Nepal Earthquake Update

Everyone is aware of the catastrophic devastation that the recent earthquakes have caused in Nepal, and that the experts forecast that there may well be more aftershocks to come.

As June approaches so does the monsoon. The numbers of visitors that Nepal sees, even in a ‘normal year’, drops right off during the monsoon. No one likes trekking or climbing in the rain! Nepal’s people, many of whom rely heavily from the income from tourists, are used to this. The ‘season’ starts up again in late September, with October and November, along with April and May being the months when Nepal receives over 90% of its annual tourists.

Tourists bring a lot of money into the local economy. You pay us – we pay our local agent – he pays the porters, cooks, Sherpas, guides, teahouse owners, food-sellers, equipment sellers, hotels, transport providers……

While you are in Nepal your own spending on souvenirs, drinks, meals all goes directly into the local economy.

Nepal will rebuild houses and roads that have been destroyed in the earthquake. As we all know a huge amount of aid is reaching Nepal – but it will never be enough. They need to keep their economy turning to help themselves and so they need tourists.

Everyone hopes that by the start of the autumn season, the infrastructure in Nepal will be ready to welcome tourists back. OK, things will not be the same. You will not be able to sleep in a teahouse in Langtang village for example – because the village was totally wiped out – but you can camp there and porters will be able to carry all the supplies needed.

At the time of writing the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office is still advising against ‘all but essential travel’ to Nepal, which would invalidate most travel insurance policies, but this is expected to change soon.

Adventure Peaks, along with all of our fellow tour operators, is planning on ‘business as normal’ for Nepal in the autumn. We appreciate that we may have to adjust some of itineraries. In the unlikely event that any of our treks or expeditions really cannot be operated due to the after-effects of the earthquakes, we will either amend the itinerary, offer an alternative or, in extreme cases, cancel the trip and refund you if it is absolutely impossible to fulfil our contractual obligation to you, our customer.

We WANT you to book on our trips for Nepal – not just for us, but for the Nepali people who need to maintain the income from tourism. PLEASE don’t shy away.