27 participants from UN-OCHA actively participated during the program organized by Borderlands PDP on May 18, 2010. In addition to the High Rope activities, the day-long High Rope Course comprised of energizing activities like: T-other side, human spiral and blind-folded walk. UN OCHA’s internal session was also included in the program. The participants participated in four high rope activities namely: Funky Monkey, High Surfing, V-Cool and Giant Ladder.

Through the activities, the OCHA team got an opportunity to further enhance their team work skills. Some of the skills that were further developed through the program were: building trust, support mechanism, communication, coordination, planning etc.

Borderlands Group recently launched the ‘Borderlands/Gokarna Forest Resort- High Rope Course’ to add more value to its programs.

The staff of UNDP Nepal participated in an Office Retreat program organized by the Borderlands PDP at Fulbari Resort, Pokhara, from May 12-15, 2010. There were a total of 97 participants in the fun-filled yet educational program. The four-day long program, which saw active participation from the participants, focused on various activities that assisted the participants in harnessing various skills such as: Communication (verbal and non- verbal ), team building, unity, team work, leadership, trust, active listening, cooperation and coordination, planning skills etc. apart from enjoying themselves.

The Retreat comprised of ice breaking exercises like trust fall, human spiral, giant step in addition to various problem solving and team building games and initiatives. Giant skis, raft building, electric fence, low rope course, rescue the trapped people, robot tag were some of the activities that were included in the program. Rafting on the Trishuli River, talk program by Mr. Mahabir Pun, and UNDP community project site visit was also incorporated during the Retreat.

Resident Representative, Mr. Robert Piper and Country Director-UNDP, Ms. Anne-Isabelle Degryse-Blateau appreciated the efforts of the Borderlands team and said that the retreat was a good one. The participants said that they learned a lot of things that would better assist them to carry out their day –to day work.

The Borderlands PDP organized a day-long Team Building Program for 11 participants from Ncell’s Marketing Team. Organized on April 21, 2010 at Gokarna Forest Resort, the program was fun filled and educational as all the games and initiatives were focused on experiential learning. Throughout the day, the participants actively participated in various activities including: leaky pipe, spider’s web, toxic waste, trust exercises, magic carpet etc. in addition to some high Rope adventure activities including funky monkey and high surfing. The activities focused on improving various skills of the participants namely: verbal and non-verbal communication, team work, trust, unity, leadership, motivation, co-operation and coordination and planning skills among others.

Flight operations across Europe is being gradually restored with the new guidance, issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority, allowing a phased reintroduction of flights. The European airspace is reopening even though there are some ‘no fly zones’ where concentrations of ash are at unsafe levels for flights. The restriction free areas are: Austria, the Balkana area, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, southern France, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, northern Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey & Ukraine.

Nepal tourism Year 2011

30 participants from the Borderlands Group participated in the launching of ‘Nepal Tourism Year 2011’ campaign. The campaign was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal amidst a grand function organized on February 26, 2010 at Tudikhel, Kathmandu. The inauguration ceremony saw participation from representatives of different political parties, tourism and economic sectors, private sector, sports, entertainment and ethnic communities. ‘Together for Tourism’ is the slogan of the national campaign.

16 different political parties have pledged to maintain peace and avoid strikes and bandhs in 2011 and tourism entrepreneurs are hopeful that at least a million tourists will come to Nepal during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Borderlands participation in Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Media Coverage

PATA Travel Mart

Borderlands Group actively participated in PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2010 (ATRTCM) held at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu from February 1-5, 2010. Inaugurated by Hon. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Tourism, the conference boasted an impressive list of speakers and addressed key issues facing the tourism industry. The event has been a huge success and seeked to improve awareness and generate increased commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

Borderlands Group in PATA Travel Mart

Ghorepani Trek

Winter months from December to February is considered to be a good time for low altitude treks as the season offers great mountain views and because less people trek during this time, the trekking routes are not crowded. Nature-treks.com offers the amazing 12 days trip to Ghorepani which includes a visit to Poon Hill (famous mountain for sunrise views), the sacred Machhapuchhare mountain (Fish Tail), Mt. Dhaulagiri I and Annapurna I (both over 8000 m) in addition to experiencing the unique local culture of the area. The Ghorepani adventure, from the Annapurna foothills to the top of the Poon Hill, is one of the most pleasant trekking experiences that offer spectacular mountain scenery, charming settlements of Gurungs etc. The trek duration is 8 days and the trek area is the Annapurna Conservation Area.

For details, please log on to http://www.nature-treks.com/ghorepani-trek.php or
send us an email at: info@nature-treks.com

Trek to Ghorepani