Nepal Safety

We are considering going to Nepal but read the US warning posted in May on www.state.gov concerning safety especially in Katmandhu. Is anyone there now who can communicate what is really happening?

Thanks.

Jeff

Nepal Safety

Hi Jeff

I was in Nepal for 2 months until end of May. There was absolutely nothing to concern me over safety. Spent time in Kathmandu and felt perfectly safe roaming around after dark in the touristy areas etc. Same in Pokhara.

Things may change in November when the 8 party coalition is expected by the people to deliver some results.

We experienced one road block by Maoists (They basically paralysed the city by blocking all major thoroughfares in the city) and they do like burning tyres in the road. We actually stood at a roadblock as they turned traffic around. They were assertive but in no way aggressive. Nepali people are very tolerent and accepting in general and this was just dealt with, by complying - not confronting.

Read about the latest in The Kathmandu Post at http://www.kantipuronline.com/ktmpost.php

The Post is the daily English language newspaper which I read religiously every day to keep abreast of a very interesting political situation.

In short, I would go!!

Nepal Safety

I was in Nepal in April for one month and I am about to go back in three weeks and stay for two months. I am a single, female traveler. I keep in close contact with both American friends there and many Nepali friends. I have been told to be careful in the Terai region right now. The last poster is correct - most of this is just a pain in the neck, BUT accidents can happen and this is the most volatile area right now. Maoists are not the only problem; many smaller groups are beginning to emerge and protest in Nepal. I am not going to name these groups because I know some of the people in them and they are not a part of this problem. Do not travel alone and do not walk around at night alone. You will be perfectly fine. Nepalis are the most friendly people in the world, I think.

I was planning on heading up to Pokhara then on to Kathmandu after a few weeks around nothern India in October, until I realized I%26#39;d be there in the middle of elections.

Anyone know exactly when the elections take place and how safe Pokhara %26amp; Kathmandu will be in November??

Thanks

Tony

Hi Jeff.

I spent three weeks in Nepal with a group of ten people. I can only speak of my experience but I felt %26amp; witnessed no hreat to travellers safety. Kathmandu was awsome %26amp; as long as you use common sense, just like if you were travelling anywhere else, you should be fine.

hi we went to nepal in April we took to kids 10 %26amp; 12 stayed in Kathmandu and chitwan

and its waas graet the maoists were just settling down since then they have kicked the king out for various reasons reading the local papers in the moring is very interresting regarding is non payment of electricity bills etc , it is a great place to go for culture etc we even watched a very large but happy maoist parade through the streets

keep in touch with reading the nepal news papers which can be read on line before you go i would love to go again

but i worry about the locals who live on the land in shacks etc may hace suffered in the recent flooding there poor people they only live from the land and may have suffered with the floods there

have fun

i have an eamil of a local man who helped us if you are interested in asking him about the safettly there i can email him for you

I have just come back from Nepal and spent time in Kathmandu and Pokhara, as a single female traveller i never felt there was anything to worry about, in fact Nepal is probably the friendliest country i have ever travelled to.

Absolutely agree with other comments. I%26#39;ve just arrived here now and the security presence is massively reduced compared with last year, when I was here at the height of the troubles - at that time the army imposed a curfew and we had to walk to Pokhara airport (free extra trek!), plus in Kathmandu one day we weren%26#39;t allowed out of the hotel (luckily we were staying somewhere with a decent sized garden!).

That was in April 2006, when the troubles were at their worst (all European governments were strongly advising against travel here), and even then never for a moment did I feel unsafe. We saw one instance of tyres burning, and a Maoist demonstration, but it was no different to a political protest anywhere else in the world.

Kathmandu in general one should be wary - if you%26#39;ve ever been to a large Indian city, you%26#39;ll know what to expect. Don%26#39;t trust anyone at the airport and use your common sense. It%26#39;s not so much the threat of violence, more just scams and pickpockets. The latest (I suspect) is that the taxi drivers put the single ATM machine out of action at Kathmandu airport, so you turn up, and have no cash. Of course, for some USD they%26#39;ll take you to an ATM. Even the prepay taxi service at the airport is a bit of a rip off - if you can walk down to the airport gate, a two minute walk, hop in a cab there and pay about 2-250r into Thamel.

Outside of Kathmandu one rarely experiences any hassle, except perhaps a few Tibetan refugee women selling tat in Pokhara, and in the mountains people are great. Remember that tourism is the only way most people here make money, and the industry has been wiped out by the security situation. Come, visit the rooftop of the world and spend some dollars up in the hills (large pot of tea and fried tuna momos would be my tip!).

Best wishes,

Sam Crawley

I have just returned from Nepal, and I had no problems whatsoever except the strikes (not only Maoists) delaying transportation. I have visited Nepal twice this year and have spent several weeks there with my Nepali friends. First of all, the Maoists have no desire to bother tourists. In fact, when they block the roads, they, as in my case, yelled to others to ';let the tourist bus through!!!'; over and over. They tried to get our bus through but were unable.

One other thing. I have several Tharu friends (those that live in the area of the Terai) and they are the kindest people on earth. The only ones having problems in Nepal are in the eastern part of the Terai and they are fighting amongst themselves. Even this fighting is slowing down.

Chitwan and Pokhara and Kathmandu are perfectly safe for tourists. I don%26#39;t know why anyone would spend more than 2-3 days in KTM, however, as it is overrun with tourists and very hard to navigate. I never think of this area as the ';true'; Nepal. Visit the village areas and see the people who are largely unaffected by tourism. It will change your life. They love to see foreigners and have the most incredible hospitality I have ever come across.

In conclusion, Nepal is safe, and I advise you to take walks up the foothills and get away from the tourist areas!

p.s. you will need a guide for these walks into the village areas and remote areas; very few speak English and the trails are known to onlly certain GOOD guides

carla miller

Nepal has witnessed 35% growth in arrival of the tourists in last seven months in 2007. This growth in tourist arrivals has been possible due to cooperation from Nepal loving tourists and ongoing peace process ratified by major political parties started since last year.

The Government of Nepal has also assured the industry that it would not leave any stone unturned at this stage to provide appropriate security. In order to orchestrate the sentiment in reciprocation, the entrepreneurs have shown great enthusiasm to give the tourists best time in Nepal with all possible hospitality and humility.

All the tourism establishments are hence, running in complete normalcy. We would like to welcome all tourists in Nepal in this autumn season in view of overwhelming bookings received so far known through private sectors.

Don%26#39;t go to Nepal right now its a waste of money and great uprising seems to be on the cards. In the festival time which falls on mid october you will find it difficult to get even the emergency services like hospital, taxi or others. The agitation and the riotings are due to begin after the govt. has announced postponment or even worse cancellation of the polls. It has become no mans land. You will experiance abscence of government.