Summary

Latest update: Summary - travel advice for Nepal amended due to fuel shortages

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the northern parts of the following districts of Nepal (as shown on the map):

• Gorkha (including the Manaslu trekking region)
• Rasuwa (including the Langtang Valley trekking region)
• Sindhupalchok
• Dolakha

Disagreements arising from Nepal’s new constitution have led to protests and strikes in Nepal with many turning violent in the Terai districts, leading to multiple fatalities. Listen to announcements from local authorities and take advice from your tour company.

Protests can occur at short notice and turn violent. Clashes between protesters and police may occur anywhere, including at border crossings. Stay away from protest areas.

Delays at border crossings have caused a severe fuel shortage which is affecting travel and provision of some emergency services. Some airlines have stopped or reduced the number of domestic flights they’re operating in Nepal until further notice. Consult your tour operator or airline before you travel.

Major earthquakes on 25 April (epicentre Gorkha district) and 12 May (epicentre Sinhupalchok district) caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Main roads across Nepal are open, but road conditions are poor.

Nepal is in a major earthquake zone and remains at risk from further earthquakes, aftershocks, landslides and flooding. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake; the risks to personal safety are likely to be higher in the areas to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel.

The monsoon season normally runs from June to September. Flooding and landslides often occur during this time. Road travel anywhere can be hazardous, particularly in rural areas and in those parts of the country to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel. See Natural disasters

Seek local advice from your tour operator, the tourist police or the Nepal Tourism Board on whether it’s safe to travel, particularly on remote trekking routes away from the main roads. Make sure any vehicle you travel in is equipped to deal with the risk of landslides (eg winches, ropes).

Never trek alone. Use a reputable agency, remain on established routes and walk with at least one other person. Take note of weather conditions and forecasts, and come prepared. Altitude sickness is a risk in all trekking regions. See Trekking in Nepal.

All air carriers from Nepal have been refused permission to operate air services to the EU due to safety concerns. See Safety and security

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Around 40,000 British nationals visited Nepal in 2013. Most visits are trouble-free.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel. If you are intending to travel at altitude, check that your insurance policy provides cover.