Mount Everest Available Again To Trekkers As Nepal Reopens To Tourists
Mount Everest has been out of reach since March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the Nepalese government is welcoming trekkers again.
Many people have the ambition to climb the 29,035-ft-high Mount Everest, a major challenge to even the most experienced climber. In March, the Nepalese government closed the Himalayan Mountains due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, now those mountains have reopened to international visitors, just in time for the most popular trekking seasons.
Nepal Opened The Autumn Climbing Season
Nepal started issuing permits for Mount Everest in August, along with other Himalayan mountains. This was for the autumn climbing season, which runs from September to November each year. On August 17, international flights resumed, and restaurants and hotels were also opened.
After the first group of select mountaineers entered the country during the pandemic and successfully climbed Mount Everest, the Nepalese government has announced it will reopen to all qualified trekkers and mountaineers. In fact, it has already started issuing permits for the spring season.
How Does Nepal Handle The Situation?
Entering Nepal isn’t quite as straightforward as it used to be. These days, tourists must seek prior approval and provide details of their itinerary. They must also prove they have been granted a permit to enter Nepal.
It is not enough these days to merely apply for a visa on arrival. The coronavirus pandemic is still rife throughout the country. Nepalese officials don’t want to take the chance of making the situation worse by letting the whole world in.
Rudra Singh Tamanga, Director General of Nepal’s Department of Tourism told AP, “We are not opening the country for all visitors and only mountaineers and trekkers who have taken prior permit will be allowed to come to Nepal.” “We are opening to a sector of visitors who we know we can handle and manage,” he added.
COVID-19 Protocols And Requirements
Anyone who wishes to head to Mount Everest must first produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test. They must also take out health insurance to cover COVID-19 treatment (which takes around US$5,000 in coverage).
They will also have to undergo a week-long quarantine in a Kathmandu hotel. Following the quarantine, visitors will be asked to take another test before they can head to the mountains.
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The Mount Everest Experience
All the new protocols and requirements can be daunting. However, anyone willing to go through with it will have the reward of an adventure of a lifetime. The experience of successfully climbing the world’s highest peak is a remarkable achievement.
Nepal is home to eight out of 14 of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Annapurna, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu and Manaslu. It is important to note that the trek to Mount Everest base camp and each attempt at scaling this iconic mountain are an important source of revenue for Nepal.
Mount Everest has been a draw to many men and women since the 1920s. The first climbing expedition to make it to the top in 1953 was the famous British mountaineer, Edmund Hillary, along with sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
The two-week climb up to Everest base camp is one of the world’s most famous treks, with tens of thousands of people tackling it each year. It takes heavy training, and often huge sacrifices (even the ultimate), to attempt to reach the summit. One of the major challenges in this region is the altitude. However, Nepal has developed excellent infrastructure for trekking to the base camp.
However, obviously not everyone is up to the task. The region has a lot more to offer besides the main mountain trail, as visitors can explore fascinating villages, the bazaars and secluded yak trails for a true Nepalese experience.
Find out more about getting a trekking permit in Nepal on the official website.