by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:15 PM ET, Thu August 27, 2026
On the heels of deadly flash flooding in Nepal and Tibet that’s left at least 389 people dead and thousands more missing, tour operators are stepping up to raise funds to help the impacted region.
Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, saying it will dollar match all funds raised up to $72,000. The announcement follows Wednesday's catastrophic flooding event, which destroyed homes, swamped roads and swept away bridges. The flooding left numerous devastated communities in its wake including Timure, Rasuwagadhi, Syabrubesi and the Trishuli River corridor.
The Intrepid Foundation’s emergency appeal is being issued in partnership with Australian Red Cross, which is supporting response efforts on the ground in the region. All funds raised will go towards impacted communities, including emergency shelter support, water sanitation and hygiene, first aid and health services.
Intrepid Travel maintains significant operations in Nepal, including running 26 itineraries in the country and employing a local team of 463 people (office employees, tour leaders, porters and assistant guides). The tour company confirmed today that no Intrepid customers or team members were in the affected regions at the time, and all Intrepid travelers in the country are safely accounted for.
“The scale of this disaster is devastating. Communities across the region are grieving the loss of loved ones while also facing significant challenges in the weeks and months ahead," said Yalamber Rai, general manager, Nepal, Intrepid Travel.
"Support will be critical to recovery efforts, and we are encouraging anyone who is able to donate to the appeal or help spread the word. Together, we can help ensure affected communities receive the support they need during this incredibly difficult time," Rai added.
To donate to immediate humanitarian response efforts, please visit The Intrepid Foundation’s Nepal Flood Appeal.
Separately, tour operator Explore Worldwide has launched a Himalaya emergency appeal through its non-profit, the Explore Foundation.
The foundation is working with the British Red Cross Emergency Appeal, and all money raised will go directly to the Red Cross to support immediate aid efforts, such as rescue teams in Nepal, medical supplies, and clean drinking water.
Similar to Intrepid, Explore has committed to making matching donations. The company said it will match donations up to £5000 (nearly $7,000).
"We’ve already been in touch with our colleagues and tour leaders in
Nepal, and we know some of our tour leaders have been affected by the
disaster," the company said in a statement on its website. "Our personal connection to this wonderful and welcoming
community make this disaster even more pertinent. Any visitor to Nepal
will know what a special country it is – and we hope you’ll be able to
help us support the relief effort."
At least 63 tourists from the U.S. and 25 from Canada were among those missing after the flash flooding, according to Al Jazeera.
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