1 Spanish Trekker, 3 Nepalese Guides Killed in Nepal Manaslu Landslide

A Spanish trekker and three Nepalese guides were killed Thursday and 14 other people were injured when they were hit by a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Nepal's northern mountains, officials said.

Government administrator Narayan Prasad Bhatta said the landslide occurred near Kerauja village, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Kathmandu, the capital. The injured were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, where 10 were admitted.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released. They were on a trekking trail heading toward Mount Manaslu.

Bhatta said rescue efforts were delayed because of bad weather and helicopters reached the victims hours after the landslide. The area is not accessible to cars.

Trekking season in Nepal begins in September, when the monsoon rainy season normally ends. However, this year it has continued to rain.

Himalaya Airlines to launch flights to Colombo on Oct 1

Himalaya Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would be launching scheduled commercial flights between Kathmandu and Colombo on October 1, re-establishing direct air links with Sri Lanka after more than three decades.

The newly established carrier, a China-Nepal joint venture, will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using 158-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. The flight will depart from Tribhuvan International Airport at 11:30 am and land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo at 15:15 pm local time. The return flight will leave at 16:15 pm local time and arrive in Kathmandu at 20:15 pm.

The airfare for the three-and-a-half-hour flight has been set at Rs 29,191 one way (including taxes). A return ticket costs Rs 50,041, according to the airline.  

Himalaya Airlines had received permission to operate charter flights to the island country last April. The planned direct service is the first time that scheduled commercial airlines have been allowed to connect Colombo since the 1980s.

“We reviewed the passenger traffic on the route and saw that it has potential two-way traffic demand,” said Vijay Shrestha, vice-president administration, of Himalaya Airlines. “Direct air connectivity will help both countries to promote trade and tourism.” Sri Lanka is the third largest tourist source market for Nepal after India and China. Despite the earthquakes and trade embargo last year, arrivals from Sri Lanka rose significantly to 44,367. In the previous year, 37,546 Sri Lankans visited Nepal.

Only 2.5 percent of the arrivals or 1,089 visitors came by air, a trend attributed to lack of direct flights between Nepal and Sri Lanka. According to government statistics, 97.5 percent of the Sri Lankan visitors entered Nepal overland from Bhairahawa to visit Buddhist sites in nearby Lumbini. A survey entitled Visitors Survey and Observation has shown that 72.6 percent of the visitors spent only half an hour sightseeing in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha in southern Nepal.

“After the start of direct flights, we expect more travellers to visit Nepal and stay longer,” said Raju Bahadur KC, commercial general manager of Himalaya. “Currently, travellers have to spend a whole day to reach Nepal or Sri Lanka by flying through India, Malaysia, Thailand or even Dubai,” he said. “Besides, the airfare is also reasonable.”

KC said that the scheduled flights would also benefit the thousands of Nepalis working in the Maldives. “We have estimated that nearly 10,000 Nepalis are currently employed in the Maldives.”

National flag carrier Nepal Airlines, in its previous avatar as Royal Nepal Airlines, used to operate direct flights to Colombo during the 1980s. But the carrier suspended operations following an armed movement by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. There have been no direct air links between the two countries since then.

Plans to establish direct flights on the Kathmandu-Colombo route were revived during the 18th Saarc Summit held in Kathmandu in November 2014. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan government officially applied for authorisation to conduct daily flights between the two countries with Colombo-based carrier Mihin Lanka planning to start services. In March 2015, the Tourism Ministry had issued an operating authorisation to the carrier. But the proposed services did not happen.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is to Trek Nepal

United States Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his interest to make a visit to Nepal.

Secretary of State Kerry articulated his intent in a meeting on Tuesday with Minister for Foreign Affairs and leader of Nepali delegation Dr Prakash Shran Mahat. Minister Dr Mahat is presently in New York in course of attending the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations.

"I wished to visit Nepal last time when I was on India trip. But, I could not make my visit arrangement due to hectic schedule. I will visit Nepal on any opportune time in future. The US is ever ready to provide assistance to Nepal's efforts for her development and prosperity", Secretary of State Kerry noted.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Mahat shared that the US Foreign Secretary had expressed his interest to have a trekking on one of the tourist destinations of Nepal.

Enquiring about the situation of Nepal following the promulgation of constitution in Nepal, US Secretary of State Kerry had expressed his best wishes for the political parties of Nepal to work together for institutionalizing democracy in the country.
Source: RSS

Animal Friendly Tourism in Nepal

As the part of responsible tourism, Nepal Footprint Holiday (P) Ltd. core team decided not to operate Elephant Safari Tour on Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park from 2015. Our contribution to the animal right and nature is not against wildlife safari in Nepal but we raise strong voice for the animal friendly tourism in Nepal.

We always raise our voices for animal right to discourage the animal exploitation in Nepal tourism. We are always passionate for  Animal right, local, unfair, ethical voice and social Justice issue which is related on our business, tourism  animal welfare and future impact. Elephant issues have been a strong area of concern. Having such an enormous wild animal restrained for many hours at a time and used for rides or to do human-like behaviors, such as kick a soccer ball or paint pictures with their trunks, has never felt right. People often think that an elephant in captivity is domesticated, and so somehow it’s OK to have them under human command. But the reality is that they never have been domesticated like dogs or horses. Even if born in captivity, they are still a wild animal, and need to be ‘broken’ to accept human control. There is much evidence that this process is exceptionally cruel. Nepal Footprint desire  wilds animal must be on wild and leave on their way into the harmony  with freedom without any strong human pressure.

We request to all travelers, we are not avoiding for Wildlife Safari enthusiast but we do not operate elephant riding in Chitwan National Park and Bardia National park. Instead of elephant safari, we recommend you to do Jeep Safari or nature trail hiking around the jungle.

For details to know about the animal friendly tourism in Nepal, please check https://www.nepalfootprintholiday.com/footprint-stop-elephant-safari-in-nepal.html

7 Days 6 Night Nepal Tour - Family Holidays

Dear 1: Arrival in International  Airport Pickup and Hotel transfer. Free for refreshment than if time available short sightseeing, visit some ethical culture places of Kathmandu By foot. Evening Welcome Dinner . Hotel Twin Share Basis with B/ B Plan.

Day 2: Everest Mountain Flight, Kathmandu Full Days sightseeing- Visit Buddhist Stupa Boudhanath, Hindu Temple Pashupatinath and Patan Durbar Square. Hotel on B/ B plan.

Day 3: Morning Drive to Chitwan National Park for Wildlife Safari – 4 to 5 hour drive by private van. Transfer Chitwan Hotel , late lunch, Afternoon Village sightseeing, Culture program hosted by Tharu People. Sunset View form Rapti River side. Dinner at Resort with Twin Share basis Room.

Day 4: Morning,  wildlife Safari in inside jungle,  drive to pokhara around 4 hours, transfer hotel refresh evening walk around Fewa lake, boating on lake free time.  Overnight  pokhara Hotel B/B plan.

Day 5: Early morning drive to Sarangkot, sunrise view with panoramic Himalayan view and paragliding and back pokhara. Jeep flying trip than Half day pokhara sightseeing included Bendabasini Tample, Davis falls, Gupetshwor cave, evening free leisure time for shopping  overnight at pokhara. Hotel B/B plan.

Day 6: Morning after breakfast, drive to Kathmandu about 200km. takes 5 to 6 hours, transfer hotel in Kathmandu, Evening free time self enjoying in the City. Hotel B/B plan.
(En-route from Pokhara to Kathmandu there is a famous Hindu Kali Temple 'Manakamana' Can be visit this temple using by short Cable Car drive. If you are interested please than also you can add on your trip. That takes only about 2 hours extra and That Cable Car ticket cost Per person 10US$ only)

Day 7:  Morning free time and final departure onward destination.

Cost Details

Total cost for Tour - 585US$ per person on B/B plan.   
Total Cost for Tour 665US$ Per person with Full Board Meal (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) Plan.
Extra Activities cost are:
Paragliding in Pokhara  30 Minute Flight - 85US$ per person.
Everest Mountain Flight - 195US$ Per person.
Bungy Jump in Pokhara - 55US$ Per person.

Cost included

All ground transport by Ac vehicles
3 Nights Kathmandu Hotel with B/B plan
1 Night Chitwan Resort/Hotel with full board package
2 Night Hotel in Pokhara with B/B Plan
Welcome dinner in Kathmandu on  typical Nepali restaurant .
Sightseeing tours with English Speaking Tour Guide.

Cost dose not included

International airfare and Nepal Visa fee
Kathmandu and pokhara Meals as per itinerary.
All Entrance fee and monuments during the tours and sightseeing.
Tips for guide and driver
Personal expenses (laundry Bill, Water, Cigarette, bar bill, telephone bill, etc )
Important Notes: All the itinerary are tailor made if you want to change something on the itinerary on your private group tours please kindly let us know. We are always ready to assist you with full of information. The world best mountain flight offer Only form Nepal to see the Nearest view. It is amazing  1 hour nonstop flight  from Kathmandu domestic airport to airport. The flight operating only when good weather in the Himalayas area of Nepal. When bad weather they will not able to fly and you will not able to see the all clear mountain. In that case the flight will cancel without any cancellation charge. Only you need to pay the transport fees which you have used.

Hotel Details on The tour:

Hotel in Kathmandu - Hotel Radisson/ Hotel De'l Annapurna or Similar.
Hotel in Chitwan - Hotel West Wood  or Similar.
Hotel in Pokhara - Hotel Grande, Athiti Boutique Resort or Similar.
Transport Mode - Toyota Hiace AC.

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized 'Organic Agro Tourism' in Kathmandu

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized an interaction on 'Organic Agro Tourism' in Kathmandu on Friday.

Inaugurating the program, Minister for Agricultural Development Gauri Shankar Chaudhary appreciated TAAN's efforts to promote organic farming and establish linkage between organic farming and tourism. "If promoted well, it can benefit both tourism and agricultural sector," he said, adding: "While farmers can get more benefits from tourism, the tourism industry will get high-end tourists as organic agro tourism is a niche tourism product worldwide.” He also promised all possible support to TAAN to promote organic agro tourism.

At the program, TAAN also declared that it would take needful initiative to promote organic tourism along popular trekking trails like Kanchanjunga, Jaljala-Makalu, Jiri-Everest, Langtang-Helambu, Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa, among others.

Similarly, TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal said the workshop was a part of TAAN's efforts to share information among major stakeholders like the tourism ministry, agriculture ministry, ICIMOD, WWF Nepal and NTNC, among others, who have been working to promote sustainable tourism in the country. "Organic agro tourism is the next big thing in global tourism market. By certifying our tourism areas organic, we can bring high-end tourists from all over the world here," he said. "It not only makes farmers richer, but also boosts our economy by discouraging import of farm products." Stating that our farming technique is already organic, Rijal said: "We only need to brand it and promote it effectively in the international market."

Similarly, TAAN Treasurer Lila Baldab Dahal said the workshop was a part of TAAN's efforts to establish linkage between agriculture and tourism. "Only some lodge owners are getting benefits from tourism in major trekking areas of the country. By promoting organic tourism, we want more local people to get benefits from tourism," he said, adding: "The government should help farmers for organic certification and find market for their products."

 In his presentation, TAAN Executive Member Pemba Sherpa 'Sherpa' talked about the benefits of organic tourism not only to human health but also to national economy. "By promoting organic farming, we can earn precious foreign currency as the world market is looking for organic tourism products," he added. He also said promotion of organic agro tourism will help promote Nepali farm products in the world market. "Tourists will see Nepali farming technology themselves and promote it throughout the world through word of mouth publicity. It will help both agriculture and tourism sectors," he added.

Organic food stalls were the major attractions of the program. Organic products ranging from walnut and Marsi rice from Jumla, apples from Dolpa, beans from Humla, sea buckthorn juice from Bajura and lentils of Chitwan were the major attractions of the program. Stalls selling organic fresh vegetables, tea and coffee, honey, chestnuts, brown rice, and eggs, among others, went out of stock in no time.

Representatives from tourism, forest and agriculture ministries; Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Nepal Tourism Board, WWF Nepal, ICIMOD, NTNC, different travel trade associations, among others, were present on the occasion.

Firms dealing on organic farm products like Organic Sansar Nepal, Himgiri Eco-Friendly Agricultural Cooperatives, Dolpo Organic Farming Management Committee, Organic World and Fair Trade, Bliss Raw Café, Himalayan Organic Garden, Crystal Earth and Organic Farm House had set up stalls at the program.

News Source: Myrepublica

Ananpurna Royal Trek

 Annapurna Royal Trek is the short and easy trekking trail in Annapurna Region.

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Drive Pokhara – Bijaypur / Trekking to Kalikasthan
Day 2: Trekking Kalikasthan – Syalung
Day 3: Trekking Syalung – Chisapani
Day 4: Trekking Chisapani – Rupa Lake – Begnas Lake (overnight: Begnas Lake Resort)
Day 5: Spa Treatment at Begnas Lake Resort and full day lust and launa. Boating in Lake.  (I suggest at least 2 night much better in this resort for relax)
Day 6: Spa Treatment at Begnas Lake Resort – afternoon Drive back to Pokhara / End of Service.

Cost Per person
Group size Minimum 2 Pax, per person  385US$.
Single Supplement 190US$.

Detail Itinerary:

Day 01: Pokhara to Kalikasthan 1,370m about1 hr drive, 4-5 hrs trek. L/D and Guest House.
Meet your guide in pokhara hotel, after breakfast, drive to Bijayapur Khola to begin trek. Walk through flat paddy fields and cross the river. After river the trail ascend to Kalikasthan. On the middle holl we stop for lunch. After arriving at Kalikasthan, simple guest house. Explore the surrounding areas.

Day 02: Kalikasthan to Syaklung 1,730m5-6 hrs. B/L/D & Guest House.
Breakfast with mountain view, walking through the villages and ridge of the mountain which offers good views of Annapurna and Lamjung Himal. Today, we can explore many villages and walk along rhododendron forest. Stop midway for lunch, arrive Syaklung village and stay in local guesthouse.

Day 03: Syaklung to Chisapani 1550m 5-6 hrs B/L/D. Guest House.
Today, walking through the Gurung village gives an opportunity to observe the local  lifestyle. Passing many small villages and low tropical forest, lunch stop on the way, after mixed trail uphill and down-hill arrive at Chisapani village. Chisapani is best view point to see the Western Himalayan Panorama. You will see Dhaulagiri to the west of Annapurna and Manaslu in the East. Overnight in guesthouse.

Day 04: Chisapani to Begnas Lake Resort. 3 to 4 hrs. B/L/- Resort.
Today we walk half way down the hill to Rupatal and climb about 200 meters to arrive at Sundare Danda. Walk 15 minutes down to Begnas Lake Resort.

Day 05: Free day lust and launa in resort. B/-/- and Accommodation.
Boating on Begnas Lake, SPA, treatment, Massage or sauna, realx with the nature beauty. In resort.

Day 06: Morning Lake view breakfast and transfer to Pokhara city. B only.

Cost Include:

Ground transport as per plan from pokhara hotel to hotel. 3 Night Mountain lodge and 2 night Begnas lake resort. 5 Breakfast 4 Lunch, 3 Dinner, Private Guide, between 2 person 1 porter Trekking Permit and National Park Entry Fee, Guide and Porter Insurance,  their Well Paid daily wages, Travel Insurance , accommodation and, food and Equipment. Emergency First aid Kit.