We, Samrat Tours & Travels, Treks & Expedition, authorized travel agent and tour operator in Nepal, operate tours, trekking, peak climbing and expedition in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan & India. We decades of experiences, we operate almost every adventerous adventures in Himalayan Region. Mount Kailash Mansarovar become mostly shouted destination for us, as we operates hundreds of member every year. Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour is design in two way i.e. one for Mount Kailash Yatra, a pilgrimage tour and another for foreign normally program. We operate Tibet Tours in similar basis, Kailash-Lhasa, Lhasa Tours, Everest Base Camp are some name. Please find complete list of Nepal Trekking and Tibet Tours, you also can go from menu.
Nepal News Updated (Nepal Tourism Board)
  1. Free visa to Everest summiteers
  2. An Unofficial Team of NASA on Everest Base Camp Trekking with Samrat Tours & Treks
  3. Nepal offers more holiday options to Indian tourists
  4. Nepal -Tibet (China) Joint Tourism Meeting concludes in Lhasa
  5. Nepalese Tourism and Development Review
  6. Interaction on 'Nepal Tourism Year' organised
  7. Official launching of NTY- 2011 on February 26, 2010
  8. Slight growth in tourist arrival in 2009
  9. Visitor Arrivals Reaches New Heights in 2010
  10. London Mela organised in UK
  11. Indian tourists flock to Muktinath
  12. Australia Sales Mission 2010
  13. Nepalese embassy honoured Swedish mountaineers in Stockholm

Free visa to Everest summiteers

Foreign mountaineers who have climbed Mount Everest and Dhaulagiri will get free Nepali visas for two years till the end of 2011 which is part of part of tourism promotion schedule launched under the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the 8,850 meter (29,035 feet) Everest summit since it was first climbed by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. Some 700 of these foreigners are still alive.

Climbers will also get a 50 percent discount in climbing fees for Dhaulagiri for the rest of 2010 and all of next year as part of the celebrations, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal.

An Unofficial Team of NASA on Everest Base Camp Trekking with Samrat Tours & Treks

KATHMANDU: A team of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials today arrived in Kathmandu on a visit to the Everest region.
Click for Enlarge Picture

NASA Orion Landing System Integration Manager and leader of the expedition, Chris J Johnson and said there were doctors, pilots and scientists in the team of 11 NASA officials.

Steve Vander Ark, Section Manager, Behavioral Health and Performance Group, NASA, said NASA scientist Jake Maule and he wanted to do some serious research to help the astronauts.

Equipped with the Actiwatch and Lab-On-a-Chip Application DevelopmentPortable Test System, the team members would record the sleeping and waking movements and light exposure of the subjects, Steve said, adding that the Lab-On-a-Chip, which detects bacteria and fungi on surfaces inside the International Space Station, will be used to look for snow algae.

"We will meet former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski at the base camp," Chris said, adding that Scott will conquer the Everest soon.

If his attempt is successful, he'll become the first person ever to have gazed up at space from the pinnacle of Earth's tallest mountain, and gazed down on that same pinnacle from the black vacuum of space.

Chris said the team chose Nepali mountains to trek as Nepal has been known as the best tourist destination in the world. Chris said he, along with a few friends, were also on a NASA's unofficial Everest expedition last year.

Steve said trekking to the base camp will be comparable in some ways to what astro nauts face while engaging in a long spacewalk or an excursion on the surface of the moon or Mars. Mt Everest provides a good space analog, he added.

Maule said the team's re search would benefit future space travellers. The outcomes of the research would aid future research projects of the NASA, he said.

According to him, their research could help scientists develop efficient procedures for future field studies on moon and Mars.

Jean-Loup Chretien, the first Frenchman and western European in space, said he was excited to see the Nepali mountains. International Mission Specialist Chretien said he spent one-and-a- half month in space. "I am eager to be in the Everest region to compare the mountain walk with the spacewalk."

The 25-member-team has Michelle Christgen, Judson Frieling, Lesley Lee, John McBrine, Steve, Jake, Crish, Patricj Thompson, Christine Worstel, Erin Tashner and Jams Johnson from NASA.

The team also collected more than 1500 US dollars to support the Prisoners Assistance Nepal, Chris said. "We also want to help the needy people in Nepal," he added.

The team will leave for Lukla on Monday and is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on May 2, said Ram Sapkota, manager, Samrat Tours and Travels. NASA Astronaut Trainer and Flight Controller Sabrina Gilmore is the trip coordinator.

Nepal offers more holiday options to Indian tourists

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'As a part of the campaign strategy, Nepal Tourism Board has categorized the various packages especially bearing in mind the need of tourists from Western India into three broad products and they are Weekend Breaks, Adventure Holidays and Lifetime Experiences,' reads a press release issued by NTB. NTB hopes that this participation is expected to give a tremendous boost to the tourists, especially from Western India. 'The campaign will be supported by travel agents from the region, who will customize travel packages with appropriate rates to suit ones interest and schedule their travel plans and holidays in Nepal,' the release reads.

Fair/Mart/Sales mission:

  1. TTF & OTM, Chennai, India, Date - 7-9 January 2011
  2. TTF & OTM , Bangalore, India, Date - 14-16 January 2011
  3. TTF & OTM, Mumbai, India, Date - 18-20 February 2011
  4. South India Sales Mission, Date - 10-12 January 2011
  5. Central India Sales Mission, Date - February, 2011
  6. North India Sales Mission, Datec - March, 2011
  7. Border City Sales Mission, Datec - May 2011


Dear Friends,
Greetings from Samrat Tours & Tarvels Nepal !!!!!
We thanks to all of you for visiting our stall at TTF 2011 and for the support you have given us. We assure you our best services at all times.

With best Regards,
Samrat Family

Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Nepal -Tibet(China) Joint Tourism Meeting concludes in Lhasa

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The 4th Meeting of China's Tibet -Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee concluded successfully on 14th September 2010 in Lhasa, Tibet. The Nepalese side was led by Mr. Laxman P. Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and China's Tibet side was led by Mr. Ba Zhu, Director General of Tourism Bureau of T.A.R.China. The meeting was held on 13 and 14th of September. This meeting rotates on turn basis. Last year same meeting was held in Kathmandu.

Amongst the various issues raised by the Nepalese delegation, Tibetan side agreed in principal through MOU that the operation of bus service as soon as possible, promoting Nepal Tourism Year in Tibet through media (TV and radio) and hoarding boards at major crossroads, allowing our regular helicopter and charter services in Mansoravor area, providing Tibet visa to international tourists from Nepal, operating more Chinese airlines in between Lhasa-Kathmandu sector etc are some of the areas where both governments work closely through respective diplomatic channels to execute all these issues expediently. Enitire gamut of issues those are hindering smooth flow of tourists to and from Kathmandu to Lhasa were discussed and both sides are optimistic that the issue raised at the discussion floor and stated in the fresh MOU would be expediently implemented. Tibetan side has assured their counterpart that they would do their best to achieve the target of NTY 2011 from their part. The exchage of MOU took part on September 14 evening by siging the MOU by Mr. Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal and Mr. Wu Ying Jie, Standing Committee Executive Vice Chairman, Government of TAR, China.

Other delegation members included-Mr Naindra Upadhayay-Consul General of Nepal to Lhasa, Mr. Aditya Baral-Director of Nepal Tourism Board (deputy head of delegation), Babau Ram Bhandari (Under Sec of MoTCA), Ram Saran Pudasaini-Ministry of Finance, Mr. Dadi R. Bhandari, Consul-Lhasa, Ang Tsering Sherpa-Past President of Nepal Mountaineering Association , Misri L Mandal-Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Bala R Dhakal-Ministry of Home, Prabin Poudyal-Section officer, MOTCA, Mr. Chet N. Pandey- Tresurer Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents, Mr. Khum B Subedi, Treasurer-TAAN, Ghanendra Shrestha-HAN.

The delegation members also extended their Tibetan counterpart the invitation of next round to be held in November in Kathamndu next year while Nepal undergoes with the celebration of NTY 2011. 

Nepalese Tourism and Development Review

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We are pleased to inform you that Nepal Tourism Board and Kathmandu University - School of Arts (KU - SOA) are jointly taking out a publication Nepalese Tourism and Development Review that help develop different theoretical underpinnings and expand frontiers of knowledge on tourism eventually contributing towards the theory and practice of tourism in Nepal. The publication takes an interdisciplinary approach and encourages discussions on policy, planning and practices of international, national and regional tourism studies. It also aims to disseminate rigorous research and scholarly works on different issues on tourism and development making it useful for the wide spectrum of stakeholders: academicians, practitioners, students, researchers and tourism professionals.

The publication will carry two sections: Research Articles and "Tourism Platform/Initiatives". While the first section includes research and analytical articles on tourism from researchers and academicians, the second section will includes write ups on campaigns, new issues, events, project briefs and initiatives in tourism sectors from the academicians and practitioners. For the Initiatives part, the focus will be the initiative's objectives, its status, implications and links with Tourism Year 2011.

This part will basically focus on 'who is doing what' and 'what is happening' in tourism in relation to Nepal and the World. Please note that the editorial board of the publication will decide on the selection and publication of the research articles and initiatives.

The word limit for researched article is 4000 to 5000 excluding maps/tables/graphs and excluding references while the word limit for second section, Tourism Platform/Initiatives is between 900-1000 words.

We are seeking your kind co-operation in this regard and would like to request you to send us articles or initiatives before the end of October 2010. The first issue of "Nepal Tourism and Development Review" is scheduled to be published and unveiled in January 2011.

Interaction on 'Nepal Tourism Year' organised

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Nepal Tourism Year 2011Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on December 28 organised an interaction with media representatives in a bid to seek suggestions for the successful hosting of Nepal Tourism Year-2011.

Speaking at the interaction, chief executive officer of the NTB Prachanda Man Shrestha stressed the need to celebrate the campaign to draw international attention towards the event. "We couldn't get much international recognition while celebrating the Visit Nepal Year in 1998 because we couldn't do anything special for the visitors. But this time we want to add something special in the campaign," he said.

The media representatives suggested the NTB to make necessary preparations on infrastructure development and enhancing the quality of tourism products and services. They also laid emphasis on increasing air connectivity to bring in more visitors to the country. NATURALLY NEPAL - once is not enough

Official launching of NTY- 2011 on February 26, 2010

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Official launching of The Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 is scheduled for February 26 at Tundikhel, Kathmandu. Under the programme, a peace torch will be taken from Lumbini to Kathmandu.

Slight growth in tourist arrival in 2009
Total tourist arrival in the country via air in 2009 recorded a marginal growth of 1.1 percent over the arrival figure of 2008. According to Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 378,12 visited Nepal in 2009, up from 374,661 recorded in 2008.

Issuing a press statement, NTB said the year ended with positive notes in the sense that arrivals from China witnessed an encouraging surge. Arrivals from China increased by a whopping 51.4 percent in December. Visitors from other Asian countries excluding the SAARC countries also increased. According to NTB, tourist arrivals from South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand registered a growth of 25.1 percent, 7.8 percent, 22 percent and 26.5 percent respectively.

The aggregate tourist arrival from Asian segment, other than South Asia, registered a growth of 19.4 percent in December and 10.1 percent in 2009.

Arrivals from Pakistan grew by 8.2 percent but the arrivals from India and Sri Lanka declined by 5 percent and 31.5 percent respectively in December. Likewise, arrivals from European countries registered an overall growth of 10.1 percent in December and 4.5 percent in the year 2009. Visitors from UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria also saw a growth. However, arrivals from Spain, Denmark and Norway posted a marginal decline.

According to NTB, over 75,058 trekkers visited Annapurna region in 2009 while 1,769 trekkers visited the Manaslu region.

Visitor Arrivals Reaches New Heights in 2010

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The year 2010 has ended with positive notes both in terms of total visitor arrivals for the month of December and also for the whole year. The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of December 2010, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 15.7% to 36,323. Also, the total number of visitor arrivals in aggregate (Jan-Dec, 2010), compared to same period in 2009, have increased by 18.5% to all time high figure of 448,769.

In the SAARC region, all markets have posted positive results. In aggregate the South Asian segment has registered a robust growth of 26.1% in the month of December and 24.7% in the year 2010 (Jan-Dec). Visitor arrivals from India (19.5%), Bangladesh (42.4%), Pakistan (94.3%) and Sri Lanka (148.3%) have registered positive growth in December 2010. In aggregate the South Asia has registered a positive growth of 26.1% for the month of December and 24.7% between January to December.

In December 2010, there has been a robust growth of 24.4% in visitor arrivals from China. Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have recorded positive growth. Visitor arrivals from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea have registered a positive growth of 41%, 26.4%, 4.4%, and 22.3% respectively. However Japan has suffered a soft decline by 0.4%.  In aggregate the Asian segment (other than South Asia) has registered a positive growth of 14.3% in the month of December and 17.7% in the year 2010.

Regarding the European markets, there has been a soft decline of 0.2% in the month of December 2010. However, the year saw a positive growth of 14.4% in aggregate (Jan-Dec) from the European market in 2010. In December 2010, the arrivals from the Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and UK were up by 57.3%, 37.0%,26.0%, 17.4%, 75.0%,43.9%, 2.1%, 30.5% and 1.0% respectively whereas Belgium, France, Germany and  Italy declined by 20.1%, 8.7%,13.4%, 0.2% respectively.

Tourist arrivals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA have also registered positive growth of 8.5%, 57.9%, 1.2% and 14.4% respectively in December 2010.

On the whole, the year showed sustained growth in visitor arrivals and reaches new heights in 2010.

A total of 44,019 foreign tourists departed from TIA in December 2010. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 57,661 while 77,230 Nepalese departed from TIA in December 2010.

London Mela organised in UK

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The Embassy of Nepal, London, took part in the grand London Mela- 2010, held in Gunnersbury Park of Central London on 08 August 2010. There was an active support and participation of artists and volunteers of the Nepali Diaspora. Nepal's focus was to promote Nepal- specifically on tourism, culture and the Nepalese cuisine. The programme was organized in an open space and manned with tents and required stalls. It was effective of its kind in promoting and marketing Nepal's identity . This is the first time the embassy of Nepal participated in the London Fete since its inception in 2003. The conservative estimation says an about 100,000 people attended the London Mela. Placing Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in focus, activities such as Nepali Paperedge youth band, Naumati cultural band, Nepalese folk dances were performed and the taste of Nepali cuisine, too, was organised. Thousands of people- from different walks of life, visited Nepali stalls and were provided with publicity materials, posters and CDs on Nepal. There was raffle draws, too, for various attractive prizes. First prize was Qatar Airlines tickets for two persons for the sectors of London-Kathmandu-London and second was seven nights stay in a 4 star hotel in Kathmandu. They were respectively sponsored by Qatar Airlines and Himalayas Nepal Publication.  The winners were announced by the Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Suresh C. Chalise from the main stage of the fete. The sum of money collected out of raffle was donated to the London Mela organizers so that they would add to the amount to the support of recent flash floods victims in Pakistan. Although, it was the first time, Nepal's participation in the London Mela 2010 has been a successful with the hard-work and continuous preparation jointly of the Embassy of Nepal and the Nepali Diaspora for about three months.

The London Mela 2010 was sponsored by various commercial and public sectors such as big businesses, media, entertainment, cuisine, culinary and hospitality organisations. Some of the major partners of the London Mela 2010 included Mayor of London, Borough Councils of Ealing and Hounslow, BBC, O2 etc.

Earlier, in July, the embassy of Nepal successfully organised two focused programmes on Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Scotland and Wales in collaboration with the Nepali communities based in the respective regions. The Embassy aims to continuously work to achieve the objectives of the Government's campaign of NTY 2011 in the days ahead.

Indian tourists flock to Muktinath


At least 5,000 Indian tourists visited the temple since the middle of March last year, a staff at the Muktinath Area Development Committee, Rudra Nath Sharma Poudel said. Their visits had dwindled during the conflict, he added. A pilot with Manang Air, Sarina Gurung said as many as five flights were made now-a-days to Muktinath when weather remains fine. Most of the flight passengers are from India and each flight carries two-dozen passengers, she added. Normally, it takes 35 minutes in a helicopter to reach Muktinath from Pokhara. Gurung underlined the need for greater publicity for Muktinath abroad. In addition to Manang Air, Sri Air is also making charter flights to Muktinath. Its helicopters make four to five flights a day. The helicopter returns from the temple with the same passengers after a gap of an hour, allowed for visit to the temple. However, a hotelier at Ranipauwa bazaar near the temple, Laxmi Tulachan says that business is not good even after surge in the number of Indian tourists. They return by the same flight without strolling around, Tulachan who is also the owner of Hotel Muktinath, says. Muktinath temple lies on the bank of Gandaki river in Muktinath village development committee, 26 km east of Mustang district headquarters, Jomsom. Muktinath is reachable on foot from Pokhara through Myagdi district headquarters in Beni or through Tatopani of Myagdi's tourist area in Ghorepani. Visitors to Muktinath on regular flights include only a few as it is difficult to buy air tickets, head at Jomsom airport Rajan Pokhrel said. Some Indian visitors choose to travel by road. Beni-Jomsom road is under construction at Mustang and Myagdi districts which has made it convenient for pilgrims to visit Muktinath, said president of the Jeep Entrepreneurs' Committee Jayendra Thakali. Jeeps and motorcycles ply on the finished section of the road which has eased the trip. A housewife from Bangalore, Sudha Shankar said it was great to visit a place like Muktinath. The place is sce-nic and panoramic, she said. A shopkeeper at Ranipauwa near the temple, Rangaraj Shastri said most Indian visitors come from South India. There are more visitors during Dashain and Janai Purnima, he added. According to Poudel, the temple receives 35,000 visitors annually, out of which 10 per cent come from India.

Australia Sales Mission 2010
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Nepal Tourism Board in coordination with Nepal Embassy, Canberra, Australia and Consulate of Nepal in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane  organized a Sales Mission in Australia from 18-21 May, 2010. The Sales Mission was held in Melbourne on 18th May, Sydney on 19th May and Brisbane on 21st May, 2010 respectively.

The main focus of this Sales Mission was to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Australia along with other added tourism attractions of Nepal, specially natural and cultural attractions trekking and adventure activities. Addressing the media and travel trade in all three cities, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Yogendra Dhakal informed them about the rejuvenated state of tourism in Nepal. He stressed that Government of Nepal and the Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs are quite euphoric about the NTY campaign and looking forward to welcoming a large number of tourists from Australia. Ambassador Dhakal pledged his full cooperation and support to the Australian travel-tour operators in their endeavor to send more Australians to Nepal in 2010 and especially in NTY-2011.

Senior Director of NTB and Member Secretary of Program Implementation Committee of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 Campaign Mr. Subash Nirola gave a comprehensive presentation on the tourism products and attractions of Nepal. He  explained the various activities undertaken by NTB in the Australian market. He highlighted the aim and objectives of NTY 2011 and the role of NTB to make this campaign successful. Mr. Nirola emphasized that this campaign will open new tourism areas and activities for the Australian tourists. He also informed the Australian travel-tour operators that their counterparts in Nepal are preparing themselves to offer new packages which will make the stay of our guests as memorable one.

The Sales Mission also appraised the Australian travel writers and the entrepreneurs about the  present growing positive situation in Nepal and how Nepal's tourism industry has been rejuvenated after the launching of Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The launching of Nepal Tourism Year with the slogan-"Together for Tourism"  aims at doubling the existing arrival figures of tourists  in Nepal to one million.

The number of total tourist arrivals from Australia by air to Nepal during January to April 2010 has increased by 10% as compared to the same period in 2009.

The Nepal delegation also made presentations on NTY 2011 and interacted with the Nepalese community in all the three Australian cities through the Non Resident Nepali Association for their active participation and support during NTY 2011.

The Nepal delegation at the Australia Sales Mission in all three cities was led by His Excellency Mr. Yogendra Dhakal, Ambassador of Nepal to Australia and included Mr. Subash Nirola, Senior Director, NTB, Mr. Diwakar B. Rana, Manager, NTB and private sector trade partners from Nepal.

Nepalese embassy honoured Swedish mountaineers in Stockholm

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The Embassy of Nepal in Copenhagen organized a programme in Stockholm, Sweden on December 10, 2010. During the programme various Swedish persons and organizations who have contributed in promoting Nepal and Nepalese tourism in Sweden were felicitated. High ranking Officials of the Swedish Government, Summiteers, frequent visitors to Nepal, academicians, travel tour entrepreneurs, travel writers, hoteliers and Nepalese and Swedish nationals from different walks of life were present on the occasion. The program was supported by Nepal Tourism Board.

Nepalese Ambassador His Excellency Vijay Kant Lal Karna presented special metal plaques, certificates and Khadas/Shawl to 35 persons and organizations commemorating their achievements and honoring their works that have contributed in promoting Nepal in Sweden. The personalities thus felicitated include mountaineers scaling Mount Everest and other summits in Nepal, tourism entrepreneurs, travel writers and friends of Nepal. Similarly, the Presidents of Swedish Alpine Club, Swedish Climbing Federation, Swedish Mountain Guide Organization and Sweden Nepal Society were also felicitated for the contribution of their respective organizations.

During the same function His Excellency Vijay Kant Lal Karna distributed certificates to 13 Swedish Mountaineers who have scaled the Mount Everest appointing them as Nepal Tourism Year-201I Honorary Goodwill Ambassador. Earlier this year, Nepal Tourism Year-2011 under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation had made an announcement to appoint all Everest summiteers as Nepal Tourism Year-201I Honorary Goodwill Ambassador.

Addressing the function, Nepalese Ambassador H E Vijay Kant Lal Karna emphasized that such programmes will go a long way in promoting Nepal as a tourist destination of choice and making Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a success. He stated that the contribution made by the persons honoured in today's programme as well as many other persons who have established strong links with Nepal at the people-to-people level is highly commendable. He also expressed his beliefs that the wider appeal of Hononary Goodwill Ambassadors will significantly assist in our task of upholding Nepal as a prime tourist destination and promoting Nepalese tourism.

Nepalese Ambassador also briefed the programme of the tourism promotion activities being carried out by the Nepalese Embassy in Copenhagen, which is also concurrently accredited to Sweden. He thanked all for their participation and for their support to make the event a success.

Addressing the function, Ms. Renata Chlumska, the first Swedish woman to scale the Mount Everest shared with the audience that ever since she encountered the Himalayas in Nepal her world view has been profoundly impacted. Nepal and its Himalaya have this mystic capacity and she is determined to continue disseminating this message to the coming generation as well. Mr. Pontus Axelsson, President of Swedish Climbing Federation and the parents of the late Swedish Mountaineer Thomas Ollson expressed pleasure in receiving honour from the Nepalese Embassy and opined that this honour will encourage them to work towards promoting Nepal's tourism in Sweden for a long time to come. Dr. Roland Dahlmann, Honorary Nepalese Consul General in Stockholm and Mr. Gajendra Bahadur Shrestha Honorary Swedish Consul General in Kathmandu also addressed the function.

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