Nepal Earthquake 10 Years Later: Intrepid Reflects on Recovery Efforts

On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, changing the lives of millions in less than a minute.

The historic Gorkha Earthquake devastated the country. Although the area is the most earthquake-prone region on the planet, the intensity was the worst to hit Nepal since 1934. In total, 9,000 people died, 20,000 were injured, and 3.5 million people lost their homes (via CNA).

Today, Nepal stands as a “living case study in resilience,” Intrepid said in a press release. The tourism industry, which was heavily impacted by the earthquake 10 years ago, has seen a remarkable recovery. In 2024, tourism earnings hit a record high, which, according to The Kathmandu Post, “has been a boon for Nepal’s sluggish economic growth.”

Overall, Nepal welcomed over 1.1 million international visitors in 2024, representing a 13% increase over 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Tour operator Intrepid Travel brought a record number of travelers in 2024, surpassing its 2014 number by more than 1,000.

It’s a remarkable recovery, considering the staggering damage the earthquake caused.

“When the earthquake struck Nepal, entire communities lost not just their homes, but their way of life,” said Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. 

The seismic activity wiped out critical infrastructure across Kathmandu, Langtang, and Manaslu, right as Nepal was heading into peak trekking season. Communities that depended on tourism found themselves without homes or a source of income.

Small group and adventure tour operator Intrepid Travel had over 300 travelers and 77 staff in Nepal when the earthquake hit. 

“Despite having 300 travelers scattered across the region, we were able to bring them back and organize repatriation within days,” said Balaram Shrestha, a local leader who is now Intrepid’s contracting manager for Nepal.

Following the disaster, Intrepid’s non-profit arm, The Intrepid Foundation, launched a global appeal for Nepal, raising $253,760 for local non-profits. 

Steadily, the industry rebuilt. Intrepid grew traveler numbers, exceeding pre-earthquake levels by 2017. All the while, the company continued to support long-term recovery—like with the million-dollar Namaste Nepal campaign, in which the tour operator donated all profits from Intrepid’s Nepal trips in 2015 and 2016 to grassroots recovery efforts. 

“Recovery didn’t happen overnight—it was driven by people choosing to visit, support, and stand with Nepal,” said Barnes. “Tourism can be a powerful force for rebuilding, but only if it’s done with the people who live there, not just for the people who visit.”