Travel

Officially the highest country on Earth, lofty Nepal is commonly referred to as the “roof of the world.” That seems like a fitting moniker for this Himalayan nation, where soaring, snow-capped mountains disappear into the clouds like stairways to heaven.

Mount Everest is, of course, the star attraction. Tourists come in their droves to climb, hike and admire the world’s tallest peak, which flirts with the stratosphere at 8,848m (29,029ft).

However, this charming country is much more than just mountains. The birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Nepal is an important pilgrimage site for millions of Buddhists, who come from far and wide to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, a temple complex where Buddha once lived.

Temples are ubiquitous in Nepal, but not just the Buddhist variety; Hinduism has a strong foothold in the country and there are many Hindu temples scattered across the country.

If spirituality doesn’t arouse your interest, the Nepali capital, Kathmandu. should prove a welcome distraction. Encircled by mountains, this beautiful, bustling city stands at a cultural crossroads between India and China. whose influences can be seen in the architecture and tasted in delicious cuisine.

Kathmandu is the entry point for most travellers and is worthy of at least a few days exploration. As well as temples, gardens and a fantastic culinary scene, the city has a lively nightlife, particularly in the district of Thamel, which is a favourite for partygoers.

The city is also a good starting point for travellers venturing into the jungle at Chitwan National Park, a fantastic reserve which is home to Bengali tigers, crocodiles and one-horned rhinos, plus myriad bird species. Phewa Lake is another draw for tourists, as are the hiking trails in the Himalayas.

Wherever you go, though, wide smiles will be there to greet you; Nepalese people are amongst the friendliest in the world and it’s not uncommon to be invited into a strangers’ home for tea.

Sitting on top of the world, Nepal is just one step away from heaven – and for those who have discovered the country’s many charms, it feels like it too.

Last updated: 09 April 2015

The travel advice summary below is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. 'We' refers to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For their full travel advice, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .

Never trek alone. Use a reputable agency, remain on established routes, and walk with at least one other person.

Altitude sickness is a risk, including on the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest Base Camp treks. Read the National Travel Health Network and Centre s advice on altitude sickness .

Accidents happen due to insufficient information, inappropriate equipment or overestimation of your own capabilities. Follow the advice given by local authorities and guides. Ignoring such advice could put yourselves and other mountain users in danger.

The following hazards exist throughout the year, especially above 3,000m:

- sudden weather changes

- avalanches and snow drifts

- landslides and flooding

- glacial crevasses and hollows

- rockfall

- thunder storms and lightning

- altitude sickness

- sun exposure

You should:

• take note of weather forecasts and conditions
• make sure you re physically fit and have the necessary experience
• be in a team of at least 2
• inform someone of your plans
• take warm clothes and wet weather gear
• use sun block (SPF20 or higher) and sun glasses.

Make sure your insurance covers you for your intended activity, including travel above 3,000m, mountain rescue services and helicopter costs.

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) provides live updates on trekking conditions in Nepal. Online weather forecasts are available on the website of the government of Nepal Department Of Hydrology and Meteorology .

Treks can take longer than expected. Flights across Nepal, particularly in high mountain areas, can be delayed due to poor weather conditions. Keep your tour operator, guide and family informed of your situation and travel plans. In remote areas, including long stretches of the Annapurna Circuit trek, mobile phone coverage and internet services are extremely limited. Consider renting a satellite phone.

A valid permit and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card are needed to enter Nepal s main trekking regions. See the Naturally Nepal website

Bus accidents are common. Buses are often overcrowded, poorly regulated, poorly maintained, and driving standards are low. Road conditions are poor, especially during the monsoon or in mountain areas. Avoid travel on overnight buses. Don t travel on overloaded or overcrowded buses. Tourist buses usually offer a higher standard of comfort and safety.

Every year there are a number of fatal bus accidents in Nepal. On 20 November 2015, a local bus came off the road in Jajarkot district, western Nepal. The bus fell into the Bheri river, killing 47 people.

On 24 October 2015, a tourist bus crashed in Nuwakot district, on its way to the Langtang trekking area, killing 14 people including 3 foreign nationals.

On 6 October 2015, a local bus crashed in Doti district, far western Nepal, killing 30 people. The bus was reported to have been carrying three times its permitted weight and the road was in poor condition following the monsoon.

General driving standards are poor. Many drivers are not properly licensed, trained or insured and vehicles, including taxis, are often poorly maintained. There are few pavements outside central Kathmandu and motorists don t yield right of way to pedestrians.

Other road users often ignore motorbikes and bicycles. It s the law to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. You should also wear a suitable helmet when riding as a passenger, and when riding a bicycle.

You must have an International Driving Permit to drive a vehicle in Nepal. Carry your licence with you at all times as well as any vehicle registration documents.

Check weather conditions before travelling. Bad weather conditions in mountainous and hill regions could further increase the risk to your safety and cause lengthy delays. Airfields such as Lukla s are among the most remote and difficult to land on in the world and are a challenge for even the most technically proficient pilots and well-maintained aircraft.

There have been a number of recent air accidents in Nepal.

On 16 February 2015 a Nepal Airlines flight flying from Pokhara to Jumla crashed in western Nepal. 18 people were killed.

On 16 May 2015 a Nepal Airlines flight crashed while landing at Jomsom Airport in nothern Nepal leaving 5 people seriously injured.

On 28 September 2015 a Sita Air Dornier aircraft flying from Kathmandu to Lukla crashed south-west of Kathmandu shortly after take-off. Nineteen people were killed including 7 British nationals. The Air Accident Investigation Commission of Nepal has issued a report of the accident. The report could not determine the exact cause of the crash but made a number of recommendations aimed at improving safety.

On 14 May 2015, an Agni Air flight carrying 21 passengers crashed while landing at Jomson Airport in northern Nepal. 15 people were killed in the incident.

On 25 September 2015 a Buddha Air flight crashed in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu. 19 people died in the accident.

On 15 December 2015 a Tara Air flight crashed in the Okhaldhunga region, east of Kathmandu. 22 people died in the accident.

On 24 August 2015 an Agni Air flight crashed in the Makwanpur region, southwest of Kathmandu. 14 people died in the accident including one British national.

A list of further incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety network .

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

In 2015, an International Civil Aviation Organisation audit of aviation safety oversight found that the level of implementation of the critical elements of safety oversight in Nepal was well below the global average.

The FCO can t offer advice on the safety of every individual airline, but the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list doesn t necessarily mean that it is unsafe.

A number of tour operators have decided to stop using certain airlines due to safety concerns. Specific safety concerns about Sita Air have led a number of tour operators to stop using them.

There s a low rate of serious crime in Nepal.

Watch out for pick-pockets and bag-snatching, particularly in airports, on buses and in areas popular with foreign nationals like Thamel, Sanepa and Kupondol in Kathmandu. Take care when walking around at night. Assaults and robberies are more likely to occur in the evening in poorly lit areas. Avoid walking on your own and don t carry large sums of cash. Keep valuables in a hotel safe if possible.

Bars and restaurants close at midnight. Foreigners remaining in bars and clubs after hours have been detained by the police. Take care when entering dance bars as some foreigners have been swindled or harassed.

Be wary of accepting drinks from strangers, and don t leave drinks unattended. There have been incidents of foreign nationals being sexually assaulted.

Victims of crime should call the Tourist Police in Kathmandu on 01 4700750 or the Tourist Police headquarters on 01 4247041.