you have to be cautious, but nowadays when you travel anywhere in the world you have to exercise caution. A high degree of caution seems to indicate that you are attempting to enter a war zone!

I think these three advisories are indicative of the scores out there. The big problem is clear in all of them... the political gymnastics taking place, and the quick turn of events that is classical of how Nepal works.

So, as I tell in most of my posts

1. Have a little bit of extra time... you could get delayed due to the "hassle factor" of a check post, or a general strike... but if you have padded your trip well, you should be fine

2. Do exercise caution: No doubts there. You need to avoid hotspots, and know where something is planned, if it ever is! Rely on local information for this. All the advisories are clear on that... keep in touch with a local operator and keep your self informed. Most operators will provide this information for free anyways.

3. Be a bit flexible: ready to go with the flow. Travel in Nepal is full of the unpredictable, you got to be the type to enjoy the inspiration that change brings... (somehow I cannot seem to even type the word 'change' without thinking of the American elections - Obama should brand it or something)

Enjoy! See you in the mountains!

Travel advisory :: Update

2008-10-27T19:42:00.004+05:45

I have received a lot of complaints that this blog is outdated and I did not write on it at all regarding the safety situation in Nepal...

All for a purpose... and it pertains to safety... Nepal is fine as on now and I saw no reason to write about safety anymore... but I guess that was a mistake.... people out there are still concerned and I should still put in updates... I will be better in the future... my bad!

Anyways, to the updated advisory:-

1. Travel is safe. Be prepared for some delays though. Some inherent in a country like Nepal, but some also due to the huge political upheavals that are taking place in Nepal, which means demonstrations, strikes, general strikes, closures... we also have an interesting one called Chakka Jam... which literally means "wheel lock" - yeah, no transport.

2. Notwithstanding the above, travel in Nepal is still fun.

3. Earlier, the problems would be in the villages and in remote areas.. now the disturbances have come to the capital, and the rural areas are fine... so if you want to trek, you are going to enjoy it.

4. If you want to trek again, come during the end of the season or the beginning, if you want to avoid the tourist traffic. Was reading reports today that Manang, in the Annapurna Region, was becoming clogged this year again (the last time that happened was in 1999). So if you avoid peak seasons, you might enjoy it.

5. This also means book air tickets well well in advance... Nepal is still not very well connected and the single strip international airport at Kathmandu does not help.

6. As always, pad your trip with a few extra days. It can be a bonus, allowing you to see new things and allow for that little added plus into your trip... if there is a strike or closure, you can also still enjoy your planned holiday, as you can move your activities around this.

7. Keep in contact with someone in Kathmandu. Most agencies will provide information for free, no obligations, and there is nothing that beats local knowledge.

Did I cover everything...??? hmmm.. maybe...

See you in the mountains!

this advisory on CNN website

2008-06-20T11:57:00.002+05:45

In an effort to make sure that this advisory gets better coverage, I am taking it also on the ireport website, where this along with other things I notice and find along the way will get reported.

Lets see, where is the hyperlink...

Well, the first one, replicated from the story below is here

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-37752

More to follow....

Am also going to start reporting on "greening initiatives"... so if anyone is interested, go to the ireport website and click on "follow this ireporter"

I am signing it The Yeti

not enough problems?

2008-05-11T17:45:00.002+05:45

Its not like Nepal has no problems of its own... now it has to also face the international spotlight regarding the mostly daily protests by Tibetan refugees.... instances where the police have let the monks and nuns do their demonstrations peacefully do not get highlighted, but the day they round them up, Nepal gets into the bad books of the mostly West led romanticism of the Tibetan cause....

Read this on the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7394672.stm

I do not know when the West will stop staring at us and let us live our lives, and handle our problems as most nations do, by themselves.

I think the world is getting a bit fed up of the infestation by the West everywhere... Look at Burma now... they are reeling from a devastation, and the aid is being tied to politics... if the aid was clean (it never is unfortunately), I am sure the Junta would agree to it... but no, that will not happen.

Now the US is showing a deep interest in Nepal, as the country is being run by Maoists... Suddenly the US thinks that Nepal is deeply China allied, forgetting quickly that Beijing never supported the Maoists. In fact, when they fled the country, they went into hiding in India... and were having meetings in Delhi.

Unfortunately a poor nation does not have much clout, and it fears me that the US will show too much interest in us... it is not a good thing... look at all the places they have shown any interest... all devastated or in the process now...

God help us!

ELECTION SPECIAL: Peace Prevails

2008-04-12T19:18:00.003+05:45

It might seem strange that we in Nepal talk so much about peace and are so happy about it when there is no violence (or at least in this case, limited violence), it should be a given in any country. However, in Nepal, this is the only thing that is first and foremost in any Nepali's mind at this time.

So I feel kind of proud that we managed to keep it together, and conduct a pretty rushed up, but well conducted election, relatively peacefully. It is a big achievement. Hopefully the days to come will also see this continuing.

I get asked by everyone I know about what my take is on this elections and what is happening in Nepal... so here I go addressing whatever is on my mind at this point.

1. I keep repeating myself on this one, but it is not strange where Nepal is at this moment. We are a poor nation, and there are serious shortcomings in the infrastructure and environment required for democracy to flourish.

2. Our leaders are not capable. I do not blame them entirely. When one is not capable, how can you blame? They are simply not capable.

3. The people of Nepal are out of choices. The monarchy is out, that is for certain (how it goes out finally will be interesting to see, and I have strong opinions about which way it should go, but that is for another post), the people have seen the shortcomings of the Communists and the problems of the Congress party. Basically, they are fed up with all the options they have and are confused and dejected. So the option is to give the Maoists a chance at rectifying things. So if the Maoists win, I will not be surprised at all...

4. It is probably the best choice in the end. The public is not stupid... once they are in government, they cannot go back to the jungle, that is for sure. Also, if they can prove that they can do a better job than others, good for the country, and they do not, then the public at least gets to choose the best alternative among the "evils" in the next elections. It is a gamble but a worthwhile one.

check for updates on Nepali Times, Himalayan Times and nepalnews

Back to my favourite topic - Tourism.

TRAVEL ADVICE

Chance to see a new country in the making. This constituent assembly is going to write a new constitution for Nepal. That is truly something. Do not miss going to Nepal now, it will be an added bonus to to the sight of Everest, or Annapurna, or a well deserved holiday.

Are you safe? yes, you are! Will there be hindrances to travel? probably, strikes or "bandhs" (as they are called in Nepal) can happen anytime, which can delay travel, and cause a "hassle". Pad your trips and come.

See you in the mountains!

April 10 Special

2008-04-01T19:47:00.003+05:45

Now the elections are really on us, and speculation of violence marring it and causing travel problems are galore. News on every media predicts severe disruption of polls thereby affecting travel in the country.

Likely scenarios from my side are as follows

1. There could be demonstrations in Kathmandu, Pokhara and bigger towns... there is even a Nepal Bandh (general strike) announced from the 7th of April. These can cause disruptions of your plans while travelling in Nepal, but will be more hassle factor rather than actual security threats to you.

2. You are not suggested to go into the Terai. Chitwan is fine, but beyond that, there are more severe disruptions, and again, though your life as such might not be in danger, it is best not to go there.

3. Most of soft adventure travel stuff in Nepal happens in the mid-hills and the mountains anyways, where everything is fine. Feel free to travel there.

4. You will be totally fine in the mountains, and other than getting asked for donations by the new "maoists" the Young Communist League (YCL), nothing more serious happens in the mountains....

Not enough information on the ground

2008-03-18T21:30:00.001+05:45

We are not getting enough information coming out of Tibet, except what we hear on international media. In Kathmandu, however, the trips are still leaving for Tibet. So that is a good sign.

Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:

BBC News: UN Calls for Restraint in Tibet
Human Rights Watch: China Restrain from Violently Attacking Protesters
Associated Press: Tibet Unrest Sparks Global Reaction
New York Times: China Takes Steps to Thwart Reporting on Tibet Protests

Tibet Travel Advice

2008-03-16T16:11:00.005+05:45

The season for travel into Tibet is starting. And with news of new protests in Lhasa, people might get a bit hesitant to travel. Rightfully so....

Read a NY Times article here

OK, it is difficult to have accurate information from Nepal, and it does not help that Nepal has taken a negative stance towards Tibet, so the media is not reporting much. But we organise trips to Tibet, and deal with tour operators in Tibet, hence can get news enough for travel advice.

Right now, most problems are in Lhasa only, which during a standard trip to Tibet, is only two days. Knowing the Chinese Embassy and how they operate in Nepal, any day, the rules can change, the day they think that westerners are not welcome, because they would rather that they did not see the protests, the visa can stop. It has not happened right yet, but could... so be warned.

However, as is in Nepal, your life as such is never at threat. Tourists are always given a better status and priority, especially in Tibet now, since the Chinese need a good image for the August Olympics.

Hence the TRAVEL ADVICE: Keep your eyes and ears open, get accurate information, and be armed with local advice. Watch this space. There is no need to cancel your well deserved trips just yet.

Aussie tourist beaten over liquor price brawl

2008-03-02T10:28:00.005+05:45

Nepalese are patient people. They will endure anything, but at a certain point, they tend to snap and it is difficult to know what can turn Nepali innocence and friendliness into stupid brutality. As a Nepali myself, I know that at some point in time, we tend to snap.

An Aussie was beaten up at Tatopani, at the Western end of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trail, over, hold your breaths..... a liquor price brawl ? whaaaaatttt?

I can imagine what happened. In Nepal, there is a local price and a tourist price for everything, specially so in a tourist area. The fight probably started over a tourist price for the Aussie who came in with Nepali friends who would have paid a different price.

At some point in time, the local youth set in, snapped and brutally beat this tourist up. He is convalescing in Pokhara now. Read the article on the Himalayan Times
or on eTurboNews

TRAVEL ADVICE:

1. Do not drink alcohol on the trek. It is not recommended to drink alcohol on trek anyways. OK, Tatopani is not high altitude, so it is still OK, but cannot we stay out of this habit for a bit?

2. Do not get into brawls with locals. This is not smart at all.

3. Nepal has differential pricing for locals and tourists. The difference can be huge in relative terms but in dollar terms, Nepal is still one of the cheapest holiday destinations... Accept it! Fighting will not solve it.

4. Be smart and stay safe!

Whats the deal?

2008-02-29T16:15:00.002+05:45

From what I read, it seems in todays world very important that other countries and organisations hail what you do... So our brothers, sisters and uncles and aunties in India think it is wonderful, even the US, which is like straight tunnel on the other side of the world thinks its fantastic and wait... even UN Mission In Nepal thinks it wonderful! How wonderful!

-----------------------------------------------
This from the Himalayan Times today

India, the United States and UNMIN today heartily welcomed the agreement between the Nepali government and the United Madhesi Democratic Front.

Immediately after the deal was signed, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna issued a statement in New Delhi welcoming the deal. The statement added that the agreement had paved the way for constituent assembly (CA) polls in Nepal. India also urged all political parties in Nepal to honour their commitments and hoped that the latest agreement would be implemented in letter and spirit.

"It is up to the Nepali people to chart their political and social future. They ought to decide for themselves what sort of government they want in their country and elect the representatives of their choice. This is essential for a democratic, stable and progressive Nepal. At all times, India is ready to provide any assistance required in this regard," the statement added.

"We expect this agreement will lead the UMDF parties to end their Tarai bandh with immediate effect and will pave the way for the three parties to participate fully in the upcoming Constituent Assembly election on April 10," a statement issued by the US embassy here said.

It also said the US expects both sides will fulfil the terms of the agreement.

Chief of the United Nation Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin "warmly" welcomed the agreement "Its implementation will be an important contribution to the election of an inclusive Constituent Assembly in a conducive climate," he said in a statement.

___________________________

Whats the deal?

What matters is that the people in the Terai are happy, and the citizens of Nepal heaved a sigh of relief (damn, I think the country is reduced to intermittent sighs of reliefs!) at some sense shown by our "amazing" leaders. India is not hurting, nor is the US, and definitely not the UNMIN. Seriously, what do they care? They only like to act interested. If it gets a bit uninteresting, they will turn and leave. Only the public have to live with it, every little incompetency shown by our "patriotic" leaders.

Terai Accord signed - demonstrations stop

2008-02-28T21:26:00.002+05:45

This is the best piece of news I heard in some time from Nepal. Was just casually chatting up my good friend from the BBC in Kathmandu when I heard that the situation if getting better, as an accord has been signed. Various news report that life is coming back to normal in the Terai, which is the southern plains in Nepal.

From NepalNews.com :- Cabinet endorses the govt-UDMF deal: victory rallies in most terai districts

From BBC - Nepalese group set to end strike

Hopefully, this will mean that the prices of essential items will normalise again, and fuel will be available. Kathmandu has been crippled for a few months now.

Travel advice: You can still go to Kathmandu, this is a country in the making since April 2006. Its exciting, but be armed with local knowledge. The hassle factor is still high. Demonstrations and strikes can flare up anytime. You are not in danger, but avoid these places due to the inconvenience that it will cause... Definitely. You are better off in the mountains..

Environmental concerns in the Everest Area

2008-02-27T10:24:00.002+05:45

TRAVEL ADVICE: Avoid big hotels in the mountains. They do not contribute to the local economy, the locals hate them, as they compete with their small lodges for the same tourists, they use up vast amounts of energy, and the money does not stay in the area.

Just read an article on the Himalayan Times about encroachment in the Sagarmatha National Park by commercial big wigs in the hotel industry. This really bothers me.

-----

The Sagarmatha National Park, a UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site, which also houses the Mt Everest, is now ruined by encroachment for haphazard commercialisation.

Two resorts - Kong Dey View Resort and Farak-pa Village Resort that are being constructed in the national park area - were constructed in controversial circumstances.

The locals claim that the hotels are built on encroahed public land and are damaging the cultural and national landscape of the world heritage site.

"We are more than shocked to know that two grand hotels are being constructed in core area of Sagarmatha National Park. This is going to damage the nature and value of the national park," said Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, chairman of the Buffer Zone Management Committee of the park.

He said the locals had been very conscious about the conservation issues for thousands of years but since the people from other areas have migrated to the sacred village for commercial purposes, the tradition to conserve nature has been destroyed.

According to the officials at Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Environment Impact Assessment for both the projects were passed in November and December, 2004, when Bachaspati Devkota was the environment minister.

On the other hand, assistant management officer at Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Surya Bahadur Pandey admitted that it was the result of the government's mismanagement.

He said the two resorts came up at Sagarmatha as a result of government's mismanagement and the local people's tendency to encroach upon public land.

"It would not have been like that had the local people been aware of the public land and its significance," he said.

He added that many other big hotels there have violated the norms.

A UNESCO official said the UNESCO had also tried to raise the issue and had asked the DNPWC several times about the authenticity of the hotel but the government officials were found skeptical on this issue.

Elections Special

2008-02-26T18:22:00.003+05:45

Well, I have been getting queries from people asking if it is safe to come in now to Nepal, specially since elections are coming up, and the US travel advisory warns of violence coming up into the elections in April.

Interestingly, the travel advisory can only quote incidents prior to September 2007, which is five months ago, yet uses sentences like "continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism in urban areas" or something to that effect, giving an impression that it is dangerous even now in Kathmandu.

Anyways, that is them, and they are allowed to think what they want. I personally think that they are too harsh on Nepal, but whatever...

So here is what I think.

The Americans are right in some counts. Election time in Nepal, specially at this crucial juncture, is going to be full of tension. There will be general strikes (almost a national past time in Nepal now) and demonstrations. Parties will try hard to get thier opinions heard and woo voters. There could be sporadic violence, specially in the Terai, which is already having problems.

If you intend to travel at this time in Nepal, remember:-

1. You are safe... tourists are given first rate treatment in Nepal, even curfews and strikes do not affect them.. When there is a strike, a airport shuttle service is offered, and even during curfews, tourists are seen walking around, enjoying the cleaner air in Kathmandu.

2. You are better off in the mountains. Nothing happens there, it is as if none of what is happening in the cities affects these areas. Go off to the mountains, enjoy your trek.

3. Most of what is happening is restricted to cities.

4. The biggest strain is the hassle factor. More strikes means disruption of transport. Be armed with local knowledge. Know when they are planned, and avoid them during your travels. Be wise and do not force yourself when things do not happen as you planned.

remember: plans seldom survive reality, change can be inspirational, embrace it!

Those were some tactics... overall, you are safe... in 15 year of turmoil in Nepal, very few tourists ever got in the line... and in most cases, out of their own stupidity or ignorance...

Tourists have never been targets in Nepal... no one wants to abduct you, or kill you... everyone realizes that you are a source of valuable income, and welcomes you in Nepal.

See you in the mountains!

Curfew in the Terai

2008-02-18T22:50:00.002+05:45

So there is curfew again in the Terai... these are plains in the south of the country... remember that this does not affect travel to the mountains, and to Pokhara etc. Chitwan is slightly affected though.

Read the following article from www.nepalnews.com

----------------------------------
Local administrations have imposed curfew in different districts in Terai on the sixth day of indefinite bandh, which has terminally paralysed normal life there and in the eastern region on Monday as well.

Curfews have been imposed in parts of Bara, Parsa, Mahottari and Dhanusha districts after clashes intensified between protestors and security personnel. Dozens of policemen and protestors have been injured.

Officials have also declared Bara, Parsa and Dhanusha as riot-torn areas.

In Nepalgunj, the curfew clamped from Sunday has been continued on Monday.

Market places, educational institutions and private offices have been closed while vehicles remain away from the highways.

The effect of the strike is more severe today amid fears of fresh clashes between the police and bandh organisers. Reports say the local administrations of Terai districts have beefed up security.

The curfew in Saptari imposed since Sunday has been lifted while it continues in Nepalgunj. The agitators had burnt down a passenger bus in Siraha last night.

Similarly, the eastern districts also continue to be crippled by the indefinite general strike called by Limbuwans.

The United Madhesi Democratic Front called indefinite strike to put pressure on the government to meet its six point demands. The front has formed a team to hold talks with the government. The talks are yet to be held.

nepalnews.com ia/sd Feb 18 08

Places I have visited and some favourite

2008-02-06T23:27:00.000+05:45

Aizawl, India

Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Phuket, Thailand

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Visit TripAdvisor.com

Yeti Airlines goes international, Orien...

2008-01-23T15:49:00.001+05:45

Yeti Airlines goes international, Orien...

Yeti Airlines International
Pvt Ltd — under the brand
name flyyeti.com — today
commenced its interna-
tional flight with the inau-
gural flight to Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia) from
Kathmandu.
Mi...read more...

More connections to Nepal....

2008-01-16T20:50:00.000+05:45

Yeti Airlines, Nepal's leading domestic carrier and Air Arabia, the largest low cost carrier in Middle East and North Africa, entered into a joint venture to start a new budget airline.

Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, chairman of Yeti Airlines, domestic and Air Arabia chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohhammad alThani recently signed an agreement for the joint venture in Dubai. Nepal government has already approved the accord.

According to the agreement, the two airlines will jointly establish a new low-cost carrier under the brand name flyyeti.com - based in Kathmandu providing affordable and convenient service to a broad range of international destinations. The new markets would stretch from South and Central Asia to the Far and Middle East as well as the Indian subcontinent.

The new venture will have major share of Air Arabia and will apply its successful lowcost business model to the management of Nepal's first international LCC.

The Airlines has received an 'A' category air operator certificate to operate as an international airline. "Operating at higher standards established by both carriers, Yeti Airlines International and Air Arabia will together revolutionise air travel in Nepal and across a much wider region," he added.

The new carrier will begin operations From January 20.

The first destination will be Sharjah and to selected destina tions in India as well as to Doha and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and other destinations in Asia.

"As we set our sights on global expansion, we remain focused on youthful, fast-growing economies where opportunities for growth are greatest. We are pleased to join efforts with Yeti Airlines," said Air Arabia chairman Mohhammad al-Thani.

Ang Tshiring Sherpa, MD of Yeti Airlines termed the agreement as Yeti's continuous effort to open up Nepal to travellers both nationally and internationally. "What is more is that the true potential of Nepal as an 'all season' tourist destination is being seriously addressed for the first time," he said.

Currently, Yeti Airlines operates with a fleet of 10 aircrafts and flies over 29 domestic destinations.

Yeti Airlines, Nepal's leading domestic carrier and Air Arabia, the largest low cost carrier in Middle East and North Africa, entered into a joint venture to start a new budget airline. Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, chair- man of Yeti Airlines, domestic and Air Arabia chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohhammad al- Thani recently signed an agree- ment for the joint venture in Dubai. Nepal government has already approved the accord. According to the agreement, the two airlines will jointly es- tablish a new low-cost carrier - under the brand name flyyeti.com - based in Kath- mandu providing affordable and convenient service to a broad range of international destinations. The new markets would stretch from South and Central Asia to the Far and Mid- dle East as well as the Indian subcontinent. The new venture will have major share of Air Arabia and will apply its successful low- cost business model to the management of Nepal's first in- ternational LCC. The Airlines has received an 'A' category air operator certifi- cate to operate as an interna- tional airline. "Operating at higher standards established by both carriers, Yeti Airlines Inter- national and Air Arabia will to- gether revolutionise air travel in Nepal and across a much wider region," he added. The new carrier will begin operations From January 20. The first destination will be Sharjah and to selected destina- tions in India as well as to Doha and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and other destinations in Asia. "As we set our sights on global expansion, we remain focused on youthful, fast-growing economies where opportuni- ties for growth are greatest. We are pleased to join efforts with Yeti Airlines," said Air Arabia ch- airman Mohhammad al-Thani. Ang Tshiring Sherpa, MD of Yeti Airlines termed the agree- ment as Yeti's continuous effort to open up Nepal to travellers both nationally and interna- tionally. "What is more is that the true potential of Nepal as an 'all season' tourist destination is being seriously addressed for the first time," he said. Currently, Yeti Airlines operates with a fleet of 10 aircrafts and flies over 29 domestic destinations.

Everest Legend Sir Edmund Hillary dies at 88

2008-01-11T15:10:00.000+05:45

06:35 pm EST Jan 10, 2008
(ExplorersWeb.com/story updated 7.57 pm EST) Everest legend Edmund Hillary has died at the age of 88. This is a big loss to the world of exploration, Hillary's family and also to Himalaya chronicler Elizabeth Hawley, 83, who remained one of Hillary's closest friends since his great Everest ascent.

After four decades of tracking Himalayan expeditions, when climbers spotted the American chronicler at Kathmandu airport they knew what that meant: "There is only one person that Liz Hawley goes to the airport to meet," Wally Berg reported in 2006.

Not impressed by modern Everest, humanitarian work till the end

Hillary quit climbing long ago, but nevertheless traveled every year to Nepal, where he founded several humanitarian projects together with Ms Hawley. Much like many other veterans, he was not impressed by the evolution of Everest mountaineering.

"I think the whole attitude towards climbing Mt Everest has become rather horrifying...,” he said in regards to the fate of David Sharp. In later years, Edmund Hillary, Junko Tabei of Japan, the first woman to scale the peak and Messner asked Nepal to close the mountain; and only one or two expeditions to be allowed a permit each year.

Hillary and Hawley, whose lives and work in Nepal spanned precisely the 6 decades since Nepal opened its borders to the outside world in the 1950’s, were both doing their humanitarian thing to the end. In April last year, Edmund Hillary went to a New Zealand hospital after slipping and falling during a visit to Nepal. In Kathmandu Hillary, then 87, had met SuperSherpas’ team members Apa and Lhakpa Gelu, together with Liz Hawley.

“Elizabeth Hawley invited us over to gather information about the expedition, and we were unbelievably surprised that Sir Edmund Hillary was there as her guest,” SuperSherpas expedition manager Roger Kehr reported in the Salt Lake Tribune. “We were honored when he said that this may be his last trip to Nepal.”

(Ed: Story updated 7.57 pm with added info and images)

Together with Tenzing Norgay, New Zealander Edmund Hillary achieved the first summit on Mount Everest, via the South Col route on May 29, 1953.

Edmund Hillary's death comes only months after the death (on June 1, 2007 at 95 years old) of Ernest Hofstetter, member of the 1952 Everest expedition which opened the route to the South Col, along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa who would finally reach the top together with Hillary one year later. The Swiss climbers found the path up the Khumbu Icefall, the Valley of Silence and the Lhotse face, until they reached the South Col.

One year later, the larger and better equipped British team led by Colonel Hunt stepped on the summit of Everest for the first time. Back home, they sent the Swiss pioneers a telegram stating: "To you goes half the glory."

Hillary's mountainering career started in 1945 when he climbed Mount Cook (3764 meters). 1949 he had a year in the European Alps and climbed there. 1951, George Lowe invited him to join a New Zealand expedition headed for the Himalayas, climbing at altitudes of around 6,000 meters.

The British 1953 Everest expedition sponsors first wanted the more experienced Eric Shipton, a team-member on all four Everest expeditions during the 1930’s and founder of the route that Hillary and Tenzing would follow to the top of the world. Along with long time friend Tilman, Shipton devoted himself to small teams exploring with minimal logistics, an objected to the large setup. The sponsors therefore instead hired John Hunt and he in turn invited Edmund Hillary.

The expedition set out with 14 climbers, and 350 porters. The team carried the best high-altitude boots, windproof clothing, lightweight but sturdy tents, special radios and walkie-talkies, Primus stoves, aluminum-alloy ladders for crevasses, ropes, and the latest oxygen tanks to ensure Everest victory.

After their summit, a debate erupted on who of the two climbers had reached the top first. The mountaineers agreed not to answer the question. After his death however; a letter by Tenzing Sherpa was published stating that Hillary had placed the first step on the world's roof.

The history of Tenzing Sherpa:

1933 - Trekking porter in Darjeeling
1936 - Went with Huge Ruttledge's expedition to Everest and reached the North Col, 8000m.
1938 - Accompanied H.W. Tilman's expedition to Everest and reached Camp VI (8332m)
1939 - Went with a party to Tirchimir in the Hindu-Kush range and reached 7012m.
1946 - Carried out explorations in the Kangchenjunga region.
1951 - Went with a French expedition to Nanda Devi and reached the east summit (7621m)
1952 - Accompanied two Swiss expeditions to Everest, reaching the heights of 8600m and 8097 m respectively without oxygen, with Raymond Lambert.
1953 - Went with British Everest Expedition led by Col John Hunt and climbed the summit along with Edmund Hillary on 29 May.

One year into a shaky peace accord, Nepal keeps on trekking

2008-01-03T04:09:00.000+05:45

Cherilyn Parsons, Special to the Chronicle
Sunday, December 2, 2007

(this article has been published here by the kind permission of the author, whose original article was published on the San Francisco Chronicle. Read original article here)

12-02) 04:00 PST Kopchepani, Nepal -- On a moonlit night in 2004, two young Nepalese lovers, fleeing their disapproving families, ran onto a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki river. As they swayed over the roiling waters, gunfire tore into them. They fell to their deaths.

"It was mistake," said Chhering Lama, my trekking guide, as we crossed the lovers' bridge. "They were shot by the army, who thought they were Maoists. But they were just ordinary people wanting new life."

I gazed down at the river - named for Kali, the bloodthirsty Hindu goddess - and mourned not only these innocents but the 13,000 Nepalese lost in the crossfire of a decade-long civil war.

For years, the Maoists waged a ruthless insurgency to sack Nepal's king and politicians and replace them with a communist government run along the lines of Mao Zedong's China. Foreign visitors were almost never targeted for killing, but thousands were robbed or forced at gunpoint to make "political donations" to help fund the rebellion.

It's been a little over a year since the peace accord that officially ended the rebellion and brought the Maoists into an interim government. Travelers, trekkers, climbers and Nepal lovers the world over breathed a sigh of relief that the violence and instability were finally over.

Or were they? According to persistent news reports and troubling U.S. State Department advisories, the Maoists hadn't quit marauding.

I visited Nepal in October and November to see how much things had changed - or hadn't changed - since the peace accords, and whether the birthplace of Buddha was returning to the days when blissed-out travelers decided that its name stood for "Never Ending Peace and Love."

In recent years, coming to Nepal has been like setting forth upon seas known to be crawling with pirates. Though the Maoists' stated intent wasn't to wreck tourists' vacations, they also called strikes that crippled transport. They bombed buses.

Tourism dropped from a high of nearly half a million people in 1999 to a low of just over 200,000 in 2002, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.

But visitors seem to be returning. When I arrived in Kathmandu in October 2007, I was part of a 27 percent increase thus far this year over 2006, according to the group.

Indeed, the travelers' district of Thamel was packed - far more than on my last visit five years ago.

"We have lots of business now," reported the owner of a camera store where I bought an extra flash card. He refused to bargain with me, apparently because he didn't need to: Another tourist would come along.

Still, all the Nepalese with whom I spoke - taxi drivers, hotel owners, shopkeepers, heads of nongovernmental organizations - expressed exhaustion, apathy and cynicism about the political prospects.

The one exception to the apathy was a taxi driver whose picture of Prachanda, the fiery Maoist leader, peeked out from where it was hidden inside the tassel on his rear-view mirror. When I pretended to be a Maoist sympathizer, he began a passionate tirade against the monarchy, the politicians and the Royal Army. He had a point: According to human rights organizations, the police and army have been more violent than the Maoists during the insurgency.

Were things any different in the countryside? I left Kathmandu to walk the Annapurna Circuit, a trail once so popular with world travelers that it had been dubbed "Highway 101 of the Himalayas." It had emptied in recent years, though, thanks to the insurgents.

With my guide Chhering, two porters and my boyfriend, Greville, I set out on the 125-mile trail. Chhering, who'd been forced many times to pony up clients' dollars to the Maoists, told us how the trekkers who'd braved the rebels had come to think of it: "The donations were like a second trekking permit. The first went to the government with buildings, the second to the jungle government."

The amount of money demanded of each visitor varied over time and by trail, from more than $100 to only a few dollars.

In courtly fashion the insurgents would give their "donors" a receipt to prevent double jeopardy: Show the receipt, and you didn't have to give to other Maoists along the trail.

There were no red flags or gunpoint check posts on the first day, only emerald rice terraces cascading down the mountains. The next day was equally spectacular, with waterfalls from earth and sky. In rain we tramped through a gorge with too many waterfalls to count, each pounding hundreds of feet. Huge stands of bamboo waved in the storm, arced into the sky, dropped and shook thick fronds. We crossed steel suspension bridges over the white Marsyangdi River.

Just before the town of Chamje, I spotted a bamboo barrier and the flash of a red flag with the emblem of a white hammer and sickle.

Five young men, one boy and a woman were hanging out on the porch of a wooden hut. They wore no uniforms, though one had a red woolen cap. I couldn't see any weapons.

The young man in the cap handed me a printed page. "Appeal to Foreign Tourists," it read. "Welcome to Nepal, land of valiant Gorkha fighters, and warmest greetings from the C.P.N (Maoist) and United Revolutionary People's Council, Nepal.

"You are visiting this magnificently beautiful country in the most important juncture of its history. The old feudal and monarchical Nepal is fast crumbling under the tremendous pressure of the people's revolutionary struggle ... "

I skimmed. "We loathe the very idea of extortion from anybody as alleged by our detractors. We would, hence, humbly appeal to you to make a voluntary donation ... "

Voluntary?

"But of course, madam," they assured me.

Chhering waggled his head back and forth in that classic, noncommittal Nepalese gesture.

"Do what you like," he said.

In my five previous trips to Nepal, I'd never gotten a Maoist receipt. I gave 500 rupees, about $8.

At the teahouses, I asked other trekkers if they'd donated. John Beath, a South African now living in Australia, told me, "We said namaste, and went on."

Said Erez Ayalon, 26, an Israeli: "They didn't like my answer, but they didn't do anything about it."

Everyone seemed to see the Maoists as a tourist attraction more than anything. They obviously felt safe in Nepal.

David Duncan, 53, from Auburn (Placer County), was traveling alone. "I feel more comfortable trekking in Nepal than in Latin America," he said, because the latter was plagued with robberies.

It was the local guides and porters who didn't feel safe. When I mentioned being a journalist, one veteran Sherpa guide, who'd told me nothing more damning than "I just hope it gets better here," begged that I not use his name out of fear that Maoists would harm him, his family or employer.

Over the next two days, the trail narrowed into deeper gorges, passed more waterfalls and climbed through pine forests. We ascended endless rough stone steps. Soon we could see Annapurna II, then III and IV - edifices of rock and ice, glacier and cliff. (Ironically, you walk all the way around the main Annapurna peak, but you rarely see it.)

Though political graffiti decorated every village, too, I'm happy to report that the unrest hasn't dampened the sweet, earnest hospitality that has endeared travelers to Nepal. "We have spacey room," urged a teahouse sign near Pisang village, "well seprate you can sleep without any disturb!" Using only wood and kerosene, local cooks still manage to make apple crumble and "Cadbury chocolate" pies.

In Manang, a one-path town of stone houses at 11,610 feet, we attended a lecture by the Himalayan Rescue Association. Andy Gorlin, a volunteer American physician, said altitude sickness - rather than the Maoists - is the big risk to trekkers. Two weeks after that, as if to prove the point, I heard that two tourists died of it near the 17,769-foot Thorung La pass.

A couple of days later, in the tiny village Thorung Phedi, at the base of the pass, we prepared for the long and difficult climb. The plan was to rise at 5 a.m. and hike 3,000 feet uphill. As I stood there contemplating this, a horse nudged me. I discovered that people could hire horses to ride up the pass.

I felt like a wimp, but asked the price. Sixty dollars.

Done.

Before dawn I settled onto her saddle of Tibetan carpets and rode up the snow-covered pass like a Victorian lady traveler. I watched the crystals of snow ignite at dawn; rainbows danced in my camera lens. Morning flowed down the slopes.

The other side, the fabled Mustang district, was an arid plateau carved by wind. This region, especially Upper Mustang, mostly had stayed apart from Nepal's political problems, including the Maoists.

The town of Kagbeni was like stepping into medieval times: a red ochre monastery, old frescoes, mud walls. Except, that is, for the few reminders of modern times, including a "YakDonalds" restaurant.

When we hit the next town, Jomson, with an airstrip serving the region, I began to feel that Nepal's trekking trails were back in business. It became hard to get a room.

Our porters left at dawn to try to get us into the lovely Dhaulagiri Lodge in the hot springs town of Tatopani. Owner Bhuwan Gauchan told me - after we scored a bed - that the old insurgency period had one advantage: "You didn't have to rush for rooms."

We had one last encounter with Maoist-style enforced philanthropy in the village of Ghorepani, where the written appeal - pasted on a red flag - asked that the "warmly welcomed" foreigners "invest your assists" in helping the revolutionary movement improve tourism and natural resources in the area.

I didn't believe for a second that the money would go to tourism - more like food and fuel for the out-of-work cadres. A sour-faced man sat at a desk with a woman in a pink shawl hovering behind him. This Maoist talked tough. My receipt was in my bag with the porters, and the man said, "Then you make a donation, or you wait for your porters."

I gave him 200 rupees ($3.25) - and got another receipt - only to get chided later that night by other trekkers who had just ignored the Maoists and walked on by.

Prachanda, the Maoist leader, has told his cadres to desist, but they're still collecting. It seems this movement is struggling to balance the peace accord with its members' desperate need for rice.

My real concern is that the political truce is as unstable as the rickety suspension bridges we crossed. Elections originally scheduled for Nov. 22 were canceled, a major setback. Anyone contemplating a trip to Nepal should consider a refundable ticket and tour, and watch the news and government sites carefully.

But I do think we go to places like Nepal for a kind of risk - the kind that real travel, as distinguished from a vacation (which has its own virtues), gives. Literally breathtaking, trekking in the Himalayas makes us feel our fragility.

We travel to have our minds blown by beauty, and our illusions of "self" and security destabilized. We go to lose the familiar, the blanket that muffles the spirit and the senses.

Is Nepal safe? Is life?

If you go

When to go

High season is post-monsoon (mid-October through mid-December), and secondarily February through mid April.

Getting there

There are no nonstop flights from the United States to Kathmandu. Most travelers from the West Coast fly via Bangkok, then hop a 3.5-hour flight to Kathmandu on Thai Airways or Nepal Airlines. It's also possible to go to Kathmandu via Hong Kong on Dragonair.

What to do

Though I saw several trekkers doing the Annapurna Circuit on their own (no porters or guide), it's not smart to go solo in Nepal these days, given the political insurgency. There are hundreds of tour companies that can arrange tours and/or trekking in Nepal, from high-end Geographic Expeditions ( www.geoex.com) to tiny agencies down alleys in Kathmandu. I used Sunny Travels and Tours ( www.sunnytravels.com.np), and the service was superb. Cost was $1,300 per person for a full-service, 20-day Annapurna Circuit "teahouse" trek, including transport from Kathmandu to the trailhead, a skilled guide and two porters, good rooms and all food, two nights in Pokhara and a return flight to Kathmandu.

Socialtours.com, based in Kathmandu, has won responsible tourism awards and is run by a friendly man, Raj Gyawali, who blogs about safety in Nepal. www.socialtours.com.

For more information

Both the U.S. ( www.travel.state.gov) and U.K. ( www.britishembassy.gov.uk) governments offer excellent, detailed security information. The U.S. embassy in Nepal's Web site, nepal.usembassy.gov, has up-to-date information. Also try www.thekathmandupost.com and www.thehimalayantimes.com for the latest news. The Integrated Regional Information Networks, www.irinnews.org, an editorially independent news service for the United Nations, offers terrific overviews and analysis.

If you get too depressed, see the Web sites of Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation. www.nyof.org, or American Himalayan Foundation, www.ahf.org, and read about the region through the eyes of these San Francisco nonprofits that have worked there for years.

The best book on Nepal's history is "Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy" (2005) by novelist Manjushree Thapa.

Cherilyn Parsons last wrote for Travel about Newport, Ore. To comment, go to sfgate.com/travel and follow the links.

This article appeared on page G - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 01: Arrivals up by over 27%

2008-01-01T22:29:00.000+05:45

Numbers do drive us. It is heartening to know that the growth of tourism in Nepal is over three times the international average. Yet, arrivals by air have yet to cross the 400,000 mark... maybe it is better, as this means that Nepal is still pristine and quality tourism can still be offered. I remember how messy it was in 1999 when we nearly reached 500,000 arrivals.

From www.nepalnews.com :

Tourist arrival increased by one-third in 2007

Confirming what tourism entrepreneurs had been saying all along, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has come out with a statement saying that the year 2007 saw growth of 27.1 percent in the arrival of tourists by air.

The board has said that in the month of December alone, the arrival grew by 13 percent.

The NTB statement says that the arrival figure for 2007 reached 360,350 - an all time high since 2000 and against 283,516 in 2006.

"In 2000, the number of visitors arriving Nepal by air was 376914. Since then, it has continued to plummet due to various socio-political reasons," the NTB statement says.

"One of the main reasons for inspiring growth in 2007 in tourist arrivals is the ongoing peace process and political stability in the county. Another reason is the good air connectivity with many destinations ushered in by the operation of nine new international airlines to Nepal in 2007," it says.

The board has expected that the year 2008 will be very promising for Nepalese travel trade "as more new airlines are coming and existing airlines are also extending their flight frequency to Nepal." nepalnews.com sd Jan 01 08

ENCOUNTER - Peace lures Dragonair back ...

2007-12-04T15:51:00.001+05:45

ENCOUNTER - Peace lures Dragonair back ...

When the global aviation in-
dustry faced a crisis in 2001,
Dragonair pulled out of many
markets, including Nepal. But
after seven years of absence,
Dragonair’s Airbus A320 air-
craft landed at ...read more...

Yeti Footprints: Update

2007-12-04T15:13:00.000+05:45

As expected, a rejoinder on that story....

-----------
KATHMANDU, Dec 3, 2007 (AFP) - Mountaineering and wildlife
officials in Nepal said Monday they doubted whether footprints found
by a United States team from a science fiction programme were those
of a Yeti.

The host and crew from "Destination Truth" spent around a week
in the foothills of Mount Everest and returned to the capital
Kathmandu last week with claims that they had found footprints
belonging to the legendary creature.

"The footprints may be from a Himalayan bear," Ang Tshering
Sherpa, the president of Nepal Mountaineering Association told AFP
after looking at pictures of the prints.

"It is believed that Yetis have only four toes but the
footprints recorded by the US team have five toes," said Sherpa,
whose father went unsuccessfully looking for the legendary beast in
the 1950s.

The Yeti -- described as massive half-human, half-ape-like
creature -- has captured the imagination of explorers and climbers
in the Himalayas for generations.

Dozens of costly expeditions have taken place, none of which
have proved the existence of the beast.

After seeing what he thought was a fleeting glimpse of a Yeti in
1986, climbing legend Reinhold Messner began investigating the myths and stories that surround it.

In his 1998 book "My Quest for the Yeti," Messner concludes that
it only exists in peoples' imaginations and the Himalayan black bear
was probably behind most sightings.

"Destination Truth" -- which investigates the existence of
mythical creatures -- is being made for an American science fiction
channel.

Host Joshua Gates told AFP Saturday that the programme would
further investigate the footprints, which were found last week on
the bank of the Manju River, 150 kilometres (94 miles) northeast of
Kathmandu.

"The footprint is 13 inches (33 centimetres) long and the toes
span nine inches (23 centimetres) across," Gates told AFP at a hotel
in Kathmandu.

"This is really an intriguing piece of evidence and we all feel
a little bit unable to explain what we saw," he said.

But Laxmi Manandhar, a spokesman at the Department of National
Parks and Wildlife Conservation, told AFP: "People living in the
high Himalayas believe in this strange creature called a Yeti but
nobody has actually seen it.

"The footprint castings brought by the US television crew are
strange, but there is no supporting evidence to back up the claim
that these are footprints of the Yeti."

Raj Gyawali
http://www.socialtreks.com

Random News from nepal

2007-12-04T14:38:00.000+05:45

The following has been posted at the "I love Trekking in Nepal" group on Facebook, run by the same author

Dec 04:
Tourist Arrivals Up: Surprised?

Personally, I do not have much high regard for the tourist arrival statistics produced by Nepal Tourism Board. Having been involved in Market Research before, I feel that their technique is flawed, and the data is probably skewed.

Regardless, its good to hear that we registered double figure growths in arrivals each month so far in 2007, and every country's arrivals have been growing.

Definitely proves that Nepal is doing better after the Peoples movement last year, even though the politics is pretty confusing.

But as I always say, Nepal is a difficult country to put down. Even in the height of the insurgency and maoist attacks, which were broadcast the world over, people were still coming to Nepal. Did help that even the Maoists recognised then that tourists were important, and put valuable money into the hands of the villagers.

Follow the story here
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/dec/dec04/news03.php
__________________________

Dec 03:
Why go to Nepal? Reason # 11 : Yeti Footprint Sighting Recently...

Yet another expedition, (which used torches to watch for the Yeti at night), has claimed that they saw footprints of what they think is a Yeti, according to a report filed by my dear friend Charlie in Kathmandu.

Well, all the more reason to go to Nepal and trek in the Everest Region... who knows, you might even meet one!!!

I believe that these expeditions cannot go back empty-handed. Whoever was gullible enough to have doled out the money for them to come, would want some results, by hook or by crook.... who will sponsor their wonderful trip to Nepal again, if they cannot show results....

But I love our legend of the Yeti. Its mystical, like most of Nepal. And if this is going to pull more people into visiting our wonderful land, all the more better.

read the report on the BBC website here..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7122705.stm

Anyways, whatever reason you come to visit Nepal, whether to meet the Yeti, see the mountains, or just relax, you always leave this majestic country as a friend. It is always rewarding.
______________________________________

____
Dec 01: I have no idea why I am following this story of garbage in Kathmandu so ardently, but it fascinates me...

Well, it seems a new problem arose, leaving garbage on the streets for a week... eeeukkkk! and now they will finally be collected.... I pity the people around the dumping site though!!!

Aren't there better solutions than these?

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2007/nov/nov30/news01.php
_____________

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and Annapurna Circuit Trek plus jungle safari - a full active holiday @
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BECOME fans of these TRIPS... and help refine it!

Why go to Nepal? Reason # 11 : Yeti Footprint Sighting Recently...

2007-12-03T17:27:00.000+05:45

Yet another expedition, (which used torches to watch for the Yeti at night), has claimed that they saw footprints of what they think is a Yeti, according to a report filed by my dear friend Charlie in Kathmandu.

Well, all the more reason to go to Nepal and trek in the Everest Region... who knows, you might even meet one!!!

I believe that these expeditions cannot go back empty-handed. Whoever was gullible enough to have doled out the money for them to come, would want some results, by hook or by crook.... who will sponsor their wonderful trip to Nepal again, if they cannot show results....

But I love our legend of the Yeti. Its mystical, like most of Nepal. And if this is going to pull more people into visiting our wonderful land, all the more better.

read the report on the BBC website here..

Anyways, whatever reason you come to visit Nepal, whether to meet the Yeti, see the mountains, or just relax, you always leave this majestic country as a friend. It is always rewarding.

Upcoming activities in Nepal.... check these out!

2007-11-16T20:55:00.000+05:45

Purbanchal Festival
Date: 13-21 Nov, 07
Venue: Itahari
Organizer: Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Itahari
Contact: 977-25-580752

Akadashi Utsav
Date: 20-22 Nov, 07
Venue: Sandhikharka, Arghakhanchi
Organizer: Arghakhanchi Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Contact: 977-19-448003

Himalayan White Water Challenge
Date: 17-19 Nov 2007
Venue: Bhotekoshi
Organizer: Nepal Association of Rafting Agents
Contact: 977-1-4244048
Website: www.raftingassociation.
org.np

8th National Mountain Bike Championship
Date: 24 Nov, 07
Venue: Kathmandu
Organizer: Nepal Cycling Association
Contact: 977-1-4700286

Jalbinayak Festival
Date: 24-25 Nov, 07
Venue: Jalbinayak, Chobhar, Kathmandu
Organizer: Jalbinayak Community Forest Users' Group
Contact: 977-1-4335925

Damauli-Bandipur Mountain Bike Race
Date: 1 Dec, 07
Venue: Damauli-Bandipur
Organizer: Bandipur Tourism Development Committee/Nepal Cycling Club
Contact: 9841726829/065-560764

Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival
Date: 7-11 Dec, 07
Venue: NTB Hall, Kathmandu
Organizer: Himal Association
Contact: 5542544
Website: www.himalassociation.org

Jal Vinayak Festival

2007-11-16T20:53:00.000+05:45

Jal Vinayak Festival on November 24 & 25, 2007

In order to promote Chovar as tourist destination Jal Vinayak Community Forest User's Group with promotion of Nepal Tourism Board is organizing Jal Vinayak Festival at Chovar, Kathmandu on November 24-25, 2007. According to organizers, the main attractions of the festival are visit to Chovar cave, traditional Newari cultural program, food festival, visit to Manjushree Gorge etc. Chovar village situated some 9 kms South from city center is tourist destination roofing Chovar cave, Jal Vinayak temple and other various products. The Jal Vinayak festival is believed to unveil the tourist potential of the region to domestic as well as international tourists.

(from the NTB newsletter)

The Terai has problems.....

2007-10-27T15:17:00.000+05:45

The southern belt of Nepal is a flatland called the Terai, and since the maoists went overground, some outfits here went underground... calling for Terai Liberation... if you ask me, i am not sure what exactly these guys want anyways, except that in an environment of political confusion, there is bound to be elements who want to benefit from it... personally, I think it is only this....

But the local populace are troubled all the time, according to this report on www.nepalnews.com. The local 'liberation' outfits abduct people, extort money, and roam about. Its pretty lawless down there.

I should not say this, but I am glad these troubles are not hitting any of the tourism areas... needless to say, tourism could expand in other areas too, if these stupidities can be controlled.

Its definitely better in the mountains

2007-10-27T14:15:00.000+05:45

Ok, I am biased... cannot help it... am a mountain lover....

The truth is that the situation is much much better outside the cities. (not so) strangely enough, the Maoists are all in the city now, crying themselves hoarse in a protest rally, now that they have come over-ground.

The villages are vibrant, people look much more happy now that they are not between the army and the Maoists. In fact, this year would be the first time in years that people did finally go back to the villages for the big festival of Dasain, which just ended yesterday... now that they are sure that they will not be abducted by Maoists and forced to join the movement.

Parts of the Terai still has its problems, and situations can be a bit volatile, but in the regular trail of Chitwan, there are no issues and travel is hardly impeded.

Arrivals are increasing steadily

2007-10-04T12:54:00.000+05:45

NTB has announced that arrivals have increased in this month compared to a similar period last year. I am not surprised that this is in double digits, 27% it says. You got to remember that tourist arrivals had dipped to 1988 levels in 2001, taking tourism arrivals back by 13 years... now that is looking up, it is hardly surprising that we have double digit growth.

But the growth is encouraging, I can ensure you. We have more and more enquiries and more people are interested to come in. Looks like the image of Nepal is getting better, even with its internal political instability.

Check out this article in the Himalayan Times:

Tourist arrivals increase

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, October 3:

Maoists ensure safety of Tourists

2007-10-04T12:41:00.000+05:45

At last, there has been some premptive action in Nepal too... NATO has met the Maoists to ensure the safety of the travellers. Dev Gurung, a high level politburo member ensured that travellers are safe. The following article is from the Himalayan Times

NATO delegation meets Gurung

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, October 3:

A delegation of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) met with Dev Gurung, a politburo member of CPN-Maoist and requested him to ensure smooth and free movement of tourists during strikes.
During the meeting, Gurung assured NATO that his party does not have any intention to harm tourists during protests and is very positive and supportive towards promotion of tourism industry. “Our party did not harm a single tourist even during the insurgency. Neither do we have any strategy to hamper tourists and disturb their movement in the days to come as well,” he said. Gurung also underscored the need to achieve a political stability to create an enabling atmosphere to flourish tourism industry. On the occasion, the NATO delegation informed Gurung that with an announcement of fresh protest programmes by Maoist, foreign tour operators and visitors have become nervous and are in dilemma of going ahead with their planned visits to Nepal.
The team also showed serious concern over the possible cancellation of trips by tourists.

4-6 Oct Strikes are off!

2007-10-01T06:37:00.000+05:45

A blessing for the tourism industry, all Nepal lovers have been spared the pains of another 'hurdle' in the quest to discover this country. The general strikes which were announced by the Maoists throughout the country (read business and transport closures in the main thoroughfares of cities but nothing much elsewhere) have been called off. Read more about it here on www.nepalnews.com

There are still other hurdles though. Regular rallies, some supporting the November elections and some denouncing them, some asking for an postponement, depending on who is making the call, has meant that transportation in the city is a nightmare after 11 am, generally the time when the Nepalese people have a hefty meal of Dal Bhaat (Rice with lentil soup and vegetables or meat) and start their political day. Young ones get on top of buses (generally without paying the owner of the vehicle) and chant slogans.

Here's a joke I heard recently, told by my good friend. As soon as Prashant Tamang (a young guy of Nepalese origin from Darjeeling in India) was announced Indian Idol 3 at about midnight some days ago, Kathmandu erupted into joy, and rallies were taken out in the middle of the night with chants of 'Prashant, Prashant...Prashant' ranting in the air.... very soon the joyous people got bored of the same chants and a new group started a new chant.... 'Prashant Tamang Nepal ko hoooo....' (Prashant Tamang is from Nepal....) .... this continued for a while until someone else started the extremely popular.... 'Gyane chor desh chodh' (Gyanendra thief, leave this country..)

It does not take much to bring us Nepalese to a political frevor. Pure boredom will do.

Jokes aside, the advisory then will be:-

There are time hurdles in Kathmandu. Thankfully all travel from Kathmandu into the trekking areas or other cities have early morning options. Take them. Do not wait for us to finish our meals. It then time for us to roam the streets feeling very politically aware.

Advisory: Bring an umbrella

2007-09-29T16:51:00.000+05:45

It is quite evident that the biggest dampener of tourism in this country this season is not going to be the Maoists and their antics, nor the political gymnastics and imminent elections, nor the attention grabbing techniques in the Madesh, but plain old rain... rain, rain and more rain. Read the five day forecast from the BBC here

It has been bad weather for seven days straight, and it has been raining off and on all these days. The temperatures have gone down and is now at about 20 C highest. Nice temperatures, but damp days, and nights. One of our clients on safari in Chitwan, was rained in for 36 hours and in the first break she had, she was blessed with a sight of three leopards... extremely lucky...

Anyways, the advisory therefore will be, bring an umbrella, or if you are trekking, a rain Poncho, NOT a super duper goretex jacket, but a plain old rain Poncho... much better as it also goes over your rucksack and lets you stay dry and keep walking. Careful though, in heavy rain, the version you can buy in Nepal do not have waterproof zips, therefore though they only cost about 5-6 dollars and that is extremely tempting, if staying absolutely dry is a priority, you might want to invest in a good poncho. Check to see if your rucksack also fits though.

FYI, read more about gear here

The US Travel Advisory

2007-09-25T14:23:00.000+05:45

The US is back at hitting hard at Nepal again, a new travel advisory came out yesterday, advising as follows: "The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens contemplating a visit to Nepal to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans at short notice"....read more about the US travel advisory here

Well, I think what they write is completely justified. But remember to read between the lines, and the learnings from this advisory would be:

1. Do not walk alone inside a jungle, specially if you are a woman (the two incidents in the forest)
2. Solo trekking is not always safe (not only for personal safety reasons, but also you never have backup in case you have a trekking injury, or high altitude sickness)
3. Tourists are not necessarily the targets.. American NGO's are considered to have more money, hence excellent for extortions.
4. Some pilferage in hotels rooms in Kathmandu is possible. Kathmandu is a big city and normal levels of city crime exists. Be careful where you keep your valuables.

So you see, the travel advisory does not necessarily say that you cannot travel into Nepal, just you need to be cautious, be informed, and take usual precautions like when you travel anywhere in the world.

And the one part that I like a lot in the advisory, be ready to change plans quickly... this is absolutely true. In a country with a situation like in Nepal, that is probably the best advice people can come with... be flexible, ready for change....

Remember.... plans seldom survive reality, change can be inspirational, embrace it.... this cannot be more true in Nepal.

random thoughts ... am a bit hurt!

2007-09-23T14:03:00.000+05:45

Do not get me wrong, I do appreciate the concern that different countries have about the situation in Nepal, but as a Nepali, my pride hurt a bit when I read that the Americans are warning our mao brothers (..if they derail the election process). Doesn't the US have enough problems in its hands out of meddling in others affairs?

like I mentioned before, I do understand concern, but threats/warnings?

On another thing, was reading at www.nepalnews.com that a quick poll (voice of the people)showed that the people are not too happy about the Maoist pull out - careful brothers, if you do not have the people on your side, you might not have much left. Remember it is not the gun anymore that rules, now that you are overground.

Travel Advisory - 21 Sep 07

2007-09-20T15:23:00.000+05:45

OK, I need to qualify this right away...so that I do not give anyone any wrong impression...

I do not have any secret service or intelligence agencies supplying me with information to fuel this advisory... this advisory is purely based on my understanding of our people and politics, and my experience over the years about how this affects tourism.

Situation: We hear that the Maoists will not reenter the jungle, and I completely believe them. You cannot stay in the jungle for 15 odd years, face all the hardships, come back into the open for over a year, and then go back again... that is too complicated. You got to remember that the hardliners are also getting real old, maybe old enough not to go back into the Jungle. As one of my friends pointed out, I look to be singling out the Maoists...there are other elements too in Nepal in this political mess who are equally to blame...I address the issue with the Maoists as their actions are noticed worldwide and this affects tourism

So, without too much fuss on the situation, here is the advisory

Kathmandu: Expect delays all round. The consumers are really unhappy with the situation with shortages in electricity, fuel and water, and the proverbial Nepali patience is wearing thin right now. There have already been some strikes from consumer groups, some random, some planned and this will affect movement to a certain degree. It does not look like it will resolve soon either.

Action to take: Keep your stay in Kathmandu short. Try to fly out to other locations rather than use land transport. Its going to be more reliable. For this, book well in advance. Its season right now. If you plan on staying in Kathmandu, pad your days, so that you can take time. You do want to see Kathmandu though if you are coming to Nepal. It is a cultural melting pot, polluted, crowded, but full of culture

Safety: Not much danger to travellers. Do not wait to take photographs if you see a situation happening. Specially Lainchaur, close to Thamel is a political keg, and brickbatting with Police is common here specially since there are a few colleges here. Do not hang around when you see this, just move away. You have more chances of getting mugged if you hang around too late at night in Thamel (there are too many druggies around nowadays) than getting hurt in other incidents.

Pokhara and Annapurna Region. Definitely better. Any political activity in Kathmandu gets immediately reflected in Pokhara. But since the tourism district out there is removed fro town at lakeside, you hardly notice anything. If anything, and there is a strike or something, you have a short walk to the Bus Station or a longish walk to the airport. Worst case scenario, you might have to walk it to Phedi or Nayapul, if you are planning Poon Hill treks, if there is a transportation strike or the fuel runs out.

Safety: No danger at all. Avoid stupidity as required in any city...but please drink one for me at the Busy Bee.

Everest Region: (I was about to write Totally but maybe that is too much to write) Cool. No crazy political activity here, except that the Maoists are working on setting rates and systems for porters (actually a pretty good task, except they tend to be a bit rough around the edges). No one will trouble you.

Safety. No problems

Langtang Region: Cool. Expect problems going to Dhunche, if you are planning a trip from here. The fuel shortage is hitting hard, and there might be delays on the road. Nothing too bad though. Also this area is going to be your alternative if everything else does not work during your trip to Nepal. Like no flights to Lukla, or transport problems to Pokhara.... then just take a taxi to Sundarijal, about 45 minutes from Thamel on a good less traffic day, and start trekking from the edge of the valley. Options are 7 days Gosainkunda, 6 days Helambu, 14 - 21 days Gosainkunda and Langtang or add Tamang Heritage Trek. So you will not miss out. Langtang Helambu are saviors.

Chitwan National Park: Look before you leap. The problems with the Terai unrests have not affected Chitwan so far, nor to road that leads to it, but you never know if it will extend here. So be informed before you go to Chitwan. If anything, even though it is not a responsible move, flying will ensure safety for sure. You are collected at Bharatpur by resort staff and whisked off to the Jungle or Sauraha, and you can return the same way. My choice is to go by land and fly back. But be informed before you do this.

Safety. Its safe, no doubts.

The Terai: Not recommended. If you are planning on going to Lumbini, or to Bharatpur or even Bardiya, expect severe delays and restrictions. There is a violent (OK, only sometimes it is voilent) movement going on there, and though you will be safe (all sides agree that tourists are not the target), you will not enjoy your trip.

So overall, in Nepal now, stick to the mountains and like I always say, get away from the cities, the further you are from a city, the better the situation is.

OK, now i am exhausted... so if there is anything specific you want to know, write me.

oh btw, please also keep reading www.nepalnews.com

...and more political gymnastics

2007-09-19T11:36:00.000+05:45

I think we, the Nepalese people, are like sheep, totally and completely lacking any sense of our own, and happy to turn wherever our 'wise' politicians take us.

Yesterday, the maoists dropped out of the goverment, in a political wrangling bid to get seats in parliament out of elections, and they have the support of masses of people. In this day and age, can you believe that! They have announced a 'peaceful' agitation program to derail the election process.

For everyone's knowledge, this is their agitation program schedule that they announced yesterday (to be absolutely fair to readers, by the time you read this, it will probably change...knowing the Nepali penchance for doing this)

19-21 Sep - door to door awareness programme (read it as 'donation collection' and/or request to house agitators)

22 Sep: Mass meetings and demonstrations all over country (read stopping traffic and causing commuting crisis - this has a bigger nuisance factor than just shouting on a microphone)

30 Sep: Surrounding of Election offices to restrict nominations

29 Sep - 3 Oct: Exposing persons indicted in Rayamajhi Commission (on the People's Uprising last year) and "corrupt persons" (read after all this disturbances in the past weeks, trying to get the sympathy of the masses again, but touching topics that touch people, corruption and the people's uprising.

4-6 Oct: Nation Wide General Strike. (read clean air in Kathmandu.....)

For tourism, this could not come at a worse time, but somehow this is the fate of a tourism professional in Nepal. Not only did we have the tourism season of Nepal coinciding with our biggest festivals, Dasain and Tihar (which meant that we could not really celebrate the festivals as we wanted), since about 7 years, every year, during the season, some sort of agitation is announced by someone... such is the stupidity of the politicians... I guess for them it is tactical, but I hope they also realise that they are alienating a vast majority of people, who directly or indirectly benefit from tourism.

In end effect, the tourism itself will be safe. The only thing is what I like to call the 'hassle factor' (strikes, check points etc..) which will delay tourism.

But remember, most of Nepal's tourism is in the villages, and the further you go from Kathmandu and bigger towns, the less you will be affected by all this political wrangling.

Bombs in Nepal! an update for travellers

2007-09-07T09:55:00.000+05:45

OK, time for an UPDATE on the situation...!!!

I am in Nepal now, arrived a day after the bomb blasts... !! No surprise that all Nepalese are deeply shocked! This is the first time in history something like this has happened, where a bomb has actually targetted innocent civilians...

Seems like everyone is learning from examples of the maoists, that there is only one way to make yourself heard in Nepal, start an armed conflict, and maybe examples of 'making a statement' techniques around the world is giving them ideas... but I never thought my own people were capable of something like this!

To take this news and analyse in more practical terms... it is business as usual for the tourism and trekking business... there is concern, but this is not targetting travellers... as all parties realise that there is no benefit in raising foreign interests by targetting foreigners... That would be utter stupidity...!!

Good news is that the industry is rising from the depths now... and things are looking up! Nepal Tourism Board is already talking about double digit growths in arrivals, 4 times higher than annual growths worldwide.

Good news for sustainable travel too... a workshop just concluded, starting a process of skill enhancement in sustainable travel to 30 odd private sector organistions... hopefully bringing out real sustainable travel alternatives in the near future...

New airlines are coming in too, making connections to Europe and the regional hub of Singapore better, opening newer opportunities in Australia and Europe...

Hopefully, we do not experiment with too many stupid stunts (which we are entirely capable of), and keep the image intact....

Peace prevails, come and visit Nepal

2006-11-25T14:42:00.000+05:45

The much awaited Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) was signed between the government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal(Maoists) on Tuesday evening, November 21, 2006 formally announcing an end to a decade-long armed insurgency what Maoists termed as "People's War". Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal(Maoists) Prachanda signed the historic Accord promising to chart a new destiny for "peaceful and democratic" new Nepal, and pledging for peaceful coexistence of all Nepali irrespective of caste, creed, religion and gender.

On behalf of Nepalese tourism industry, Nepal Tourism Board salutes all those in front and behind to make CPA a success. Over more than a half decade, Nepalese tourism industry has suffered severely due to conflicts at home and other untoward incidences that took place around the world. Since both the Government and Maoists have committed for free movement of tourists and all Nepali in any part of the country without hindrance, it will definitely provide a boost to ailing tourism industry of Nepal. The signing of CPA also put full stop to illegal donation collected by Maoists from trekkers in the different trekking routes. Now tourists can go anywhere in Nepal with any hiccup and hitch. Although not a single tourist had been targeted or harmed by the rebels during a decade-long insurgency, the conflict emanated wrong message to world about the safety and security situation of Nepal. With the ending of conflict, all tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their satisfaction and happiness in a hope that it will bring permanent peace in the country which is vital for the growth of tourism industry.

Signing of CPA has given a positive message to the world that Nepalese people are capable of resolving their own problem; and it has set an example in conflict resolution for the whole world. What until recently was dream of all Nepali and peace lovers has now become a reality. Nepalese tourism industry would like to thank all tourists and tourist generating countries for their generous and unwavering support to Nepal and its people. The people of Nepal would like to make a pledge to all tourists who had postponed their tour to Nepal due to various reasons to come and visit Nepal and see and experience its beauty, grandeur, culture, arcane temples and monasteries, mountains and jungles of Nepal. Nepalese people also would like to request all tourists to make a New Year Resolution for 2007 to visit Nepal as a life time experience.

Media Center
Nepal Tourism Board

NEPAL: Back on the tourism map

2006-11-25T14:39:00.000+05:45

There is an air of relief among the Nepalese people. Lasting peace is in sight. It took several changes of government, a significant show of public strength which overthrew the King earlier this year and a string of negotiations to bring to an end an armed conflict that has already taken over 15,000 Nepalese lives in about 10 years.

A peace accord is being signed in Nepal on the 16th of November, 2006, making this date the most historic date in present history. This accord, between the Maoists and the Government, is aimed at ending the armed conflict that has been hampering development of this Himalayan country for over 10 years now. The draft has already been prepared and what has been put in is important. Bringing the peace situation of the country back to before 1996, when this armed conflict came to surface, ban of extortion, abductions and public display of arms etc.

Apart from this important accord, it has already been agreed that the Maoists and the Army will lock up equal number of arms in cantonments supervised closely by the UN from the 21st of November 2006. This is significant, as this will now dissolve the “rule of fear” that has been governing the conflict. The Maoists are also joining an interim parliament by the end of November, which will elect a new constituent assembly, draft a new constitution and go for fresh elections in June 2007.

The implications for tourism, the most important industry, are tremendous. Sweden has already removed Nepal from its threat list, and it is likely most other countries will have little reason not to follow suit now. Travel advisories and its effects of installing fear of travel as well as hesitation of insurance companies to offer comprehensive cover, or raising of premiums, has been the main cause of tourism going back to 1988 levels in the past few years in Nepal.

The downhill spiral was also fuelled by the negative international media attention, which is a common phenomenon in today’s world. Bad news makes sensational news but the same is not necessarily true for good news. If the talks had broken down and the Maoists had taken up arms again and killed a few soldiers, it would have made news and several repeats, but now that we have a breakthrough, it is not that interesting. But this is a factor we cannot control, and if we can look at the positive side of all this, it has made Nepal more and more popular, the world knows where it is now, and that it is worth visiting.

To top it all, the uncontrolled irresponsible growth of the tourism industry, leading up to the tourism boom in 1998 in Nepal, has been stemmed, and operators that have withstood the conflict till now, are stronger, more determined, have had to study markets and strategise, and know what the markets want.

There cannot be a better time to visit Nepal. A new country is emerging, the mountains are still as spectacular, the culture is rich and ancient, the adventure activities excellent and the people one of the friendliest in the world, always ready with palms joined in front of their chests with the Nepali greeting “Namaste” meaning “ I worship the God in you”.

Four Polish trekkers safe and sound: NTB

2006-03-28T14:31:00.000+05:45

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has said that four Polish trekkers who were earlier presumed missing along the trekking route of Jiri-Lukla since March 23 are safe and sound.

Issuing a press statement Monday evening, the NTB said the Polish trekkers were found safe in Lukla of the eastern district of Solukhumbu.

“As per the Tourism Crisis Response Action Unit member Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa's direct conversation with one of the members of the said Polish team in Lukla, the fact has been established that they were not abducted. Due to the remote nature of trekking trails where no communication facilities were available they could not communicate further after the 23rd March when they had some misunderstanding with locals en-route to their destination,” the statement said.

Saying that the reports of ‘abduction’ [by Maoists] was of the Polish nationals were misleading, the NTB said, “This prolonged suspense without any information had indeed caused misinformation as apparent in the news.”

Earlier this afternoon, district committee member of the CPN (Maoist) in Solukhumbu district, Samul, told Nepalnews over the phone that “it is against his party's policy to abduct trekkers” and that the Polish trekkers were not taken into control by his party.

“Nepal Tourism Board will update more information after the arrival of all the four Polish trekking team in Kathmandu. This fact has once again established that Nepal has always been a safe destination for tourists despite some baseless and misleading news and views,” the NTB release said.

Earlier, a Kathmandu-based language group, Nepal Esperanto Association (NEA), had said that two of the Esparanto-speaking members of the Polish trekking group had called them saying they were “abducted” by the rebels. The Association, however, said it wasn’t aware of demands made by the rebels, if any.

The group had left Kathmandu on March 21 and was on its way to Lukla in the Everest region via Jiri of Dolakha district—to the east of capital, Kathmandu.

Safety in Nepal

2006-02-25T16:24:00.000+05:45

Raj Gyawali

Ten years of internal conflict between the Maoist guerrillas and the establishment has meant that travelers are very concerned about the safety issue when planning their trips to Nepal. This fact, combined with some attacks by the guerrillas in remote districts and in the vicinity of the Kathmandu Valley on government targets and the international media coverage of these events have created more concerns on potential travelers. This is very understandable.

Here are some facts about the conflict that might help travelers make a more informed decision

• The Maoists have only targeted government targets – civilians and specially foreigners are not targets at all
• The Maoists also recognize the importance of tourism – in fact in many Maoist run villages in remote areas, they put welcome gates in the entrance of villages.
• There has not been any tourist casualty resulting out of the conflict in Nepal in these 10 years.
• Maoist charge a travel permit fee in their areas, amounting to about 20 USD and give you a receipt so that you do not get doubly charged.
• The agitating political parties and the Maoist sometimes announce valley wide and nation wide closures and blockades, which results in hassle and delays in surface travel. This does not affect air travel.
• Closures announced in Kathmandu mean that this is the perfect day to cycle around the city without the pollution and the public love it (when it is not for many days)
• The government sometimes imposes curfews (partial and sometimes complete) which means you might have to stay indoors. Its pretty boring and a big hassle. These are rare. This does not affect air travel, and special arrangements are there to shuttle travelers to and from the airports.
• These closures, blockades and curfews do not affect tourism activities in remote villages, where most of the tourism takes place in Nepal.
• These closures, blockades and curfews however, can affect access to these areas, if the timing is wrong.
• There are lesser tourists in Nepal now (scared because of the conflict) which means it is a better time to come. You get better service and can enjoy the attractions and activities more.

Suggestions

• Be informed of planned activities by the political activists and the Maoists and plan your trip accordingly.
• Be prepared to modify your plans when in Nepal to account for the unplanned events.
• Pad your travel with a few extra days to allow for unforeseen delays due to the country situation. (Not really applicable for travel only into Kathmandu)

Nepal records zero fatality in aviation in 2005

2006-01-05T09:51:00.000+05:45

The year 2005 created a new history in the field of civil aviation with zero fatality for the year from January 4, 2005 to January 4, 2006. This news was disclosed by a high official at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal here today in a seminar entitled "Human Factor: Contributing Factor to Control Flight to Terrain".

Addressing the seminar, Yankila Sherpa, State Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation congratulated and thanked all the concerned for their important efforts to make air travel safe in this country.

She further said this fact would remove the impact of negative propaganda about Nepal in other parts of the world, which has hampered the tourism sector in the country.

Experts also shared the views that the proper maintenance of aircraft, strictly adhering to the rules and regulations, well equipped and maintained airport facilities, as well as the timely and reliable information on the weather are the major factors that reduce accident rates.

In Nepal, there were two fatal accidents in 2002 involving commercial traffic with 22 fatalities, down to one with two fatalities in 2003. In 2004, there were 3 fatalities with one fatal accident.

Media Center
Nepal Tourism Board
Tourist Service Center
P.O Box: 11018
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
Hotline Telephone No:977-1-4225709

Nepalese tourism expected to rebound in 2006

2006-01-04T15:58:00.000+05:45

Tourism has been the mainstay of Nepal's economy. This fact has been proven by the employment and foreign currency it generates. At a time, when most of the other trade and industry are sometimes affected by internal and external problems, tourism has proved to be the industry surviving and producing good result. It has been encountering some unforeseen problems in Nepal, which has also granted it an opportunity to learn a good lesson to grapple with the waves of situations-some conducive, some untoward.

At this juncture, the abrupt end of cease fire should not be panicky to anyone in terms of running the main core of business. The travel trade industry has been running their services and catering quality services to its clients (tourists) irrespective of the problems of any hue and magnitude. As a result, most of the tourist destinations within the country have never lagged behind to treat their "Guests as God"-a phrase world renowned for the hospitality inherent in the mind and soul of people of Nepal. In any case, if there is a severe problem associated with the travel trade (Bandh, strikes, pickets etc) the agency handling the tourist itself will caution about safety measures or else Nepal Tourism Board in association with various government and non government agencies will activate the high level crises management Cell aiming at the welfare of the tourists. However, this is a contingency measure planned in case of emergency, but as in practice tourists have not encountered such problem so far in Nepal.

There is no better example to show Nepal is a safe place than quoting world renowned personalities who were recently here in Nepal for their private visit. World-renowned celebrity like Sunil Gavaskar- legendary cricket icon who was here recently said that Nepal is the best place for relaxation as it is quiet and peaceful. Another celebrity Mr. David Breashears, Co-director of widely acclaimed Everest IMAX film and author of several books on mountains who was here in December, 2005 said that he found people of different nationalities traveling in Nepal without facing any problem.

If we delve into the pre-cease fire figure of tourist arrivals, the flow of tourists to Nepal was encouraging which also proves that the tourists' love towards Nepal was not less even during pre ceasefire situation. The good number of tourist visiting Nepal in pre-ceasefire situations also speaks volumes to Nepal's claim of most happening enchanting destination with sufficient coverage of safety and security in the major tourism destinations within the country. Irrespective of time, the service provided by Nepal's industry to the visitors is always up to the mark. So, allow us to reiterate here that no compromise would be made in the delivery of the services, as committed by the travel industry of Nepal, even in the wake of post cease fire situation too. Tourism sites of Nepal has remained firm and committed in pre or post cease fire situations. We comprehend that the duty of travel industry does not be complete merely inviting here, however, it also falls as part of their responsibility to convey right information at right time. Therefore, if any tourists wish to visit Nepal, NTB humbly request to seek the services from Government Registered Travel and Trade companies (List of all Government registered hotels, travel, trekking and Rafting agents are listed in our official website viz. www. welcomenepal. com).

Media Center
Nepal Tourism Board
Tourist Service Center
P.O Box: 11018
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
Hotline Telephone No:977-1-4225709

Calling off of ceasefire draws mixed reactions (nepalnews special)

2006-01-02T18:53:00.000+05:45

By Pratibedan Baidya
http://www.nepalnews.com

The announcement of calling off of the unilateral ceasefire by the CPN (Maoist) on Monday has drawn mixed reactions.

Talking to Nepalnews, noted human rights activist, Subodh Raj Pyakurel, said, the “irresponsible behaviour” of the state was mainly responsible for the breaking off of ceasefire. “The Ministers and other people always stood against the peace process and compelled them (the Maoists) to return to war.”

Human rights violation as well as violence had decreased during the period of four-month-long ceasefire, said Pyakurel. Though we repeatedly urged the Maoists to extend the ceasefire through various for a, they did not comprehend it, he added.

Maoists should not have called off the ceasefire as they were earning positive response at the national as well as national as well as international level, said Pyakurel.

“We still urge Maoists not to adopt the path of violence and respect people’s human rights and right to live,” he added.

In his first reaction, Vice President of Nepal Bar Association, Sher Bahadur KC, said the breaking off of ceasefire had hindered the people’s aspiration for peace.

“We condemn the government’s passivity for not reciprocating the ceasefire,” said KC. “Nepal Bar will monitor the situation even after the termination of ceasefire,” he added. Chairman of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Narendra Bajracharya, termed the latest development as “unfortunate” it will harm the tourism industry in the country.

“We were calling for the restoration of peace through dialogue and asking to both the sides to create a conducive environment for talks but the present situation has led the country towards violence,” he added.

The tourism industry-- that was facing sharp decline had witnessed some positive signs during the last four months--- is likely to see decline again if the war broke out in the country, said Bajracharya.

“We had urged the government to reciprocate the truce but it did not oblige, which is very unfortunate for the country,” he said. The executive committee of HAN is meeting on Wednesday to review the situation.

The government’s spokesperson, Minister of State for Information and Communications, Shrish Shumser Rana, could not be reached for comments despite several attempts. Officials at his office said the minister was holding meeting with vice chairman in the council of ministers, Dr. Tulsi Giri.

When contacted by Nepalnews, spokesperson at the Home Ministry, Gopendra Bahadur Pandey, said, “We haven’t yet seen the statement by the Maoists but we are providing adequate security and mobility of the security force is increasing.”

The government is making proper security arrangements regardless of breaking of ceasefire or not, he added.

Editor of Rajdhani daily, Kapil Kafle—who accompanied Their Majesties in their trip to Dhaka and Tunisia recently-- told Nepalnews that continuity of the ceasefire would have been in favour of all the Nepalis. Referring to Maoists’ statement which said the party made all probable efforts for the restoration of peace and continuity of ceasefire but was compelled to break it, Kafle said, “the latest Maoist decision has portrayed them as selfish as they did not care the greater interest of the people, which is not in their favour as well as they were getting popular support,” he added.

Regarding the government’s passivity to reciprocate the ceasefire, Kafle said, “The government should be positive to the Maoists’ call for peace and reciprocate it. The government should also be positive towards the 12-point understanding reached between the Maoists and the seven party opposition alliance for the interest of the common people but the government did not do so.”

“People will continue to suffer as both the sides-- the government and the Maoists-- did not care for the greater interest of the people,” he added.

nepalnews.com by Jan 02 06

maoists withdraw ceasefire

2006-01-02T15:15:00.000+05:45

Maoists withdraw ceasefire (1:30 pm)

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has announced withdrawal of its unilateral ceasefire declared four months ago.

press statement issued by the Maoist supremo, Prachanda, on Monday said his party was compelled to call off the ceasefire "as the government continued its military operation even during the period of unilateral ceasefire."Prachanda, however, expressed commitment to assist the ongoing movement of seven opposition alliance as per the 12-point agreement between his party and the seven political parties.

The statement further said that though national and international communities took the unilateral ceasefire positively, the government continued its blatant action against the party.

The statement said that the government killed many party cadres including Kim Bahadur Thapa alias Sunil during the three month long unilateral ceasefire and also continued such acts during the extension of the ceasefire.

The statement said that the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) continued land and aerial attacks during the ceasefire, so they were compelled to take such a decision.

The statement further said that though the party had taken the calls from national and international organizations for the continuity of the ceasefire positively, they were unable to do so due to situation.

Maoists also said that their action will be directed towards the autocratic royal regime and the municipal election slated for February 8.

The party however expressed commitment to declare ceasefire and involve in the politics of mainstream if there is guarantee of empowering people through the election of constituent assembly after forming an all-party government through a round-table conference.

Visitors Figures up compared to last year

2005-12-04T10:25:00.000+05:45

A report from the Nepal Tourism Board E-Newsletter

Visitors arriving to Nepal by air in November 2005 increased by 14.2% compared to the same month of 2004. This was stated in the figures released today by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation quoting Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport. Arrivals from India and the third countries both increased by 30% and 9.9% respectively. A total of 27,511 visitors came to Nepal during the month.

Indian market continued to show the increasing trend indicating the fact that confidence level from the market is accelerating day by day. Arrivals from SAARC countries grew altogether by 34.6% with the only decline coming from the Sri-Lankan market. Bangladesh was on a remarkable growth trend last month too showing an increase of 116.3%.

The other Asian markets to rise were China (51%), Japan (21.5%) and South Korea (39.1%). Arrivals from South East Asian markets, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia however showed some decline.

The European segment altogether grew by 7.3% with growth from major markets like UK (21.3%) and France (7.4%). The Spanish (16.6%) and Italian (13.5%) continued their positive performance while Germany observed incremental loss (-1.6%) and a loss of 34.6% from Dutch market. Arrivals were down from Australian market (-20.7%) while American arrivals grew by 18.8%.

Commenting on the increased figure of last month, NTB CEO Mr. Dangi says, 'The increasing trend in arrival is not only the sign of increasing confidence of the markets towards the destination, but also a challenge to the Nepalese tourism to retain the growth for the coming days. With the added stability in the country, we need to work more collectively and put our co-ordinated effort to brighten the days of Nepalese tourism further.'

Political Update of Nepal

2005-12-01T11:33:00.000+05:45

Days before the unilateral ceasefire announced by the CPN (Maoist) comes to an end, a top Maoist leader has said his party has lost two senior military commanders in an aerial attack by the Royal Nepalese Army in mid-western Nepal.

Yet, the Maoists seem ready to extend the ceasefire. Even as they confirmed these deaths, Prachanda, the Maoist supreme announced that they are still committed to the alliance recently forged with the political parties. He also announced that they are considering extending the ceasefire.

This could have important implications for tourism which had shown a sign of revival as the ceasefire was announced.

The biggest hurdle at the moment is the refusal of insurance agencies in the West to offer travel insurance to potential travelers to this kingdom. As we love conspiracy theories in Nepal, there is talk in the tourism sector of a collusion of big travel agencies in the West and the insurance companies with the insurance only being offered to group travelers, reducing the chances of small operators from Nepal marketing their products directly to individual clientele.

RELATED ARTICLE: November agreement has dramatically changed political realities – from www.nepalnews.com

A leading European think-tank has said the agreement between the seven-party opposition alliance and CPN (Maoist) of Nepal this month has dramatically changed political realities in the country.

In its latest report analyzing the political context of Nepal, the Brussels based think-tank, International Crisis Group (ICG), said the dialogue between the Nepal’s mainstream parties and Maoists had India’s tacit backing and that they have developed a serious agenda which offers the framework of a peace deal.

Nepal tourist thrust - - Low airfares, hospitality offers

2005-11-23T11:55:00.000+05:45

- BAPPA MAJUMDAR

The Himalayan kingdom is dolling up for the winter tourist.Given the exclusive holiday packages and travel discounts on offer by the Nepal government, the Himalayan kingdom promises to be one of the favourite tourist haunts for Calcuttans this winter.

To start with, Cosmic Air and Indian Airlines have come up with a Rs 3,300-plus round trip to Kathmandu and back.

On the other hand, officials of the Nepalese Tourism Board (NTB) said, two to three nights for a couple would cost as low as Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500 in some of the top star-category hotels in Kathmandu.

“Some of the packages offer airfare, transfer, half-day sightseeing and meals amid luxurious surroundings,” an NTB official added.

An Indian Airlines spokesman said: “We have tied up with exclusive hotels in Kathmandu to offer amazing holiday packages. The favourite locales so far are Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Chitwan region.”

Trekking in the Kathmandu valley and the Everest region, mountaineering expeditions and jungle safaris in Royal Chitwan and Bardiya national parks will also be much cheaper.

“With elections slated for next year and talks with Maoist rebels slowly bearing fruit, we are looking at lasting peace. Therefore, our focus is now on what has always been our strength — tourism,” Nepalese consul general Govind Prasad Kusum told Metro.

Even till a few years ago, Kathmandu was one of the hottest destinations for Calcuttans, with as many as 1,500 of them setting out for the picturesque land every week. But in recent times, with a lot of negative publicity doing the rounds, tourist figures started to dwindle.

“The feedback we get from tourists who travel to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan is very good now. With the situation improving, we hope that the tourist flow to Nepal will pick up again,” said Anil Punjabi, chairman (east) of Travel Agents Federation of India.

One of the biggest attractions for Calcuttans has been the Kailash Manasarovar tour, with over 100 takers for it this year.

The World Elephant Polo Championships (December 1-7), the national tourism festival (December 20-30), the paragliding festival (November-end) and the Himalayan white-water challenge are also big draws.

Update on Tragic French Expedition

2005-10-28T09:49:00.000+05:45

Nepal Tourism Board
Press Release
October 27, 2005

High-level French team in Nepal for rescue operation
Tourists are not stranded in Manang

A press conference was organized today by French Embassy based in Kathmandu, Nepal to disseminate the factual information about French climbers swept down by avalanche that hit the base camp of a climbing expedition on Mount Kang Guru, 6981 m in Mid-western Nepal on October 20, 2005. French Ambassador Michel Jolivet expressing sorrow over the tragedy paid sincere condolence to the French and Nepali victims' families, to their friends and to the whole community of climbers. Addressing the press conference Mr. Serge Koening, mountain guide, and mountain advisors of
Mr. Jean-Francois Lamour, French Minister for Youth and Sports said that he was satisfied with the rescue operation carried by Nepalese rescue team. He informed that two experts specialized in post-avalanche search operation with two sniffler dogs trained for mountain rescue, and with special equipment will be arriving Kathmandu on October 28 to continue search operation after hiatus. The search operation has been halted for sometime due to snowfall and likelihood of avalanche. But it will resume within few days when weather gets clear. They have left three trained guides at Meta below base camp to monitor weather. A body of French climber was brought to Kathmandu by a helicopter on October 26, 2005, he said. However, identity is still unknown. Five experts from France accompanied the rescue operation conducted by Himalayan Rescue Association started from October 23 to 26. According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the members of French expedition who are presumed dead are Bernard Constantin, 65, Gregory Flematti, 35, Bruno M.J. Chardin, 54, Jean Francois Jube, 62, Jean Paul Minette, 51, Marie Odile Stolzenberg, 57, and the expedition leader, Daniel Stolzenberg, 60. Eleven-member Nepali climbers, cooks,
guides and porters who accompanied French Expedition are also believed to be perished in the avalanche.

Of the 22-person expedition team, four Nepalese porters staying outside the main tents survived the avalanche and were rescued by a helicopter. The French Expedition team started their trekking from Besisahar, the starting point of Annapurna Circuit on October 3, 2005. They reached Camp II on October 18 but got back to the base camp.
According to Churen Himal Treks and Expeditions, which handled the expedition, the French Expedition had planned to climb the Mount Kang Guru on October 24.

In the meantime, Manang Youth Society issued a press release yesterday saying that the weather has been good for the past 3 days with sunny weather following last week heavy snowfall. "It will take some time for planes to resume regular flights. According to information from Manang, all the tourists stranded at Tilicho Lake have been rescued with the help of local people and flown out by helicopter. Tourist traffic continues on the Annapurna circuit.

While tourists whose treks have been cut short by the recent weather conditions are returning to Kathmandu via Besisahar, others are continuing to walk up to Manang in the hope of crossing the Thorong Pass to reach Jomsom," it further states.

In order to better facilitate tourists, the Tourism Crisis Response Action Unit at Nepal Tourism Board works 24/7 to respond to the queries and facilitate or take necessary initiative round the clock. This operation has been supported by Media Center of Nepal Tourism Board. The staff on duty is available at mobile number 9851087744. The mobile number of Media Center is 9851077385. You may contact us at mediacenter@ntb.org.np

Tourist NOT stranded in Manang

2005-10-27T10:30:00.000+05:45

Manang Youth Society would like to draw your attention to news dated 26 Oct, 2005 published in Kantipur Daily regarding a large number of tourists stranded in Manang. According to the latest news from the district, the weather has been good for the past 3 days with sunny weather following last week's heavy snowfall. Provided the
good weather continues, the snow is likely to be melt soon. It will take some time for planes to resume regular flights. According to information from Manang, all the tourists stranded at Tilicho Lake have been rescued with the help of local people and flown out by helicopter. Tourist traffic continues on the Annapurna circuit. While
tourists whose treks have been cut short by the recent weather conditions are returning to Kathmandu via Besisahar, others are continuing to walk up to Manang in the hope of crossing the Thorong Pass to reach Jomsom.

While news about stranded trekkers and climbers in Nar and Phu, the northernmost outposts of Manang, could not be confirmed, telephones in Humde (019442000), Braga (019442003) and Pisang (019442001) are operating. The Manang Village phone is intermittent (019442009). For further updates on the weather and traveling conditions in Manang, please contact Manang Youth Society, 4423643 or Himalayan Rescue Association, 44410292.

Tripple P Gurung
President
Manang Youth Society

Trekking in Nepal - Problems and Solutions

2005-10-20T12:02:00.000+05:45

Deepak Mahat

- With the escalation of violence in the country, the marketing strategy the entrepreneurs adopted some years ago to promote tourism has now turned outdated and archaic. There is a greater urgency to come up with a new one, if trekking agency along with tourism industry as a whole is to be saved from the verge of collapse.

The insurgency has worked as a major impediment to tourism promotion. Of course the formulation of strategy alone would not negate all the adverse impacts it would have on the sector. Nonetheless, it will help put things in place and give new impetus and confidence to the sector.

Like other tourism enterprises, most of the trekking companies in Nepal lack sharpness in knowledge to market the products available. Small as they are, they also lack the required resources and expertise, while going to the international markets for promoting tourism industry in general and trekking sector in particular is very difficult.

In order to increase the volume of inbound tourists in Nepal, we need to tie up with the other countries that offer similar tourism products as Nepal does. Competing with those countries means requirement of massive publicity campaigns and a huge budget. The budget that is allocated for tourism promotion, unfortunately, is very small and that too is not spent efficiently.

It is, therefore, necessary that the entrepreneurs in public-private initiatives allocate enough budget to publicize our hidden charms in the international markets, and foreign media be especially mobilized for that. That can help us effectively inject information among global audiences, thereby drawing their attention and promoting the sector.

Special focus should be given to the development of tourism supporting physical infrastructure. The condition of physical infrastructure at the trekking sector is still rudimentary and jeopardizing its growth.

We need to add up adequate number of airports, particularly in places where tourists frequently visit. Equipments installed at the existing airports must be upgraded and new technologies should be brought in. Constructions of airports, bridges, health posts, sign posting, communication facilities and the like are profoundly necessary to make Nepal a major trekking hub.

Besides the development of new tourism products like safari, rafting, kayaking, it is also equally essential to expand trails in new trekking destinations. Local people should be taught and trained on how they can demonstrate local culture, hospitality and provide services to tourists for their own long-term benefits.

Likewise, in some of the trekking destinations, permit fee levied at present does not seem reasonable. This needs to be revised to attract more trekkers in the country. For instance, the permit fee imposed for trekking in upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo is US $700 for the period of 10 days, while Tibet trips for 8 days are available at a price of US $500 including one-way flight. Why would tourists choose to go to Mustang instead of making trip to Tibet? Such a fee was reasonable only when Tibet was closed to foreigners and we were in a position to sell the product upper Mustang as mini Tibet. Since the Tibet itself has been opened to foreigners now, it is appropriate that we revise our levy policy.

Having said so, I must attribute here that the flow of tourists depends mainly on the number of airlines connecting Nepal to various international destinations. But, Nepal is lagging behind at this front. The ailing state of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), the national flag carrier, is partly responsible for the downturn in tourism sector in Nepal.

There are international airlines operating in the country, brining respite to the industry. However, we cannot completely entrust such responsibility on them. Development of domestic airlines, which connect to various international destinations, is a must for sustainable tourism promotion in the country. It is encouraging that some of the private airlines in Nepal have recently started operating their flights to outbound destinations as well.

Exploration of new trekking destination is quite essential to satisfy the changing tastes of trekkers. The more destinations we offer, the more tourists we can bring in the country. However, it has been difficult to unleash additional destinations due to lack of necessary infrastructures and resources.

In recent years, illegal operation too has been a major challenge to the trekking operators. It is therefore, necessary to strongly implement Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC). This will not only check illegal operation, but more importantly will result in a significant contribution in the revenue in the government's coffer.
Needless to say, the sector needs whole-hearted cooperation and support from the government. But, sadly enough, the government has time and again failed to demonstrate its commitment to this sector. With an objective to boosting the tourism sector, it had introduced a comprehensive German Master Plan in 1972. The plan, which incorporated various issues pertaining to trekking sector, still awaits full implementation. The government should be serious in fulfilling its commitments and should make the timely amendment in tourism related policies to allow the tourism sectors thrive.

(The author is the Immediate Past President (IPP) of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
Published on The Kathmandu Post on October 17, 2005

The Nepal Ceasefire: travel implications

2005-09-08T09:38:00.000+05:45

07 September 2005

On the fourth of September, communist rebels in Nepal announced a unilateral ceasefire for the next three months to continue peace talks to end a decade-long insurgency. The leader of the rebels, Prachanda, said his fighters would not attack any government or civilians during the ceasefire, but would defend their positions.

For the flailing tourism industry hit year after year by decreasing tourists, it could not have been timed better. It is the start of the tourism season in Nepal, which will last till next spring. The news of the ceasefire has started making its impact on the industry and the inquiries and actual bookings are taking a positive turn. The perception of potential travelers about safety while traveling to Nepal has changed and hopefully this will mean more will come to Nepal.

Strangely, the travel advisories are still not updated. The US Department of State travel advisory states it is current as of today but does not mention the ceasefire. Nor does the British travel advisory. Thankfully more and more travelers choose to ignore these advisories and depend on information from friends, contacts and travel companies in their own countries and in Nepal for more accurate up to date information to make their decisions.

So the question is: Is Nepal safer for travel now with the ceasefire in place?

For tourism purposes, there is no difference at all in the Nepal before the ceasefire and after. Nepal has always been safe to travel. What is safety anyways while traveling? Not getting killed, kidnapped, maimed or injured accidentally I guess. This has never happened in Nepal so far in the ten years of conflict. Having said that, last spring, one Russian climber was injured by a bomb planted by the rebels meant for the army. This is the only case in the ten years of conflict. The Maoists have categorically mentioned that they will not harm tourists’ right from the start of the conflict and have kept that promise. They do charge a tourism tax in their areas, nominal in popular routes and exorbitant in others, but it is charged only once and an official receipt given (needless to say, this becomes the most treasured souvenir for travelers). It is probably safer to travel in Nepal than in Israel or in Bali.

There are no visible threatening signs of the conflict that travelers see while traveling in Nepal. Of course, there is a higher presence of the army and the police which is understandable and meant for protection.

So how has the conflict affected travel in Nepal?

The biggest impact of the conflict while traveling in Nepal has been the increase in what I like to call the hassle factor, road blocks, tourism tax taken by Maoists, delays due to blockades. This will not change much even now, except for the blockades, which hopefully the rebels will not declare during the ceasefire.

So how does one plan a trip to Nepal?

Communicate with the people in Nepal, take information from tour operators in your country, in Nepal and follow the press. Go to websites like www.nepalnews.com for information on current situations and get doubts clarified by asking questions to the tour operators and also to the tourist helpline at the Nepal Tourism Board (details on this can be got from the tourism board website at www.welcomenepal.com). This will give you information on currently evolving situations, festivals that can stop everything or delay your trip or enhance your trip experience. All this information will help you time your trip and activities even better.

While planning the trip, pad the trip activities by a couple of days to allocate for potential delays. If not, you can always use these few days to relax and absorb the culture.

HAPPY TRAVELLING…

Cosmic air Flies to Kolkata, India

2005-07-11T09:36:00.000+05:45

NTB Media Center

A Tour Operators Meet was organized at the office of Royal Nepalese Consulate General, Kolkata, India on July 9, 2005 to apprise the leaders of tourism industry about the operation of Cosmic Air and the present situation of Nepalese tourism.

Addressing the function attended by tour operators of Kolkata, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Buddhiraj Bajracharya said, ”Launching of Cosmic Air’s flight to Kolkata has strengthened the relationship between the people of Kolkata and Nepal. Although Kolkata has been connected by Indian Airlines for years, the flight of Cosmic Air will definitely make it easier for the people of both cities to travel Kathmandu and Kolkata. Visa free entry in both the country by their respective citizens, convertibility and acceptability of currency, food habits, language, religious faith and spiritual values are few common areas where India and Nepal have been benefiting down the ages. What I promised at BIMSTEC meeting a few months ago, I fulfilled my words by bring by bringing Cosmic Air to Kolkata boarding myself on it. I do hope this flight will continue to provide service to the passengers for a long time.”

In the programme Royal Nepalese Consul General Dr. Govind Prasad Kusum said,” Cosmic Air has made it cheaper to travel to Kathmandu by air than by three tier AC Railway.” He further said that there was no problem in traveling to Nepal at present. Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Rajesh Raj Dali said the airlines operation in Nepal is necessity rather than luxury because of its topography. “Cosmic Air provides the best connectivity in Nepal and outside.” Managing Director of Cosmic Air M.B. Mathema highlighted about the operation of Cosmic Air and its history.

Manoj Saraf, Managing Director of Gainwell Travel said,” Although Cosmic Air’s ticket is cheap, the airport and other taxes becomes hindrance for travelers to travel to Nepal because it comes around Indian currency Rs. 2000.” Tour operators also said that the government of Nepal and India should accept the identification provided by tax offices. Royal Nepalese Consulate General also distributed the form to be filled up by the students and endorsed by the school authority while traveling to Nepal by air with their parents.

Mr. Sarad Pradhan, Media Consultant of Nepal Tourism Board spoke about the present scenario of Nepalese tourism. “Cosmic Air’s flight to Kolkata and Vanarasi will definitely give extra mileage to Nepalese tourism,” he said.

Nepal Tourism Board also distributed promotional materials to the tour operators.

(As reported by Mr. Sarad Pradhan, Media Consultant, NTB)

London Travel Advisory

2005-07-08T13:25:00.000+05:45

NEPAL

July 8, 2005

This Travel Warning is being issued to alert Nepalese citizens to ongoing security concerns in United Kingdom. We continue to urge Nepalese citizens to defer non-essential travel to United Kingdom.

We are concerned about the security situation in United Kingdom, specially in London and continue to urge Nepalese citizens to defer non-essential travel to United Kingdom. Travel via road, train or the underground in some areas in the center of London can be dangerous. On July 7th, 37 people were killed and 700 injured in a series of blasts in the London Underground and bus services. In addition, there have been brutal hotel price hikes as people got stranded in London.

An organisation has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and it seems they have Al-Queda Links. Seeing the fact that the UK was completely unprepared and the attacks could be carried out, we continue to regard that there is an ongoing intent to attack some more. The UK had periodically received information that the Al-Queda might attempt to attack or take actions specifically against U.K. citizens, but the authorities still did not manage to avert the attacks.

Nepalese citizens are advised to avoid travel to London unless they have reliable information that they can proceed safely in specific areas at specific times.

Nepalese citizens are encouraged to contact the Nepalese Embassy in London for the latest security information, and to travel by air whenever possible.

The Department of State in the US has designated the Al-Queda as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization under the "Terrorist Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224.

Nepalese citizens who travel to or reside in Nepal despite this Travel Warning should factor the potential for violence into their plans, avoid public places and maintain low profiles while in UK. Nepalese citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the Embassy.

US Welcomes lifting of Emergency

2005-05-04T17:00:00.000+05:45

The United States has welcomed Nepal's decision to lift the state of emergency.

"The United States welcomes the Government of Nepal's decision to lift the State of Emergency on April 29, and its decision to release several political party leaders from house arrest," a spokesman of the US State Department said.

"However, more needs to be done. We urge the government to release all political detainees and to ensure the protection of fundamental rights in Nepal. Ultimately, Nepal needs to return to an electoral democracy," the spokesman further said, according to news posted in the US government website.

The Us has also encouraged the political parties and the Palace to move towards reconciliation. "Unity among Nepal's legitimate political forces is a necessary step for Nepal to achieve a functioning, stable democracy, and effectively address the Maoist insurgency," the statement added.

"The United States will continue to support progress in these efforts as we consult closely with other friends of Nepal," the spokesman further said. nepalnews.com dr May 04 05

Everest takes two more lives....

2005-05-04T13:51:00.000+05:45

NTB press release

Mr. Michael Corey O' Brien, 39 of USA died on May 1, 2005 after falling down to the Icefall while descending from Camp I to Base Camp of Mt. Everest. According to a communiqué published by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal on May 3, 2005, he was one of the climbers of seven-member team of 'International Everest Parivar Expedition 2005' led by Mr. Daniel Lee Mazur from USA. Earlier, Mr. Sean Egan, 53 of Canada died due to high altitude sickness while descending from base camp of Mt. Everest. He was a member of 'Mountain Madness Everest Expedition 2005', which comprised of ten climbers led by Mr. Guillermo Benegas from USA. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation and Nepal Tourism Board expresses their deep sorrow on their sad demise.

Direct bus to Lhasa begins from today

2005-05-01T19:17:00.000+05:45

NTB Newsletter

Nepal has launched its first direct bus service from Kathmandu to Tibet today so as to promote bilateral ties, including trade and tourism.

The bus service was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister of Labour and Transport Management Mr. Ram Narayan Singh amidst the function. The bus left for its 966 km long journey from the headquarters of Sajha Yatayat, Nepal's state-run transport company at 8:40 am. His Excellency Sun Heping and high officials of His Majesty's Government were also present on the occasion.

A total of 39 passengers, including nine Nepali government officials, two reporters from Xinhua and 28 others, are enjoying the first operation of the straight bus service.

The bus will meet with another straight bus plying from the opposite direction with 23 passengers from Lhasa at the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge between Tatobani and Zhangmu ports on the border, where the two sides will hold a brief celebration.

"The straight bus service is a historic event and is opening a new avenue between the two neighboring countries," Ram Narayan Singh, Minister for Labor and Transport Management, told Xinhua, Chinese news agency.

Similarly, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Sun Heping said that the initiation of bilateral bus service would further consolidate and develop the Nepali-China cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism and culture, and strengthen traditional friendship between
the peoples of two countries.

"We will try our best at any cost to make the first operation successful," said Mukunda Raj Satyal, executive chief of Sajha Yatayat.

According to the Sino-Nepal agreement, the bus will be allowed to complete eight trips every month.

A single trip will take two days, including stay at Lazi County for one night. Passengers can carry five kilograms of personal luggage and check fifteen kilograms for free.

The one-way fare for the two-day trans-Himalayan journey is 70 US dollars.

Sajha Yatayat is the sole operator of this service from Nepal side where as the Himalaya Passenger Transport Co., Ltd., is the exclusive Chinese operator of the bus line.

Each bus will be staffed with two drivers and one conductor. The latter can speak Mandarin, Tibetan, Nepalese and English.

In addition, the buses are also equipped with first-aid kits and drinking fountains and provide souvenirs to passengers.

Currently, Lhasa is linked by direct flights from Kathmandu. However, due to inclement weather in winter, the flights remain suspended during the period.
_____________________

Was on the Bhote Koshi on route of the bus and I saw the entourage...quite impressive I must say.

YETI

The State of Emergency lifted in Nepal

2005-05-01T19:14:00.000+05:45

from the NTB newsletter

In accordance with the Article 115 (11) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990, the state of emergency is lifted effective from April 29, 2005, Friday. The state of emergency throughout the Kingdom of Nepal was ordered in accordance with Article 115 (1) of the Constitution on February 1, 2005. This information was carried in a press release issued by Royal Palace Secretariat. Nepali travel trade sector welcomed the decision and believed the decision will enhance Nepali trade sector and tourism industry.

Tourism always thrives in peace and tranquility’

2005-04-27T18:40:00.000+05:45

Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, Tek Bahadur Dangi, spoke to Nepalnews on challenges facing the tourism sector of the country. A former official with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dangi, 46, had joined the NTB in 1999 as Director of Marketing. Excerpts of the interview:

How is the tourism scenario over the last three months since the imposition of the state of emergency (on Feb. 1)?

The state of emergency has been misinterpreted in the potential tourism markets of Nepal. They have perceived it differently. Many journalists and tourists who visited in March and April this year told us that they didn't find the trace of emergency in Nepal because there is no restriction in the movement of people for any sort of tourism activities. Their presence has reinforced the sense of security and the personal sentiment of all the travelers. Though it might look awkward at the first stance, but once they visit all the desired places, then they would come to acknowledge the relevance of their presence.

Last year, Nepal witnessed 13 percent increase in the tourist arrival despite frequent bandhs and blockades. However, situation has changed this year. For the last two months, tourist arrivals have declined. We cannot single out one reason for the decline. Stringent travel advisories and portrayal of Nepal's negative image in some of the international media are some of the reasons for the decline in tourist arrivals. We still do have the problem of air-seat in many potential sectors, which has hindered the tourist arrivals in the country. The Nepalese tourism industry is fighting back the adversity with the help of media, tour operators and friends of Nepal living abroad. Dozens of familiarization trips including media and tour operators from major tourism generating countries have been materialized and such efforts will continue in the future.

You blamed `negative coverage’ in international media for the drop in tourists visiting Nepal. So, what are you doing to address it?
British journalists, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Hotel Association of Nepal...

This is the age of sensation. And, media is becoming the catalyst of creating sensations. All these sensations are far above the ground reality more than the existing tourist friendly actual situations. More than focusing on other regular promotion programs, NTB is accelerating the number of journalists’ and major tour operators Familiarization (Fam) Tours from international market to change the perception of visitors based on ground reality. Fam trips are also proving to be cost effective way of destination promotion. Till date, NTB has already hosted Fam tours to more than 300 international journalists of highest repute. In April alone, we have organised FAM trips for 35 journalists from India, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and United Kingdom. Recently, we also held press conferences in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh and Germany. Likewise, we are also working with various tourism and other associations (HAN, NATTA, PATA, NATO etc) and airlines to launch lucrative packages to bring in more tourists into the country. We are also planning country-specific promotion programmes through Royal Nepalese embassies abroad.

But critics say NTB lacks country-specific promotional strategy to promote Nepal as a preferred 'tourist destination.'

So far NTB has left no stone unturned to promote Nepal, following the international manuals and guidelines as practiced by successful countries like Singapore and Thailand, among others. We have identified primary, secondary and potential markets for promotion and marketing of Nepalese tourism with special focus on regional tourism with the help of private sector. There is a sub-committee comprising all the major players of the industry for every country focused by NTB. It is the sub-committee, which selects the country for promotion and consequently decides about marketing strategy. NTB has been actively involved, mainly after consulting all the private industry players of the local market, in promoting Nepalese tourism in overseas markets. The fact is that NTB cannot make its presence everywhere with its limited resources. Despite our efforts carried on with limited resources, Nepal has been voted as preferred destination by many online surveys and magazines. But we still need to do hard marketing to bring in more tourists in Nepal.

How would you justify latest taxes imposed on diplomats during their travel outside the country?

First of all, the aforesaid Fee is not a new provision but the replacement of earlier one which has come into existence revoking previous system of collecting 2% Tourism Service Fee from tourists/foreign nationals in different services which included hotel, restaurant, rafting, trekking, tour, cable car etc. On January 14, 2005, His Majesty's Government issued the Financial Ordinance 2061/62 B. S. making a new provision for Nepal Tourism Board to collect Tourism Service Fee of NRs. 565 (including VAT) from Tribhuvan International Airport from foreign nationals/ tourists traveling by air only at the time of their departure. This new provision has simplified the collection of Tourism Service Fee because the earlier provision had made foreign nationals pay TSF in all tourism related services mentioned above which perplexed them a lot at the time of paying bills. Like the new one, it was also mandatory in the past for all foreigners including diplomats and foreign residents to pay 2% TSF at hotels, restaurants, tours etc, and there was no provision of exemption in the TSF earlier too.

What should be done to bring in say 500,000 tourists per year to Nepal? How do you see NTB's role in it?

The most important thing is peace. Tourism always thrives in peace and tranquility. If there is peace, the target set by you is obviously not a distant dream. We have infrastructure and carrying capacity to cater over one million tourists a year. Since we had brought in nearly 500,000 tourists in 1999, I don't see any problem to meet this target if peace prevails in the country. Moreover, we have all our marketing planning, tools and armament set to achieve this target. As a nodal agency for promoting Nepal's tourism, NTB has ambitious plans to cross the figure set by you and we are determined to prove that with NTB's existing expertise, provided peace is restored in the country. Since development of tourism partly depends on national carrier, a strong national carrier is also needed to boost the image of Nepalese tourism industry. nepalnews.com pd/dr Apr 26 05

UK Journos in Nepal think Nepal is safe

2005-04-26T11:15:00.000+05:45

This article is taken from the Kathmandu Post dated Tuesday 26 April 2005....since I could not get it on the net (strange as I thought it would be more important that the outside world hears of this) I have to type it in (as is)

Kathmandu, April 25 (PR)
Visiting British journalists said that despite the internal problems, Nepal is a safe place to visit and that the conflict does not pose any threat to the tourists. "Tourists do not need to be wary of to come to Nepal. It is really a perfect destination that offers a wide range of attractions," said Elizabeth Davies, a journalist with the Independent newspaper, UK. Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday, she said that though the country is mired in conflict, no single tourist has been so far harmed and that tourists are completely safe in Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Hotel Association of Nepal organized the program. A total of five journalists from the UK were in Nepal for 10-day tour under the familiarization trips organized by NTB.

end of article..

Travel Advisory (Update)

2005-04-24T10:21:00.000+05:45

So where are we now? Is travel to Nepal safe? Where can you travel when in Nepal with relative ease....

This by far is the most pertinent point.....relative ease...since safety is not of concern at the moment. It never has....we have had very few traveller casualties due to the conflict.

Having said that...we did have an incident the other day when a Russian mountaineer missed the tourist bus as he overslept and was chasing the bus with a taxi when his taxi hit a landmine intended for the army convoy following the tourist bus....His leg is damaged...

The other day, someone discovered a small bomb at a money exchange in Thamel and it was detonated by the bomb squad.

Think of it, we are in a country in conflict and things like this will happen....regardless, I have had travellers coming and going...all of them have a similar pattern. They all express their concerns before coming in and as they come in....by the time their holiday is complete, all their apprehensions and fears would have dissolved....as there is nothing that hampers their trip at all...

So, is it safe? Yes it is safe....

Yet I would say correspond to people in Nepal to find out the situation on a day by day basis...the situation is still fliud so caution is the key

"Nepal: Where all dreams come true", say Indian journalists

2005-04-10T15:40:00.000+05:45

In an effort to provide accurate information based on ground realities, Nepal Tourism Board organised a FAM tour of five Indian journalists from Bangalore from March 31 to April 6, 2005. After returning from Pokhara visiting Jomsom and Marpha, they interacted with the officials of Nepal Tourism Board, Royal Nepal Airlines, Cosmic Air and Pashupathi Area Development Trust on April 6, 2005 sharing their experience.

Responding the queries made by NTB Officials, P.S. Phadnis, Chief of Bureau, Deccan Herald said that Nepal is a perfect destination of South Indian tourists as the people of Bangalore are getting affluent day by day, have more access to money than people of other cities of India and software engineers of Bangalore always look for new places to visit. He further said that 'Bandh' and strike happens everyday in India, and it doesn't bother Indian tourists much. "No major newspaper reports anything bad about Nepal purportedly but it sometimes happens due to some ideological and political difference," he said.

Sharing his experience, R. Chandrakanth, Special Correspondent of The Hindu said that he found Nepal totally different from what he perceived before coming here. "Places are simply too good to describe in the words especially Jomsom and Marpha. People are humble and docile, and this is the plus point that attracts people to Nepal from all over the world. I have already decided to bring my family in this October for some adventure sports," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Tek Bahadur Dangi requested them to report the fact that they have seen during their stay in Nepal and asked them help NTB to disseminate the message that Nepal is a safe destination for tourists. Mr. Basant Chaudhary Member Secretary, Pashupathi Area Development Trust, Mr. Deepak Manadhar, Deputy Director of Royal Nepal Airlines and Mr. Lawrance Lew, General Manager, Cosmic Air also requested them to write what they had seen in Nepal without exaggerating the situation.

Other journalists who came to Nepal for FAM tour are Vasanth Nadiger, News Editor, Vijayanand, Mr. Kiran Prakash M.S., Chief Sub-editor, the New Indian Express and Ms. Divyalakshmi Nambiar, Sub-Editor, Yoyagers World. They also visited Bhaktapur and Nagarkot.

The FAM tour was supported by Royal Nepal Airlines, Jomsom Mountain Resort, Hyatt Regency, Country Villa, Fishtail Lodge, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Nepal Recreation Centre and Bhojan Griha.

Shangri-La bags Nepal's leading hotel award
Hotel Shangri-La has been declared as the 'Winner of the Nepal's Leading Hotel' in the 11th World Travel Awards. The gala awards ceremony was held in Barbados. The hotel was announced winner of the Nepal's leading hotel on the basis of votes cast by travel agents worldwide. World Travel Awards is considered the most comprehensive, the biggest and the most prestigious award program in the travel industry worldwide.

Nepal Tourism Board - Press Release

2005-04-05T16:58:00.000+05:45

Visitors Arrival in March 2005 (by air only)

A total of 20,137 visitors arrived to Nepal by air in March 2005. Compared to the visitors' number of previous month, it was a net addition of 6,136 visitors. In comparison with previous year March however, the decrease is by 35%. The figures in March shows a softening in decline in both the segments where third country arrival is down by 31% and Indian arrival is down by 49% compared to the same period last year. This was stated in the provisional figures provided today by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, quoting Immigration Office, TIA.

March's softening in decline trend speaks of the gradual increase in traveler's confidence towards Nepal. Moreover, some of Nepal's major traffic generating markets have shown positive results or remained quite unaffected for the month. The growth in British visitors' arrival by 13% indicated the returning confidence of the market towards Nepal. The Austrian (2%) and the Chinese (1%) were the next two positive performers of the month. The German (-6%), Dutch (-2%) and Spain (-5%) remained to be the least affected markets. However, the US (-39%), Japan (-50%), France (-49%), Australia (-56%) and ROC (-72%) became sharply affected during the month.

Nepal's promotion in Bangladesh during the Dhaka Travel Mart last month is also attracting more and more Bangladeshi travelers to Nepal. The "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket with free casino coupons is also getting popular day by day.

Given the gradual increase and continuation in traveler's confidence towards Nepal, the tourism industry in Nepal shall again cater to an increasing visitor's number, in the coming days.

Pokhara is quiet

2005-03-29T13:41:00.000+05:45

So, went to Pokhara on the Enfielder trip...trip started on Thursday with a ride to Chitwan via Daman and then the next day to Pokhara....I joined on the ride to Pokhara...there is nothing on the way and it is all safe...we did not have any roadblocks or anything, even the army checks were less, of course, it helped that we were about 22 bikers on the road....

The tourism in Pokhara is very slow....streets were empty at Lake Side...quite depressing, I must say.

We definitely need more tourists to come into Nepal right now.

Have a couple of guys gone towards the EBC today...be back in 14 days...they should bring some news from there.

Himalayan Enfielders start Peace Ride 2005

2005-03-24T14:04:00.000+05:45

This morning, about 30 bikes of several makes, most of them obviously Enfields left Kathmandu for a four day trip to Chitwan and Pokhara. This is part of their annual ride called the Peace Ride (since the last few years of course).

We shall see what news they bring back about movement in these parts. These are imporatant areas for tourism. If all goes well, the Yeti will ride tomorrow to Pokhara and join up with them.

Nepal scribes evade censors with blogs

2005-03-24T14:00:00.000+05:45

From the Calcutta Telegraph - posted in by one of the contributors to this blog

New Delhi, March 23 (Reuters): Journalists in Nepal are going hi-tech to sidestep tight censorship imposed after last month’s royal coup.

Outspoken web logs, or blogs, are springing up and being widely quoted and linked to in the “blogosphere” — the mushrooming cyberworld rapidly establishing a place for itself as an alternative source of news and information.

“I feel that our very own survival, intellectually and mentally, depends on freedom,” says Dinesh Wagle, a newspaper journalist who runs United We Blog! (www.blog.com.np).

“I don’t want to live like a dead soul. So these days I am blogging for a peaceful and democratic Nepal,” he said in an e-mail interview. King Gyanendra seized power on February 1, arresting government and political leaders, rights activists and journalists.

He also banned media criticism of his move, which he said was aimed at ending a nine-year Maoist revolt that has killed 11,000 people and shattered the tourism and aid-dependent economy.

But United We Blog! and another popular blog, the anonymous Radio Free Nepal (freenepal.blogspot.com), publish interviews with arrested political leaders and news about anti-king protests that the mainstream media cannot.

“I am blogging the truth as I see and as I think,” says the print journalist running Radio Free Nepal.

“I am telling my audience there are pro-monarch rallies and the true story behind them (compulsory participation) ... and also that there is not much participation in anti-monarch rallies, along with my feelings that there should be democracy and the king should step down,” he said by e-mail.

Wagle, who coordinates the art and style section for Kantipur, the leading Nepali language daily, is a former information technology reporter. He has his own website (www.wagle.com.np) and along with several friends and colleagues has been blogging since 2003. But United We Blog! turned political after Gyanendra seized power.

In the beginning, the UWB team was quite anxious about blogging political matter. But I was determined to blog politics and everyone was convinced.”

Hits have rocketed: from fewer than 13,000 in January to 65,000 in February and more than 80,000 in the first three weeks of March.

Nepal is one of the world’s poorest 10 countries and few people have computers. Fewer still know about blogs. Instead, United We Blog! and Radio Free Nepal are aimed at highlighting the country’s plights to the outside world.

The postings have been picked up, linked to and referred to by scores of other blogs around the world, including the Online Journalism Review (www.ojr.org) published by the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.

Nepal Tourism Board Travel Update - 17th March

2005-03-18T10:36:00.000+05:45

Known for unlimited number of festivals, the season of the festivals this years has begun with Mahashivaratri- Night of Lord Shiva celebrated on March 8 this year. Thousands of devotees from different parts of Nepal and India thronged into the Pashupathinath Temple in Kathmandu enthusiastically to pray for long life and prosperity. To follow the rituals carried out by their fathers and forefathers for many years, all devotees travelled all the way to Kathmandu by buses with a hope to have a glance of Pashupathinath.

So far, apart from small hiccup, nobody has reported to have faced any kind of problem while travelling by surface. Flights are operating daily to different destinations within Nepal including Pokhara, Lukla, Chitwan, Lumbini. Cosmic Air has recently added third Fokkar to its fleet for extending its network to different destinations in India and Nepal.
Air Sahara resumed its flight from March 15, 2005 after a short break with a promise to link Kathmandu with different parts of the world through its recently opened network in South East Asia.

Thamel now looks vibrant with the movement of tourists. Wining and dining is a serious sport in Thamel. Thamel harbours more than two hundreds pubs and restaurants - from cultural nights at star hotels to down-to-earth trekker's joints. Tuborg to the local rice-beer. Bloody Mary to High Altitude Punch. Thamel offers one of the most extensive menus of cuisines in Asia. Mexican tacos to Japanese teriyaki. Tired of hanging around Thamel, pop in to Casinos at five star hotels -night never ends there.

Moreover, it is specially advised to book holiday tour in Nepal through registered travel/tour operators for guaranteed service.

To effectively respond the problems tourists and tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal and abroad may come across, Nepal Tourism Board has taken a holistic approach to address these problems by running its Media Center 24 hours which is manned by efficient staff effective from February 23, 2005. The Center is supported by Crisis Response Action Unit already established to facilitate the tourists. In order to better facilitate tourists and tourism entrepreneurs, the Nepal Tourism Board has strengthened Media Centre with extra manpower and Direct Hotline Number to respond the queries and to take necessary initiatives for prompt action. The staff on duty is available at Direct Hotline Number 977-1-4225709 round the clock. Inquiry can be made through fax or email at 977-1-4254298 or mediacenter@ntb.org.np.

Rafted over the weekend - was safe

2005-03-14T11:00:00.000+05:45

I went rafting over the weekend - to the Bhote Koshi, which incidentally is one of the top ten rivers in the world (in high flow) for rafting.

Was hearing of some blockade starting Monday, but this was not authenticated in the Sindulpalchowk region. This river falls on the Arniko Highway, on the road to tibet. In fact, the number of police and army checkpoints are still the same, and there is no sign of a beef up in security or anything. Things seemed pretty normal.

We did an overnight, and it was very safe. Never felt anything suspicious. Also did a small hike up to a village above the highway where there is the old trade route to Tibet to get a feel of the situation in the villages, and also drew a blank. Things are pretty normal in this area.

Was a mixed group of foreigners staying / working in Nepal.....Finnish, Swiss, Norwegian, Peruvian, Austrain, Dutch and Japanese. ;) Hey that's three continents...

Was rafting with Ultimate Descents and staying overnight at the Borderlands Resort

Is Travel to Lumbini safe?

2005-03-11T11:43:00.000+05:45

Heard yesterday about some serious fighting in Kapilvastu, near Lumbini. Travel to there could still be safe, as Kapilvastu is about 90 kms off Lumbini, and the flight takes you to Bhairawa, which is still before Lumbini.

Lumbini is of course the birth place of the Buddha, which is two hours drive from Bhairawa in the Terai.

Keep an eye for updates.

Nepali Congress's movement to be based within the country

2005-03-11T11:42:00.000+05:45

from nepalnews

In what is seen as a decision that could have far-reaching consequences, a major political party in the country, Nepali Congress (NC), has said it is not its policy to send its workers abroad or ask its workers to go underground.

In a statement issued Thursday, NC central office asked its cadres to stay put and actively take part in the civil disobedience movement.

The NC’s clarification has come when a number of second rung NC leaders had fled to bordering Indian towns and even the capital, New Delhi, after the February 1 move and some others had gone underground fearing arrests. The NC has also called its cadres to court arrest as per the party’s directives.

The NC has launched a nationwide peaceful movement beginning National Democracy Day (February 18) calling for restoration of peace and democracy.

“We will also discuss our policies with other four parties who have joined in the nationwide movement,” said Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, a central committee member of Nepali Congress. “The latest NC decision has come to clear confusion among the party cadres,” he added.

The NC’s decision has come amid criticism from top government officials that the opposition parties’ had hurt national dignity by making foreign soil their base (to launch their movement.)

Over 200 activists affiliated to five opposition parties were arrested on Tuesday while launching peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Nepal Offers 'Buy Three Get One Ticket Free' for Indian tourists

2005-03-10T10:35:00.000+05:45

from nepalnews

With a view of encouraging Indian tourists to visit Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, Cosmic Air, Nepal Recreation Center and Pashupati Area Development Trust have jointly launched an attractive offer 'Buy Three & Get One Ticket Free- Fantastic Family Offer'.

According to Nepal Tourism Board, this scheme is valid only on the National carrier Royal Nepal Airlines and Cosmic Air from March till May 31, 2005.

The airfare on Royal Nepal Airlines for this offer is IRs 3,650 for DEL-KTM, IRs 7,300 for DEL-KTM-DEL, IRs 8,800 for BOM/BLR-KTM and IRs 12,500 for BOM/BLR-KTM-BOM/BLR sectors per passenger respectively.The air fare on Cosmic Air for this offer for the DEL-KTM-DEL sector will be INR.5,000 per passenger.

The buyers (3 + 1) of the Offer by both the above mentioned airlines are also entitled for Free casino coupons worth INR 10,000.00 and will have special privilege in the Pashupatinath Temple Darshan, the NTB statement said.

The statement has moreover requested the interested Indian nationals to contact local agents of Royal Nepal Airlines and Cosmic Air or Nepal Tourism Board's Marketing Representative TRAC Representations (I) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi Ph: +91-11-23737348 or visit NTB website www.welcomenepal.com for more information about the scheme.

State of emergency for a short period only: Bista

2005-03-10T10:32:00.000+05:45

from nepalnews
A senior government official has said the month-old state of emergency is for a short period only.

Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Kirtinidhi Bista. (File photo)

According to Nepal Samacharpatra daily, addressing a function organised on the occasion of the International Women's Day Tuesday, vice chairman in the council of ministers, Kirtinidhi Bista said the state of emergency would not be longer than three months.

Article 115 (2) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990, says the proclamation or order of the state of emergency issued by His Majesty “shall be laid before a meeting of the House of Representatives for approval within three months from the date of issuance.”

The House of Representatives was dissolved in Nepal in May 2002.

Vice chairman Bista also claimed that nowhere in world the people would have felt as free and unaffected under the emergency rule as in Nepal. He further said the emergency was only directed against terrorism.

“The government is ready to hold parliamentary elections within three years and handover the power to the elected representatives if the political parties support it,” Bista added.

Meanwhile, three leading trade union organisations have said the government barred them from organizing rallies on the occasion of the 95th International Working Women’s Day Tuesday. In a joint statement, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions (DECONT) said the government barred them from organizing various programmes to mark the day though they had already obtained permission from the Kathmandu District Administration.

Travel Advisory - 09 mar 05

2005-03-09T15:55:00.000+05:45

So what does all this mean in terms of travelling to Nepal.

Kathmandu - is normal. Actually yesterday, I did not even notice that there were any demonstrations. I only read about them this morning. Almost half of Kathmandu and all the tourists were at Pashupatinath, mingling with the sadhus (holy men) from India, who had come to celebrate Shivaratri. 25% of the people at Pashupatinath were high on grass or hash, considered auspicious on this day.

Other towns: I personally do not have news from there, but going by what travellers who just came back from Pokhara were saying, nothing is going on there and it is safe to travel. Other places are too small to have any problems anyways.

Transporatation: At present, i would suggest that all people use the flights rather than the busses. Not because there is a blockade or anything, but just because the hassle factor has increased. I recently met some tourists who took 10-11 hours to come from Pokhara (which is just a 6 hour ride)

Trekking: The safest trek is the Everest base camp trek...as you fly both ways and there is no maoist activity in the Everest region. Easy trekking (with some contact with maoists, meaning you will have pay them a fee) can be easily done in the Langtang, Helambu area.

Annapurna is also safe and similar to Langtang, but should there be a quickly announced blockade, you will have to trek additional two days right into Pokhara, so come padded with a few extra days.

Expensive yet very very safe can be a fly in fly out into Manang in the Annapurna region. There is no activity up there too...

see you in Nepal!

Rafting agencies on the verge of closure

2005-03-09T12:24:00.000+05:45

By Dikshya Thakuri, in the Himalayan Times

Kathmandu, March 8:
Entrepreneurs running rafting agencies would be forced to close them down if political instability and the conflict continued to escalate, a rafting entrepreneur has warned. “Out of 80 rafting agencies, 18 are barely operational at present,” said Megh Ale, managing director, Ultimate Descent, and general secretary of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA), warning that “they too could fold any minute if the situation didn’t improve.” Owing to the “political instability” and the “ongoing conflict,” the last six months have seen the shutting down of scores of rafting agencies. Most of all, the recent Maoist blockade was the last straw, said troubled entrepreneurs, who have been losing sleep over the drastic slump in the business. “We would be forced to pack up and leave if the situation continued to deteriorate,” said Megh Ale. He added that only the restoration of peace and stability could put an end to the slump. The Maoists have not harmed a single tourist so far, but taking tourists all the way down the white waters of Karnali, Seti Karnali, Bheri in the Western region is next to impossible due to security problems.

“One has to pass through the Maoist-infected areas such as Surkhet and Dailekh to reach the Karnali river, which is unthinkable at present.” Moreover, there is hardly any demand for river rafting in rivers such as Kaligandaki, Bhotekoshi, Seti, Marsyangdi, Sunkoshi. Compared to the last year, business is down by 80 per cent this year. Nonetheless, the entrepreneurs hope that the situation would improve in the four-month peak season, which starts in September.

“All the stakeholders should collectively strive to attract the tourists,” says Surya Joshi, president, NARA, adding: “Most importantly, the Maoists and others should stop calling blockades, bandhas and strikes, as such activities harm the nation’s economy.” Escorting the tourists during bandhs and blockades for rafting is out of question. “Moreover, there were no takers for rafting during the recent blockade, which is perfectly justifiable on the tourists’ part,” Joshi said. “There used to be a time when a lot of tourists would instantly go for rafting outside the valley,” Joshi said, adding that it is difficult to find a single group of willing rafters at present. Hira Gurung, a river guide and former managing director of the Special River Rafting, which is no longer operational, said the slump in the sector had forced him to go for a joint partnership in rafting business in Himanchal Pradesh, India. “I have no choice but to try and make some money in India although I would love to resume my business in the country.”

Over 200 protesters held

2005-03-09T12:01:00.000+05:45

from nepalnews website

At least two hundred political leaders and workers were detained across the country Tuesday while taking part in the peaceful demonstrations launched jointly by a group of five opposition parties.

According to reports, over 130 political activists including former lawmaker, Anand Dhungana, were detained in the southern town of Janakpur while taking part in a peaceful demonstration. Police also detained Ashish Sarraf ‘Nikki,’ a photo-journalist, who was taking pictures of the demonstration, reports said.

In Kathmandu, nearly two dozen activists including CPN (UML) leader Ms Bidya Bhandari, Nepali Congress (Democratic) leaders and former ministers Tek Bahadur Chokhyal, Mrs Bhim Kumari Budha Magar and former lawmaker Krishna Kishore Sharma Ghimire were arrested by police while demonstrating in Ason-Bhotahity area Tuesday afternoon.

The demonstrators also chanted slogan against the royal move of February 1 and demanded restoration of democratic rights in the country. Half of those detained in Kathmandu were women activists including pro-Jana Morcha Nepal activist Ganga Belbase.

Women’s wings of major political parties had taken a lead in Tuesday’s demonstrations that coincided with the International Women’s Day.

Reports from Chitwan said local administration detained at least 28 activists out of which 17 were released later. In western district of Kaski, police detained some two dozen activists while trying to take part in peaceful demonstrations. A human rights activist, monitoring the demonstration, was also injured in baton-charging by police, reports said.

In neighbouring Tanahun district, at least three dozen local political workers affiliated to opposition parties were arrested. There have been reports of demonstrations in eastern districts of Morang, Jhapa, Dhankuta, mid-western district of Banke and far-western district of Kanchanpur by political activists affiliated to five opposition parties.

Authorities have not said anything publicly as yet regarding the latest nationwide arrests

Trek to EBC holds 7th position in Top Ten 'Once In A Lifetime' Trips

2005-03-09T10:07:00.000+05:45

Taken from the NTB newsletter, dated 08 March 05

iExplore announced a list of Top Ten "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Trips, as determined by unique travel inquiries at iExplore over the last year on March 7, 2005. Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp(EBC) has been placed in seventh position in Top Ten ranking. Nepal is the only South Asian country to have chosen in this prestigious list. Last year The UK's leading magazine The Observer had ranked the Everest Base Camp in seventh position in 20 Journeys of a Lifetime. Champagne Flight to the North Pole has been registered as number one in the ranking which is followed by Travel to Timbuktu(Mali) and Back and Sea Kayak the Panama Canal.

iExplore founder and CEO, George Deeb, said, "As the Baby Boomers are approaching early retirement, they are less interested in accumulating hard assets at this stage in their life, and they are more interested in accumulating life changing experiences."

Deeb continued, "The above list shows you how far consumers are willing to go to get as unique an experience as possible, providing them with travel memories and 'travel bragging rights' for a lifetime."

Top Ten Ranking are as follows:

1 - Champagne Flight to the North Pole
2 - Travel to Timbuktu (Mali) and Back
3 - Sea Kayak the Panama Canal
4 - Stay With a Mongolian Family in the Gobi Desert
5 - Cage Dive with Great White Sharks in South Africa
6 - Camel Caravan Across the Sahara Desert
7 - Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp
8 - Take a Hot Springs Bath in Iceland
9 - Balloon Safari Over the Serengeti (Tanzania)
10 - Walk Rainforest Tree Canopies in the Amazon

Tourist arrival registers sharp decline

2005-03-08T07:10:00.000+05:45

This post was taken from the nepalnews website article dated 06 march

The number of visitors arriving to Nepal via air in February 2005 showed a decline of 43 percent compared to the same month last year, said the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

This was stated in the provisional figures provided on March 6 by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation quoting the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport, NTB said in a press statement issued Sunday.

According to the statement, a total of 14,001 visitors came to Nepal last month. The decline in the number of Indian visitors during the month was 52 percent and that of non-Indian visitors 39 percent, the release added.

However, according to the release, the arrival of Chinese tourists picked up by 52 percent.

The NTB said that the recent fall in tourist arrivals could be because of some negative coverage on Nepal by the international press and stringent travel advisories issued by some major tourist generating markets to Nepal. “As a result, travel reluctance could have developed among the potential visitors to Nepal,” the release said.

The visitors’ number will pick up again in the coming months as their confidence is gradually building up and the trekking sector has witnessed increased bookings for the coming season, the NTB statement quoted Travel Agents Association of Nepal president Deepak Mahat as saying.