Latest News Letter June-2008

Situation in Nepal: Former Nepalese King Gyanendra, the world's last Hindu monarch, was forced from the throne on May 28th after Nepal's newly-elected Constituent Assembly voted to abolish the country's 239-year-old royal dynasty. The assembly was the culmination of a peace process that ended Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, during which Gyanendra alienated both sides by abruptly claiming power for himself and dissolving the government in 2005. After the vote, Nepalese officials presented Gyanendra with an eviction notice of sorts, giving him 15 days to vacate the palace. Meanwhile, ex-King Gyanendra is said to be preparing to leave the palace in the evening of 11th June, 2008.

New Trekking Options for Tibet/Monsoon: In this year of the Olympics and Tibet issues, there is a chance that Tibet won't be able to open until winter. Instead, we can help you to arrange the real camping treks in Upper Mustang, Upper Humla, Limi and Upper Dolpo where Legend has it that the everywhere Guru Rimpoche, who spread Tibetan Buddhism throughout the Himalayas, discovered this hidden himalayas over 1700 years ago, and it has been inhabited by Tibetan origin people, these places where under Ngari king formerly part of Tibet) until the Gorkha Kingdom took it over during its consolidation of Nepal a century and a half ago.

Since then, it has all remained isolated, partly due to its remote location, and partly because of the Khampa guerillas using Mustang, Dolpo and Limi as a base during their fight against the Chinese occupation of Tibet after 1959. It has only been open for trekking and tourism since 1990. Nepal.
 

Pic: Upper Mustang Trek- June, 2007

Pic: Limi Trek, Humla- July 2007

Responsible & Sustainable Tourism : our understanding of sustainable tourism has increased to a more realistic approach. We now have a vision and we are aware of the core elements of and need for sustainable tourism development (especially in relation to poverty alleviation, employment and local benefits for the poor and environmental protection, nature and cultural conservation in Nepal and in remote Tibet where we operate few treks.

Pic: We have build and help to operate some school in Chepang Gaun

As we grow the communities around us share in that growth.:

Building and operating School in Chepang Gaun

Helping schools at Khanigaun (Bhairab Kunda Trek area)

Water supply to Chepang Gaun Village

Financial support for our previous staff ( Late Mr.Shalik Ram Ghimere)' wife

Nepal is our home and we work hard to make it an even better place to live for everyone. If you like to know how you can help, please contact us directly.


Awards and Recognation : during the closing of Mast-Nepal-Marketing Assistance for Sustainable Toursim in Nepal final workshop, Highlander's contribution on staff training and other clean up campaigns were recognized and we were awarded certificates for the participation from Mr. Lila Mani Poudyal, Chief Guest Secretary of Moctca (Ministy of culture, tourism and civil aviation), Mr.Prachanda Man Shrestha, NTB (Nepal Toursim Boards) CEO, and Mr. Hans Heijdra, SNV Director.4

Mr. Chhewang N. Lama receiving the certificates on behalf of Highlander Trekking & Expeditions.