maoist donation

[keanu]

atleast i have made up mind on annapurna treks. thanks yakshaver for your inputs.

can anyone who has done this route recently advice me if we still have to pay donations to the maoists. (if so then, how much will that be!!) just to budget ourself before we go ahead)

[Oli]

Well... its nearly a year since I was in Nepal, and two since I was in Annapurna, but given my understanding of the situation at present then you ought not "expect" to have to pay. Currently the Maoists are participating in the official government so they have renounced violence and extortion. If you are asked to make a "donation" then its fair to discus their politics and ask what they will do with the money. If you feel that you must pay them (for whatever reason) then it will probably be in the order of 1000-1500NRs, or maybe 100NRs/day. Get a receipt and it may have the standard rate printed on it (in Nepali, of course). You are most likely to meet them at Poon Hill.

[Sharon]

I had a discussion with them on their politics and did not pay. I told them to show me the school when they said it was for education. If they want to be mainstream they have to stop the extortion.

[Lars]

I trekked there this last November. At that time they were
1. just before Tal,
2. between Kagbeni and Marpha,
3. in Ghorepani and
4. just half an hour before we walked in to Biretanthi.

We refused to give them any though.

Now when they are back in the government they should not hustle tourists
for money at all.

[thesilvertops]

We trekked in Annapurna from January 23rd to March 2nd this year. No sign of the maoists or the YCL (young criminal league) so no demands for donations. I expect this situation will continue as long as maoists are part of the government.