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What is #NepalNow?
#NepalNow is a volunteer collaboration between travel bloggers and a collective of tourism businesses in Nepal to make travel in Nepal as accessible as possible to travel bloggers through free and discounted products and services so that to enable bloggers to help to show the world that Nepal is safe for travel and open for business.
The official hashtag of the campaign is #NepalNow and the campaign will take place from September 1st to December 31st, 2015.
How it Works
This is a loose affiliation of volunteer businesses. Each business is offering different services and can accommodate a different number of bloggers. This campaign is also taking place during what is normally high season.
Bloggers are responsible for contacting businesses independently to make arrangements.
Please understand that these businesses may not be able to accommodate all requests. These businesses are volunteering to help when they can. They are not obligated to help every blogger that calls.
So, please try to make arrangements as far in advance as possible, and be understanding if a business is not able to assist you.
Please do not contact me (Matt) about issues with individual businesses. I am not in Nepal and can’t do anything. The business list does, however, include contact information for people who are willing to help bloggers with logistical issues.
The #NepalNow Message
Of course, any participating blogger is free to write whatever they want. But, we are encouraging bloggers to consider the following messaging points to make the campaign as effective as possible.
- We’d like to keep discussion of the earthquake to a minimum because we don’t want to remind people of the disaster that is the primary reason tourism has declined.
- The #NepalNow campaign wants to focus on stories about Nepal right now — a country that is safe and open for business as usual.
- #NepalNow also has a secondary meaning, that now is the time to visit Nepal because it’s not only an amazing destination, but also because it’s a socially responsible way to help a country that is in economic need.
Of course, please tag all social media posts with the #NepalNow hashtag.
Blog Post Reporting and Promotion
We think this may be a very good model for not only helping countries in times of crisis to quickly organize a collaboration with bloggers, but also a model for setting up networks of blogger-friendly businesses in any country.
For that reason, we’d like to produce a detailed report on the results of the #NepalNow campaign to make available to industry.
So, we ask that you submit links through the form provided (it’s in a tab on this page).
We will also be putting out public calls for promotion of #NepalNow posts including all posts submitted through the form.
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How to Sign Up
Please fill out this short form. This is necessary for 3 reasons.
- We need your email to keep in touch with you about any updates
- So that I can ensure that all sign-ups are legit
- So that the business owners have a list of vetted bloggers they can check to make sure no rapscallions are out there trying to abuse the campaign for free stuff.
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#NepalNow Partner Businesses
This is a list of current #NepalNow partner businesses and what they’re offering to bloggers. Please understand that their resources are limited and they may not be able to accommodate all requests, so please be sure to contact them well in advance.
This is a constantly evolving project and we will be adding to this list as we find more and more partners in the coming months.
Kathmandu Partners
Epiphany Guest House
Contact: Sunil Sharma
Email: sunil@nepalsutra.com
Phone: 9801011287
City: Kathmandu
Address: 102/36 Byamam Marg, Tangal, Bhat Bhateni, Kathmandu
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/nIyeM
Website: www.epiphanysuites.com / www.fb.com/epiphanygh
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: Up to 8
Business: Food and Lodging
Price: Free
Advanced Poly Medical Clinic
Contact: Dr. Denis Shrestha
Email: drdenis@apc.com.np
Phone: 9801088296
City: Kathmandu
Address: Lazimpat, Kathmandu 44600
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/35ejHMXYP8N2
Website: www.apc.com.np
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: All
Services Offered: Will provide immediate Medical aids if required
Price: Free
Hotel Devachan
Contact: Nakul Kunwar
Email: hotel.devachan@gmail.com
Phone: 9741155729
City: Kathmandu
Address: Dallu, Kathmandu, 44600
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/sVMRx64bTnt
Website: www.hoteldevachan.com
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 2
Services Offered: will provide free lodging to 2 bloggers and travel advice
Price: Free
House of Music
Contact: Sanjay Shrestha
Phone: 9851075172
City: Kathmandu
Address: Amrit Marg, Kathmandu, 44600
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/TTqQtLrHqD92
Website: https://www.facebook.com/houseofmusic09
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 10
Services Offered: Bloggers need to unwind. Come to on down to House of Music for good music and drinks.
Price: No cover charge. First drink is on us.
GRG’s Adventure Kayaking
Contact: Maila Gurung
Email: Maila Gurung
Phone: 9841447561
City: Kathmandu
Address: Hotel Prayer Flag, Nurshingh Chowk, Thamel, Kathmandu
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/jXqFZ
Website: www.grgadventurekayaking.com
Business: Rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning
Services Offered: Happy to take bloggers on a rafting, kayaking or canyoning tour.
Price: Free
Dawn Till Dusk
Contact: Chhimi Gurung
Email: info@nepalbiking.com
Phone: 9851030033
Website: www.nepalbiking.com
City: Kathmandu
Address: Amarit Marg, Kathmandu
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/fH4H5
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: Unlimited
Services Offered: Day and overnight mountain bike tours
Price: Free
Retreat Serviced Apartments
Contact: Guiod Van De Graaf
Email: info@retreatapartment.com
Website: http://www.retreatservicedapartments.com/
City: Kathmandu
Address: Swayambhu Marg, Bijeswhori, Kathmandu
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/edd8L
Business: Accommodations
Services Offered: Serviced Apartments
Price: Contact for further information
SocialTours
Contact: Raj Gyawali
Email: raj@socialtours.com
Phone: 9801123402
Website: http://www.socialtours.com/
City: Kathmandu
Address: Tridevi Marg,Thamel, Kathmandu
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ksygA
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: Unlimited
Services Offered: General Travel Assistance
Price: Free
Partners in Pokhara
**IMPORTANT** Please note that several of these partner businesses ask that you contact them through Shrada of the AVIA Club (the first listing below)
AVIA Club
Contact: Shradha Shrestha
Email: sshrestha@ntb.org.np
Phone: 9856029214
Website: http://aviaclubnepal.com/
City: Pokhara
Address: Pokhara Airport, Pokhara
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Tt0of
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated:
Services Offered: General assistance with travel logisitics
Price: Free
Barahi Hotel
Contact: Shradha
Email: ed@barahi.com
Phone: 9856020320
City: Pokhara
Address: Lakeside, POKHARA-6, Pokhara 33700
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ut6bf77qUe92
Website: http://www.barahi.com/
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 3 twin shared rooms
Services Offered: Can provide rooms on BB basis for 4 bloggers
Price: Free
Mt. Kailash Hotel
Contact: Shradha
Email: sshrestha@ntb.org.np
Phone: 9856020999
City: Pokhara
Address: Ammot Lakeside-6, Pokhara
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/5Nqvp1Shv2n
Website: http://www.mountkailashresort.com/
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 3 twin sharing rooms
Services Offered: Can provide rooms on BB basis for 4 bloggers
Price: Free
Hotel De Yarta Courtyard
Contact: Shradha
Email: sshrestha@ntb.org.np
Phone: 9856020284
City: Pokhara
Address: Lakeside Rd., Pokhara 33700
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/gAKgFg1xs4k
Website: http://hoteldayatra.com/
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 3 twin sharing rooms
Services Offered: Can provide rooms on BB basis for 4 bloggers
Price: Free
Butterfly Lodge
Contact: Shradha
Email: sshrestha@ntb.org.np
Phone: 9856023384
City: Pokhara
Address: lake side, Pokhara 44601
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ABinLAnQaGm
Website: http://butterfly-lodge.org/
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 3 twin sharing rooms
Services Offered: Can provide rooms on BB basis for 4 bloggers
Price: Free
Pokhara Canyoning Pvt Ltd
Contact: Shradha
Email: sshrestha@ntb.org.np
Phone: 9856028202
City: Pokhara
Address: Lakeside-6,Pokhara
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/fzma6EVfPtm
Website: http://www.pokharacanyoning.com
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 15 person
Services Offered: Transportation/ lunch/canyoning activity for 15 bloggers
Price: Free
Advanced Poly Clinic
Contact: Dr. Denis Shrestha
Email: drdenis@apc.com.np
Phone: 9801088296
City: Pokhara
Address: New Road, Pokhara 33700
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/WnbWg5MW14v
Website: www.apc.com.np
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: All
Services Offered: Will provide immediate Medical aids if required
Price: Free
Partners in Other Areas
Mango Tree
Contact: Devendra Babu
Phone: 9808366861
Website: www.mangotree.com.np
City: Lamjung
Address: Chiti VDC 6, Mango Hill Cl, Chiti
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/8SOFr
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 2
Business: Adventure and Permaculture
Services Offered: Food, accommodation, travel and some adventure
Price: Ask when you contact them
Star View Guest House
Contact: Amanda Summers
Phone: 9849930812
Website: http://Changunarayan.info
City: Changunarayan/Bhaktapur
Address: Changu Narayan Temple Village 1 changunarayan road, Bhaktapur
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/8mnfF
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: One free night stay. Food extra
Business: Guest House
Services Offered: One night free accommodations
Price: Free
Hotel Everest View
Contact: Sonia Miyahara
Email: hoteleverestview@gmail.com
Phone: 9860601009
City: Syangboche/Everest region
Address: Lukla – Shyangboche Marg, Khumjung 56000
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ecvQhLNrDYK2
Website: www.hoteleverestview.com
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: any
Services Offered: Can provide heavy discounts on room rates and Everest region trek
Price: TBD
Barahi Jungle lodge
Contact: Varun Kumar
Email: Varun@barahi.com
Phone: 9802050448
City: Chitwan
Address: Megauli, Chitwan, 97761
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/D2sEsLsvHAF2
Website: www.barahijunglelodge.com
Number of Bloggers to be Accommodated: 2 twin sharing rooms
Services Offered: Can provide rooms on AP basis for 4 bloggers
Price: Free
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#NepalNow Partner Business Map
To use the map, click on any pin to view that business’s details. Click on the hamburger menu symbol in the top left corner of the map to view a list of all businesses.
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Thank you for your help with the #NepalNow campaign. You can submit links to blog posts you have written through this form so we can include them in our final report and share them with our supporters.
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