Tour Guide, Kathmandu, Nepal
| 3 mins read
Whenever someone hears of Nepal, they mostly think of Mount Everest. They might also think of a small nation along the Himalayas. Or a beautiful quiet country situated between India and China.
These are positive perceptions though. Other insights include it as one of the poorest countries of the world, a nation plagued by political instability and corruption, or a place where there occur devastating earthquakes.
There’s truth to all these statements. The positive ones have attracted tourists to this Asian nation, while the negative ones have repelled them. “Is Nepal safe?” is a question asked by many. Most people living outside of Asia do not know much about our country. However, we believe that anyone thinking about visiting Nepal deserves to know all the facts and reasons regarding the issues of safety in Nepal.
Crime Rates
Statistically, Nepal has a crime rate of 33.15, which is considered low. In fact, Nepal ranks behind 83 countries in terms of the crime rate. Rates of robbery, mugging, and assault are on the low side, while drug trafficking and break-ins are moderate. So, severe and violent crimes are not that common. As a matter of fact, the only crimes that are common are corruption and bribery. Hence, you’ll most likely be safe from violent crimes in Nepal.
Natural Disasters
The dangers of earthquakes are ever-present in Nepal. Due to its geographical location, it is highly prone to be affected by earthquakes. The earthquake of 2015 was a catastrophic disaster from which Nepal hasn’t fully recovered yet.
Apart from the earthquake, there can also be other disasters like flood and landslide. During the monsoon season from June to September, towns, and villages are frequently affected by these calamities. However, being a landlocked country, it is free from the hazards of the ocean.
Political Instability
The politics of Nepal has gone through a roller coaster ride. Since the demolition of Monarchy in 2006, the communist parties and the Congress fought for ruling the government. But presently, things are much peaceful and stable, now that these parties are in agreement. Besides, the minor hurdles in the government have practically no effect on tourism.
Despite our conviction in the general goodness and kindness of Nepali people, we still suggest you be on the safe side. We recommend you heed the following cautions to stay safe while travelling in Nepal:
Know about the safety procedures of an earthquake before coming to Nepal.
Watch your belongings while travelling in public vehicles.
Do not walk around flashing wads of cash as you may be inviting potential pickpockets and snatchers.
Although it’s not common, robberies can happen in the dark. So, do not walk around alone at night to stay safe while travelling in Nepal.
Do not possess any kinds of recreational drugs, including marijuana.
Bring protection against mosquitoes as they are abundant during the summer and rainy season.
Be aware of the dangers of altitude sickness. This risk is a possible hazard in treks above 3500 meters, which are essentially all trekking expeditions in Nepal.
Be abreast of the weather forecasts as bad weather can cause serious trouble.