maoist blockades March 2006

[mona]

does anyone know if the blockades are likely to cause any problems for tourists (availability of transport/safety concerns) for travel in Nepal generally and more specifically for travel to Pokhara from Sunauli?? Cheers.

[Boulia]

My agency has emailed me in the last few hours to say they do not advise road travel to Besishar to start AC in present circumstances. This is the first time they have ever suggested this. On the other hand they are obviously still hopefull of a lifting of the Blockade judging by other comments in the email. From other news reports I see that even if the current blockae is called off it all probably starts again with a strike on April 8th. The political parties are pressing the Maoist to lift the blockade so that may help.

That said I am going on March 20th and will simply take a trek without road travel - so it could be a 5th visit to Khumbu in less than 4 years ! Soon I'll be doing the guiding.