World Expeditions announces new 'Re-Build Nepal' project to mark two-year anniversary

The Gorkha region, where three new classrooms will be built, was at the epicentre of the earthquake

World Expeditions is marking next month's two-year anniversary of the catastrophic 2015 earthquake in Nepal with the announcement of a brand new 'Re-Build Nepal' project: taking place in November, it will concentrate on assisting in the building of three new classrooms at the Shree Manjushree School at the village of Kashi Goan in the Gorkha region, near Langtang, which was at the epicentre of the earthquake.

The worst natural disaster to strike the mountainous landlocked country for more than 80 years, the 2015 earthquake killed more than 8,000 people, left two million homeless and destroyed around 6,000 schools – but it also had a major impact on tourism, the nation's single largest industry.

The adventure travel specialist, which has been operating in Nepal for more than 40 years and had over 200 trekkers and staff in the region when the earthquake struck, was immediately keen to provide opportunities to anyone eager to help in a real and meaningful way by physically contributing to the rebuilding effort.

Through seven 'Re-Build Nepal' projects World Expeditions has already helped rebuild classrooms at three schools across Nepal, in the Solu Khumbu, Dolakha and Rasuwa districts, and continues to urge travellers to return and provide a much-needed boost to the country's economy.

The new project is complemented by a remote, off the beaten track trek that follows at parts sections of the Great Himalaya Trail, crossing true wilderness and visiting untouched traditional villages rich in Tamang and Gurung culture.

Gordon Steer, UK Manager for World Expeditions, said:

“Nepal is home to the world's highest peak, clusters of Himalayan ranges and hardworking people who live amongst them. Collectively, they have inspired, challenged and brought positive change for travellers who seek to experience its majesty and the warmth of the mountain villagers”.

“Nepal is 'open for business' and now, more than ever, its people need something back from us. Tourism is a major contributor to the country's economy so the downturn in tourists has had a huge impact”.

Rebuild Nepal: Shree Manjushree Secondary School, Gorkha Region EXCLUSIVE WITH WORLD EXPEDITIONS: Departs 25 November 2017. 18 days. From £1,490 per person, excluding flights. Joining in Kathmandu. Places are limited. http://tiny.cc/63zijy

For more information please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135.

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Notes for editors:
One of the very first operators in what is now becoming a very popular area in travel, since its inception in 1975 World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys. World Expeditions remains independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices around the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors, the number of inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips, can be found today in more than 500 stand-alone itineraries across all continents, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to 'take the paths less travelled'. Always innovative, it was, among others, the first operator to offer cycling holidays in India (1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980), Tibet (1981) and Japan (1999). As of 2011 World Expeditions is the only commercial company to offer the Full Nepal Traverse of the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail. Exclusive to World Expeditions, a number of permanent eco-campsites, designed to increase travellers' comfort levels, are in operation in the Himalaya (Everest, Annapurna); new design-led campsites can also be found on the iconic Larapinta Trail in Australia. The European division of World Expeditions, activity holiday specialists UTracks and Sherpa Expeditions, cover over 20 countries, with more than 400 stand-alone itineraries, from short four-day breaks to longer two-week trips. The World Expeditions Travel Group consists of 10 travel brands in total, also including Adventure South, Australian Walking Holidays, Great Canadian Trails, Huma Charity Challenge, Tasmanian Expeditions, World Youth Adventures and Yomads.

For high-res images and PR/media enquiries:
World Expeditions | UTracks | Sherpa Expeditions
020 8875 5060
Tom Panagos pr@worldexpeditions.co.uk
Gordon Steer gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk