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BRITISH CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET
MOST VISITS TO NEPAL ARE TROUBLE-FREE. TRAVELLERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF ROBBERIES AND THREATS OF VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH MAOIST GROUPS. BRITISH NATIONALS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO TREK ALONE. SAFETY AND SECURITY There has been a significant increase in robberies associated with the Maoist People's War in Nepal. Several incidents have taken place this year, some involving British tourists. The most recent incident occurred on 21 August, North of Arughat Bazaar, Gorka. In this incident, which involved a Spanish climbing team, unidentified persons entered their tents at night seeking money only. Previous incidents have taken place on the Karnali River, on a trekking route north of Jiri, and at a hotel on the outskirts of Pokhara. Travellers should take advice on the latest security situation from the British Embassy in Kathmandu. Trekkers should ensure that their trekking agency has checked on the security situation in the area to be visited. Agencies should also ensure that there are no restricted areas on the intended route. Trekking groups should check with local police stations to ensure that their route remains safe. British nationals are strongly advised not to trek alone in Nepal in light of the murder this year of a lone British trekker. This is particularly recommended in the Rasuwa District of the Lantang Area. If trekking off regular routes a guide should always be used to accompany a party. TERRORISM Maoist related activity is significant in a number of areas of Nepal, and British nationals are advised to be vigilant. Significant violence by the Maoist groups has been recorded in the more remote districts of the Mid-west region, especially Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot, Dolpa and Salyan. Incidents have also occurred in other districts including Dang, Sindupalchok, Gorka, Sinduli, Ramechap and Kavrepalanchok. Armed robberies associated with Maoist groups have proliferated in recent months. The hijacking on 24 December 1999 of Indian Airlines flight IC814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi has shown that Nepal is not immune from global terrorism. The Nepalese authorities have taken steps to improve airport security. Nevertheless, British nationals are reminded that terrorist acts of a regional nature may continue to pose a risk to British interests in the area. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS Visitors should not become involved with drugs. Possession of very small quantities can lead to imprisonment. Visitors are advised to respect local customs. Women in particular are advised to avoid wearing inappropriate clothing in public places (shorts, sleeveless tops etc). ENTRY REQUIREMENTS A single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London. Visitors who wish to stay for more than 60 days can extend their visa by up to 30 days by applying to the Nepalese Department of Immigration at New Baneshwor, Kathmandu; (tel: +9771 494273/476815). Entry to Nepal may be refused and airlines may not carry passengers holding passports with less than six months validity. Overstaying without the proper authority is a serious matter and visitors can be held in detention or refused permission to leave the country until a fine is paid. For further information on entry requirements, visitors are advised to check with the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London. HEALTH Medical treatment can be expensive at the few Western style travellers' clinics. Healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. For medical and inoculations advice, contact your GP before travel. The Department of Health's website provides travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. The site advises on health risk and how to avoid them. NATURAL DISASTERS Landslides affect Nepal during the monsoon season (July-September), and flooding may also occur. Both can cause major disruption to travel during the summer months. Nepal is an earthquake zone. Although no major earthquake has struck Nepal since 1934, the possibility still exists. GENERAL It is essential that travellers take out full insurance cover for medical treatment, accidents and evacuation by helicopter. It is also advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen/lost cash, credit cards, passport or luggage. Travellers whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should be aware that there are threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes G202, A454/A466, G668/G668, V838, V848 and V888. Some airlines continue to use these routes. Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes other airlines are using. CONTACT DETAILS The British Embassy, Lainchaur Kathmandu. (tel: +9771 410583, 411281; fax: +9771 411789); email: consular@kathmandu.mail.fco.gov.uk Office hours (GMT): Mon-Thur: 0230-1645 and 0745-1115
Fri: 0230-0645 and 0745-0930
British Diplomatic Missions in Nepal: contact details
For medical and inoculations advice, contact your GP. The Department of Health's Health Advice for Travellers website provides travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. The site advises on health risks around the world and how to avoid them, a country-by-country immunisation checklist and how to obtain medical treatment abroad. Travel Advice notices on this website are subject to Crown Copyright protection. Capture and republication of Travel Advice notices is not permitted. Any person who captures and republishes Travel Advice notices will be liable to prosecution.
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