Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a secular country. The constitution has granted Nepal’s citizens the freedom of religion and it permits the practice of all religions. Nepal is a harmonious country and it has not seen any religious feuds to date. Nepal is a safe country to travel from every aspect such as social, political, cultural, religious and economic.
Globally too, Nepal maintains the image of a peaceful and safe country. Likewise, Nepal is a safe land for solo female travelers. In comparison with other developing and South Asian countries, Nepal is considered a safer country for travel. According to data from Global Peace Index 2019, out of 163 countries, Nepal ranked in 76th position in peacefulness. This is much ahead of countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Similarly, Nepal secured the third position as a safe country in South Asia after Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
Traditional values rooted in Hindu philosophy, openness to other cultures and religions and liberal views of its people make Nepal a safe country for solo female travelers. After the decade-long armed conflict ended in 2006, Nepal has welcomed millions of tourists. Each year, Nepal has been welcoming travelers from all over the world and the number is growing by leaps and bounds. To promote Nepal globally, the government of Nepal has declared the year 2020 as Visit Nepal Year 2020 with the vision to bring more than two million tourists.
Traveling as a Solo Female in Nepal
Traveling as a solo woman in a particular place or country could be a thing of concern for many as you are not aware of any aspects of that place. There are many countries where women get judged by the clothes that they wear to the color of their hair and the tattoos that they have. Many countries have records of assaults or sexual harassment of women. All these things can make a female traveler rethink about their solo trip.
But if you are traveling to Nepal, you do not need to worry about any of these issues. Nepal is perfectly safe for solo female travelers, and for everyone in general. Whether you will be traveling in Nepal for mountaineering, trekking or just general travel, you do not need to worry about your safety. On the contrary, you will get to experience the friendliness and hospitality of Nepalis in addition to the country’s rich culture and natural beauty.
Nepal is generally a safe country for everyone. From solo female travelers to people of every age from any religious group, it is a safe place to visit throughout the year. Especially for solo female travelers, Nepal is a safe and peaceful country. However, like traveling anywhere in the world, all travelers need to take some general precautions to be extra-safe.
The following things make Nepal a safe country for solo female travelers:
Safe Environment
Nepal is a safe country in every aspect. Though it’s a developing country and lacks basic infrastructure, there is nothing to get worried about your safety. Besides the capital city Kathmandu, other major cities like Pokhara, Chitwan, Nepalgunj along the rural areas or high altitude locations are also safe to travel. You need to take some general safety precautions while trekking in the mountains. In such a case, it is better to walk in a group than alone.
Friendly People
Nepalis greet you with ‘Namaste’ and a big smile, a kind gesture meaning ‘you are welcome, you are our guest’. Nepalese people are some of the friendliest people in the world which is also one of the reasons travelers and visitors keep coming back. People may ask you a lot of questions and some may be personal too, But don’t be concerned as it is very common in Nepal, and means the person wants to get familiar with you.
Nepal is a diverse country and home to various religions, tribes, races, and cultures. The country has many ethnic groups, languages, and ethnicities. The amazing part of this country is that despite many differences, the people are friendly and respect each others’ culture and religion.
Tourist Police
Tourist Police is a special unit of Nepal Police that provides security to tourists traveling to Nepal. The head office is situated at Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu and there is a complaint station at the Tribhuvan International Airport and Basantapur Durbar Square. If faced with any problem, the tourists can contact the Tourist Police and the helpline is available 24/7. The main objective and responsibility of the Tourist Police is to provide safety and security to tourists during traveling, rafting, trekking, and hotel stay in any part of Nepal. The unit works exclusively to ensure the safety and wellbeing of tourists in Nepal.
We especially advise solo female travelers to keep the Tourist Police number or the hotline number safe with them. Nepal Police is one of the most respected institutions in the country and female travelers can trust and contact them anytime when they are in need. The Tourist Police also plays an important role in coordinating between different Embassies, Consulates and also informs the family members if the tourists face any kind of serious illnesses or become a victim of natural calamities.
You can take the following factors into consideration to be extra safe:
Accommodation
If you are planning to visit Nepal, then make sure you know where you’re staying and dining. There are numerous hotels and guesthouses available in almost every part of the country. It is important to check the quality of food and accommodation in the hotel that you’re staying in.
We recommend you to check the reviews of the hotels before checking in. There are many trusted apps and websites to check hotel reviews and details. You can check the reviews for the price range, locality and other services offered by the hotel.
Choosing the Right Clothing
Nepal is a liberal country but it also adheres to its cultural values. When it comes to clothing, Nepal is not too conservative and there are no hard and fast rules. You are free to wear any kind of dress you want. However, we advise you to avoid shorts and open tops if you are going to any cultural event or to religious places like temples and stupas.
Just wear what you feel comfortable with a little modesty and you will be fine. Everyday clothes like jeans and t-shirts will be just fine. We also recommend that you carry clothes according to the weather in Nepal.
Solo Trekking
Nepal is famous for its adventurous trekking and is dubbed as a paradise for trekkers. Nepal is renowned for its natural destinations and adventurous activities like paragliding, hiking, trekking, and mountaineering in the Himalayas. If you are thinking of going on a solo trekking trip, we recommend that you hire a professional guide. A guide will come in handy if you are trekking to high-altitude locations like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base camp, and Kanchenjunga. Having someone experienced walk along with you in the Himalayas can save you from altitude sickness or any other mishap during the trek. You also need to keep in mind to take trekking permits which is available all year round.
Recommendations for solo female tourists
If you are visiting Nepal as a solo trekker for the first time, we advise you to book a hotel in the Thamel area in Kathmandu. If you are in Pokhara, it is very convenient to find accommodation around the Lakeside area whereas, in Chitwan, the best place to stay is in Sauraha.
Some tips for solo female travelers:
- Carry a handy flashlight with you as there can be power cuts.
- Never stay in a place where you don’t feel comfortable.
- Avoid walking alone late at night in an isolated place.
- Make sure your room locks properly.
- Don’t leave your valuables in the room, ask the hotel reception to provide you a safe instead.
- Carry sanitary pad as you may not get to buy this in the higher altitudes and rural areas.
- Carry first aid kits and a pepper spray.
- Take note of emergency numbers like tourist police, Himalayan Rescue Association, Nepal Tourism Board, and Department of Immigration.
- Buy travel insurance before visiting Nepal
