Light at the End of the Tunnel: Relaunching our Operations after 18 months
Dear Tiger Tops Friends and Supporters,
Since our company’s inception 57 years ago, we have endured many difficult periods ranging from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Maoist revolution and most recently the 2015 earthquake, all of which brought tourism in Nepal to a standstill. However none of these have had the same devastating impact on our country, industry and company that the COVID-19 pandemic has had. Our lodges were shuttered for our international guests for over 18 months with staff being sent on leave and a growing concern of how to feed our herd of elephants mounting through the period.
Fortunately we weathered the storm and have come out the other side chomping at the bit to welcome you again, and following some unexpected late seasonal rains we opened both our lodges in mid October. Our first guests of the season at our Karnali Lodge were treated to three exceptional leopard sightings in as many days. Since then, excellent viewings of big cats and other wildlife sightings have occurred at both lodges. At our Tharu Lodge our elephants are delighted that they are able to go for long jungle walks again with their human companions.
As the country opens I thought I would share information on current entry requirements, our own COVID protocol and various charitable projects that we have continued to work on during the pandemic.
Nepal International Traveller Entry Requirements (As of 4th October 2021 and Subject to Change)
Fortunately the Government of Nepal has relaxed its entry requirement for vaccinated foreign travellers. Please click this link for the comprehensive requirements. The main points are as follows:
- Unvaccinated travellers are required to undertake 10 days hotel quarantine, a letter of recommendation from the Nepalese Embassy in your home country and a visa prior to departure.
- Vaccinated travellers can travel freely to Nepal with the following condition.
- Valid visa obtained before OR on arrival
- Negative PCR report within 72 hours of arrival
- Vaccination Certificate (In English)
- A completed CCMC health declaration form at http://www.ccmc.gov.np . A bar code will be generated following completion which needs to printed and shown at immigration