NORWALK, CT — Tauck will be operating all scheduled fall departures of its ‘Northern India & Nepal’ itinerary, beginning with its Oct. 20 tour.

Tauck’s return to Nepal will come some six months after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake caused considerable destruction and garnered worldwide media attention. The April 25 earthquake occurred during Tauck’s March through September off-season hiatus for the itinerary, and the company had been taking a wait-and-see approach with its scheduled departures for the coming fall.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Tauck guests back to Nepal,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Tourism is an important industry in Nepal, and beyond the human and physical toll of the earthquake, a sustained downturn in visitation would compound the tragedy by adding an economic toll.”

According to Mahar, Tauck decided to operate its fall dates as planned following a recent visit to Nepal by Sanjith Mukund, the Tauck Operations Manager who helps oversee the ‘Northern India & Nepal’ itinerary.

Mukund, who has travelled to Nepal nearly a dozen times in recent years, visited 100% of the sites Tauck features during its three-night stay in Kathmandu. According to Mukund, most of the serious damage in the greater Kathmandu area seems to have occurred in the outskirts of the city, in suburbs and in villages, and the most visible signs of damage within Kathmandu itself are modest piles of rubble that should be cleared before Tauck’s return in October.

Dwarika’s Hotel, which accommodates Tauck’s guests during their Kathmandu stay, is fully operational and had already been deemed “safe for full operation and occupancy” by an accredited engineer.