Travel Advice
previous page
end
Travel Advice in English 2015
Travel Advice
June 2015
April 2015
Archive 2010 - 2011
more information
travel advice
Information
Reisehinweise in deutscher Sprache

top

June 2015

June 15th 2015 Government officially reopens heritage sites to visitors

The government has reopened most of the cultural heritage sites that were damaged by the earthquake of April 25 in its efforts to lure back foreign tourists to the country.

Six of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites closed after the quakes have reopened from Monday. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripasur Sherpa announced reopening of the sites at a function organized at Bhaktapur Durbar Square on Monday morning.

The UNESCO World Heritage sites which reopened for tourists from Monday are Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swoyambhunath Stupa and Bouddhanath Stupa. Changu Narayan Temple will open after some time as the temple complex has suffered significant damage.

Issuing a statement, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said access has been restricted in certain areas to ensure safety precautionary measures and to preserve valuable arts and artifacts there.

Speaking at the program, Minister Sherpa said the government would urge tourists to come to Nepal for holiday to help rebuild the country.

Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of Department of Archaeology (DoA), said that measures have been taken to ensure that tourists are safe, and that there are plans to provide safety helmets for visitors in some places.

The program was also attended by Secretary of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Man Shrestha, Director General of Department of Tourism Tulasi Prasad Gautam, Executive Board Members of Nepal Tourism Board Rajendra Sapkota and Ghanendra Shrestha, high government officials, president of tourism related associations and prominent tourism personalities among others.

"The reopening of World Heritage Monuments in Kathmandu Valley gives a positive message to the world that Nepal is back to business and is waiting for tourists to welcome them. Unlike in many parts of the world, the Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley are a part of day-to-day life of its people. Rituals, tradition, festivals and culture starting from birth to death are centered around these places. Therefore, these sites are living museums signifying the essence of life in Kathmandu Valley, as it has been through the centuries," the statement added.

Out of 75 districts of Nepal, only 11 districts were hit by the earthquake. Chitwan, Pokhara, Lumbini, Bardia, Annapurna, Everest, eastern region and far west region of Nepal also escaped damage, and are ready for business. Among the 19 protected areas, only three were affected, according to the statement.

Source: Nepal Tourism Board NTB, June 2015

Trekking Trail Updates

This is to inform all that detailed survey and final assessment of trekking trails in quake-hit areas is currently undergoing in coordination with Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). Trail maintenance works will begin once the assessment report is complete. Maintenance work is expected to be completed by August 2015. This means we can take bookings for the coming season which begins in September 2015.

Source: Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal TAAN, June 15th 2015

We recommend all tourists to be well planned for such situations before traveling.

Please contact your travel agency and your airline for further information.

Visitor information It is time to visit Nepal Explore Nepal Nepal Visitor Guide

Links
Grafik
External Links
Nepal Tourism Board NTB
UNESCO
Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal TAAN

top

April 2015
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, 25 April 2015. The earthquake causing massive damage in the Central and Western Regions of Nepal. The aftershocks continue to affect the daily lives of people. The heartland of Nepal's tourism industry between the Annapurna Range and the Everest region has bee affected badly. Many houses and buildings have collapsed.
April 2015 M 7.8 Earthquake in Nepal
Nepal

In the Kathmandu Valley, public life remains quiet. While small grocery shops have opened their doors today, large businesses remain closed. With fuel reserves running low, cars and trucks are lining up at gas stations in town. Banks remain closed. While automatic banking machines are functional, replenishment is not occurring. Mobile networks in Kathmandu remain functional. Impact on agriculture based livelihoods and food security is expected to be extremely high.

Infrastructure damage, collapsed bridges and damaged road is reported to be extremely high.

We recommend all tourists to be well planned for such situations before traveling.

Please contact your travel agency and your airline for further information.

External Links
Travel Advice
US Departement of State Travel Warnings
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice
Australia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice
top
top