Nepal - Open for Buisness

Nepal is Open for Business!

25^th of April this year Nepal was on the world news headlines after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the central region near to Gokhra. Almost 9000 people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands of houses were destroyed. Understandably tourists fled the country in the height of the spring tourist season inflicting huge business losses on Hotels, teahouses, Guides, Porters, Drivers, vendors and Restaurateurs  who had not been directly affected by the earthquake. 

We have been in touch with some of you and others not. But since the Earthquake that hit the central region of Nepal on the 25^th of April and then followed on the 12^th May.

All our guides and Staff are fine and none of our property was damaged. Our workshop and shop are still operational and functioning. Sadly some of our staff’s homes where impacted by the earthquake. 

Many things have happened in the last two Month's and HST joined forces with the Nepal National Mountain Bike Team to very quickly jump into action to Aid Earthquake victims. After rescuing a mother and child from the rubble we went on to form NCRR – Nepal Cyclists Ride to Rescue, an aid relief group. In the first month we raised over US$90,000 and delivered aid into four districts, Nuwakot, Okaldhunda,  Kavre and Kathmandu. 

We where able to distribute over 22 tonnes of rice, lentils, salt, oil, soap, medical needs and Tents. We set up a base camp in our main project area Shikhra Besi, home of National Cyclist Roan Tamang, where all 600 homes have been destroyed. Last week we completed our temporary school shelter project, providing 35 class rooms to 10 schools for the monsoon. The next phase of our project will be “Seven Schools in Seven Weeks”. We are now in the fundraising phase of the project which will go ahead later in the year. For more information about NCRR please visit the website.

School Shelters Ready For the Monsoon

NCRR Website

NCRR - Facebook Page

HST resumed normal business from the 1^st June and we will commence mountain trips from the 15th September onward once post monsoon assessments can be made on the following trails

TRAILS ALREADY OPEN FOR BUSINESS

-          Chitwan and the Teri

-          Kathmandu Valley (With Minor Hotel Changes)

-          Shivapuri National Park and Phulchowki Downhill trails

-          All Overnight and Day Trips in Kathmandu and Pokhara

-          Pokhara Valley

TRAILS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OK BUT WE WILL ONLY COMMENCE AFTER 15^TH SEPT POST MONSOON ASSESSMENT FOR LANDSLIDES

-          Annapurna

-          Jomomsom Muktianth

-          Upper Mustang

TRAILS WE WILL NOT RUN IN 2015

-          Manaslu

-          Lantang

-          Kathmandu to Pokhara Route

The Hotel Association of Nepal  alongside PATA is now working to assess and safety check all hotels in Kathmandu. Though the main hotels we use in Kathmandu like International Guest House has already been assessed and Passed.

Thamel is a safe area with 90% of Restaurants, Shops, Bars and Hotels open to date and functioning as normal. Some restaurants are running on limited menus due to staff having gone to help in the villages.

Tribuvan International Airport and all international and domestic flights are operating as normal.

We are also involved in plans to risk assess all trekking routes post monsoon.

Our current Assessment (and we will also email you all individually in concern to your itineraries) is that the Annapurna, Jomsom and Muktinath Areas are minimally effected.

We had a guide come back from Upper Mustang last week and everything is operational up there. The only noted issues was lack of tourists which is hurting the local hotel operators who had prior to the Earthquake just brought in the supplies for the season.

Taken Last week on the way to Lo Mantang - Upper Mustang.

6^TH June our Guide Aayman Complete the Jomsom/Muktinath Trail and all is clear and safe along that route. Of course there is the threat of landslide during the upcoming monsoon.

With the season coming up in September and many of you have trips booked with Himalayan Single Track we would love to hear from you about your concerns for your upcoming trip and we hope we can address them.

Main Hotels Like International Guest House are Open and Safe

Calls us on Skype(hstnepal) or send us an Email - info@himalayansingletrack.com

Thinking about Mountain Biking in Nepal…Don’t Wait.

There is no question that Tourism is vital to Nepal's economy…there is also no doubt that Nepal is one of the best places on earth for Adventure travel….and mountain biking is one such adventure.

We just wanted to let you all know that we are still open for business and raring at the bit to get out on our bikes and show you around our Nepal....from the rugged Himalayan Trails where the scenery will take your breath away as well as the trails, to the rolling hills of the Kathmandu Valley where you will be greeted and overwhelmed by the smiles and energy of the local people who are now rebulding after the earthquake. There is still so much to discover here in Nepal.

A lot of Nepal’s main tourist’s areas and trails are unaffected by the earthquake, the airport is fully functional (Well as functional as it can be…never having been the most efficient airport in the world! But alas it’s all part of the charm of you arrival into the Himalayas!) Thamel is 90% functioning…all the hotels are have already been or are currently undergoing assessment and most have green stickers…Green Stickers denote safe hotels. HST only uses certified hotels. Those hotels and buildings that have been damaged are being re built better and stronger than before.

As far as biking routes go…the only trails we are not running in the upcoming season (Sept – Dec) is Manaslu. (Langang will also be off the cards for those wanting to trek).

Here is an excerpt from an Official Tourism Press Release.

 - “Many trekking areas have seen little damage and, if the monsoon rains do not trigger landslides in these areas, trekking will be as safe as it was before the quake. “Apart from Langtang, Rolwaling and Manaslu, we do not see much of a problem with other trails, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek,” says Swiss geologist Erwin Scheibert, who is assessing the routes in the affected areas for the Local Road Improvement Programme (LRIP) in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP).”-

We have fixed departures Ready to Rock and Roll. 

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT - 14 DAYS

One of the great adventures in the Himalaya and the ultimate high altitude challenge for any mountain biker. Traverse high into the snow covered mountains on a journey of discovery, culture, scenery and simply unbeatable mountain biking.

2015 Departures - 4th Oct, 5th Oct, 15th Nov

UPPERMUSTANG - 17 DAYS

Upper Mustang is more than just a challenging mountain bike journey; it’s a path of discovery, of culture, of breathtaking scenery, friendly heart-warming people and so much more. Yes we know the permit fee is a lot, but for US$500 you will get 5 million times worth of amazement, pleasure and experience from this trip. Venture into a land where Nomads herd yaks in the high pastures, ponies carry your luggage, rosy cheeked locals toil the arid soil to earn a living, where Tibetan culture is almost untouched by civilization and add to this some of the BEST and most Challenging mountain biking terrain in the world and you have a simply unforgettable journey.

2015 Departures - 23rd Sept, 5th Oct

THE JOMSOM MUKTINATH TRAIL - 5 DAYS

Jomsom is in the heart of the Himalaya and offers some spectacular trails for mountain bikers. Pedaling up between the Nilgiri Massifs to one of the holiest temples in Nepal, Muktinath at the foot of the mighty Throng Pass on route from the Annapurna Circuit. From here there are many options for some amazing single track and downhill riding along the beautiful Kaligandaki River, one of the deepest gorges in the world, past ancient monasteries and traditional villages. Bump along on cobble paths and get your feet wet in ice fed streams. This is surely one of the most spectacular short mountain biking holidays in the world…..you gotta do it once in your life!

Departs Every Monday from the 8th Oct to the 13th Dec!

Don't forget there is also a multitude of Short and Enduro Style rides in and around Kathmandu and Pokhara...Check them out on our website.

www.himalayansingletrack.com

We would really love to see you in Nepal and show you are stunning trails soon!

Send us and email for prices and deals  - info@himalayansingletrack.com

The Beautiful and Challenging Annapurna Circuit.

Ripping up the Trails in Lupra Valley

Charming Locals and Stunning Views in Upper Mustang.

One Step in the Right Direction for the Enviroment

Did you know that most of the areas that Himalayan Single Track operates tours in are conservation areas? Most of the biking trails in Nepal’s Himalaya are suffering from plastic related pollution problems. The direct source of this problem stems from tourist demand which means Tea houses are selling bottle water, drinks, packaged food items to meet the tourists needs and the local regions inability to deal with plastic wastes. In these mountainous regions there is no waste or rubbish disposal systems or means of recycling which results in pile ups of rubbish along the trekking trails, around the villages and in the waterways.

At Himalayan Single Track we are trying to ease the footprint that our tours have on the areas we visit. One step towards that is to discourage our clients from buying bottle water and packaged foods along the trails.

To help with this issue, our guides on every trip carry SteriPEN’s, an efficient and safe way of purifying water and making it safe for drinking.

HOW DOES IT WORK

If you break down the SteriPEN's name, you basically have the concept in a nutshell. The SteriPEN has the physical appearance of a pen and it sterilizes water. That's pretty straightforward, right? But what's amazing is how the SteriPEN rids water of those pathogens that can make you sick. The key is ultraviolet light.

Ultraviolet light is energy-rich, electromagnetic energy naturally emitted from the sun. And while it can also have many adverse affect (this is why we wear sunscreen), when introduced to contaminated water, it destroys the ability for bacteria and viruses to reproduce. Once the DNA or RNA in virus or bacteria absorbs the UV light, it can no longer reproduce, effectively killing the organism and making it harmless to the human body.

The mechanics of the SteriPen are simple: It has a long, clear wand that lights up similar to a neon or fluorescent tube light. The wand on the end of the SteriPEN's body allows the UV light to transmit into the water. Each SteriPEN model works the same way. The small mechanical body produces the UV light and the wand captures and disperses it throughout the water. Each SteriPEN has a cleaning cycle and times vary depending on the model.

It's important to understand that while UV light sterilizes water; it doesn't remove bad odors or tastes as chemicals or carbon filtration would. The best possible solution for water purification would be a combination of sediment and particle removal followed by carbon filtration and then UV light sterilization. This gadget won't rid your water of any funky smells or coloration. You can use chemicals and carbon filters for that. But the SteriPEN will kill the bacteria that give you travelers diarrhea such as E. Coli so you won't get sick while you travel.

SteriPEN's are a great solution to making safe drinking water for our guests.

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2015 Fixed Trip Departures

2014 was our biggest year ever for mountain bike trips and we are now ready to take on 2015 with more trips, better trails and loads more fun!

What’s new in 2015 is our short Kathmandu getaway trip “Kathmandu Enduro” If you are living in the Asia region and what a great long weekend full of fun and mountain biking in Kathmandu this could be the trip for you.

If you are a lovely lady rider, get ready for our first ever all girls MTB Trip in the stunning Upper Mustang Region!! 23^rd Sept. Relax, ride and enjoy the trails.

And then we have another first, Pedal and Paddle the Mighty Tamur River. This epic journey is perhaps one of the ultimate adventures for thrill seekers!

Annapurna Circuit (14 Day Package)

One of the classic trails in Nepal, a great physical challenge with epic downhill rewards and stunning scenery. 10 of the best days of mountain biking!

15th April 2015

15th May 2015
4th/18th October 2015

15^th Nov 2015

Upper Mustang (16 Day Package)

Venture into a land where Nomads herd yaks in the high pastures, ponies carry your luggage, rosy cheeked locals toil the arid soil to earn a living, where Tibetan culture is almost untouched by civilization and add to this some of the BEST and most Challenging mountain biking terrain in the world and you have a simply unforgettable journey.

15th March 2015

15th May 2015

23rd Sept – 1^st Time in Nepal – Female only MTB Trip.

                                                      18th Oct 2015

Jomsom Muktinath Trail *Most Popular Trip in 2014

Now with new single track options or Endurance day from Jomsom  (an optional five hour fitness challenge from Jomsom to Kagbeni). Don’t miss out on the Lubra Valley trail, one of the most popular for intermediate to advanced riders.

29^th March, 27^th April, 29^th April

Every Sunday from the 15^th Sept to the 15^th Dec 2015

We are now running this trip with the super cool 2015 Model Trance 3 27.5 with 140 mm Travel!!

Kathmandu Enduro – NEW IN 2015

3-5 Days of fun, culture, views and epic single tracks in the Kathmandu valley. We can tailor this trip to suit your needs

*Available from  Oct – Jun  by Private Booking. Min 2 Pax.

( We do not run this trip in the 

Monsoon.

FIRST TIME IN NEPAL (In conjunction with White Water Asia!!)

Pedal and Paddle Tamur!!!- Go Wild in East Nepal.

Four days of mountain biking through the hills of east Nepal to Ghupa Phokari, an epic 2000m descent and 7 days of the best white water rafting in the world!! Are you ready for this adventure?

Tibet Overland – 26^th August

The fabled friendship highway is a dream high up on most cyclists bucket list. This enchanting, yet challenging journey by bike takes you from the heart of Tibet and Tibetan culture across the highest Plateau in the world to Nepal! Along the way you will discover so many wonderful landscapes, rich Buddhist Culture, the base camp of Mount Everest and the longest downhill in the world. This is truly the cycling journey of a life time.