A couple of tourists reached Khumbu region after six months

Kathmandu: A couple of tourists have reached the famous tourist place of the Khumbu region for the first time after a hiatus of six months.

The German couple Mr. Johannes Lothar Richard Philipp and Ms. Katharina Dirks were the first tourists seen in the Khumbu region after Nepal was completely locked down to curb the spreading spree of the Coronavirus.

The German couple had arrived in Nepal to trek around the Everest base camp  long before the nationwide lock down was imposed.

According to the owner of Alternative Treks and Expeditions Tej Bahadur Gurung, who is managing the trekking for the tourists, the German couple had arrived in Nepal on March 15 and the couple could not go on trekking because of lock down in Nepal.

Talking to Highlights Tourism Gurung said that the German couple had to stay in Nepal until the lock down was to be eased. Their plan to go on trekking in August was also thwarted due to next lock down. Their stay in Nepal has been prolonged due to Covid-19.

The couple of tourists had flown to Lukla airport on Tuesday. They had reached Namche on Wednesday evening and strolled around Namche.

According to their guide Ngima Sherpa, since the hotels of Khumbu region have opened after lockdown,  the tourists seen for the first time were welcomed at Lukla airport.

Gurung said the 21 days trekking will include visiting Chola pass, Kumbla pass, Ranjela pass which are above 5600 meters.

Gurung also said, “The government’s new policy has encouraged us as tourists have started coming, otherwise we were in tension for not seeing any tourists. We hope that the tourism sector will revive soon.”

All photos: Alternative Treks and Expeditions