Roads are changing the trekking experience in Nepal

Nepal is opening up to China with new roads being constructed, in a country where everyone used to walk new highways are being built across the Himalaya. This will ease access and speed egress.And what will be the impact on trekking tourism?

Who want’s to fly halfway round the world to trek beside a highway? The tourists appear to be abandoning some of the trekking routes – perhaps Nepal will find development through trade with China, but the new roads are not necessarily good for tourism.

James McConnachie finds bus passengers praying out loud as they navigate the most notorious new road in the Himalayas. Hear more on BBC Radio 4 listen on line