Oli
30th December 2004, 05:32 AM
The current situation is that the ongoing insurrection in Nepal does not unduly affect trekkers, usually at worst causing inconvenience and rarely posing a direct threat to tourists. Security is tight in and around the Kathmandu Valley, outside the majority of the county is controlled by Maoists. There have been bombs in Kathmandu city that have been disturbingly close to areas visited by tourists but, mercifully, so far, there have been no foreign casualties. Random strikes and transport blockades do cause some problems with shops and overland transport but flights are generally unimpeded. Read the newspapers in Kathmandu and every day you will hear of volient clashes around the country with many deaths and suffering.
Maoists in the main trekking areas will extort money from trekers. This occurs mostly on the Jiri - Lukla trail and around Ghorepani in Annapurna, the usual fee is 1000NRs, but occasionally "student discounts" may be negotiated, expect a reciept so that you know you are being robbed by real Maoists and not con-men. I understand that the Langtang area is still free of this scourge, for now. The more remote trekking areas with more complicated "official" permits require a larger baksheesh, as much as 5000Nrs for Kanchenjunga and even UD$200 in Dolpo. In the cases where the Maoists discuss the nature of the "donation" with the trekkers they maintain that it is voluntary, but pay or turn back. They will not shoot you but would prevent you from continuing and/or make trouble for your Nepal guide/porter.
I fear that a solution to the political problems that have caused so much strife in Nepal is not yet in sight, and have great sympathy for the people of Nepal. Having visited the country twice in the last couple of years I am still convinced that it is generally safe enough for me to return soon.
This is just a very brief summary of my observations & opinions, further comment or discussion is wel-come.......
Maoists in the main trekking areas will extort money from trekers. This occurs mostly on the Jiri - Lukla trail and around Ghorepani in Annapurna, the usual fee is 1000NRs, but occasionally "student discounts" may be negotiated, expect a reciept so that you know you are being robbed by real Maoists and not con-men. I understand that the Langtang area is still free of this scourge, for now. The more remote trekking areas with more complicated "official" permits require a larger baksheesh, as much as 5000Nrs for Kanchenjunga and even UD$200 in Dolpo. In the cases where the Maoists discuss the nature of the "donation" with the trekkers they maintain that it is voluntary, but pay or turn back. They will not shoot you but would prevent you from continuing and/or make trouble for your Nepal guide/porter.
I fear that a solution to the political problems that have caused so much strife in Nepal is not yet in sight, and have great sympathy for the people of Nepal. Having visited the country twice in the last couple of years I am still convinced that it is generally safe enough for me to return soon.
This is just a very brief summary of my observations & opinions, further comment or discussion is wel-come.......