A major UK trekking operator has had to cancel it's autumn
departures to Tibet after the border with Nepal
remained effectively closed despite Chinese claims to the
contrary.
The Nepal/Tibet border was shut in March this year after rioting
in the country, but according to leading trekking company KE
Adventure Travel, despite the Chinese authorites saying that Tibet
was once more open to foreign visitors following the parading of the
Olympic torch through Lhasa last month, in reality only a handfull of
visas have been issued.
Everest viewed from the Tibetan side - not easy right now...
Pic by Normclimb
According to the Keswick-based company, visas are not being
granted to organised groups or to anyone intending to travel to Tibet
from Nepal. KE says that the borders may open in September after the
finish of the Para Olympics, but with no guarantees, they've taken
the decision to cancel their autumn departures to Tibet.
Many trekkers, they say, have switched to other Himalayan
destinations, in particular Nepal itself and Bhutan.
Obviously the situation is also highly relevant to anyone hoping
to travel independently from Nepal to Tibet in the near future, with
border crossing problematic.
More at www.keadventure.co.uk
