Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Nepal is a welcoming country and most trips go smoothly, but the terrain and infrastructure bring real risks. Road accidents on mountain highways, altitude sickness while trekking, and the monsoon season are the main concerns, and rescue and medical care are limited outside Kathmandu. Take out comprehensive insurance with high-altitude and evacuation cover, use reputable operators, and pace yourself in the mountains.
- Overall
- Welcoming, plan well
- Main risks
- Roads, altitude
- Insurance
- High-altitude cover
- Mountain road accidents are a real risk
- Rescue and medical care are limited outside Kathmandu
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
There are no general no-go areas for tourists in Nepal, and Kathmandu, Pokhara and the main trekking regions are visited safely every year. The bigger hazards are natural rather than criminal: never trek alone, register your route, and turn back if conditions worsen. Some remote border and restricted zones need special permits, and demonstrations can occasionally disrupt cities, so keep an eye on local news.
- Cities
- Generally safe
- Trekking
- Do not go alone
- Permits
- For restricted zones
- Some remote areas need special trekking permits
- Occasional demonstrations can disrupt cities
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Nepal faces several natural hazards. Altitude sickness is a serious risk on treks, so ascend slowly, acclimatise properly and descend if symptoms appear. Nepal sits in an active earthquake zone, as the 2015 quake showed. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings landslides and flooding that can block roads and trails. Plan trekking around the seasons, follow guides, and keep flexible, weather-aware itineraries.
- Trekking
- Altitude sickness
- Seismic
- Earthquake zone
- Monsoon
- Jun-Sep landslides
- Acclimatise slowly and descend if symptoms appear
- Monsoon landslides can block roads and trails
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Tap water is not safe to drink, so use bottled, boiled or filtered water and be careful with ice and raw food; stomach upsets are common. Altitude sickness is a real danger above about 2,500m, so acclimatise slowly. Air pollution in Kathmandu can be heavy in the dry season. Medical care is good in Kathmandu but limited elsewhere, so carry a medical kit and insurance with helicopter evacuation cover.
- Water
- Bottled or treated
- Altitude
- Acclimatise slowly
- Care
- Best in Kathmandu
- Avoid tap water, ice and raw food
- Insurance should cover helicopter evacuation
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, but petty theft, bag-snatching and pickpocketing happen in busy areas of Kathmandu such as Thamel, especially at night. Watch for trekking and tour scams, fake guides and overpriced deals, and only pay for permits through official channels. Keep valuables secure, use ATMs in daytime at banks, and book treks and porters through reputable, licensed agencies.
- Type
- Mostly petty theft
- Scams
- Fake guides, tours
- Book via
- Licensed agencies
- Watch belongings in Thamel at night
- Use licensed agencies for treks and guides
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Nepal is a democratic republic and generally stable for visitors, though politics can be lively, with occasional strikes (bandhs), protests and rallies that may close shops and disrupt transport for a day. These are usually announced in advance and are best avoided by keeping flexible plans. Steer clear of any demonstration, follow local advice, and check your government's latest travel guidance before and during your trip.
- System
- Democratic republic
- Watch
- Strikes, protests
- Do
- Keep plans flexible
- Strikes (bandhs) can disrupt transport for a day
- Avoid demonstrations and follow local advice
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Trekking often requires permits: many routes need a TIMS card and national park or conservation area entry permits, and some restricted areas require a licensed guide, so arrange these through official channels. Drug offences carry heavy penalties. Dress modestly at temples, walk clockwise around stupas, ask before photographing people or ceremonies, and note that killing cows or exporting genuine antiques is prohibited. Respect local customs closely.
- Trekking
- TIMS + park permits
- Drugs
- Heavy penalties
- Respect
- Temples, customs
- Some restricted treks require a licensed guide
- Exporting genuine antiques is prohibited
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
The main emergency numbers are police 100, fire 101 and ambulance 102, plus a tourist police service in Kathmandu, but response times vary and can be slow, especially in rural and mountain areas where operators may not speak English. In practice, contacting your hotel, trekking agency or a private hospital directly is often faster. Save your accommodation, guide and embassy numbers, and note the nearest clinic on treks.
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 102
- Reality
- Use hotel/agency too
- Tourist police operate in Kathmandu
- Response is slow in rural and mountain areas
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for Nepal, and it must specifically cover trekking at the altitudes you plan, plus helicopter evacuation and medical treatment. Standard policies often exclude high-altitude activities, so read the fine print and buy an add-on if needed. Serious cases usually require evacuation to Kathmandu or abroad, which is costly. Carry the insurer's emergency number and your policy details with you.
- Must cover
- High-altitude trekking
- Include
- Helicopter evacuation
- Check
- Altitude exclusions
- Confirm cover for your maximum trekking altitude
- Helicopter evacuation can be very expensive