Safety and Terrorism

Hi there!!

We%26#39;re planning on going to Nepal in March / April 2009 for three weeks and would like to visit Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwin. I%26#39;m getting excited about it, but have just gone on the Foreign Office website and it has put me off in terms of the bombs that have gone off earlier this year and the plane crash. I know that plane crashes can happen anywhere and so this is just something I%26#39;ll have to deal with but what is the safety issue in terms of terrorism and bombs.

Many thanks in advance

Sam

Safety and Terrorism

Hello there Love, there are places where large crowds gather to make known their displeasure at how things are run in the country, especially the petrol price hikes etc. Elsewhere, it is comparatively safe in terms of tourists and foreigners as the troublemakers mostly leave us alone.

As in any country just keep away from large crowds and always be on the alert for trouble. You can see it when crowds become rowdy and tempers flare. Just walk away and no harm will come to you.

Nepal is a really really beautiful country with its vast vistas of mountain scenery and placid lakes (Pokhara) with snow capped mountains in the distance.

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is a very busy city and as expected, lots of traffic, pollution and people, but its saving grace are the many historic temples built over centuries ago, which are worth visiting.

Citiwan National Park is a beautiful place to elephant trek and see wild rinoceros, tigers, and other exotic beasts if you are lucky.

Come but take the usual precautions and you should have a wonderful and memorable stay. Because of the cheap cost of living in the country, a minimal sum will last you a very long time in Nepal.

Take care and enjoy yourself, have no fear!

Safety and Terrorism

Hi Sam,

The above posted some very good points.

Generally speaking a foreign office always airs on the side of caution when issuing statements. If one thinks about it, everyone is an individual travelers, so they have to cover everyone.

Last year the NZ website had London, New York and Madrid on yellow alerts.

I spent a long time traveling and living in Nepal. I even managed to end up in a riot. Never had a problem. Tourism is the number one source of revenue for this country, they look after you. I%26#39;ve never experienced such expert care in all the countries I have been through.

You might find some more info on this blog www.thelongestwayhome.com

I would always air on the side of caution, just like if I were a stranger in London, I would not walk the streets alone at night without knowing them well. Likewise I found the anti terror police in the London Subways and the gangs of youths in certain city areas far more dangerous looking and feeling than anything in Nepal.

I hope you get to go to this great country. Have a look at other warnings the FO put out, you%26#39;ll be surprising what they say!!

All the best

Dave

Many thanks for both your comments - I really do want to go and just wanted my own feelings confirming... we%26#39;re off to Germany for the New Year and it says that there is a general threat of terrorism there, so hey ho... I%26#39;ll get booking.

Cheers

Sam

Dam!!!!!!!!,

Welocme to Nepal. The nimalayan culture and peacefull and happy peopel you will see in here. Dont worried we have no problem about this thisng but some tine our crazy political parties they might can do strike around country. I think you wil have great Experience when you visith nepal . Pokhara and Chitwan very nice place to vist in this time. Pelase if you need more device let me know i am Trekking and Biking Guide for Nepal and Tibet.

all the best.

Bashu

Returned from Nepal earlier this week. Compared with this time last year the mood in Kathmandu seems more relaxed and optimistic. As previous advice says, avoid large gatherings that seem to be demonstrations (as opposed to the throngs of people that are normal in Kathmandu !).

Pokhara is really laid back, and the unfortunate plane crash at Lukhla is unlikely to be repeated at Pokhara airport - Lukhla%26#39;s 1:6 gradient, surrounding mountains, and lack of navigational aids compare poorly with the situation at Pokhara airport.

Enjoy Nepal: it%26#39;s a beautiful country with an remarkably cheerful and smiling population