As the monsoon rains finally exit the country after a very long, wet summer and the shorter autumn days lift our spirits with warm sun, blue skies and the promise of time spent with family during the upcoming festivals, we are happy to announce that Nepal is once again fully open and cautiously awaiting the return of visitors. The country being removed from the UK’s red list last week, alongside the new protocols put in place by the Government of Nepal are also seen as one more step towards what the industry hopes will be a steady return to business.
As of the 1st October anyone who is fully vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival in Nepal and can also get a visa upon arrival. There are of course still various hoops to jump through and documents that are required, either by the airlines or the Govt of Nepal prior to departure, but that is not unique to here and appears to be the new global standard for international travel. As the rules of entry are as fluid as the virus itself with a tendency to change at short notice, alongside seeking clarification from your chosen travel partner, we suggest you keep abreast of the situation by contacting your local Nepali Embassy, rather than relying on Facebook groups and hearsay.
What the overall Covid status is here in Nepal we are unsure, however, the number of infections appears to be dropping with the government reporting in the region of 500 – 700 new cases a day. There are no reports of hospitals being overrun and people scrabbling for ICU beds and oxygen as there were back in May and the vaccination programme is back in full swing, with new deliveries happening regularly and everyone over the age of 18 being offered the jab. Currently the country’s vaccination rate is at about 22% and rising steadily, which is good news.
We at HQ are easing ourselves back into work cautiously with the key focus of safety for all involved – clients, staff and communities – especially given the relatively low levels of vaccination here in Nepal.
We have chosen to run just one programme this season and are currently 3 weeks into the same 3-month Adventure Guide Programme we successfully ran back in the spring. Quarantine, wilderness first aid and rock climbing 1 are all complete and the group is now on its first trek, to Gosainkund Lake via Helambu.
Alongside this, we are also working hand in hand with our clients in full preparation mode for next year and if the virus doesn’t throw us a curveball, it should see those who have been hankering for the mountains for the last 2 years, back having the adventures they have been dreaming of.
So on that note, get planning so you can finally answer the call of the mountains and we wish you all a very Happy Dashain and Tihar.
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