How safe Nepal is right now
Violent crime against visitors is rare in Nepal, and most trips are untroubled. The main risks come from geography: steep roads, monsoon floods and thin air. Petty theft does happen, especially pickpocketing in Thamel and crowded festival squares, and Kathmandu traffic is chaotic for pedestrians.
Politics can also affect travel. In September 2025, youth-led protests over corruption and a ban on social media platforms turned violent in Kathmandu; more than 70 people died, curfews were imposed, and Parliament, government offices and several hotels, including the Hilton and Hyatt Regency, were set on fire. An interim government followed, and national elections on 5 March 2026 were held peacefully. Demonstrations and bandhs (general strikes) can still close shops and stop traffic at short notice. We monitor news daily and adjust routes when needed, but you should also check current advisories from your government before you travel and avoid any crowd gathering near government buildings.
- Use a money belt or front pocket in Thamel, Asan and festival crowds
- Book taxis through your hotel or a ride-hailing app, or agree the fare before getting in
- Ignore unlicensed guides at monument gates and touts offering cheap gems or treks
- Keep photocopies of your ID separate from the originals
- Women travelling alone should choose registered guides and well-reviewed hotels, as in any country
Road safety on hill highways
Road travel carries the highest everyday risk in Nepal. Highways such as the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara are two-lane roads cut into steep hillsides, shared with heavy trucks and buses, and long stretches are under widening works. A 200 km journey takes 6–8 hours. We use private vehicles with experienced drivers, schedule long drives in daylight only, and plan rest stops every 2 hours.
Monsoon rain from June to September brings landslides that block roads for hours or days, and floods can wash out bridges. On 26 August 2026 an outburst flood on the Bhote Koshi in Rasuwa district destroyed bridges, roads and buildings around Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi, cutting road access to the Langtang valley and the Kerung border route to Tibet. Road status in those areas is still changing, so check current status before you travel.
- Wear a seatbelt in every vehicle; front seats always have them, rear seats in newer cars
- Avoid night buses and overnight drives on hill roads
- Allow a spare day before international flights when travelling by road in the monsoon
- Cross city roads at traffic police points, and watch for motorbikes on footpaths
Mountain flights and air safety
Domestic flights save hours but depend on weather. Flights to Jomsom, Lukla and other mountain airstrips fly only in the morning, usually before 11 am, because wind and cloud build by midday; delays of several hours and cancellations are routine, especially in the monsoon and on hazy spring afternoons. The Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu is cancelled whenever cloud covers the peaks, and passengers are moved to the next morning.
Nepal's airlines remain on the European Union's air safety list, which bars them from flying in EU airspace, and the country has had several fatal crashes in recent years; check current status before you travel. We book only established scheduled carriers and helicopter operators, never push pilots to fly in poor weather, and keep a buffer day after any mountain flight. Choose the earliest flight of the day, which is the least likely to be delayed.
Altitude basics for tours and yatras
Most of a standard tour stays below 2,600 m, where altitude sickness is uncommon: Kathmandu is at 1,400 m, Nagarkot 2,175 m and Chandragiri hill 2,551 m. The Muktinath yatra is different. The temple stands at 3,710 m, and acute mountain sickness (AMS) can begin above about 2,500 m, especially for those who fly straight in or arrive by helicopter.
Early AMS feels like a hangover: headache, nausea, tiredness, poor sleep and loss of appetite. We plan Muktinath with a night at Jomsom (2,720 m) rather than at the temple, keep the visit to a few hours, and ask guests to walk slowly and drink 3–4 litres of water a day. Anyone with worsening headache, breathlessness at rest or confusion must descend at once. People with heart or lung conditions, high blood pressure or pregnancy should get medical advice before going above 3,000 m, and should not take high-altitude helicopter flights without it.
Food, water and air quality
Stomach upsets are the most common health problem for visitors. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Nepal. Use bottled water with an intact seal, filtered water from refill stations in hotels and Thamel shops, or a bottle with a filter. Eat freshly cooked hot food, peel your own fruit, and be careful with salads, cut fruit and ice at street stalls. Dal bhat from a busy local restaurant is usually a safe choice, because it is cooked fresh and eaten fast.
Ask your doctor about hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, and keep routine vaccines up to date. Dengue has spread in Kathmandu and the Terai since 2019, peaking from August to November, so use repellent by day. Kathmandu's air quality is poor from December to May, when dust and smoke build up; people with asthma should carry inhalers and an N95 mask for traffic-heavy streets.
Travel insurance worth buying
We ask every guest to carry travel insurance, and it matters more in Nepal than on a typical beach holiday. A helicopter evacuation from the Muktinath area or a trek to a Kathmandu hospital can cost several thousand US dollars, and hospitals usually require a payment guarantee before treatment.
Read the policy for these points: medical treatment and hospital stay; emergency evacuation, including helicopter rescue up to the highest altitude on your plan; adventure activities you will do, such as rafting, bungee or paragliding, which many policies exclude; and trip delay or cancellation caused by weather, strikes or flight disruption. Indian insurers sell Nepal travel cover for a week from a few hundred rupees, but cheap policies often exclude altitude and adventure, so check the wording before you buy.
Emergency numbers and hospitals in Kathmandu
Save these numbers before you arrive. The Tourist Police have English-speaking officers and offices in Thamel and at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, as well as in Pokhara. Ambulance response in Kathmandu traffic can be slow, so for non-critical cases a taxi or your tour vehicle is often faster. Our team can direct you to the nearest suitable hospital at any hour.
For travellers, three private hospitals in Kathmandu are the usual first choice. CIWEC Hospital in Lazimpat specialises in travel and altitude medicine and runs a 24-hour emergency department. Norvic International Hospital in Thapathali is known for cardiac care, and Grande International Hospital in Dhapasi offers a wide range of specialities and intensive care. Payment is usually needed upfront or through your insurer's guarantee. Numbers and services change, so check current status before you travel.
| Service | Number or location | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Police | 1144 | Theft, scams, lost documents, help in English |
| Police | 100 | Crime, road accidents, emergencies |
| Ambulance | 102 | Medical emergencies |
| Fire brigade | 101 | Fire |
| CIWEC Hospital | Lazimpat, Kathmandu | Travel medicine, altitude illness, 24-hour emergency |
| Norvic International Hospital | Thapathali, Kathmandu | Cardiac and general emergency care |
| Grande International Hospital | Dhapasi, Kathmandu | Multi-speciality and intensive care |
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Questions travellers ask
Is Nepal safe to visit now?
Yes, Nepal is generally safe for tourists in 2026, and violent crime against visitors is rare. After the deadly September 2025 protests, national elections in March 2026 were held peacefully and the situation has been stable. Demonstrations and strikes can still occur at short notice, and monsoon floods affect some regions. Check current advisories from your government before you travel and avoid large gatherings.
Is Nepal safe for Indian tourists?
Yes. Indian tourists visit Nepal in large numbers and generally face no particular risks beyond those for any traveller: hill roads, monsoon landslides, altitude at Muktinath and stomach upsets. Indian nationals need no visa, use a passport or voter ID, and pay in rupees widely. Save the Tourist Police number 1144, carry ID at all times, and check current advisories before you travel.
What are the emergency numbers in Nepal?
Nepal's main emergency numbers are Police 100, Fire 101, Ambulance 102 and Tourist Police 1144. The Tourist Police have English-speaking officers in Kathmandu and Pokhara and help with theft, scams and lost documents. In Kathmandu, a taxi to a private hospital is often faster than an ambulance in heavy traffic. Save the numbers in your phone before you arrive.
Which is the best hospital in Kathmandu for tourists?
CIWEC Hospital in Lazimpat, near Thamel, is the most common choice for tourists, with travel and altitude medicine specialists and a 24-hour emergency department. Norvic International Hospital in Thapathali is known for cardiac care, and Grande International Hospital in Dhapasi is a large multi-speciality hospital. All usually require payment or an insurer's guarantee before treatment, so carry your policy details.
Is tap water safe to drink in Nepal?
No. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Nepal, including Kathmandu hotels. Drink sealed bottled water, filtered water from refill stations, or water treated with a filter bottle or purification tablets. Use treated water to brush your teeth if your stomach is sensitive, and avoid ice and raw salads at street stalls. Hot tea and boiled drinks are safe.
Will I get altitude sickness in Kathmandu?
Altitude sickness is very unlikely in Kathmandu, which sits at about 1,400 m, or at Nagarkot (2,175 m) and Chandragiri (2,551 m). The risk begins above about 2,500 m and becomes real at Muktinath (3,710 m) and on treks. Symptoms include headache, nausea and poor sleep. Climb gradually, drink plenty of water and descend if symptoms worsen.
Are domestic flights in Nepal safe?
Domestic flights in Nepal operate in difficult mountain terrain, and the country has had several fatal crashes in recent years; Nepali airlines remain barred from EU airspace. Most scheduled flights, such as Kathmandu–Pokhara, operate without incident. Book established carriers, take morning flights, accept weather cancellations without pressure, and keep a buffer day. Check current status before you travel.
Is it safe to travel in Nepal during monsoon?
Travel during the monsoon, June to September, is possible but needs flexibility. Landslides block highways several times a season, floods can destroy bridges, as on the Bhote Koshi in August 2026, and mountain flights are often cancelled. Kathmandu sightseeing remains workable. Travel in daylight, keep spare days, follow local advice on closed roads and check current status before you travel.
Do I need travel insurance for Nepal?
Yes, we strongly recommend it. Choose a policy covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation including helicopter rescue up to your highest altitude, any adventure activities such as rafting or bungee, and trip delays from weather or strikes. Helicopter evacuation alone can cost several thousand US dollars. Many low-cost policies exclude altitude or adventure sports, so read the wording carefully.
