Nepal to Re-open Tourism for Trekking and Mountaineering Post-Covid-19

The offical decision of Nepal’s government about reopening its borders for interantional tourists from 17th October, 2020 has been pushed back to mid-November. Foreign tourists now can travel to Nepal with conditions for trekking, tours, and mountaineering after six-months of lockdown due to Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic. 

View from the Gokyo Ri – the Everest Region  | Check the itinerary for Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Trek

 

Update: 15 October 2020

 

Government pushes back reopen date for welcoming tourists as new COVID cases surge in Nepal

Due to the present scenarios of an uncontrollable rise in the number of Coronavirus cases, the Nepal government has pushed back the date to reopen the country for tourism. The government’s earlier decision to reopen tourism from mid-October has been shifted to mid-November (17 November 2020), following the same protocols updated on 25 September below.

Tourism entrepreneurs have demanded to come with a solid plan rather than keep changing. Also, demanded to waive off 7 days mandatory quarantine and COVID insurance. Because this kind of unclear decision from the government on reopening the country to tourists would give a negative impression and difficulty for tourists to plan the trip for the next fall. The autumn season is the best time of the year for trekking in Nepal. Trekkers would love to come to Nepal during autumn  (September, October, and November) season for Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp  Trek, Langtang Valley trek and etc. Also, the biggest festivals of Hindus such as Dashain and Tihar fall during the same season.

 

Update: 25 September 2020

 

Nepal has officially decided to resume tourism from 17th October 2020. Tourists now can fly to Kathmandu from 17th October for trekking and mountaineering. Although, every tourist arriving in Nepal must follow the protocol issued by the Ministry of culture, tourism, and civil aviation for the safety and protection against the risk of Covid-19.

 

The tourism protocols issued by the Ministry of culture, tourism, and civil aviation:

• All tourists coming to Nepal for trekking tours, mountaineering must acquire a tourist visa before arriving in Nepal.
• In the case of countries where visa provision is not available, the trekking team or a tourist can coordinate with the travel company based in Nepal for arrangments of prior approval of arriving in Nepal. The Nepal-based agency will submit all the prescribed details of the clients/trekkers to the department of Tourism (DoT) for expedition teams and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) for trekkers for the recommendation of the visa to the Department of Immigration.

 

Tourists arriving in Nepal must present the following documents to the department of immigration

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) NEGATIVE report taken 72 hours before departing the home country.
• Visa or prior approval document (ref. given in the above points) for entry to Nepal.
• A hotel booking for at least 7 days quarantine in Nepal, it is a MUST to stay hotel-quarantine for seven days upon arrival in Nepal –  Although, the Government of Nepal is reviewing the protocol if they can wave-off the 7-Day quarantine for tourists due to the criticism from the stakeholders. 
• Insurance of at least 5000 USD (Five Thousand US Dollars) per person against COVID-19.
• Tourists are required to take a PCR test on the 5th day of the hotel quarantine at their expenses and shall be allowed to proceed for trekking and expedition if the PCR report is NEGATIVE.
• If the PCR report comes out POSITIVE, the quarantine shall be extended until the RT PCR report is Negative.

 

 

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According to The Kathmandu Post, after the decision of the government on Monday to allow domestic airlines as well as long-distance public/tourist transport services from 21 September 2020, the government of Nepal has also announced to re-open mountaineering and trekking destinations to the domestic and international trekkers.

The government of Nepal has also lifted the restrictions on foreign tourists’ entry to the country following the proper government health protocols although international flights have been allowed to operate since 1^st September 2020.

The foreign Minister cum government spokesperson Mr. Pradeep Gyawali told the media that domestic flights, all long-distance public/tourists transport, and international tourists (for trekking and mountaineering only) have been allowed to resume following the health protocols to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

 

Good news is right after the government announced to reopen tourism, a jumbo team of Royal Guard of Bahrain including a prince has arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport on 16^th September to climb the Lobuche Peak (6119m) and Mt. Manaslu (8163m).

 

The officials say that the government has now lifted restriction to the foreign tourists coming to Nepal for trekking and mountaineering activities and there is a discussion in the cabinet about re-opening the country for foreign tourists for touring around Nepal on a trial basis. This means we can expect the decision of reopening the country for foreign tourists for all types of activities is soon to be made.

 

View of Annapurna including Fishtail from Ghorepani Poonhill 

The government has also decided to increase the frequency of international flights and passengers, however, it depends on the situation how the Covid-19 cases take place, and the type of protocols will be imposed by the government of Nepal.

We expect the tourism of Nepal will bounce back soon and everything goes back to normal. Stay safe and healthy!

 

This article was first published on 16th September 2020 and updated on 15th October 2020.

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