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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.
Excellent 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..."
Read moreJournalist Gabriella Le Breton tells us why 2015 is the year to visit Bhutan
In June 2015 journalist Gabriella Le Breton visited the wonderful Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Mountain Kingdoms helped to arrange Gabriella’s trip, where upon arrival she explored the must-see sights of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, all whilst staying in first-rate hotels.
Read moreNepal News
Update: FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Nepal
We are pleased to announce that on the 3rd July 2015, the FCO updated their travel advice lifting the restriction on “all but essential travel to the whole of Nepal”. Nepal’s capital Kathmandu is among the areas no longer affected by the restriction, other well-known areas include Patan, Pokhara, Annapurna Sanctuary, Chitwan and Bardia, plus central and southern regions.
Nepal relies heavily upon tourism and this news will be a welcome step in a positive direction for Nepalese communities.
Mountain Kingdoms welcome the change in advice and hope to bring you more encouraging FCO advice and updates soon.
Read Nepal FCO advice here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal
Read moreOver £7,800 raised for Nepal at Wilderness Lectures
On June 22nd 2015 Wilderness lectures and the University of Bristol Mountaineering Club hosted a very special evening in aid of Nepal following April’s tragic earthquake. A Night for Nepal was organised to raise money to help those affected.
Read moreNepal Earthquake Appeal - SHIVA Charity
To help those affected by the major earthquake in Nepal Mountain Kingdoms have made an additional donation to SHIVA Charity for Ginette Harrison School, near Kathmandu. Sadly, many homes have been destroyed in this area and the donation will be used to support the school's local community, in particular providing shelter, provisions and medical supplies.
Read moreNepali Children’s Trust
Fran McGowan, Nepali Children’s Trust gives thanks
Nepali Children’s Trust express their deepest thanks to everyone for your generous and heartfelt responses to the earthquake in Nepal – both through Nepali Children’s Trust and via other charities who are working so hard to respond to the needs of the country and its people.
Read morePhoto of the Year - the winner's story
We asked Mr Green, the winner of our 2014 Photo of the Year competition, to share with us the story of how he captured the prize winning photo on our Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes trek.
Mr Green's story and his winning photo can be seen our Travellers' Tales blog.
K2 Base Camp Trek opens again
We are pleased to say that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) have amended their travel advice regarding Gilgit, Skardu and the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan, making it possible once more to trek to the base of the world's second highest mountain.
Read moreNepal Earthquake Appeal - the Gurkha Welfare Trust
The people of Nepal are reeling after the worst earthquake in 80 years hit the country and has devastated towns and villages. The death toll is already over 3,500 people. The sheer scale of destruction cannot be imagined, and news is only slowly filtering in from remote villages.
Many of you want to help and that is fantastic.
We support a number of charities which make use of every pound given, and we would like to support them at this time in preference to the large relief programmes. Mountain Kingdoms will be making our own substantial donations to the cause. One charity in particular that we know will be directly working on the relief effort is the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
We are encouraging our clients, friends and families to donate directly to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Read more