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Holiday News and Offers
Here's where you'll find the most up-to-date information about what's happening at Mountain Kingdoms. Check below for details of any upcoming events we are holding, any special offers we are running, any news we've got to share and any holidays that have spaces and are due to run in the next few weeks. You can also sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust and the Royal Visit
The Gurkha Welfare Trust have announced that they raised an impressive £26 million in 2015 to spend on their many projects and initiatives in Nepal. This includes rebuilding the homes, schools and lives of Gurkha veterans, their families and the communities devastated by the earthquake last April. We were honoured to become a corporate partner of the Trust last year and will continue to raise funds for them in 2016.
Read moreMountain Kingdoms' baking efforts raise £220 for charity
Last week the team at Mountain Kingdoms helped raised a tasty sum of £220 for charity.
On 18th February 2016, 220 runners took part in an off-road race in the Forest of Dean, organised by Rogueruns. Mountain Kingdoms was given the task of baking enough cakes to feed all the hungry runners at the end of the race, and for every runner who took part Rogueruns donated £1 to Mountain Kingdoms for their bakes. The £220 raised will be donated by Mountain Kingdoms to Nepali Children's Trust who support the Newlife Centre orphanage in Nepal.
Read moreTales of the Yeti - Steve Berry finds new set of tracks high in the Himalaya
Unidentified tracks have recently been found next to the highest mountain in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
Our MD, Steve Berry, went back to Gangkar Punsum in October 2015 and came across more fascinating tracks to those discovered in 2014.
Yeti Airlines and Tara Air attain IATA approved global safety standard
Two of Nepal’s main domestic airlines - Yeti Airlines and their subsidiary Tara Air - have recently fulfilled IATA’s Safety Standard Assessment (ISSA) programme requirements and are now IATA approved ISSA Operators. This makes them the first and only Nepali airlines to attain the new global safety standard for commercial airlines.
Read moreDonation in memory of Alan Gallop
An impressive £1,012 was recently raised by friends and family of Alan Gallop on the very sad occasion of his funeral. Alan had previously trekked in the Annapurnas in Nepal so it seemed fitting that the money should be donated, in his memory, to help rebuild a country he so enjoyed visiting. This is one of Alan's photos from his trek to Annapurna Sanctuary.
Read moreDale Templar writes for The Daily Telegraph on why now is the time to return to Nepal
In September 2015 travel writer and television producer, Dale Templar, travelled to Nepal with Mountain Kingdoms, with the aim of revealing just how well the country is recovering since the earthquake in April 2015.
Dale followed our Gentle Trekking & Luxury Lodges, Annapurna Foothills itinerary, taking her from Kathmandu and along the scenic trails in the Annapurna region, whilst observing the condition of the trails and facilities en route.
Read moreAbode of the Gods – Tales of Trekking in Nepal
Well known travel writer and photographer, Kev Reynolds, shares inspiring tales of his favourite Nepalese trekking adventures in his new book, Abode of the Gods.
A Mountain Kingdoms trek leader for many years, Kev has always been passionate about the landscapes and people of the Himalaya. In this collection of stories he writes eloquently of his first time experiences on some of the world’s best known treks such as Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Sanctuary and Kangchenjunga as well as lesser-known expeditions into the quiet and remote reaches of the world’s highest mountains.
Read moreJim returns from Nepal
In September 2015 Mountain Kingdoms' Operations Manager, Jim Davies, visited Nepal to carry out inspections of the trekking routes and lodges, plus visit charities and villages Mountain Kingdoms' support. Below is a report about Jim's visit to Nepal and how life is returning to normal following the major earthquake in April.
Read moreExcellent News for Nepal - FCO Advice Changes
UK Foreign Office change advice for Nepal
On 7th October 2015 the UK Foreign Office (FCO) changed their advice with regards to travel to Nepal. The FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to the majority of Nepal, leaving only two small areas where the advice still stands. Most trekking routes in Nepal are now safe and open for trekkers to enjoy. After the devastating earthquake earlier in 2015 a vast amount of energy has gone into relief efforts including repairs and surveys of popular trekking routes. All possible care has been taken to access the safety of these routes. Mountain Kingdoms had previously cancelled trips on routes considered unsafe. All of our trips in Nepal will run as scheduled for the autumn season.
For the latest FCO advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal
Bhutan, the country where wealth is measured in happiness
"Take Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan Kingdom that many years ago adopted a Gross National Happiness index, as an alternative approach to measuring the country's prosperity..."
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