Nepal is generally considered safe for tourists and they can have incredible experiences traveling in this Himalayan Country. Like every other location, there can be some minor inconveniences but in general traveling to Nepal is safe. Nepal is the perfect destination for traveling. Whether you want a luxurious traveling experience and go for sightseeing around or looking for an adventurous trip, Nepal offers both.
The atmosphere in the country is peaceful and people are calm. You will find the most hospitable people in Nepal who will always look after you. Many people even go for solo trips in Nepal. The natural beauty, historical sites, and preserved culture has managed to capture the attention of travelers worldwide.
While Nepal is safe to travel there are some factors that you should know about, and in this post we will learn about what you should consider while traveling in Nepal and some tips to conclude your journey safely and conveniently.
Factors to Consider When Traveling to Nepal
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can be one of the concerns especially if you are traveling during monsoon season. There are possibilities of landslides along the way, which can cause the trip disruption. Similarly, earthquakes are quite common in Nepal as it lies in a seismically active region. So, it is important to know about the safety procedures if such a situation occurs.
If you select the ideal time for visiting Nepal, then the possibility of occurrence of landslides is minimal. Similarly, you can check the weather conditions and inquire about the road conditions before heading towards your destinations for a secure travel.
Crimes
Nepal is a peaceful country and chances of the occurrence of violent crimes are rare. One thing that tourists need to be aware of is pickpocketing especially in the crowded tourist areas. So, store your money in a safe place inside the bag.
Similarly, carry all your belongings carefully and make sure that you won’t drop anything. When you drop something on the way while traveling the possibility of finding it is less. So, to stay on the safe side, it is advisable that you take care of your belongings. You need to make sure that you are traveling on the familiar roads as occurrences of thefts are usually in the unfamiliar paths where there aren’t many people.
Political Situations
Nepal is a peaceful country, but sometimes there can be protests. In older days when such protests could lead to vehicles not operating smoothly. But these days the situation has become much better as protests are non violent and haven’t caused transportation delays as much as it used to in past.
However, sometimes there may be transportation delays because of it. So, it’s better to monitor the situation and make travel plans accordingly so that you can have a smooth journey.
About Adventure Activities in Nepal
It is a known fact that Nepal is known for having exhilarating adventures. Hiking, Paragliding, Bungee Jumping, Zip Lines, Helicopter tours and Trekking are popular adventures in Nepal. When you want to partake in any adventure activities it is important that you choose a reliable company that organizes tours. Usually such adventures are arranged with proper caution while highly prioritizing safety. However, it is always wise to do proper inquiry about what kind of safety guidelines they are following. Paragliding and Bungee Jumping are very popular in Nepal and they are operated while taking care of the safety of the adventurers. Similarly many people also partake in helicopter tours which is exhilarating and intriguing.
For trekking it is always advisable to book a tour with a registered travel agency. They will make good arrangements and you will be accompanied by guides who are proficient in navigation and will take care of your safety throughout the trek. It is necessary to be accompanied by a guide during the treks as traversing in unfamiliar areas needs proper guidance of the experts.
Concerns During Trekking
Trekking and Expeditions are among the major reasons that people visit Nepal. One thing that is a major concern during such adventures is altitude sickness. When you are trekking you will traverse to high altitude zones. So, your body needs to adapt in the high altitude zones in order to complete your trekking smoothly.
When your body can’t adapt to the changing altitudes during trekking then you can experience the symptoms of altitude sickness. So, you need to be aware of the symptoms and also know how your body is reacting to the changing altitude. Some common symptoms of altitude sickness are Headache, Nausea or Vomiting, Having difficulties to sleep, blocked ears, Lack of appetite etc. However, there are also some methods which you can implement to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and they are:
- Trek gradually and don’t over exhaust yourself.
- Maintain proper hydration throughout the journey.
- Eat nutritious food.
- Consider taking medicines which are known for preventing the symptoms of altitude sickness after consulting your doctor about its use.
- Incorporate acclimatization days during high altitude trekking to adapt in the high altitude zones.
Similarly, trekking is usually operated through a reliable travel agency. The guided tours are safe and secure. The guides are professional and have good knowledge in navigation. There are some steep sections which you have to navigate during high altitude adventures like Everest Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek etc. When you are accompanied by guides you will have an enjoyable journey as they will provide their insights on navigation and will take care of you throughout the trek ensuring a secure and joyful traveling.
About Medical Facilities in Nepal
Medical facilities in Nepal can depend upon the place. As it is still a developing country the facilities can be basic when compared to the developed countries but there are also hospitals which provide good medical care. It is crucial that you select an insurance policy that covers the cost of medical bills because of any kind of injuries or illness during the journey. When you select a policy that provides coverage for hospital care you can have a stress free journey and can also get quality care.
How to Avoid Scams?
Usually, when you are walking on the streets of famous tourist areas in Nepal people won’t try to disturb you. Sometimes you may come across people who are genuinely curious and wish to communicate with you about your country and other interesting stuff. However, there may also be some people who will over insist you to buy something while you are walking on the way. It is better to be careful to avoid talking with such people.
If you want to buy something, you can visit the shops and ask about the price first and only make the decision to buy. The best way is to visit many shops and compare the price and then purchase in the place where you get the best deal.
When you are taking taxi services, it is always wise to ask for the price first. These days many reputable companies have created an app which provides taxi services. You may use one of them too, for convenient travel. However, if you want to find a taxi on the way make sure to inquire about the price first and take the ride only after agreeing on the price.
We recommend you exchange money in banks and official exchange counters for better reliability. Another most common thing that you must be aware of is when someone asks for a donation. It can be hard to determine if the donations are for a genuine cause or not. Some individuals may be present in the tourist areas asking for donations. If you want to contribute, it is always a good idea to research first. When you are assured that donations are for a genuine cause then you can contribute according to your wish.
Food and Water
There are many restaurants and cafes in Nepal. Usually, the restaurants in Nepal serve warm and hearty dishes. However, you can check the reviews about the cafes and restaurants that you are visiting for knowing about the experiences of other travelers about the food.
If you are eating in local eateries, it is always better to check the hygiene maintained by the place. If you cannot eat spicy food then you can avoid eating street food that is spicy. In case you want to try it make sure to ask them about the spicy level and ask them to make adjustments if it’s possible. Delicious dishes are available in every type of restaurant in Nepal. However, we recommend eating in popular places where you can feel that hygiene is well maintained so that you will stay healthy throughout the journey.
As for water, it is recommended not to drink water directly from the Taps. Since your stomach is not used to it, there is a probability that you may fall sick. When you purchase mineral water check that the seal isn’t broken. If you are trekking, always make sure to take the guide’s advice about the ways of water purification.
Usually tea houses provide the boiled water during the trek and many trekkers fill the water in their bottles too. So, it is important to be aware about the water that is drinkable during the journey, and take guide advice about its use of purification tablets.
Some Tips for Traveling in Nepal
Research
When you are traveling you must research the place. There are many ways to research. Searching on the web, reading the experience of the travelers who have visited the place and watching videos online to get information about the place will help you make an informed decision. You will get an idea about what the place is like, what is the budget that you need to travel and about overall safety of the place.
Get Travel Insurance
Getting Travel Insurance is important when you are traveling in Nepal. When you have travel insurance, it helps you to be financially protected against the risks that may occur during the journey. The travel insurance has a policy that provides the coverage of the medical expenses because of any kind of illness or injuries during the journey.
Many people visit Nepal for trekking and climbing. While these high altitude adventures are thrilling and exciting, they also involve you walking for the long duration in different rugged and steep terrains of the mountain regions. You can secure yourself financially when you have travel insurance.
If you are visiting Nepal for the high altitude adventures we recommend you to select a policy that provides the coverage for helicopter evacuation in case of emergency situations.
Choose a Reliable Tour Company
Choosing a good tour company is essential for well-managed and organized tours. When you choose a good company it makes your whole experience beautiful. In addition, a good tour company makes sure that you will not miss any special attractions of any place. They will take you to explore the hidden gems of the places too which makes the whole tour exhilarating. Similarly, when you choose a reliable tour company they will make arrangements of everything so you don’t need to worry about anything.
Be well-prepared for emergency situations
You must prepare well for emergencies when traveling. Always carry a personal first aid kit when traveling. First Aid Kit is a necessity when traveling especially during trekking. You should carry a Kit, with medicines such as Pain killers, paracetamols, bandages, antiseptic creams, etc.
Make sure to purchase a sim card, so that you will stay connected. You should also share your travel plans with someone close to you, either your family or friends.
There are emergency numbers and if you are well-informed about the numbers, it will help you get faster assistance in case of emergencies. The emergency number of Nepal police is 100, fire support is 101, and ambulance support is 102. You can find details about the emergency numbers here.
Secure your Accommodation
Securing accommodation is essential during a journey. When you are traveling you will need a good place where you can rest. When you land in the country, if you secure a good accommodation, you can settle your bags quickly and don’t need to spend time while searching for the hotels. Many hotels also arrange the pick up service and will receive you from the airport. So, securing accommodation in advance is better.
If you book the tour with any travel agency then they will make all arrangements from transportation to accommodation making your tour more enjoyable. You will have a guided tour only immersing in the beauty of nature without having to worry about anything.
Final Say
Is Nepal safe to travel? For this query, we already have the exact answer, yes it is safe. There are safety precautions that you should take in every destination and so it is with Nepal. With proper research about the local etiquettes, and following the general safety precautions you will have the best time of your life traveling in this beautiful country.