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Holiday News and Offers
Here's where you'll find the most up-to-date information about what's happening at Mountain Kingdoms. Check below for details of any upcoming events we are holding, any special offers we are running, any news we've got to share and any holidays that have spaces and are due to run in the next few weeks. You can also sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter.
Yeti Airlines and Tara Air attain IATA approved global safety standard
![Yeti Airlines and Tara Air attain IATA approved global safety standard](/u/news/yeti-airlines-and-tara-air-attain-iata-approved-global-safety-standard.jpg)
Two of Nepal’s main domestic airlines - Yeti Airlines and their subsidiary Tara Air - have recently fulfilled IATA’s Safety Standard Assessment (ISSA) programme requirements and are now IATA approved ISSA Operators. This makes them the first and only Nepali airlines to attain the new global safety standard for commercial airlines.
Read moreDonation in memory of Alan Gallop
![Donation in memory of Alan Gallop](/u/news/donation-in-memory-of-alan-gallop.jpg)
An impressive £1,012 was recently raised by friends and family of Alan Gallop on the very sad occasion of his funeral. Alan had previously trekked in the Annapurnas in Nepal so it seemed fitting that the money should be donated, in his memory, to help rebuild a country he so enjoyed visiting. This is one of Alan's photos from his trek to Annapurna Sanctuary.
Read moreFree use of down jackets & sleeping bags on Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet trekking holidays
![Free use of down jackets & sleeping bags on Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet trekking holidays](/u/news/free-use-of-down-jackets-sleeping-bags-on-nepal-trekking-holidays.jpg)
We are now offering the use of a good quality down jacket and 4-season sleeping bag free of charge on all our trekking holidays in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet *. Not only will they keep you warm and toasty once the sun goes down, but will save on that all important luggage space.
Read moreResponsible Travel - Our response to the challenges of 2015
![Responsible Travel - Our response to the challenges of 2015](/u/news/responsible-travel-our-response-to-the-challenges-of-2015.jpg)
There was no bigger challenge in 2015 then the terrible damage wrought by the earthquake in Nepal last April. Trying to provide practical help and support to the people of Nepal became the overriding focus of our Responsible Travel activities and fundraising throughout the year. By the end of 2015, our incredibly generous clients, staff and friends had raised over £40,000 which we distributed between several charities who have been doing amazing work rebuilding the homes and lives of the people of Nepal. Helping them to continue this immensely valuable work will be our driving force in 2016.
Away from the tragedy of the earthquake, we have continued to provide training courses for our Nepalese guides and trek crew and we've also raised funds to plant trees in Peru and to expand the important work of the Simien Mountains Mobile Medical Service in Ethiopia. None of which would have been possible without the overwhelming generosity of our clients. A huge thank you from everyone at Mountain Kingdoms.
Here's a look back at our Responsible Travel year.
Read moreDale Templar writes for The Daily Telegraph on why now is the time to return to Nepal
![Dale Templar writes for The Daily Telegraph on why now is the time to return to Nepal](/u/news/view-from-sanctuary-lodge-sheytanova.jpeg)
In September 2015 travel writer and television producer, Dale Templar, travelled to Nepal with Mountain Kingdoms, with the aim of revealing just how well the country is recovering since the earthquake in April 2015.
Dale followed our Gentle Trekking & Luxury Lodges, Annapurna Foothills itinerary, taking her from Kathmandu and along the scenic trails in the Annapurna region, whilst observing the condition of the trails and facilities en route.
Read moreAbode of the Gods – Tales of Trekking in Nepal
![Abode of the Gods – Tales of Trekking in Nepal](/u/news/abode-of-the-gods-tales-of-trekking-in-nepal-kev-reynolds.jpg)
Well known travel writer and photographer, Kev Reynolds, shares inspiring tales of his favourite Nepalese trekking adventures in his new book, Abode of the Gods.
A Mountain Kingdoms trek leader for many years, Kev has always been passionate about the landscapes and people of the Himalaya. In this collection of stories he writes eloquently of his first time experiences on some of the world’s best known treks such as Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Sanctuary and Kangchenjunga as well as lesser-known expeditions into the quiet and remote reaches of the world’s highest mountains.
Read moreJim returns from Nepal
![Jim returns from Nepal](/u/news/jims-report-on-nepal.jpeg)
In September 2015 Mountain Kingdoms' Operations Manager, Jim Davies, visited Nepal to carry out inspections of the trekking routes and lodges, plus visit charities and villages Mountain Kingdoms' support. Below is a report about Jim's visit to Nepal and how life is returning to normal following the major earthquake in April.
Read moreExcellent News for Nepal - FCO Advice Changes
![Excellent News for Nepal - FCO Advice Changes](/u/news/excellent-news-for-nepal-fco-advice-changes-ss.jpg)
UK Foreign Office change advice for Nepal
On 7th October 2015 the UK Foreign Office (FCO) changed their advice with regards to travel to Nepal. The FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to the majority of Nepal, leaving only two small areas where the advice still stands. Most trekking routes in Nepal are now safe and open for trekkers to enjoy. After the devastating earthquake earlier in 2015 a vast amount of energy has gone into relief efforts including repairs and surveys of popular trekking routes. All possible care has been taken to access the safety of these routes. Mountain Kingdoms had previously cancelled trips on routes considered unsafe. All of our trips in Nepal will run as scheduled for the autumn season.
For the latest FCO advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal
Bhutan, the country where wealth is measured in happiness
![Bhutan, the country where wealth is measured in happiness](/u/news/bhutan-gross-national-happiness.jpeg)
"Take Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan Kingdom that many years ago adopted a Gross National Happiness index, as an alternative approach to measuring the country's prosperity..."
Read moreTravelling to India just became simpler
![Travelling to India just became simpler](/u/news/travelling-to-india-just-became-simpler-ss.jpg)
Organising your holiday to the wonderful country of India has just become much easier. As of the 15th August 2015, the Indian government extended their e-Tourist Visa Scheme to include visitors from the UK. This means that British citizens can now obtain an Indian visa by applying online and paying a significantly lower price for their visa than previously.
Read more