Nepal is back on the map of global tourism and the industry is meeting a positive turning point after the tragic earthquake on April 25 followed by India’s trade embargo during Nepal’s peak tourist season last year.
Nepal received 251,148 fewer tourists in 2015, representing a sharp drop of 31.78 per cent compared to the 2014 figure. The impact of the killer quake was bigger for Nepal’s tourism industry with arrivals plunging 55.59 per cent to 97,510 during the four-month period (May-August) following the disaster.
But that is behind us, say industry leaders. Trekking routes are once again crowded, according to trekking agents. International airlines are resuming their normal flight frequency best indicates the increasing tourist numbers. The streets of Thamel are bustling with tourist traffic again as hordes of adventure seekers from around the world have started to embark on trekking and mountaineering activities this spring – the second peak tourism season in Nepal after autumn.
The back-to-back disaster last year had worried workers in the industry about the prospect of Nepal’s tourism. “Things are looking better now,” says Hari Ram Baral, immediate former president of the Tourist Guide Association of Nepal. He shares, “The workers are back on their job but with caution and concern due to the volatile nature of the industry.” According to Baral, there are 3,000 trained tour guides in Nepal and several hundred untrained guides working in the industry. “It has been a difficult year for the workers. However, we see a bright future in the tourism industry despite several hiccups in the past several years, including the deadly 2015 earthquake,” added Baral.
The Tourism Employment Survey 2014 shows that every six tourists create one job in Nepal and the tourism industry provides poor communities better access to revenues generated by the tourism market. The survey shows that 1,636 trekking agencies provided 50,004 jobs, 625 tourist standard hotels provided jobs to 26,808 people, 2,112 travel agencies provided employment to 25,238 people and 105 star-rated hotels employed 13,459 persons. Likewise, the 29 international and 15 domestic airlines operating in the country employed 12,822 and 5,903 persons respectively. Similarly, 226 homestay establishments employed 2,738 people, 49 rafting companies employed 735 people and 60 paragliding and ultra-light companies employed 440 persons. The study, based on 192 tourism establishments in 10 districts, showed that 797,616 tourist arrivals in 2014 led to jobs for 138,148 persons.
The figures themselves indicate that the impact of even a small disturbance in the country could have a multiplier effect on the tourism industry, particularly in the poor community that is heavily dependent on tourist expenditure. Hence, the Rough Guides encourages tourists to visit Nepal by claiming, “Thoughtfully spent tourist dollars will go a long way here. Choosing independent homestays and grassroots tour companies ensures money ends up in local pockets.”
Trekking Draws
Nepal is aptly known as a ‘trekkers’ paradise’ for the adventure traveller on the world map. The impact of the killer earthquake was not as visible on world-class trekking routes like Annapurna and Everest.
To assure foreign visitors of the safety of such routes, the government conducted a safety audit of these popular trails. Nearly 200,000 foreign trekkers visit Nepal annually with the Annapurna region receiving 110,000 foreign trekkers annually followed by the Everest region which attracts a daring 35,000.
“Besides the Langtang Valley and Manaslu treks, the earthquake did not damage any other trekking routes,” says Ganga Sagar Pant, chief executive officer of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (Taan). He further adds, “We have completed the reconstruction of Manaslu trekking routes except for some bridges that cost lots of money, and have started the process of reconstructing damaged routes in Langtang Valley.”
The entire Langtang Valley was swept away by an avalanche triggered by the earthquake. However, reconstruction works have ensued accordingly and tourists are gradually heading back to the Langtang region. Currently, around 10 tourists including domestic ones, visit Langtang daily. In 2014, 12,552 tourists visited the Langtang National Park.
Pant said that the trekker numbers in the country have rebounded dramatically. “The numbers are rising. We expect them to be good this year based on the enthusiasm of visitors and trekkers, and expect them to rise even higher to a record level in the coming year.”
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu Circuit Trek Overview
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a classic off-the-beaten trek in Nepal. It features pure wilderness and majestic beauty as it circles the eighth-highest mountain in the world. The Manaslu trek offers an exceptional trekking experience in Nepal. It features off-the-beaten-path routes, high mountain passes, stunning views, and a rich diversity of cultural and geographical experiences. The sublime experiences you enjoy in the Manaslu region are unlike any other you’d ever imagine. The Manaslu Circuit trek offers a challenging journey through the stunning Himalayan region, testing the mind, body, and soul. The area’s rich biological diversity and the unique culture of the local people, who share connections with Tibet, are captivating. Travelers can experience ancient traditions and intriguing history. Despite the harsh trail conditions, the trekking experience in the destination is rewarding overall. Manaslu is a famous trail known for its natural beauty. The scenery here is stunning, but getting to it can be challenging. The paths are rocky and steep, and trekkers encounter shaky bridges and slippery rocks en route. This is all part of the adventure of exploring the wild. The trek through Manaslu Circuit is a lifetime opportunity to experience stunning natural beauty and engage in unique cultures and traditions.
Manaslu Expedition
Manaslu Expedition Overview
Standing tall with a towering height of 8163m, Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the World and a highly sought first 8000m climb for worldwide mountaineers. As many as six different routes have been discovered for the Manaslu summit. Manaslu Expedition has been used as the preliminary training for the Everest Expedition and is seen by many as an alternative to Cho Oyu. Also, this mountain is the best if you are looking for your first time 8000m peak. Manaslu Expedition is ideal for those attempting their first 8000-meter peak. It offers a perfect balance of altitude challenge, climbing progression, and manageable objective hazards, making it one of the most accessible big mountains in Nepal. At Highland Expeditions, we bring decades of Himalayan climbing experience backed by a strong and highly skilled team of guides and Sherpas. Our expedition is led by an experienced team of guides (IFMGA Guide in case of 4 climbers or more) who have summitted and led the Manaslu Expedition multiple times. Each of our sherpa guides are multiple 8000m summiter and have previously climbed Manaslu. Additionally, we have structured a carefully crafted itinerary that prioritizes acclimatization and gradual altitude gain. This increases both your safety and summit success rate. Our Manaslu expedition begins with gradually gaining altitude as we trek to base camp, allowing our bodies to adapt to the increasing altitude. Our approach to the Manaslu base camp will be via Larkya La Pass. After the completion of the expedition, we fly back to Kathmandu from Samagoan instead of trekking all the way back in order to save time. With this flight, you can easily save up to 6 days that would have been taken if you had chosen to trek instead of flight.Climbing Strategy:
Our Manaslu expedition starts with a trek to Manaslu base camp. Gradually gain altitude as we trek to base camp. From base camp, we will set up 4 camps before climbing to the summit of Manaslu. Camp 1 at (5500m/18,040ft), Camp 2 at (6,250m/20,500ft), Camp 3 at (6,800m/22,300ft), Camp 4 at (7,450m/24,440ft). This will break the difficult climb into smaller sections which increases the chances of a successful expedition. We are well aware of the obstacles that can hinder our climbing of high-altitude glaciated ridges. We will take slow and calculative steps towards the northeastern ridge of Manaslu which is the most viable Manaslu summit route. We will be doing a frequent rotation of high camps to lower camps to get well-acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.Why climb Manaslu with us?
For over 30 yrs the people who helm this venture have been successfully organizing high-altitude Expeditions ensuring safety first and service paramount. The success of the expedition depends largely on a carefully planned itinerary and the best logistics and these are what we offer. We are committed to maintaining the expedition safe and successful with the quality of service. Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. You will be guided by highly professional mountain guides and they are one of the best in this field. We are dedicated to providing the highest professionalism throughout the expedition by taking utmost care of all the logistics needed for our Manaslu Expedition View our history of expeditions: Here
Fully supported expedition
Our Manaslu Expedition is fully supported and guided by the local experienced sherpa team. We provide a 1:1 sherpa-to-client ratio on the summit day. Most of our Sherpa guides come from Rolwaling village, a hidden gem in the foothills of Mt. Gaurishankar. All our Sherpa guides are previous Everest summiteers with detailed experience on high-altitude expeditions. We provide a 1:1 sherpa guide-to-client ratio on the summit day. Each of our Sherpa guides has tons of experience in climbing high-altitude peaks.Our Sherpa crews are critical to the success of the climbs that you do with us. We, us professionally trained Sherpa guides & sirdars who are just not hikers & climbers on the mountains but have been trained to perform this task with a lot of common sense & guile. Kunga Sherpa, Everest summiteer and founder of Highland Expeditions, who has successfully guided and organized over 40 expeditions to 8000m as an expedition sirdar oversees our experienced Sherpa crew that will be with you on the climb. We ensure that they are confident & experienced. At Highland Expeditions, we always make sure that our mountain crews are highly motivated & never compromise.
Tsum Valley Trek
Tsum Valley Trek Overview
The Tsum Valley Trek provides a special trekking experience at the foot of Manaslu. You can visit the secret Tsum Valley and its isolated villages. The trek is north of Gorkha and follows the Budhi Gandaki River and colourful rhododendron forests to the hot springs of Tatopani. Manaslu means “spirit Mountain,” for the local Tsumbas, it is a holy deity. Please note: the locals in Tsum Valley do not allow animal sacrifice. Once restricted, trekking in Tsum Valley was opened for foreigners only in 1992 and is still under the control of the area. According to the locals, settlements were established by Guru Rinpoche in sacred beyuls or valleys of the Himalayas, including Tsum during the 8th century. These settlements provided much-needed refuge to Tibetans who fled during times of war to avoid famine and drought. Tsum is one of the best preserved valleys so far, and Polyandry is still prevalent in the villages of Tsum Valley. This is a moderately strenuous trek that progresses through the route at low altitude, reaching maximum height at Rachen Gompa (3240m). Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for the Tsum Valley Trek.Trip Facts
- The Tsum Valley, a pilgrimage site for Himalayan Buddhists, was closed to trekkers until 2008.
- Tsum Valley trek allows visitors to enjoy a culturally unique trip, with a Tibetan-influenced lifestyle and ancient monasteries.
- The Tsum Valley is in the northern Gorkha district of Nepal, part of the Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Trekkers on this journey will appreciate the magnificent panoramic views of mountain ranges, including Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Himalchuli.
- Along the trek, ancient monasteries like Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa provide spiritual elements.
- The Tsumba people who live in the valley have cultural traditions and dialects that differ from the larger groups in Nepal and Tibet.
- This trek generally allows one to experience remote, unspoiled, beautiful Himalayan scenes.
- The trek will reach a maximum altitude of around 3700 meters (12,140 feet) at Mu Gompa.
