Holiday News and Offers

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.

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.

We are now offering the use of a good quality down jacket and 4-season sleeping bag free of charge on all our trekking holidays in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet *. Not only will they keep you warm and toasty once the sun goes down, but will save on that all important luggage space.

There was no bigger challenge in 2015 then the terrible damage wrought by the earthquake in Nepal last April. Trying to provide practical help and support to the people of Nepal became the overriding focus of our Responsible Travel activities and fundraising throughout the year. By the end of 2015, our incredibly generous clients, staff and friends had raised over £40,000 which we distributed between several charities who have been doing amazing work rebuilding the homes and lives of the people of Nepal. Helping them to continue this immensely valuable work will be our driving force in 2016.

Away from the tragedy of the earthquake, we have continued to provide training courses for our Nepalese guides and trek crew and we've also raised funds to plant trees in Peru and to expand the important work of the Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service in Ethiopia. None of which would have been possible without the overwhelming generosity of our clients. A huge thank you from everyone at Mountain Kingdoms.

Here's a look back at our Responsible Travel year.

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.

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.

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.

UK Foreign Office change advice for Nepal

On 7^th 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

Update: FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Nepal

We are pleased to announce that on the 3^rd 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

On June 22^nd 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.