Intrepid launches massive fundraiser for Nepal

epa04724430 Nepalese army take part in a rescue operation at a collapsed building at Shaku, Nepal 28 April 2015. The death toll from this weekend's earthquake in Nepal is now at 4,138, reports the country's Interior Ministry.  EPA/ABIR ABDULLAH

Intrepid Travel has launched a million dollar fundraising campaign to get Nepal back on its feet.

Following the devastating earthquake that rocked the country and killed more than 8000 people, Intrepid has announced that all profits from the company’s next season of Nepal trips will be donated to local and international charities working to rebuild Nepal.

The Namaste Nepal campaign is the latest initiative from Intrepid Travel, the largest trekking operator in Nepal, continuing the company’s commitment to aiding recovery efforts in the country.

The company’s not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised AU$400,000 to support Plan International’s emergency relief support to families in Nepal.

The money raised through sales of Intrepid’s trips to Nepal from September 2015 through May 2016 will be distributed by The Intrepid Foundation to a range of international and local charities such as KEEP, a project that works for porters’ welfare and education.

Intrepid Travel has strong ties to the destination and its people, with around 200 local employees on the ground in Nepal.

Intrepid’s Kathmandu-based operations team ensured the safe evacuation of travellers after the quake, and are now working closely with safety experts and local authorities to assess infrastructure.

“The generosity of our travel community has been inspiring. People clearly care about Nepal and the Nepalese people as much as we do,” Intrepid Travel’s md James Thornton said.

“The question we’ve been asked most about Nepal is simply: how can I help? We’ve spoken to our local team in Nepal and concluded that the best thing we can do now is to visit the country. Tourism is Nepal’s largest industry, but without visitors many Nepalese people will find it difficult to earn a living. As the largest guided tour operator in Nepal, we believe it is important for Intrepid to lead the way and support the country when it needs us most.”

Intrepid Travel hopes that travellers will be encouraged to return to Nepal in the near future, helping the fragile country to thrive again.

“It means that every traveller, every trekker, every person that visits Nepal this year will be directly contributing to the rebuilding effort,” Thornton added.

To find out more about Intrepid’s trips to Nepal and share news about the fundraising campaign, visit www.intrepidtravel.com/return-nepal and use the hashtag #NepalNeedsYou.

To make a donation to The Intrepid Foundation projects in Nepal, including directly to the Namaste Nepal appeal or KEEP’s Porter Welfare project, visit www.theintrepidfoundation.org.

Latest News