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POST EARTHQUAKE: SITUATION UPDATE Can I visit Nepal this year? Yes! Nepal is open to tourists! Much of the tourist and trekking infrastructure has escaped disaster and is back in business. Hotels and restaurants in the Kathmandu valley, including Pokhara, Lumbini and Chitwan—major tourist destinations—are open. When is the best time to visit Nepal? It is recommended to skip the monsoon season (mid-June to mid-August), particularly for trekkers. But for visitors looking for a cultural tour and peaceful environment to enjoy a relaxed vacation, Nepal is an ideal destination throughout the year. Right now it’s the off season and the start of the monsoon. Airfares, hotels tariff, restaurants bills and tour packages cost are relatively cheaper during this period. The peak tourist season is in the autumn (September-November). This is just after the monsoon season so the air is dry and clear. This is the perfect time for visiting Nepal if you are going trekking or culture sight seeing. Nepal has Four Climatic Seasons. Spring (March-May): The temperature is mildly warm in low lands, while moderate in higher altitudes with plenty of opportunities to have tryst with the mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom. It is also Nepal’s second peak tourist season as it offers best climate for Mt Everest expedition, including other peaks. Summer (June-August): This is also the monsoon season in Nepal. The weather is hot and wet at times. It rains almost everyday with occasional thunderstorms in the evening. Autumn (September-November): This is the best tourist season in Nepal with the summer gone by and the winter to set in. The weather is highly pleasant so are the mountain views. This is the peak season for trekking. Winter (December-February): The weather is cool and the sky is clear with occasional snowfalls at higher elevations. This season is good for trekking in lower elevations. The morning and night is cold and the days are warm when sunny. Where should I avoid the disaster zones? Gorkha, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha and the Langtang valley has been hit by worst April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. It is recommended to adopt precautionary measures while visiting these areas in terms of tourism. Popular cities like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Chitwan, Bardia, Lumbini, Trishuli and Pokhara are all open to tourists and you will not be in any disaster zone. Kathmandu: The Kathmandu valley comprises three ancient cities—Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The historic value of the three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan has been very badly affected by the earthquake. Most of Kathmandu Durbar Square has been destroyed, Bhaktapur has lost many of its fine historic buildings and Patan’s Durbar Square is severely damaged. However, Nepal government on June 15 re-opened some of its centuries-old cultural heritage sites, including these three Durbar Square that were closed after the country was hit by a series of earthquakes in April, in an effort to attract foreign tourists. It is estimated to take at least seven years to fully restore these damaged golden era architectures. Pokhara: The city is famous in the world for a plethora of adventure sports activities like paragliding, para-hawking, zip-flyer, trekking, stand up paddle, ultra-light flights, boating and many more. You can experience the most exciting and thrilling bungee jump experience with the first tower bungee of Nepal in Pokhara. It is also the gateway to the Annapurna circuit, Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, which is fully open. Chitwan: The city literally means “heart of the jungle”. In recent years Chitwan tops the list of things to do in Asia. It is a truly wildlife adventure of a different kind – jungle safaris on elephant backs or jeeps, bird-watching, canoe rides and jungle walks. The Chitwan National Park is Asia’s best preserved conservation area, where wildlife thrives and their habitats remain intact. Bardia: The jungles of Bardia are completely unaffected by the earthquake. Elephant sanctuaries, jungle treks, tiger spotting and so much more are all open! Lumbini: The birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha is open and unaffected.
ABOUT TREKKING ROUTES EVEREST BASE CAMP: The trail from Jiri-Thaksindo–Kharikhola–Lukla-Phakdin is fine, with the locals travelling along this every day. The trail near Phakdin was blocked by a landslide about 20 metres wide, but the locals have already made a new trail. The trail from Monjo to Namche is fine. Few lodges are damaged in Phakdin, Monjo, Namche, Tyangbuche, Debuche, Pheruche, Dingbuche and Lobuche, but most of them have been rebuilt and are ready to business. DOLPO: All the trails are intact. This area didn’t even feel the tremor of the earthquake. Some private groups are still trekking from Juphal to Jomsom. All the locals are busy in Yarsa Gumpa harvest and traveling to high mountains to collect Yarchagumba. DHAULAGIRI CIRCUIT: No damage to the trekking trails. The Beni-Darbang-Italian base camp has escaped damages. NAAR PHU: No damage to the trekking trails, but there is a section in-between Koto and Metha through the woods which is prone to rock fall. This appeared after the second earthquake, with locals warning of precaution moving across this section. ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT: The trails in this area are fine, though some sections are prone to landslides when descending to Jomsom via Tilicho Lake. Likewise, trails in Annapurna Sanctuary are also fine, with lodges running as normal. ANNAPURNA FOOTHILL TREK: The Annapurna foothill trek is accessible. The trails from Demuwa- Thulo Chaur-Jogikuti-Ghorepani-Tada Pani– Ghandruk and Nayapul are fine. MUSTANG: Trails in this region are fine but most of the monasteries were damaged in the quake and a few collapsed. MERA PEAK: There is no damage to trails but a few tea houses suffered damage. Rebuilding is in progress and all affected lodges are expected to be in working condition for the autumn season. MANASLU: Most of the trail has been affected by the earthquake. LANGTANG: The Langtang Valley was devastated by the earthquake. It is difficult to imagine trekking being possible here for some time to come.
Page 3 and 4: Foreword We knew but yet we chose t
Page 5 and 6: COME SEPTEMBER: WE ARE READY TO WEL
Page 7 and 8: FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH “It is v
Page 10 and 11: INTERVIEW Andrew Jones is a vice-ch
Page 12 and 13: FEATURE The Best Way to Help Nepal
Page 14 and 15: Tourism envisions rebound plan afte
Page 16 and 17: What can tourists do to help - not
Page 18 and 19: Quake-hit Nepal seeks experts’ ad
Page 20: Nepal is ready to welcome tourists:
Page 25 and 26: Travel Tips/Travel Guide if traveli
Page 27 and 28: Permits and Fees [Tour, trekking an
Page 29: of noodle soups, potatoes and toast

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