Among them, three are British women and twelve domestic tourists. They were stranded in the valley after continuous snowfall from Monday night covered the trekking route while travelling from Mudi, Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi via the Italian base camp to Marpha, Gharapjhong Rural Municipality-2 in Mustang.
They, who are living in the Hidden Valley located at an altitude of 5,100 metres above sea level between Dhaulagiri and Sita Himal, are safe, according to Myagdi's Chief District Officer Badri Prasad Tiwari.
"British tourists who went trekking from the Secret Himalaya Trek and Expedition Travel Agency in Kathmandu requested for arrangements for a helicopter rescue on Tuesday evening as walking was difficult. They were in contact until Wednesday morning and are safe," CDO Tiwari said.
Although efforts were made to send a rescue teams from the district administration offices and security bodies from Myagdi and Mustang, there was problem deploying the teams due to the incessant snowfall.
After it stops snowing and the weather clears, the valley can be reached by land and air. There are no hotels or houses where the tourists are camping.
According to Binaya Lama, manager of Secret Himalaya Trek and Expedition, the three British trekkers Mary Rippe, Caroline Wilson and Emily Cats are in Hidden Valley.
Lama said that the trekking guides have requested via satellite phone for rescue. If the snowfall stops and the weather improves, helicopter sortie can be conducted to the area, and only once the snow melts and the path is visible, can they move towards a safe place. There is no access to mobile and internet services there. (RSS)
