Trekking Agencies Association Nepal (TAAN) has decided to build two porter shelters in the popular Everest trekking route to provide food and accommodation to supporting staffs in cheaper price, Republica daily reported on March 19. The shelters, which will be built in Dingboche (4,410m) and Zongla (4,840m), will also have subsidized canteens where supporting staff can have one meal and accommodation at Rs 150 only. At present, trekking staff are paying as much as Rs 300 per meal. As the shelters provide meal and accommodation to trekking staff in a cheaper price, trekking agents are hopeful that such facilities will eventually make trekking packages cheaper. "The amount trekkers are paying will go down as the cost will be saved after the operation of porter shelter," the daily quoted TAAN President Mahendra Singh Thapa. According to Thapa, Rs 11.5 million from the joint fund will be mobilized for the purpose. The fund is operated jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN and it consists one-third of the amount paid by trekkers as TIMS fee. TAAN plans to build 20 other shelters in Everest, Annapurna, Nar and Phu region in the near future.
