Open for business: Nepal woos adventure tourists after quake disaster

There is no doubt that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake Nepal suffered on April 25 and its severe aftershocks delivered a crushing blow to the country's tourism industry. Yet in about 2½ months, Nepal is gearing up to tell the world it's back in the travel business.

Nepal's government is desperate to change the narrative after April's disaster, which killed almost 9,000 people, in time for the peak tourist season in October and November. Visitors bring in US$1.6 billion to a poor country whose economy has been recovering from a decade-long civil war (1996-2006).

Despite many governments warning against travel to Nepal - Hong Kong still has a red warning in place, advising residents to avoid non-essential travel - leading adventure travel companies are planning to return in the near future.

Adrian Bottomley, the owner of Hong Kong-based Whistling Arrow, sees no reason for trekkers not to return in October, although he admits travellers may still be hesitant after seeing media images of the tragedy.

Bottomley says he is organising a 16-day trip for next April and May to the eastern part of the country. The trek will follow the Lumba Sumba Pass, which connects Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, with Makalu, the fifth-highest peak.

"I was there doing research, and I was on that route when the earthquake struck," he says. "Most of the trails weren't affected, and it's the most beautiful part of Nepal for trekking. It's still relatively untouched. Even at the time of the quake, Kathmandu was functioning like a normal city."