Off the Wall trekking ~Welcome to our World of Expeditions~A different perspective~: 2015 Off the Wall Newsletter, Special Edition 8

Off the Wall trekking Newsletter June 2015 - Special Edition

This is a special edition of our ‘August’ Newsletter brought forward to July. The additional logo is being used by organisations involved with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA www.pata.org) as part of the Nepal Tourism Recovery Strategy.

The aim of this Newsletter is to try to inform, show and encourage people who are interested in travelling to Nepal this autumn season to set plans in place. We have all seen the pictures of the doom and gloom but Nepal is not totally as portrayed in many of the early news programs. People realise that trekking and tourism are the only real ways to get money back into circulation, especially into the pockets of the hill people from the trekking regions of the Nepal Himalaya. I also hope to quell a few concerns and answer a few questions that we have received that might be of interest to everyone. With this in mind I have also attached a letter from our ‘Ambassadors’ in a bid to offer further reassurance to visitors. I make no excuses for more pictures than words!

Nepal is rapidly picking itself up and the majority of trekking regions and tourist sites are now open for business, this nation of friendly people, vibrant culture and exotic festivals eagerly awaits your return. Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels are fully open, the mountain flights are still offering an exceptional experience and most of the trekking routes outside the areas listed below are open, all giving an insight into life in rural and remote Nepal.

Views from around the Kathmandu Valley post April 2015

Part 1 - Boudha

The Boudha Stupa was originally constructed around the 5^th Century AD, however, the pre-history of Nepal is based mainly on legend. Today Boudha plays a significant role in the world wide Buddhist culture.

During the April earthquake several of the interlocking gilded copper plates towards the top of the stupa became loose. However, this is not the first time major damage limitation work has been carried out on the monument. As a precaution craftsmen have dismantled the top section to ensure that the inner core of the stupa has not been damaged. Work is already well underway to reinstate the stupa back to its former glory.

Sarita and I have spent a few very pleasant evenings over at Boudha during the last few weeks, very relaxing!

The Buddhist philosophy is based on one of impermanence, the Wheel of Life. The very mountains and landscape of Nepal are also ones of impermanence created by the uplifting of the Himalaya and the subsequent erosion; from landslides, rock falls, avalanches, floods, monsoons; all change the face of Nepal and occasionally earthquakes are thrown into the mix just for good measure. Erosion occurs in other countries, even low lying Kent in the UK had a 4.2 earthquake a few weeks ago but the steep sided Himalayan mountains have the additional law of gravity to assist in the rearranging of mother natures’ cover.

The 1934 earthquake and the subsequent restoration work led to the world wide recognition of famous Newar architects and builders of a previous generation.

Today there are many time served master craftsmen working in and around Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan and even in the hill regions, Kutumsang for example, that it is believed that there are enough to restore the temples and monuments that have recently been damaged. Salvage work has long begun to reclaim the bricks and wooden structures, these are now in storage and will be incorporated into the restoration of the temples, palaces and Durbar Squares. Work has already begun felling timber and stacking for the seasoning process.

All this work will inspire a younger generation and open up opportunities that may have been overlooked before for carpenters, wood carvers, tin and copper smiths, temple artisans and artists. Every century as we have earthquakes the artisans rise to prominence, as their importance increases, it leads to a new breed of master craftsmen and craftswomen coming up through the ranks. This is how the heritage of Nepal will continue and survive.

This is Nepal and these are Nepali people!

Views from around the Kathmandu Valley post April 2015

Part 2 - Into Thamel and Aason
Thamel of course is the main commercial tourist area of Kathmandu while Aason is the area around the old town centre where the locals go to shop, not far from Durbar Square, images also included here

All images above taken on the 23^rd June 2015

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Nepal Tourism Recovery is a collective of travel insiders formed after the earthquake and based in Nepal. As a group, we have tried to assimilate the most common questions that are coming from travelers who are planning trips to Nepal. If your particular question is not here, please ask us a question and we shall put it on the list as well.

(Nepal Tourism Recovery http://nepaltraveladvisory.blogspot.com)

1. Are the ATMs working?

YES all as normal, just ensure you have told your bank you are travelling and will be using ATMs in Nepal

2. Is there a Cholera Outbreak?

NO but follow all the usual precautions as previously advised

3. Is electricity still working?

YES but we are still subjected to the normal ‘load-shedding’ schedules.

4. Is the drinking water OK?

Mineral water is still available for travellers but if you want belt and braces there are many makes of water purification units around and readily available in the market (some are now in Nepal)

5. Can I get from point A to point B?

Travel is fine at the moment, the monsoon will no doubt loosen hill sides as it always does but there are many geologist groups in Nepal monitoring the situation, and will continue to do so after the monsoon. ICIMOD expect that there will be a very high risk of landslides in the 14 worst earthquake affected districts but the rest of Nepal will be at the same level of risk as pre-earthquake.

6. Is Everest Buried?

It is believed that Everest has sunk about a centimetre but so far no scientific surveys have been completed with published results. It’s definitely still there!

7. Is Kathmandu flattened?

Definitely not! Most parts of the city are working as normal. In many places you would not know there had been an earthquake - this includes the major tourism hub of Thamel

8. Are you living above a rubble mound?

No and there are very few piles of rubble around, the majority have now been managed or are in the process of being managed and removed.

9. Which ones are the safest hotels in Kathmandu, Nagarkot?

Nearly all of the top end- hotels have been checked and are now open as before, certainly the high profile (not necessarily the most expensive) ones are. The majority of Thamel hotels have not yet had a government engineers surveys but they are open for business as normal. When considering a hotel choice please look for the ‘Green Sticker’, the official survey stamp that the building is safe. (http://www.drupartment.com/nepal-hotel-status) Check this portal for hotels that are open for business as normal

10. Is Wifi free at all the hotels and restaurants?

Those that have this service are still providing it

11. What about food?

Most of the favourite and popular restaurants are open for business as usual but the same travel advice applies as it always has done – use hand gel and avoid small ‘local’ back street restaurants to stay healthy. Many restaurants are closing early (9pm) but only because there is so little trade

12. Does the phone and Internet work?

All communication systems work as you would normally expect.

13. Is there lawless behaviour like looting? NO!

14. Is there a likelihood of aftershocks during my visit?

Nepal has always had earthquakes, on average it gets over twenty per year, many under 4 magnitude so there always have been tremors. These are now happening in a very short and mostly gentle form on a regular basis however most people are not even aware of them happening and the dogs have stopped barking!

The Exchange Rate - as on the 12th July it stood at 156.69/- to the pound sterling

The Monsoon - Despite the weather forecast the monsoon is still slow in arriving although there has been

heavy rain for some periods of time over the last few weeks. No doubt things will liven up as we get towards the end of July. As happens every year there have been a few mud/landslides but nothing out of the ordinary. Obviously the authorities have an eye on all the main traffic routes, the road to Tibet via the 'Friendship Bridge' is closed but for the moment that is because of the huge landslip that happened earlier this year. This road is also in the NO GO zone mentioned below.

More Good News

Nepal Tourism Recovery is a collective of travel insiders formed after the earthquake and based in Nepal. The organisation is recognized by Nepal Tourism Board and has the wider acceptance of the national and international tourism fraternity. This blogsite strives to provide factual, referenced information from the ground.

NEPAL TRAVEL ADVISORY | 08 July 2015 status

BE INFORMED BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Travel to and in Nepal is possible and in most areas is at the same level of risk as pre-earthquake.

The travel advice you’ll find in this document is therefore differentiated by geographical area.

· Yellow areas: do not travel – the 14 worst affected districts

· Orange areas: travel, but use caution

· Blue: travel as normal

There are further details on the following:

· Transport to and within Nepal

· Adventure activities

· Cultural and heritage tours

· Festivals, events and more

Background: Nepal suffered two major earthquakes on April 25^th and May 12^th 2015. These caused destruction and loss of life in and around the epicentres, Ghorkha and Dolakha districts respectively and across several other areas of the country including the capital, Kathmandu. The damage in Kathmandu was largely in isolated pockets and the city was functioning at near normal levels around a week after the first quake. Aftershocks continue to jolt the country on a regular basis, however these are generally of low intensity and have little effect on day to day life in most cases.

Nepal is currently experiencing monsoon

Many countries governments have travel warnings in action regarding travel to and in Nepal. Check your country’s travel advice. Be aware there are many inconsistencies between the various travel advisories out there.

Be safe, check information sources carefully before you travel.

It is possible to have an amazing and inspiring travel experience in Nepal. As with any journey, prepare well, use common sense and actively seek advice and information to get the best from your trip.

YELLOW AREAS – 14 worst affected districts – DO NOT TRAVEL

The earthquakes of April 25^th and May 12^th severely affected 14 Districts in the northern

-centre of Nepal. These districts are still very unstable and experiencing severe problems.

Gorkha District in the West to Doloakha and Rhamechhap in the East: Ghorkha District includes the Manaslu trekking area; Rasuwa includes the Langtang area; Dolakha includes the Rolwaling / Ganesh Himal trekking areas.

We would not recommend travel to or through any of these areas, unless working specifically on aid, relief or rebuild missions. People needing to travel to these districts for the above purposes are strongly advised to work with a registered organisation and coordinated with local government offices and police / army.

ICIMOD has advised that these areas are at very high risk of landslide during the monsoon months as heavy rainfall loosens already unstable slopes in these areas.

Map sourced from http://kathmandulivinglabs.github.io/quake-maps/#affected-areas 07.07.15

ORANGE AREAS – travel but exercise caution

Kathmandu: the mid hills and mountains in the centre of the country

Kathmandu Valley (including Bhaktapur and Patan): whilst the majority of the valley suffered only minor damage in both earthquakes there are still many walls, buildings and roads / trails that have been affected, some destroyed completely.

Buildings – the sticker system

We advise you to pay close attention to the buildings you frequent – you should look for the ‘Green Sticker’ on the building’s entrance. The green sticker shows that the building has been assessed for damage and is considered safe to use by government engineers.

Enter ‘Orange’ stickered buildings only if absolutely necessary

Avoid red stickered buildings – keep a good distance from them.

Walking, riding, moving around the city and valley villages

Many places in the city are virtually unaffected however we advise you pay attention to the routes you’re taking – check that walls are uncracked and not leaning, pay attention to the red taped areas around the heritage sites.

Walking around the Kathmandu city has always been a bit of an obstacle course, what with potholes, dirt tracks, traffic and the odd cow or even elephant wandering about. These things are still prevalent (it’s part of the charm!). In addition though be aware that not every wall / house has been checked so keep your eyes open and use common sense.

While the popular heritage sites in Kathmandu have seen some damage, the rubble has been removed and paths created for travellers. Nepal opened its heritage sites on 05th June 2015 officially. Stay clear of red-taped off areas and exercise common sense when moving through small alleyways etc.

One bonus of visiting at this time is a chance to see many of Nepal’s highly skilled artisans and craftsmen at work as they start the time-honoured job of rebuild and renewal (some of our monuments are still being repaired after the 1934 earthquake!)

Running and walking / cycling trails

Watch out for cracks and fractures in running, walking and hiking trails.
Tracks and trails in the valley and beyond change by the day in the monsoon time as heavy downpours cause erosion and small slips and slides. These effects may be heightened by quake loosed earth. The usual guidelines of trekking / biking apply – let someone know your route and expected return time; carry a phone and small first aid kit with you in case of mishaps; don’t be afraid to ask for directions or help from locals.

Mountain areas: trekking, mountain biking, trail running and climbing

At this time of year many of the mountain areas are difficult to access and to move through as heavy rains and dense cloud obscure visibility (for planes) and turn jeep tracks into muddy waterways. This is normal for Nepal. However in addition this year there are still some trail sections that are ay higher risk of landslide and some mountainous areas closer to the affected districts where we may reasonably expect more intense monsoon effects. Talk to locals, use your mountain skills and experience to risk assess routes before your travel and as you move. Stay alert and, as ever, be prepared to change or abandon your trip as conditions change. Use a reputable travel operator.

Trail, bridge and lodge assessments in the main trekking areas

Most reputable travel operators have carried out trail, bridge and lodge assessments in the areas they run trips. These should be available – just ask your agent.

We are also in the process of consolidating these reports into a cross-checked reference document.

In addition world experts teams from Miyamoto have assessed Everest and Annapurna. Their initial report gives both regions the all clear apart from a short section of trail which has already had diversions created. Their report is due on July 19^th.

A Swiss backed team of geologists and rural trail experts have also assessed Manaslu area. Trail repairs and bridges are now being worked on. Their report is available on request.

As noted above it is not advised to travel to Langtang, Rolwaling and Manaslu at the moment.

Some areas of Solokhumbu (Kherikhola, Thame area) have been badly affected – check with your travel agency.

BLUE AREAS - travel as same risk pre-earthquake

Many parts of the country were unaffected (or only mildly affected) by the earthquakes.

Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Gautauma Buddha; the tea plantations of Ilam; Lakeside and Pokhara; Janakphur; Chitwan, Bardia and Kosi Tappu National Parks are all operating as normal.

The Annapurnas, Mustang, Dolpo, the Far West and eastern mountains (Kanchenjunga) are largely unaffected by the earthquake. Trekkers and mountain bikers have been enjoying the empty trails there for the past few months. As above, monsoon can have big impacts on safe travel so do exercise caution.

Note: Mustang, Dolpo and Humla are generally not affected by monsoon as they are in the rain shadow.

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Rafting – Limited: rafting opportunities are always limited in the monsoon period. The Bhote Khosi and rafting area is in the YELLOW zone and not operating. Consult your Rafting Outfitter

Bungee Jumping - Limited. Consult your Tour Operator The second highest bungee in the world at the Last Resort is currently closed (YELLOW zone). There is a possibility it may re-open in autumn. The bungee in Pokhara is operating as normal.

Paragliding & Parahawking Operating as normal although flight opportunities are very limited in the monsoon. Most of the Paragliding and Parahawking happen in Pokhara which sustained little or no damage at all during the earthquake.

Paddle Boarding Operating as normal. This happens in Pokhara’s Phewa Lake and it has sustained no damage at all.

Canyoning - Not Advisable in popular areas. The most popular canyoning happens in the Bhote Koshi Corridor, in one of the YELLOW districts. In newer opened canyons, use caution as expert assessments have not been done. Talk to your specialist operator

Wildlife Watch / Birding - Operating as normal. Consult your Specialist Provider …..

Festivals - Good to Go. Nepal never stops with regards to festivals. Faith is so big in this country that this goes on. See a list of events on the website to check when you can enjoy it and where.

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Travel Insurance

Please take car the check your travel insurance is fully valid. Many insurers have ‘exclusions’ against travel to countries where the insured persons’ government has a travel warning in action.

Please check with your insurer before starting your journey. Trekking insurance with helicopter rescue can be purchased in Kathmandu but this will only cover evacuation - 13$ per day

Nepal Tourism Recovery is a collective of travel insiders based in Nepal. Supported by CBI (Holland) and NTB (Nepal) and has the wider acceptance of the national and international tourism industry. All information contained in this document has been checked and verified at the date stated in the header. We cannot however be responsible for third party sourced information. We encourage feedback and welcome new relevant information.