National elections are being held May 17. Elections here are often accompanied by unrest, so follow local press reports for areas to avoid. One perhaps unexpected consequence of the vote is the scarcity of guides and porters for trekking companies. Many Nepalis head home to rural villages during elections, not just to vote, but to earn extra money as political workers. The pay is better than in the trekking business. Some trekking companies have been left with virtually no one to staff their trips. Check with your outfitter if you have trekking plans in the weeks following the elections.
