Yes, with sensible precautions. Our Kathmandu team’s honest 2026 update on Nepal’s politics, the official advisories, trekking rules, altitude, seasons and the emergency numbers to save before you fly.
It is the first question almost every traveller asks us, and after the headlines of the past year it is a fair one. Nepal has been through a change of government, a general election and a deadly monsoon flood since autumn 2025. So here is our honest answer from Kathmandu, where our team lives and works, with the official advice, the numbers and the practical steps that make the real difference on a trip.
Where things stand in late 2026
In September 2025, youth-led anti-corruption protests — widely called the “Gen Z” movement — brought down the government. An interim administration led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman prime minister, took over and called early elections. On 5 March 2026 Nepal voted: the Rastriya Swatantra Party won a clear majority, and Balendra (Balen) Shah, the former mayor of Kathmandu, was sworn in as prime minister on 27 March.
Days later, on 31 March 2026, the US State Department lowered Nepal from Level 3 to Level 2, noting that the nationwide demonstrations had ended while warning that local protests can still happen, particularly in cities. Travellers have voted with their feet too: the Nepal Tourism Board counted 865,920 international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, and September’s 88,248 arrivals were 12.1% up on the same month a year earlier.
What the official advisories say
| Source | Current position | What it highlights |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Level 2 — Exercise increased caution (since 31 March 2026) | Possible demonstrations in cities; earthquakes, floods and landslides; carry insurance with medical evacuation |
| US Embassy, Kathmandu | Do not travel to the Rasuwagadhi–Timure–Syafrubesi area (August 2026) | Flood damage, disrupted roads and communications, risk of further floods and landslides in Rasuwa district |
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Check the latest update before you fly | Petty theft in Thamel and on buses, avoiding protests, earthquake preparedness, guide or porter required in national parks |
Advice changes — always read your own government’s latest page before booking and again before you fly.
Is Kathmandu safe for tourists?
Violent crime against visitors is rare, and Nepalis are famously warm hosts. Most problems in the cities are the everyday kind you would guard against anywhere busy:
- Petty theft — keep an eye on phones and bags in Thamel, on crowded buses and around the airport.
- Demonstrations — they are now occasional and local, but if you come across a crowd or a protest, walk the other way and follow police instructions.
- Traffic — Kathmandu’s streets are narrow and busy, and pavements come and go. Look both ways, then look again.
- Air quality — dust and haze build up in the valley in winter and spring. A mask helps if you are sensitive.
- Touts and scams — be wary of unofficial “guides”, gem deals and pushy charity requests. Book treks and transport through a registered agency.
Trekking: the rules that keep you safe
Since 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas must walk with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. The rule was brought in largely for safety: guides know the trail, the weather and the warning signs of altitude sickness, and someone always knows where you are. Restricted areas such as Upper Mustang and Manaslu also need a Restricted Area Permit; in March 2026 the old two-person minimum for these permits was reported to have been dropped, so solo travellers can now apply — your agency will confirm the current rules for your route.
Popular treks at a glance
| Trek | Highest point | Typical days | Permit area | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani Poon Hill | 3,210 m | 4–5 | Annapurna Conservation Area | Thousands of stone steps; fine for first-timers |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | 7–11 | Annapurna Conservation Area | Avalanche-prone section above Deurali after heavy snow |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m | 12–14 | Sagarmatha National Park | Altitude; weather delays on Lukla flights |
| Annapurna Circuit | 5,416 m (Thorong La) | 12–18 | Annapurna Conservation Area | Pass crossing — start early, turn back in bad weather |
| Manaslu Circuit | 5,106 m (Larkya La) | 14–16 | Restricted area | Remote; long days; lower valley repaired after the October 2026 flood |
| Langtang Valley | 4,773 m (Kyanjin Ri) | 7–10 | Langtang National Park | Check current access after the August 2026 Rasuwa flood |
Altitude: the real risk on the trail
More trekkers in Nepal are affected by acute mountain sickness (AMS) than by anything else on this page. It can start above about 2,500 metres and has nothing to do with fitness — marathon runners get it too. What prevents it is pace:
- Above 3,000 m, raise the altitude you sleep at by no more than 300–500 m a day.
- Take an acclimatisation day every 3–4 days, or after every 1,000 m of height gained.
- Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol, and climb high in the day but sleep lower when you can.
- Never keep climbing with symptoms. The mountains will still be there next year.
Know the warning signs
| How it feels | What it may be | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Headache, nausea, tiredness, poor sleep, loss of appetite | Mild AMS | Stop and rest at the same altitude until you feel better. Do not go higher. |
| Headache that painkillers don’t touch, vomiting, worsening tiredness | Moderate AMS | Descend 300–1,000 m. Tell your guide straight away. |
| Breathless at rest, wet cough, confusion, stumbling or clumsiness | HAPE or HACE — an emergency | Descend immediately, with help. Arrange evacuation through your guide and insurer. |
When to go: seasons and natural hazards
| Season | Months | What to expect | Safety notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm days, rhododendrons in bloom, clear mornings | Great trekking; afternoon cloud and pre-monsoon storms in late May |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain in the hills, leeches, lush valleys | Landslides, road closures and flight delays; flash-flood risk in river valleys |
| Autumn | October–November | Clear skies and the best mountain views | Peak season — busy trails, book flights and lodges early |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, crisp and quiet | Snow can close high passes such as Thorong La and Larkya La |
Nepal sits in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones. Large quakes are rare, but it is worth knowing the basics — drop, cover and hold on, and keep away from walls and windows — and noting where you would go outside.
This year’s monsoon brought a reminder of how quickly mountain rivers can change. On 26 August 2026 a debris flow and flash flood swept down the Bhote Koshi in Rasuwa district, north of Kathmandu, after a temporary ice-and-rock dam gave way. Hundreds of travellers in the area were initially uncontactable, and the US Embassy now advises against travel to the Rasuwagadhi–Timure–Syafrubesi area. If Langtang or the Tamang Heritage Trail is on your list, ask us about current access before you book.
In October the Manaslu region had its own flood: on 11 October 2026 a landslide-dammed stream burst into the Budhi Gandaki, damaging bridges and trail in the lower valley and stranding more than 100 trekkers around Jagat, who were evacuated. The main circuit reopened in late October on repaired and bypass trails — read our Manaslu guide for the details. Everest, Annapurna and the far east and west of Nepal were not affected by either flood.
Getting around safely
- Roads are the biggest everyday risk. Mountain highways are narrow and landslides are common in the monsoon. Avoid night buses, and choose a tourist bus or a private vehicle with an experienced driver.
- Domestic flights are weather-dependent. Mountain airstrips such as Lukla only operate in good visibility, so build one or two spare days into any itinerary that relies on them. In busy seasons, Lukla flights often leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) rather than Kathmandu.
- Nepal’s airlines are still on the EU Air Safety List. The listing bars them from EU airspace and the government says it is working to have it lifted. It does not stop domestic flights, but it is a good reason to fly with established operators and to check your insurance wording.
- Insurance matters more than anywhere. Make sure your policy covers trekking to your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. Medical care for visitors is not covered by the Nepali government.
Your safety checklist
- To do: Read your government’s latest travel advice — and register your trip with your embassy if it offers that
- To do: Buy insurance that covers trekking altitude and helicopter rescue, and keep the policy number on your phone
- To do: Book your trek, guide and transport through a registered agency
- To do: Plan an itinerary with acclimatisation days and one or two buffer days for flights
- To do: Carry a basic first-aid kit, water purification and any personal medicines
- To do: Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in when you have signal
Emergency numbers to save
| Who | Number |
|---|---|
| Tourist Police | 1144 (hotline, English-speaking) |
| Tourist Police mobile | +977-9851289445 |
| Nepal Tourism Board | 1234 (toll-free) |
| Police | 100 |
| Ambulance | 102 |
| Fire | 101 |
Add your own embassy’s emergency line in Kathmandu, and your trekking agency’s 24-hour number, before you leave home.
Our verdict
Nepal today is calmer than the headlines of 2025 suggest. The protests have given way to an elected government, visitors are back in growing numbers, and the trails, teahouses and temples are as welcoming as ever. The risks that matter — altitude, roads, monsoon weather — are well understood and, with good planning and an experienced guide, very manageable.
If you would like help planning a safe trip, tell us what you have in mind or send us a message. Our team in Kathmandu follows conditions every day and will give you an honest answer about your route — including when we think you should wait.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Sources: US Department of State travel advisory; US Embassy in Nepal; UK FCDO travel advice for Nepal; Nepal Tourism Board arrival statistics and situation updates.