Nepal

Summary

For entry requirements for Nepal, please contact the Embassy of Nepal, London http://www.nepembassy.org.uk/index.php.

The Irish Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal - please click here for contact details http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=5474.

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Nepal. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Travellers should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

Domestic air travel in Nepal can be dangerous due to the mountainous nature of the country, difficult approaches to airstrips and unpredictable mountain weather. Check weather conditions before travelling with domestic airlines. Information on global airline safety is available through the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s audit (http://www.icao.int/safety/Pages/USOAP-Results.aspx) of aviation safety oversight and also the Aviation Safety network http://www.aviation-safety.net/database/country/country.php?id=9N.

Road travel in general carries risk. The general standard of driving throughout the country is poor and badly regulated. Bus travel is particularly hazardous and multiple-fatality accidents are common. You should avoid travel on overnight buses.

Travel in the rural areas during the monsoon season (June - September) can be hazardous and care should be taken.

Trekking in Nepal often involves travelling to remote areas. It is extremely important that you ensure that your insurance covers you for the altitude that you are due to be trekking at.

Safety and Security

Most visitors to Nepal experience a trouble-free stay.  However crimes such as assault and theft against foreigners in Kathmandu and throughout the country continue to increase.  Pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are common in Kathmandu, particularly in tourist areas. Airports, buses and hotel rooms are also targeted by criminals. Incidents of bag-snatching by motor-bikers are on the rise, particularly in relatively quieter areas of Kathmandu Valley. There are increasing reports of foreigners being injured in the course of such incidents.

Travellers should exercise caution at night as assaults and robberies often occur in the evening in areas that are poorly lit.

Visitors should consider exchanging money only at banks and hotels. Valuables should be stored in hotel safety deposit boxes and should never be left unattended in hotel rooms.

You should exercise caution when entering ‘dance bars’ as some foreigners have been swindled or harassed in some of these establishments. As elsewhere, you should exercise judgement when accepting drinks from strangers, and should not leave your drinks unattended.

Victims of crime should call the Tourist Police in Kathmandu on (+377) (0)1 4700750 or the Tourist Police headquarters on (+377) (0)1 4247041.

There have been reports of trekkers being robbed.  Isolated incidences of rape have also been reported on trekking routes, and female travellers in particular should stay vigilant.

If trekking, you are strongly advised to remain on established routes, and to walk in groups with reputable trekking agencies. We strongly recommend that you do not trek alone and avoid becoming separated from your group.

Air travel
Travellers should be alert to the fact that domestic air travel in Nepal can be dangerous due to the mountainous nature of the country, difficult approaches to airstrips and unpredictable mountain weather.  There have been several fatal accidents involving a number of domestic airlines in recent years in Nepal. 

In May 2012, an Agni Air flight carrying 21 passengers crashed closed to Jomson Airport in northern Nepal killing 15 people.
                                                                                                                                                    In September 2011 a Buddha Air Mount Everest sight-seeing flight crashed in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu. 19 people died in the accident. Similar accidents also took place in August and December 2010 and in 2008.                                                     

Check weather conditions before travelling with domestic airlines. Bad weather conditions can increase the risk to safety and cause lengthy delays. In November 2011, Lukla airport (the access point for the Mount Everest/Khumbu region) could not operate a week due to weather conditions leaving many tourists stranded and missing onward connections.

Information on global airline safety is available through the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s audit (http://www.icao.int/safety/Pages/USOAP-Results.aspx) of aviation safety oversight and also the Aviation Safety network http://www.aviation-safety.net/database/country/country.php?id=9N.

Trekking
Trekking in Nepal often involves travelling to remote areas. The availability of internet and phone services is extremely limited. Treks often take longer than anticipated by several days, and family and friends often become worried if they do not hear from a trekker when expected.

If you will be trekking in Nepal it is extremely important that you ensure that your insurance covers you for the altitude that you are due to be trekking at.

In addition, always use a reputable trekking company as there are a number of rogue guides who have reportedly robbed trekkers. Hire a guide and ensure that your trekking guide or company is registered with the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal, and ensure that the trekking guide or company has registered your trek with the Trekkers Information Management System. Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend and/or family member, as well as to the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi. Never venture from your scheduled itinerary without first advising a friend/family member of your new plans. Ensure that you are aware of the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS)

There have been reports of trekkers being robbed.  Isolated incidences of rape have also been reported on trekking routes, and female travellers in particular should stay vigilant.

If trekking, you are strongly advised to remain on established routes, and to walk in groups with reputable trekking agencies. We strongly recommend that you do not trek alone and avoid becoming separated from your group.

Security
There is a risk of terrorist attacks in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There continue to be isolated incidents of bomb attacks (small improvised explosive devices), shootings and political violence across Nepal, including in Kathmandu. You should exercise caution in public places and take local advice.

On 30 April 2012, a bomb exploded during a political protest in Janakpur, south-east of Nepal, killing four people. A bomb exploded at the entrance to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Kathmandu on 27 February 2012, close to the offices of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and other parts of government. According to local reports, three people have been killed and seven injured. Four explosive devices were detonated between 25 to 28 March 2011 on public buses operating in the Terai region. One person died and 44 people were injured. 

Road safety
Road travel in general carries risk. Traffic in Nepal drives on the left, as in Ireland. The general standard of driving throughout the country is poor and badly regulated. Roads in Kathmandu are very congested. Many drivers are not properly licensed, trained or insured and vehicles are poorly maintained. There are few pavements outside central Kathmandu and motorists do not yield right of way to pedestrians.

Bus travel is particularly hazardous and multiple-fatality accidents are common. You should avoid travel on overnight buses.

Road conditions are generally poor and difficult even in the best of conditions. During the monsoon season (June to September) many roads outside the Kathmandu valley are prone to landslides and become impassable.

Local Laws and Customs

Penalties for drugs related offences are severe. Possession of small amounts of marijuana can lead to a prison sentence in excess of five years, usually after a lengthy and expensive legal process.

You should respect local customs. Women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops in public places where this might be seen as inappropriate. Shoes should be removed before entering certain holy places. Non-Hindus are not permitted in certain temples.

Natural Disasters and Climate

Travel in the rural areas during the Monsoon season (June - September) can be hazardous and care should be taken. Monsoon rains cause flooding and landslides that can cut off some towns and villages for days at a time. You should check access routes before setting off on a journey.

Earth tremors are common in this region and can cause landslides and avalanches in hilly and mountainous areas.

On 5th May 2012 an avalanche / landslide caused flash flooding on the Seti River in the Kaski district north of Pokhara resulting in fatalities. Travellers should be alert to the risk of landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas and alongside river banks.

Additional Country Info

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS
The Irish Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal - please click here for contact details http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=5474.

While the Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal and has responsibility for assisting Irish nationals in times of emergency, other countries with Resident Missions in country may have more up to date travel advice, given their physical presence in Nepal.  

You may wish to review their information also.  Suggested links are provided below. Please be aware that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not in any way responsible for the content contained therein and is also not in a position to endorse or validate any of the information supplied by other governments.

These links are merely intended as helpful suggestions for further research in advance of your trip.   
UK: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.fco.gov.uk/travel)
Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (www.voyage.gc.ca)
New Zealand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.safetravel.govt.nz)
Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.smartraveller.gov.au)
USA: Department of State (http://travel.state.gov/)