Published: January 28, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Nepal Travel Advisory and Nepal International Travel Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu:
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.
Hours of Operation: 0800-1700, Monday - Friday
Embassy Operator: +977-1-423-4000
24/7 Marine Security Guard Post One: +977-1-423-4100 or 3100.
Nepal’s OSAC Country Chapter meets annually. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Nepal Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Nepal due to the potential for isolated political violence.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal.
The crime emergency line in Nepal is 100. Review the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Much of the criminal activity affecting Nepal is street crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing. Expatriates are potential targets due to their perceived wealth and possible lack of area expertise and security awareness. The welcoming and kind nature of Nepalis can often give people a false sense of security and make them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous actors.
Burglary and violent crime (e.g., assault, murder) occasionally occur throughout the country. Firearms are not common, but criminals use them occasionally; the use of edged weapons and acts of physical assault are more common. Homemade guns are also common as the only citizens who are legally allowed to own them are current/former military and police. While foreigners can be targets of violent crime, particularly in the common nightlife areas, travelers can manage most risk through good procedural and personal security practices.
Be aware of your surroundings. Foreigners have occasionally had sedative drugs added to their food or drink by individuals who seek to rob or otherwise take advantage of them.
In recent years, there appears to have been an increase in traditional criminal activities by organized criminal gangs, such as smuggling and targeted assassinations of business or labor leaders. These activities usually target Nepali citizens and residents.
Crime: Areas of Concern
Areas associated with substantial tourist activity are also areas of concern for criminal activity, particularly in Kathmandu’s Thamel neighborhood, the city of Pokhara, and the Annapurna region.
While not common, sexual assaults against foreigners have been reported, including in popular tourist areas of Kathmandu and Pokhara, and in remote mountainous areas.
Adventure travel such as trekking, rafting, and climbing in the Himalayas has significant security and safety concerns due to the nature of the activities, the likelihood of isolation, and the consistent lack of a timely emergency response. Opportunistic crime is also a concern. Travelers interested in engaging in adventure travel should only do so through reputable organized groups and/or reliable companies that provide an experienced guide and porters who can communicate in Nepali and English. As of April 2023, the Government of Nepal has instituted a national law that required foreign independent travelers (FIT) to use a local guide or porter while trekking in Nepal’s official national parks and protected areas. The majority of serious and deadly situations that have occurred while trekking was from solo trekkers.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
While kidnapping and human trafficking does occur in Nepal, these activities usually target Nepali citizens and residents.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal.
Terror attacks in Nepal have significantly reduced since the civil war ended in 2006. However, due to the open-border policy with India and few immigration controls, terrorists have used Nepal as a transit point in the past, with the majority of terrorism related activities being domestic and targeting host nation government.
Indigenous guerilla groups have been responsible for a number of terrorist acts in the past, many of which have relied on placements of small-scale improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The use of explosives has been a common tactic of political competition, workplace disputes, and extortion in Nepal. Every year, authorities attribute a number of small bombings in various locations throughout the country to the Biplav Group. The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN, commonly known as “Biplav”) is a political faction that split from the former Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) in 2015. During the 2019 by-elections, Biplav organized multiple nationwide protests, which were usually accompanied by IED attacks and other forms of violence.
Biplav’s use of IEDs – even as hoaxes – is now on the decline, though these methods of political activism are still capable of causing collateral harm. After the uptick in violence in 2019, government efforts to neutralize the group reduced its capacity. In March 2021, the group signed a peace accord with the government, further decreasing the number of IED incidents.
Not all incidents have involved functional devices, with some appearing to have failed to detonate and others clearly built as hoaxes designed to spread fear or send a message. Most IEDs do not appear to target maximizing deaths or injuries. Rather, the use of IEDs in Nepal is predominantly to damage property, detonating away from crowds and at off-hours. Future attacks are likely to remain focused on publicly accessible government and commercial infrastructure. However, three IED explosions in Kathmandu in May 2019 did result in several deaths and numerous injuries.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Nepal held its general election in November 2022. Despite the limited and sporadic violence that occurred during and after the 2019 elections, the 2022 elections were relatively peaceful. After power sharing talks between the Democratic Alliance broke down on December 25, 2022, CPN chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal was chosen as prime minister with the majority of Parliament’s support.
After several weeks of advance notice, Nepal banned several large social media platforms on September 4, 2025. Nepal’s ban was part of a wider government attempt to manage the content being displayed on social media apps, and required companies interested in continued access in the country to submit applications prior to an August 28, 2025, final deadline. These applications included Meta’s WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram; Alphabet’s YouTube; X; Reddit; and LinkedIn.
On September 8, 2025, tens of thousands of people—made up mostly of younger individuals—began to protest throughout Nepal, with the largest groups found in and around Kathmandu. Because of the younger age range of the protestors, the demonstrations quickly developed the moniker of “Gen-Z Protests.” Participants were protesting against the social media ban, but also government corruption and “political failure.” At least 19 people were killed by live fire from law enforcement, with over 300 injured. The social media ban was lifted late on September 8, but several thousand stormed the parliament building and set fire to it, along with the presidential palace and several homes of members of congress. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following the protests.
The 2026 Nepal general election will be held on March 5, 2026, to determine the 275 members of the house of representatives.
The potential for isolated political-related violence remains a real risk in Nepal. There are occasionally small-scale improvised explosive device (IED) incidents in various parts of Nepal, particularly during periods of heightened political tension. Reported incidents have not been directed toward Westerners or Western interests but have caused injury and damage to nearby individuals and property. The Embassy is also aware of extortion attempts and threats of violence by a local group against private businesses and aid organizations, including local and international schools within the Kathmandu Valley. Historically, violent political activity has been more prevalent in the Terai – the southern plains region of Nepal bordering India – than elsewhere in Nepal. Demonstrations have on occasion turned violent, although these activities generally have not been directed at U.S. citizens.
Protests & Demonstrations
Bandhs (general strikes) were formerly a common form of political agitation in Nepal but have occurred only infrequently in recent years. Bandhs are unpredictable, may include violent incidents, and can occur with little notice. They can cause schools and businesses to close and can stop traffic. Individuals not complying with bandhs may be harassed, and in extreme cases assaulted, by supporters. If you plan air travel to or from Nepal during a scheduled bandh, please note that transportation may be affected. Usually, bandh organizers allow specially marked buses operated by the Nepal Tourism Board to travel between the airport and major tourist hotels. Do not attend or approach political demonstrations or checkpoints established during bandhs. Avoid all unnecessary travel where bandhs are occurring.
Review OSAC’s report: Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Nepal is generally friendly and welcoming to U.S. and Western visitors. However, domestic political messaging does occasionally propagate conspiracy theories surrounding U.S. foreign aid programs and accusations of Western imperialism. In 2021-2022, there were dozens of peaceful protests against U.S. activities in Nepal. Several large demonstrations occurred in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy; at least one resulted in a physical confrontation between demonstrators and local police.
Law Enforcement
The Nepal Police (NP) and the Armed Police Force (APF) are the primary police agencies. The NP wear blue marked uniforms and are routinely seen directing traffic and patrolling streets. They are the primary criminal investigative agency for law enforcement. The APF usually wear blue camouflage and are often seen providing security for government or critical infrastructure facilities. The APF would be the responding agency in the case of an emergency. The APF do not have arrest authority and cannot conduct a criminal investigation. Victims of crime must contact the NP to file a report.
Security personnel have been accused of using excessive force in controlling protests in recent years have not faced much accountability, nor did most human rights violators during the 1996-2006 civil conflict.
Police Response
A lack of resources and training hinders security and law enforcement agencies, as do varying levels of professionalism. Response to a crime may take an extended period or may not occur at all. Many criminal cases reported to the police remain unresolved.
U.S. citizens harassed or detained by local police should contact the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section/American Citizen Services at +977-1-423-4000. For assistance after-hours, ask for American Citizen Services when prompted by the Marine Security Guard at Post One.
Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and customary international law, an arrested U.S. citizen has the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy, and have communications forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.
U.S. victims of crime should dial 100. The individual should also report the incident to the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section/American Citizen Services. Download the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Reach the Nepal Police’s Tourist Division at +977-1-424-7041/+977-985-128-9444 or dial 1144.
Reach the Nepal Tourism Board at +977-1-425-6230, +977-1-425-6216, +977-1-425-6229, or +977-1425-6909.
Reach the Nepal Police Operation Center’s 24-hour line at +977-1-441-1549 or +977-1-441-2780.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Traveling Nepal’s roads remains one of the country’s greatest risks to the safety of travelers; in general, they are in poor condition and lack basic safety features, resulting in significant numbers of accidents and fatalities. Many roads outside Kathmandu are narrow, unpaved mountain lanes. During monsoon season, rain and mudslides often wash away sections of road. Congested roads strain to support heavy truck and bus traffic. Many drivers may have little regard for safety. Serious accidents happen frequently on rural roads due to hazardous conditions, the poor mechanical state of most vehicles, and a lack of adherence to traffic rules. When accidents occur, they can be catastrophic due to bus overcrowding and the lack of guardrails and other safety equipment on the mountainous roadways.
Driving in Kathmandu can be dangerous. Motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and animals—all traveling at different speeds—congest narrow roads. Authorities regulate traffic poorly. The volume of vehicles on the roads has increased significantly in recent years. Drivers often ignore traffic lights, signs, and traffic control officers even in the most congested sections of downtown Kathmandu. Many drivers lack proper licensure and training, and drive poorly maintained, aged vehicles.
Deaths from motorcycle accidents have risen dramatically in recent years, including urban areas within Kathmandu. Avoid riding motorcycles in Nepal, particularly on highways; and always wear a helmet.
Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are nonexistent in some areas, resulting in pedestrians frequently walking in the roadways. Poor lighting can make nighttime driving particularly dangerous. Avoid nighttime road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley and minimize nighttime travel within Kathmandu because of insufficient street lighting and hazardous road conditions.
In general, drivers do not yield the right of way to pedestrians; pedestrians account for a considerable portion of traffic fatalities in Nepal. Demolished walls and building facades litter many roadways, forcing pedestrians further into the street and into the flow of traffic.
For more information, review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Public transportation vehicles have questionable safety measures. They are often overcrowded and operated carelessly. Long-distance buses often drive recklessly, and bus accidents involving multiple fatalities are not uncommon. It is dangerous to travel on the roofs of buses as live electrical and other communications wires hang low in many places. Traffic police also impose fines and detain individuals for riding on the roofs of buses. Avoid public buses and microbuses.
Taxis are a safer and more convenient alternative to buses; travelers should select those that appear in good working condition. Almost all taxi drivers in Nepal insist on negotiating the price of the trip in advance, even if the taxi has a meter installed; travelers should insist on the use of a meter or negotiate a fare in advance. Online apps for taxis, such as Pathao and inDrive, are widely used and have the ability to log and track your drive adding an additional layer of security.
Aviation Concerns
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the only international airport of Nepal. Weather can often delay domestic flights, particularly in mountainous areas. Airport security and screening at some of the domestic terminals can be rudimentary at best. The majority of aviation incidents have been related to the challenge posed by Nepal’s geography and climate. Flights landing in smaller, more remote airports in Nepal may encounter quickly changing weather and other adverse conditions.
Domestic air safety is a concern. In recent years, there have been a number of fatal plane crashes on domestic routes in Nepal, including some crashes in which U.S. citizens have been killed. Nepal’s mountain airports, including Tenzing-Hillary Lukla (LUA, the airport nearest to Mount Everest) and Jomsom (JMO), are notoriously dangerous due to challenging weather and terrain. Although Nepali domestic flights are insured, payments to the families of victims of a plane crash are minimal. Domestic air travelers may want to consider flight insurance that will cover domestic flights in Nepal before leaving home.
As a result of Nepal’s poor aviation safety record, since 2013 the European Union (EU) has banned all Nepali airlines from flying into or within EU countries. As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Nepal, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. This ban has still not been lifted despite significant advancements in safety which has resulted in its ICAO USOAP scores improving from 47.0% Effective Implementation (EI) in 2009 to 6.8% in 2017. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
On January 15, 2023, Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 occupants. It was Nepal’s worst aviation accident in 30 years, and reflective of larger trends in Nepal’s transportation security. A World Bank study claims that the high accident rate of Nepal’s aviation sector can be attributed to an absence of a well-functioning accident investigation system, hindering the application of lessons-learned. The study called Buddha Air an operator of “high safety standards,” Yeti Airlines an operator “with moderate risk,” and Tara Airlines “must be associated with significant safety risk.”
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights
Maritime Security
Maritime security is not a concern in landlocked Nepal.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Nepal review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal.
Human rights organizations have documented some abuses by members of the security forces, some arbitrary detention, some restrictions on free expression and assembly, and reports of significant acts of corruption.
The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption. During fiscal year July 2021 – July 2022 (latest report available), the Commission for the Investigations of Abuse of Authority filed 114 cases of bribery against 443 individuals. Corruption remained a problem within police, the Armed Police Force, and local governments.
Health Concerns
The emergency line in Nepal is 102. Although availability of medical care has improved within the Kathmandu valley, outside the valley, it is limited and generally not up to Western standards; medical facilities are often overwhelmed because of insufficient resources. Local medications are of varying quality, and supply is not always sufficient. Clinics and hospitals in Kathmandu can address some routine medical complaints and can perform basic emergency surgeries. Serious illnesses, however, often require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility in a neighboring country. If a patient needs to be transported by helicopter due to injury or illness, it is best to have some type of documentation for medical evacuations or travel insurance that covers it; without confirmation of payment, the patient will not be transported, which causes issues for unconscious individuals.
There is minimal mental health care available in Nepal. U.S. citizens with mental health problems are generally stabilized and transported to the United States or to another regional center for care.
Emergency medical services, especially in public hospitals, are of poor quality compared to that available in the United States. Ambulances are widely available in major cities, but often consist only of a van with stretcher and driver, and do not generally have any medical equipment or personnel onboard. Training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards and is dependent on the quality of hospital from which the ambulance is dispatched.
Some clinics and hospitals in Kathmandu accept credit card payment, but others accept only cash. Prepare to pay bills in full before treatment, or before discharge from an in-patient facility. Consult with your medical insurance company prior to travel to Nepal to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and will cover emergency expenses.
Serious illness or injury may require international medevac to the nearest adequate medical facility—normally Singapore, Bangkok, or New Delhi—or to the United States.
Stray animals are common on the streets of Kathmandu and at popular tourist sites. Visitors should be aware that stray animals may be infected with rabies. The CDC’s Preventing Dog Bites webpage recommends that if you are bitten by an animal, get to a safe place, immediately wash wounds with soap and water, and seek medical attention. Stray animals are more aggressive at night and when it is colder out.
Medevac scams are common in Nepal, particularly for those traveling in the popular trekking regions of Solukhumbu (Everest region) and Annapurna (Pokhara region). Unscrupulous trekking companies and medical providers may pressure trekkers experiencing mild altitude sickness effects to take medevac helicopter flights back to Kathmandu and be transported by ambulance to a hospital, then charged inflated costs to bill insurance companies, with the excess fees split between involved parties. Trekkers themselves are often knowingly involved in these scams. Such activities are illegal in Nepal, but rarely prosecuted and often difficult to discern in advance. Trekkers should use only TAAN-registered trekking agencies and seek information on costs for medical treatment in advance. Travelers should, however, be aware of the life-threatening risks involved with altitude sickness and err on the side of caution when receiving treatment.
Illnesses and injuries suffered while trekking often require a helicopter rescue. For domestic helicopter rescue from the mountain regions to Kathmandu, most private hospitals in Nepal can coordinate this service. You may also contact helicopter companies directly to arrange rescue. Domestic and international air medical evacuations (medevacs) from Nepal only happen during daylight hours. The cost for a helicopter rescue from remote areas to Kathmandu is expensive. For someone without medevac insurance, the treating hospital in Kathmandu can help coordinate, but the patient will have to pay cash before the ambulance will head to Kathmandu. Consider emergency evacuation insurance before any travel to Nepal.
Intestinal tract diseases, including cholera, are present. Food hygiene and sanitary food handling practices are uncommon in Nepal, and precautions should be taken to prevent water and food-borne illnesses. Prudent travelers should avoid raw, green, leafy vegetables during the monsoon season. Malaria and dengue fever is predominantly present in the Terai region, however, recently there has been a significant increase in dengue fever in the Kathmandu Valley.
Cases of scrub typhus have been identified in the areas in and around Chitwan with 246 positive cases in 2025. Scrub typhus is contracted from mites found in tall grass. Avoiding grassy areas and wearing insect repellent can prevent transmission of scrub typhus.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Strongly consider all routine vaccinations prior to travel.
The CDC recommends the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, malaria, typhoid, and Yellow fever.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
There are no specific concerns for traveling to Nepal with medications. All travelers should carry medication in original packaging. Prescription medications should clearly identify the individual for whom they are prescribed.
If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Embassy of Nepal to ensure that the medication is legal in Nepal. Local authorities irregularly enforce restrictions on certain drugs regularly prescribed by doctors in the United States or other foreign countries.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Drink water that you are certain has been boiled or treated with iodine/chlorine; bottled still or carbonated beverages are also safe. Be aware that in remote locations, water bottles are sometimes refilled with tap or stream water. Make sure the seal on the bottle is intact before you open it.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disasters “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal.
Nepal lies on an active fault zone and is considered at high-risk for major earthquakes. In 2015, major earthquakes struck the greater Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions, resulting in over 8,000 deaths and 20,000 injuries. The damage from these earthquakes remains evident around Kathmandu Valley. Another large-scale earthquake would further destroy infrastructure and buildings throughout the country. Emergency services are inadequate to deal with a crisis of this magnitude. Lack of adequate emergency response vehicles, equipment, and medical facilities, combined with building codes that are not strictly enforced, may multiply the extent of possible catastrophic damage from a major earthquake, especially in the Kathmandu Valley.
During the annual monsoon season (June-September), heavy rains can cause flooding. In recent years, the Koshi River in southeast Nepal has been prone to flooding, resulting in a substantial loss of life and property. Travel by road during the monsoon season can be hazardous, as many roads in Nepal are unpaved and can wash away.
Many monsoon-related deaths and injuries are reported each year in Nepal. Monsoon Season, which generally begins in June and ends in September, destabilizes steep slopes and mountainsides throughout Nepal, as well as cause flooding and lightning. Landslides and mudslides caused by monsoons frequently damage trails and roads, injuring or killing passengers in vehicles, and causing road blockages that may take considerable time to repair, stranding travelers. Remote airports in mountainous areas are sometimes closed for multiple days (or even weeks) during inclement weather, which can force travelers to choose between lengthy delays or hazardous roads or trails. Monsoon rains may also complicate efforts to locate U.S. citizens and arrange medical evacuations.
Pollution is a serious health concern, particularly in cities, with the Kathmandu Valley frequently topping global pollution rankings. Many travelers use air masks capable of filtering air particulate during the height of the dry season. Find information on air quality in Kathmandu on the U.S. Embassy’s website, which shows real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings.
Altitude sickness in the Himalayas can affect even the most seasoned climbers and trekkers. In its most severe forms, it is a life-threatening illness. Treat it immediately by descending to a lower altitude and seeking medical assistance. Flying directly to Lukla or Lhasa (in Tibet) brings travelers to high altitudes with no time for their bodies to adjust. Physical training or fitness has no impact on altitude sickness susceptibility. Review OSAC’s report on Traveling in High Altitude.
Nepal offers many exciting outdoor activities that come with a variety of risks. Several tourists have drowned while swimming in Phewa Lake near Pokhara and other lakes in Nepal because of flash floods triggered by monsoon rains, or after becoming entangled in submerged tree branches or roots. Incidents of boats capsizing on choppy water have also occurred. Wear life jackets. Paragliding and ultralight aircraft tourism have become popular in Pokhara, and many new companies offer such services. Weigh the risks involved with paragliding and ultralight aircraft travel; safety standards may or may not follow international best practices. When engaging in adventure activities, Embassy personnel are strongly encouraged to use professional guide services and to carry a Personnel Tracker Locator device. There are also a number of deep and dangerous ravines not clearly visible to pedestrians in Pokhara city, mainly in the outlying areas. Some local residents and foreigners have fallen into these ravines and sustained serious injuries or died.
Diarrhea and other gastro-intestinal ailments are the most common health problems for travelers, especially during the summer monsoon months. Diarrhea is rarely life threatening. However, if symptoms persist or if you have special health concerns, contact a medical professional.
Following the below tips should help prevent gastro-intestinal problems:
- Avoid buying food/beverages from street vendors or other unhygienic establishments.
- Avoid eating raw/undercooked meat/seafood.
- Avoid eating raw fruits/vegetables, unless they have a thick peel and you have peeled them yourself.
Review OSAC’s reports on Earthquake Preparedness and Landslides: What Are They and How to Prepare.
Cybersecurity
In 2019, authorities uncovered a ring of criminals using stolen ATM cards to drain ATMs throughout Kathmandu. ATM card skimming and other forms of electronic bank fraud do occur occasionally in the larger cities of Nepal.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
There are no counterintelligence issues specific to the private sector in Nepal. Exercise good procedural, physical, and cyber security practices.
Import/Export Restrictions
There are no issues with bringing a satellite phone into Nepal, however prior approval for frequency and its use should be obtained from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Nepal restricts the import and export of certain controlled items such as narcotics, radio communication equipment, and firearms. In addition, Nepal prohibits the import of beef and beef products.
Nepal customs regulations are complex. Customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning importation (even temporarily) and exportation of certain items. Do not carry other valuable metals, articles of archaeological or religious significance, wildlife or related items, drugs, or weapons and ammunition. Do extensive research before importing household pets (including cats and dogs), communications equipment, and other items that might be perceived as sensitive. Drones are strictly regulated throughout Nepal and require special permission from the Home Ministry and other government authorities.
Items purported to be for donation to schools, hospitals, and other social organizations have sometimes been confiscated or cleared only after payment of a significant fine for failure to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Finance. Those wishing to donate items to a charity or any organization in Nepal must obtain prior approval for waiver of the custom fees from the Ministry of Finance by sending a formal request letter (not via email). The request should include detailed information about the items to be imported, as well as the organizations receiving the donations. The Secretary will review the request and refer it to the Ministerial level for final decision and approval. Note that all requests are processed on a case-by-case basis. It is highly recommended that intended recipient(s) coordinate with the Ministry to get requests processed.
Do not carry any amount of pure gold, more than 50 grams of gold jewelry, or more than 100 grams of silver into Nepal. You will be detained, the valuables will be seized, and you will need to pay a fine equivalent to the full value of the items seized in order to be released.
A country-specific listing of goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
