When sensationalized news and weather fears painted Nepal as unsafe, our teams chose ground-level facts over panic. Driven by the tireless resilience of local communities and expert leadership on the ground from Indra Waiba and Prabin Ghising, our trekkers successfully navigated the Larkya La Pass and transitioned smoothly toward the Annapurna Circuit. Read the full story on how teamwork, local resources, and true grit keep the mountains open and safe for adventure.
The mountains always demand respect, but this season tested the resilience of trekkers, guides, and locals alike. Following heavy rainfall, flash floods, and fresh snow blanketing the formidable Larkya La Pass, fear reached an all-time high. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Manaslu expedition was cancelled after some lives were tragically lost, causing anxiety to peak for everyone.
Naturally, it made complete sense why travelers planned for Nepal hesitated. With news circulating everywhere trying to stop people and declaring that Nepal was unsafe for travel at that moment, fear was understandable.
Tackling an off-the-beaten-path and challenging route like the Manaslu Circuit is never easy, and this season brought extraordinary hurdles:
Our clear message to our local guides and everyone directly connected to the mountain journey has always been simple: show the exact clips and realities, but also explain that things can be fixed in time, and highlight how deeply the locals are involved in making things possible using local resources.
We had two groups on the ground this season:
Organizing and successfully executing these treks in such a climate is a testament to teamwork. We owe immense gratitude to local authorities and community members who worked tirelessly with their own hands and local resources.
We always motivated our team to look at the ground reality rather than getting distracted by sensationalized news. Exaggerated reports don't just misinform—they threaten the livelihoods of everyone whose job depends on tourism.
When you look past the fear and trust the ground reality, the mountains reward your courage.
Stick with the adventure!
