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Safety

  • Although still relatively low by many standards, crime in Kathmandu and throughout the country has risen in some categories and declined in others.
  • Police have reported increasing numbers of sexual assaults involving foreigners.
  • Police also report an increase in the number of foreigners who have had sedative drugs placed in their food or drink by individuals who seek to rob or otherwise take advantage of them.
  • Visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, especially in areas experiencing power cuts, and avoid carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive jewelry.
  • Women travelers are advised not to wear revealing clothing in public places, as this can be culturally offensive to Nepalese.
  • In addition, visitors should consider exchanging money only at banks and hotels and limiting shopping to daylight hours.
  • Travelers should be especially alert at major tourist sites, including the Thamel district of Kathmandu, where pick-pocketing and bag-snatching are most common.
  • It is recommended that passports and cash be carried in a protected neck pouch or money belt–not in a backpack or handbag.
  • Visitors to Nepal should also be vigilant against scams in which they are asked to carry jewelry to a business contact in another country. This scam often results in the
    unsuspecting tourist being forced to withdraw large sums of cash from his or her bank account and creates the risk of further penalties at the border.
  • Nepali police forces have limited resources and lack sufficient manpower to effectively enforce law and order. Their services are not up to Western standards.
  • Many cases reported to the police remain unresolved.

Safety in Nepal
What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?

People’s Opinions

Health

CDC Health Information for Travelers to Nepal.


Malaria

  • Areas affected: Present throughout country at altitudes below 1,200 m (3,937 ft). None in Kathmandu and on typical Himalayan treks.
  • Estimated risk: No data
  • *Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drugs in Nepal and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region
  • Recommended chemoprofylaxis: Atovaquone/ proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine
  • Symptoms
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Sweats
    • Headache
    • Body Aches
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Fatigue


*The medicines used to prevent malaria can be very effective when used properly, but none of them are 100% effective.

Dengue Fever

  • Areas Affected: All of Nepal
  • Symptoms
    • Principal
      • High fever and at least two of the following
      • Severe headache
      • Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
      • Join pain
      • Muscle and/or bone pain
      • Rash
      • Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g., nose or gum bleed, or easy bruising)
      • Low white cell count
    • Severe warning signs (IMMEDIATELY go to an emergency room if the following appear)
    • Severe abdominal pain or persistant vomiting
    • Red spots or patches on the skin
    • Bleeding from nose or gums
    • Vomiting blood
    • Black, tarry stools
    • Drowsiness or irritability
    • Pale, cold, or clammy skin
    • Difficulty breathing

Health in Nepal
Any special health concerns?

People’s Opinions

  1. The only health concern we had was that one of the girls on our team felt really sick at the beginning of the month. She started getting sick in Kathmandu with a head-cold and low grade fever. It then progressed to stomach cramps and diarrhea. We travelled to Pokhara and she wasn’t feeling much better. She went to a near by hospital. The doctor gave her medications and antibiotics and after a few days she felt fine again and didn’t experience any more problems.

Visa Info

Visa Info in Nepal
Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:

People’s Opinions

  1. Visas are purchased and filled out upon arrival. It’s about $40.00 USD. Visa photo required. Can print @ airport.

Currency Info

Currency Info in Nepal
Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?

People’s Opinions

  1. just to reiterate the other post, you CANNOT exchange Nepali rupees anywhere outside of the country, so make sure to exchange any leftover currency before leaving Nepal!
  2. Indian Rupees 500 and over are illegal in the country. Do NOT bring them in. Smaller Indian rupees (100 or less) can be used/accepted in most places. Nepali rupees cannot be exchanged anywhere so do not leave the country with them. There is a currency exchange in the airport.

Communication

Communication in Nepal
Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?

People’s Opinions

  1. NCell was the name of our cell provider. We purchased the SIM cards along with minutes on our way out of the airport. Extra NCell minutes can be purchased just about anywhere. There is a main NCell service center in Hetauda (in town). The SIM card was $150 and 600 rupees credit was more than enough phone credit.

Transportation

How did you get to Nepal….

International Travel
  • From India:
  • etc

Transportation in Nepal
What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.

People’s Opinions

Culture

 
Cultural Norms and Sensitivities
  • Sacred animals: Cows are sacred in Nepal and are allowed to wander the streets. When entering a temple, do not wear leather.
  • Dress: Visitors should dress conservatively, especially women. If encountering a Nepalese dressed entirely in white, it means that the person is in mourning.
  • Social Norms: Ask permission before taking photographs in temples. Do not step over people’s feet or any other parts of their body. To sit with feet pointing at someone is insulting, especially toward a monk or lama. It is also insulting to pat children on the head. Do not offer food to Nepalese after already tasting it. Food is not eaten from a shared plate or with shared utensils. The left hand should never be used for eating or handling food or shaking hands. However, presenting or accepting gifts is always performed with both hands.

Culture in Nepal
Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?

People’s Opinions

Shipping / Mailing

Shipping / Mailing in Nepal
Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?

Tips

People’s Opinions

  1. Make sure you pay close attention to the ATM’s. Some of them will print out your entire card number when you get a receipt, so hold onto your printout and shred it later.

Additional Info

Emergency Contact Numbers
Ambulance 102
Fire 101
Police 100/103

Embassy and Consulate Information
 
United States Embassy (Kathmandu)
Emergency #: (+977) 400-7266 -or- (+977) 400-7269
Non-emergency #: (+977) 400-7200
Email: usembktm@state.gov
Web: http://nepal.usembassy.gov/
The Embassy is located at U.S. Citizen Service Unit, Maharajgunj
 
Canadian High Commission (New Delhi)
There is no Canadian Embassy or Consulate in Nepal
Emergency #: (+613) 996-8885 (Collect Call)
Non-emergency #: (+91) 11-4178-2000 [Indian]
Email: delhi@international.gc.ca
Web: http://india.gc.ca
The High Commission is located at 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
 
British Embassy (Kathmandu)
Emergency #: (+977) 442-2294
Non-emergency #: (+977) 441-0583
Email: BEKathmandu@fco.gov.uk
Web: http://ukinnepal.fco.gov.uk/en/
The Embassy is located at Lazimpat, PO Box 106

Additional Info in Nepal
Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?