Is it safe to travel to Nepal after the earthquakes?

Dear Adventure Trekking Friends,

The tragic earthquakes in Nepal on April 25th and May 12th, have created much confusion on the international news headlines on whether or not Nepal is now a safe country for tourist to travel.

The uncertainty and hesitancy is understandable as the devastating earthquakes have disheartened the lives of all innocent Nepalese people.

My Nepalese operator, Mr Pasang Sherpa and I are confident that travelling and trekking in Nepal will be safe when the tourism season resumes in September.

The safety of clients and staff is our number one priority and an ongoing review of all trekking regions leading up to the autumn season opening will focus solely on that.

These earthquakes are something that the country can… and will, recover from.

Thankfully, life is slowly coming back to normality; hope and faith is beginning to grow strong again.

The purpose of this blog is to impart pertinent information that my agent in Kathmandu and I have collected from reliable sources that will help assure and inform you accurately about the current situation in Nepal – post earthquakes.

Is Nepal Safe?

The Government of Nepal (as quoted in press release below) request international travelers to visit the magnificent and bustling country of Nepal, and support her by visiting it as she attempts to stand proudly on her feet once again.

Walk the beautiful trails in the shadow of the most magnificent mountains on earth as you help the Nepalese people reset their course on the path to prosperity.

Nepal is now embarking upon the most fascinating period in all of its ancient history, and you could be right there to see it happen and your contribution will be a part of rebuilding new Nepal.

Despite damage to some of its historical and cultural monuments and trekking trails, Nepal is  now ready to welcome tourists.

Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Nepalese economy, and Nepal will certainly need the income that tourism brings in as it attempts to recover from this disaster.

There are many beautiful and captivating cultural and natural sites in the West, Mid-West, Far West and East Nepal  that await tourists to welcome there.

Out of 75 districts of Nepal, only 14 districts are damaged. Apart from Langtang, Manaslu and Gaurishankar,  other  14 national parks and conservation areas including Everest, Annapurna, Kanchanjunga areas withstood the earthquake with strength and power.

Here is what Andrew Jones a vice-chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has to say,
“I have visited Nepal several times. My first impression towards Nepal after the April 25 deadly earthquake was that the country had been devastated. The international media reports showed that everything had been destroyed. But when I arrived here, it was much better than I had anticipated. To be honest, I didn’t have any problems visiting the country. No dangers at all. In general, I don’t find Nepal unsafe to visit. There are many places in Nepal that have escaped the disaster, and there are many places to visit.”

Important Press Release Statements:

In summary….

Tribhuvan international airport (TIA):

The country’s international airport is back into its normal operation. All international and domestic flights are operating normally. Roads and air transport links remain intact across the country.

Trekking routes and other destinations:

Most trekking areas except Manaslu and Langtang have  not been damaged by the earthquake and trekking can be undertaken any time in these areas.  Chitwan, Pokhara, Annapurna region and Bardia also escaped widespread damage, and are thus ready to showcase their abundance of natural life. 

Everest Region (Khumbu Region):

As per the Nepal Tourism Board and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Everest Trekking Route (Khumbu Region) is safe and welcomes tourists back to the mountains.

Moreover, last week, my Sherpa team have also reached up to Namche Bazar, the capital of the Everest Region (3340m) and has assured me that it is now safe for trekking.

This surveillance will continue regularly throughout the monsoon season (June-August) to guarantee we are well aware of  all trail and village conditions prior to the scheduled trek departure dates.

Further, we will also be conducting a final post monsoon inspection to make certain that the rainy season has not had any destructive impact.

Between now and September, my agent in Nepal and I will be unceasingly consulting with a range of organisations, including the Nepal Tourism Board, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and expert seismologists to establish the country is safe.

Annapurna Region:

The Annapurna routes are safe; these areas have very minimal impact as a result of the earthquakes.

Mustang, Dolpo and Makalu:

These are also the least affected trekking areas. It has been assured that Mustang and Dolpo trekking can be operated in the autumn season without any safety issues.

Other popular destinations:

Many of the trekking routes have had minimal destructive impact as a consequence of the earthquakes. Moreover, other popular destinations like Pokhara, Lumbini, Palpa, Chitwan, Bardiya and various national parks and wildlife reserves are safe and intact.

Places in mid and far western development regions like Dolpa, Rara of Mugu, Badimalika, Khaptad, Rolpa/Rukum are known as the ‘centre and capital’ of natural beauty.

“We can develop gorilla trekking trails in these areas. TAAN has discovered more than three dozens trekking routes and now they want to develop it and increase the number of tourists,” according to chief of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, Mr. GR Panta.

Heritage sites of Nepal:

The government is opening heritage sites in Kathmandu for tourists from today, Monday, June 15.

Director General of the Department of Archaeology confirmed that they will open Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square for the tourists officially from today.

He further added that Boudhanath, Budhanilkantha and Pashupatinath are also safe for sightseeing.

The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, did not suffer damage and is thankfully all set to welcome visitors back to its sacred soil.

Hotels and resorts:

Most of the hotels in the Kathmandu valley are in full operations including five star hotels, resorts and other restaurants. The Government of Nepal is constantly inspecting hotels to identify if the property is safe to stay.

Our base in Kathmandu, the Radisson Hotel was not affected in any way from either earthquake. Here is an official statement from the Radisson Hotel (also available on the link above).

“We are pleased to report that our hotel sustained no major damage either from the initial earthquake or the follow-on aftershocks. More importantly, the implementation of our emergency plans ensured the safety and security both of our guests and staff.
The building and facilities have now been inspected and we are pleased to report that we have certification that the hotel’s structure is safe and operations can continue as normal – certified by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Tourism and National Society for Earthquake Technology – Nepal (NSET).
The building and facilities have also been inspected by structural and civil engineers and certified by S V DAMLE Consulting Engineers, Delhi.
We would also like to inform you that both of our hotel wings were designed and built to be earthquake resilient, and therefore, moving forward, we remain absolutely confident in our abilities to maintain operations, and act as a central hub in Kathmandu during these very difficult times.
All of our team here at the Radisson Hotel Kathmandu remain at your service, and look forward to welcoming you. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. Our management and staff extend our best wishes to you and together we look forward to playing our role in helping to rebuild Nepal.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this tragedy.”
Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Communications:

Telephone services and internet connection is operating as normal.

It is the high time to explore and visit untouched destinations of Nepal. As mentioned in the TIME magazine, one of the ‘Best Way to Help Nepal Recover from the Quake is to Go There on Vacation.’

Trekking Expeditions September – October 2015:

I am extremely confident and positive come autumn trekking season (September – November) all of my trekking expeditions will go ahead as scheduled, with the exact  same enthusiasm, professionalism and excellence as ever before.

Furthermore,  bookings are still open for my Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes trek: 11 September – 2 October, 2015 and Everest Base Camp trek: 4 October – 21 October, 2015  (limited positions available).

If you would like further information on these treks please contact me as soon as possible. I will be conducting an information evening next Monday 22nd June for all confirmed and interested trekkers.

Trekking Expeditions 2016:

Bookings are now open for all 2016 treks in Nepal; this includes a special “Everest Base Camp Earthquake Charity Memorial Trek” in April.  See scheduled ‘treks’ .

So, what do you say Adventurers?

Let’s go trekking and support the people and country of beautiful Nepal…

I am confident that I will guide you on a safe and highly memorable journey to one of the most incredible destinations in the world, the majestic Himalayas.

This year’s treks will be intensely meaningful and I sincerely encourage you to join me at Cherie Horne Adventure Trekking to experience a truly life changing adventure.

Together with my incredibly Sherpa team we can reassure you that trekking in Nepal is safe and ready for tourists and would like to encourage you to explore the magnificent, awe-inspiring trekking trails the  Himalayas have to offer.

Visiting the heartbroken country as soon as possible is the best way you can help the local people and overall recovery of Nepal’s struggling economy after such a devastating natural earthquake disaster.

By travelling to the extraordinary Himalayas we, as tourists can bring hope, strength and love stronger than ever before.

I look forward to guiding you on a ‘once in a lifetime’ Himalayan trekking adventure in the near future.

Don’t just dream adventure…

Live it today!

Kindest regards,

Cherie