Thorn Tree travel forum

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b]The following comments comprise Part II of this Summary - it was too long to post as one new Topic:

b]_Specific Comments re. Maoist Encounters_:

1. Annapurna area – most common locations
a. East side of Circuit between BesiSahar and Chame.
b. Between Dhampus, Pothana, Tolka, Landruk and Ghandruk.
c. Vicinity of Ghorepani/Poon Hill and Shikha.
d. The route between Baglung, Beni and Tatopani.
"Tourist Tax" collected in these areas varies between 1000 to 2000 rupees per person (approximately US$ 14 to $28) occasionally 100 rupees per day for each day for the duration of your ACAP permit.

2. Everest area
a. Trekkers starting at Jiri, most commonly encounter Maoists between Jumbesi, Ringmo and KhariKhola in the Solu region.
b. The route from Phaphlu north to Lukla, also passes through Ringmo and KhariKhola and there have been contacts in this area.
c. There have been no encounters above Lukla and into Sagarmatha National Park
Tax amounts reported vary from 1000 to 2000 rupees per person.

*3. Arun Valley , Makalu/Barun National Park and Kanchenjunga *
a. North and West of Tumlingtar – "donations" requested have been between US $ 50 and $100 per group member. There have been physical threats made on several occasions – there was a report of one trekker being injured when refusing to pay.
b. The route northwest from Tumlingtar to Kanchenjunga is not safe for solo trekkers or small unaccompanied groups.
c. The exit south of Kanchenjunga to Taplejung airport is also Maoist controlled territory.

4. Ganesh Himal – to Larkya Pass, Lower & Upper Dolpa, Simikot to Hilsa (Tibet Border)

All recommended for organized group travel only. Be prepared to budget for Maoist "donations" from US$75 to $120 per group member. Nepali Guides and Cooks have also been forced to make cash donations as high as 5000 to 7000 rupees in the area north of Simikot.

5. The vast majority of these reports mention the Maoists have been "non-threatening" and polite but they were made acutely aware that the request for funds was not negotiable.
6. "Official" receipts are issued for all fees collected. Be aware that this receipt is good only for the District in which it is issued. So, for example, if you are trekking the Annapurna Circuit starting at BesiSahar and make a donation to a Maoist group in say, Bahundanda, that receipt will likely not be honoured by another Maoist Group in Ghoripani which is in Kaski District on the west side of the Circuit.
7. It is recommended if you are trekking with an organized group, that you let the Guide do the talking with the Maoists – stay in the background and do not escalate the situation in any way. Do be aware that you are personally responsible for the payment – it is not an expense covered by your trek package.

General Recommendations and Advice:

1. Inform yourself prior to going to Nepal . Research, ask questions, seek answers from appropriate sources and carefully weigh the pros and cons. Consult Government Travel Advisories and recognize that they are the extreme right of the "conservative" scale. Read news items, but remember they are often #1 on the "Sensational" scale. Build a balanced view. Remember that ultimately the final decision has to be yours. No one can give you a guarantee of safety or predict events in the future. Only you can decide how you will cope with a given situation.
2. Adhere to local laws, curfews and other security measures that may be in force at any given time.
3. Avoid highway travel during strikes if possible. If you must travel, look for the safest option. Budget a little extra so you can fly, if necessary or hire a car and driver. Use Tourist Buses. Avoid local buses, and night buses.

4. Avoid solo travel.
5. Carefully consider the added safety factor gained when you organize your travel through a reputable agent/company vs a spontaneous, do-it-yourself program – especially if you want to be off the beaten track. The additional cost is often minimal.
6. It's a good idea to bring an extra padlock when you go trekking. Most Tea Houses do give you locks for your doors – but the quality varies. Lock your door when you leave your room, even for a short time.

7. Despite the current political situation, the greatest threat to your personal safety remains the human tendency to underestimate the quickly changing face of Mother Nature and the high altitude of the Himalaya. You must be prepared physically and be properly equipped before undertaking a trek in Nepal.
8. Avoid political demonstrations and street meetings. Don't be tempted to get that "special photograph" to show friends back home or to show your support of a local issue. As a foreign visitor in Nepal , you must remain non-political as hard as that may be.
9. Avoid travel on local, intercity buses if there are other choices available. They take longer. They are much less comfortable. You will encounter significant delays at Security Check-points. The few rupees that you save will not compensate for the aggravation in most cases. There are better ways to have close encounters with Nepali people.

10. Avoid giving voice to your frustrations over delays and making rude or loud comments at security check points. This helps no one – especially you – and will not be appreciated by your fellow travelers.
11. Avoid and/or decline invitations from unknown individuals, local or foreign, to accompany them to isolated destinations. There is safety in numbers. If you wouldn't do it at home, it's probably best to avoid the situation while traveling in a foreign country. This is good advice not only for women, but any solo travelers.

12. Check the details of your travel insurance policy well in advance. Some insurers will not pay out if your government has advised against travelling to Nepal. In general the political situation has no bearing, for insurance policies, on personal illness or accident related problems when it comes down to evacuation coverage. The explanation that was given is that the Government Travel Advisories do, however, negate any claim that could be related to injuries resulting from the political insurgency.

Remember..You cannot help everyone, everywhere, every time but you can always help someone somewhere, sometime! Have a look at: http://whagnepal.myphotoalbum.com

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Good advice as usual ST. Thanks for the effort.

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Thank You stilltrekkin,

It is really appreciated. I should be in Nepal later this year, in Nov, for the third time. So, I'm following the Nepal developments closely. Thanks again.

Vagabonding on the Roof of the World
Dream It. Plant It. Do It!!!

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Thanks for the info, I will arrive Kat. March 8. During a general strike, are places like Chitwan affected? WIll elephant and boat rides into the park be allowed? In Kat and Pokhara during a strike, where can you eat, at the hotel?

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I believe the "tax" between Jiri and Lukla is usually 5000 Rp per person, not 1000-2000 Rp as you state. At least that's what several trekkers told us they were "taxed" in Oct/Nov 2005 (we trekked from Lukla and therefore encountered no Maoists). The only people who were asked for less were from developing countries.

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Wow, very comprehensive, thanks for that stilltrekkin. Much easier than the mamouthly long post we were using!

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.
- The Dalai Lama

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Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.
- The Dalai Lama

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The Best advice on Nepal yet -- I will be arriving on 23rd and as you said, had to change my travel insurance to a different company as my annual multi-trip no longer covered Nepal because of the government advice to travellers.
I will be looking to hook up with someone to go trekking towards the end of the month and am open to ideas so IF anyone is interested then pleased drop me a line Here
Thanks again. Rob

The Best People you meet, You meet on the Road !!!

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I'm arriving in Nepal in the beginning of March and hope things will have calmed down a bit by that time. I'm just wondering about the smal(ler) number of tourist coming to Nepal. It's not that I like to see the streets overcrowed with tourist but I some fellow travellers in Kathmandu or the ABC trek would be nice. So, if anybody who's there right now or just has been can tell me the current situation that would be greatly appriciated.

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Link to Regine's new, long post " Back from Nepal ".

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Good to see this post finally up.

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."

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Oh yeah, here's a link to the original "Is Nepal Safe?" thread

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."

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And you can click on the >> just below the 'Return to Branch' text in the top right corner to view the latest messages.

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."

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A remark about traveldiaries.
I went through the circumstances surrounding the disappearances in September and October of two female tourists in Nagarjun Forest (just outside Kathmandu) again. And I'd also like to remind trekkers of the initiative (in the Khumbu so far) with the Trekker Intention Books, to keep track of where someone was heading in case s/he would later get in trouble and become "lost".
The first woman who disappeared Sept. 3 in Nagarjun Forest, had clearly written in her diary (left at her Guesthouse) where she would go that day. Certain authorities are to blame for not looking into her diary soon after, when they had every opportunity to do so, I was informed. Several (experienced) Nepal trekkers have over time expressed their admiration and support for the use of "Trekker Intention Books" that are left with lodges in the Khumbu, in addition to the old 'mealorderbooks' and what they could provide in terms of information (name and nationality of a trekker who had stayed there).

So what I want to emphasise is that it's probably not a bad idea, especially if you'll travel alone, to use registration-facilities in lodges and to keep a diary. And - in contacts with relatives and friends - keep them aware, when you can, of what your plans are for the next few days.