Female travelers feel unsafe and uncomfortable while traveling to certain countries or parts of those countries. This unfortunately will deter you from making plans for a destination that might be on your bucket list. A woman will get judged by the clothes she wears, her hair color, or tattoos in some countries. So, Is Nepal safe for female travellers?
Sexual harassment of women is pretty common in some countries. All these things can deter a female traveler from taking a solo trip. But is Nepal safe for female travellers? You might wonder. However, you do not need to worry about these issues, if you are traveling to Nepal.
Nepal is completely safe for solo female travelers. You can go trekking, mountaineering, or just travel around Nepal without worrying about your safety. The incredible hospitality of Nepalese people along with the country’s rich culture and natural beauty will enchant you.
Nepal is generally a safe place to visit for everyone at any time of the year. However, like anywhere in the world, all travelers must take some safety precautions to be completely safe. Nepal is a democratic country and safe to travel from social, cultural, political, economic, religious, and all other aspects.
Nepal also has a good reputation for being the safest among other South Asian countries. According to Global Peace Index 2019, Nepal ranked 76th position in peacefulness, out of 163 countries. This is much ahead of neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and behind only Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
Traditional Hindu philosophy, tolerance to other religions and openness to other cultures makes Nepal a safe country for female travelers. Nepalese people also have liberal views which makes them quite open and accepting. Nepal welcomes travelers from all over the world and a large number of those travelers are female.
Read on to know more about is Nepal safe for female travellers and various tips for female travelers in detail.
Is Nepal safe for female travellers?
Communication in Nepal
The majority of locals speak conversational English if not fluent English. Even if the locals don’t, they will try to find someone who can. People are warm and will try to converse with a foreigner with enthusiasm. However, you should be wary of people who try to lure you into various scams and try to take advantage of you in a certain situation.
Local Transport in Nepal
Everyone is quite friendly in Nepal. Men will stand up to give you a seat and if you’re lost the locals will help you without any hesitation. If you want extra comfort, you can always take a tourist bus as well as taxis. You can bargain the price and arrive early if you want to take transit. Overall, you don’t need to buy a ticket beforehand and you can ask someone to help you with routes and destinations.
Accommodation in Nepal
If you are visiting Nepal, you must learn about accommodations like hotels and guesthouses. Likewise, you must check the quality of food and accommodation in the hotel. You should check the reviews of the hotels on trusted apps and websites like Tripadvisor, Trivago, and others.
You can also check the price range and services offered by the hotel. Moreover, you will stay in tea houses along trails in high altitude trekking adventures whereas you will stay in hotels in big cities.
Dress in Nepal
Nepal is a conservative country in its cultural values. However, people are very liberal when it comes to clothing, and there are no hard and fast rules. You can dress however you want. However, you should avoid shorts and sleeveless clothes to any cultural or religious institutions like temples and stupas. A modest way of clothing like jeans and t-shirts are fine.
Feminine Hygiene Products in Nepal
You can find feminine hygiene products throughout Nepal. However, you should carry it along all times during your trek in rural areas. Most public toilets are not sanitary and lack running water and toilet papers. You should include all the necessary items before you start on a trekking adventure
Solo Trekking in Nepal
Nepal is a famous paradise for trekkers. Nepal has many natural destinations in the foothills of Himalayas. A solo trekking trip as a female is not recommended unless you hire a professional guide. A guide is essential in high-altitude treks like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base camp trek, and Kanchenjunga base camp trek and others.
An experienced guide can save you from altitude sickness and other emergencies along the trek. They will also help you in getting the best accommodation facilities. You should only hire a guide after a proper background check and some trekking agencies provide female guides as well.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is an essential part of your safety. Trekking in remote areas comes with risks. Besides that, you can also get cramps, and muscle sprains, and other various injuries during trekking journeys.
There are many adventures like peak climbing, Bungee jumping, paragliding, rafting, and others that also require insurance. You need evacuation or helicopter rescue, which can get quite expensive. Hence, you need travel insurance for your travel.
Crime awareness
Crime awareness is essential if you are traveling solo and spending some time in that place. Although Nepal is safe, there are instances of crimes reported by those who traveled to Nepal. A few crime instances reported in Nepal are as follows:
Sexual harassment:
Some Female travelers have reported sexual harassment in Nepal, but it has greatly reduced. However, Female travelers need to stay cautious at all times and avoid traveling alone at night.
Pickpocketing and thefts:
Theft and picketing are common in crowded places around the world. You should only carry your valuables and keep them close and avoid letting others know what’s inside. You should keep your cash safe and do not show off.
Scammers:
Scammers are everywhere. You need to be alert at all times to prevent becoming a target of scammers, and avoid letting others know about your stuff.
Why is Nepal safe for solo female travellers?
Friendly People
Nepalis greet people with a “Namaste” and a warm smile as they consider their guests as a god. Nepalese people are among the friendliest people in the world and thus travelers keep visiting Nepal time and again. People can get a little personal as they do not understand personal space and it is very common in Nepal.
However, they just want to get familiar with you and you should not get alarmed. Nepal is home to various religions and cultures. The country boasts of different ethnic groups, and their languages. The people are tolerant and respect each others’ culture and religion.
Safe Environment
Nepal is a developing country. Though it lacks basic infrastructure, safety-wise it is one of the best countries to visit. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Nepalgunj are safe cities whereas high altitude rural areas are also safe. However, you should take safety precautions while trekking in the mountains like walking in a group rather than alone, especially for female travelers.
Tourist Police
Nepal Police has a separate unit dedicated to just tourists known as “Tourist Police”. They provide security to tourists traveling to Nepal and their head office remains situated at Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.
There is a complaint station at the Basantapur Durbar Square and Tribhuvan International Airport. The Tourist Police helpline is available 24/7 if you need any help or have any complaint. The Tourist Police’s main objective is to provide safety to tourists traveling, staying, and performing other adventure activities in Nepal. The unit ensures the security and wellbeing of tourists in Nepal.
Solo female travelers can keep Tourist Police numbers with them so that they can feel safe. They are trustworthy and contact them anytime as Nepal Police is one of the respected institutions. The Tourist Police also coordinates with respective country’s Embassies, Consulates, and also informs the family members in case of any emergency to tourists including serious illnesses, natural calamities, and others.
Some Tips For Female Travelers
- Do not leave your valuables in the room, and keep it inside a safe instead.
- Do not travel alone at night in an isolated place.
- If you are a solo female traveler, you should find your accommodation in the Thamel area in Kathmandu. If you are in Pokhara, the Lakeside area, and Sauraha in Chitwan are the best places to stay.
- Note emergency numbers of Nepal Tourism Board, tourist police, Himalayan Rescue Association, and Department of Immigration.
- Carry first aid kits and a pepper spray for safety at all times
- Carry sanitary pad at all times as you may not find them in the higher altitudes and rural areas.
- Keep in touch with your family members
- Purchase travel insurance before visiting Nepal which includes coverage above 4000m in altitude
- Avoid flaunting your cash and showing off
- Always trek in a group or hire a female guide
- Drink Responsibly while enjoying Night Life in Nepal
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The Final Say
Nepal is a great holiday destination known for its incredible hospitality. Nepalese believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava” which means guests are God in Sanskrit. Tourists from different places get enchanted by the amazing views and outstanding hospitality of local people. This makes them come back and explore the country time and again.
Nepal is generally a safe place to travel for all tourists. Female travelers have to be extra cautious and follow certain precautions in Nepal which help the tourists in their adventures. If you are careful and follow the basic rules of traveling, you will be completely safe in Nepal.
Overall, we hope we cleared your doubts on is Nepal safe for female travellers? Contact us for more details regarding your holiday and book your trip now!
