Nepal Coutnry Specific Information
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Nepal Coutnry Specific Information
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September 29, 2008 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Nepal is a developing country with extensive tourist facilities, which vary
widely in quality and price. The capital is Kathmandu. Nepal has
suffered from political instability for almost 11 years. The Government
signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement on November 21, 2006, formally ending the
Maoist insurgency, which began in 1996. The Maoist insurgents and other
political groups have yet to fully end the violence. Read the Department
of State Background Notes on Nepal for additional
information. ENTRY/EXIT
REQUIREMENTS:
A passport and visa are required. Travelers may obtain visas prior to
travel or purchase fifteen-day multiple-entry visas ($25), one-month
multiple-entry visas ($40), or three-month multiple-entry visas ($100) upon
arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at the following
land border points of entry: Kakarvitta, Jhapa District (Eastern Nepal);
Birgunj, Parsa District (Central Nepal); Kodari, Sindhupalchowk District
(Northern Border); Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi District, Western Nepal);
Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke District, Mid-Western Nepal); Mohana, Dhangadhi
(Kailali District, Far Western Nepal); and Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar
(Kanchanpur District, Far Western Nepal). Visas and information on
entry/exit requirements can be obtained from the Embassy of Nepal at 2131 Leroy
Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 667-4550 or the Consulate
General in New York at (212) 370-3988. Upon departure from Tribhuvan International
Airport, all foreigners must pay an airport exit tax (currently approximately
$27), regardless of the length of their stay. Tourists may stay in Nepal
no longer than 150 days in any given calendar year. Travelers occasionally report immigration
difficulties with Chinese authorities when crossing the Nepal-China border over
land in either direction. Chinese authorities often require American and
other foreign tourists to organize "group" tours through established
travel agencies as a pre-requisite for obtaining visas and entry permits into
Tibet. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Tibet from Nepal may contact
the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for current information on the status of the
border-crossing points. Travelers may also wish to check with the Embassy
of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal for current regulations on
entry into Tibet. Visit the Embassy of Nepal web site at http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/
for the most current visa information. SAFETY AND SECURITY: A Travel
Warning remains in effect because the Department of State continues to be
concerned about the security situation in Nepal. Despite the signing of
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on November 21, 2006, Maoists and other
political movements continue extortion, abduction and killing. Since
April 2006, numerous groups using violent methods to advance various political
goals have formed in Nepal. Business people (both Nepalese and foreign)
and tourists who resist Maoist extortion demands have been threatened,
sometimes assaulted, and risk being detained. Maoist demonstrators have
stopped and in some cases attacked vehicles, including those of the U.S.
Embassy. Since early 2007, the Maoist Young Communist League (YCL) has
harassed and attacked established tourist facilities and infrastructure, and
has threatened Kathmandu-based personnel of a U.S. non-governmental organization.
In May 2007, YCL cadre attacked with stones a UN High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR) vehicle carrying the UNHCR Resident Representative and the U.S.
Ambassador in Jhapa District in the Terai. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against
non-essential travel to the Terai, the southern region bordering India.
Maoist splinter groups in the Terai as well as other violent Terai-based groups
continue to kidnap and murder Nepalese citizens. Additionally, ongoing
political agitation and civil unrest in the Terai, including violent clashes
between various political groups and Maoist splinter groups, as well as
inter-communal violence and criminality, have increased. The random,
indiscriminate, and unpredictable nature of these attacks creates the risk of
U.S. citizens in Nepal being caught in the wrong place at the wrong
time. Since the ceasefire in April 2006, hotels and
businesses frequented by American citizens have been the target of extortion
demands and, in some cases, have become the focus of demonstrations. In
November 2006, resident Americans reported that they were told that they would
have to house and feed Maoists intending to participate in rallies in
Kathmandu. In a few cases, local Nepali staff of the American residents
were threatened or beaten when they attempted to resist this demand. The
discrepancy between the Maoists' publicly stated intentions and their behavior,
combined with their consistent anti-American rhetoric, remains a serious
concern. Americans traveling to Nepal should be aware
of the potential for large or violent demonstrations. Frequently,
demonstrators burn vehicles, throw rocks at passing motorists, and burn tires
to block traffic. Given the frequency, nature, intensity and
unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise
particular caution when demonstrations are announced or reported, avoid areas
where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel
during these periods and maintain a low profile. Demonstrations can occur
with little or no advance notice. American citizens are urged to consult
media sources and the Embassy's web site (http://nepal.usembassy.gov) for current
security information. Click the “Demonstration Alert”
link. In a November 2002 press release, the Maoists
claimed responsibility for targeting and murdering two locally-hired U.S.
Embassy security guards. In 2003, the Department of State designated the
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a Terrorist Organization under the
"Terrorist Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and
under Executive Order 13224. These two designations make Maoists
excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from transactions
such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of,
the Maoists. The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu requires
pre-clearance of all travel outside the Kathmandu Valley by U.S. Government
employees. U.S. citizens who decide to travel outside the Valley are
strongly urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu to discuss and register
their planned itinerary and to receive the most recent security information
before traveling. Nighttime road travel should be strictly avoided
outside the Kathmandu Valley and minimized within Kathmandu. For the latest security information,
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State,
Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including
the Travel Warning for Nepal as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security
can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular
toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). BANDHS (GENERAL STRIKES): A
"bandh" (forced closure of businesses, schools and halting of
vehicular traffic) is a frequently used and longstanding form of political
expression in Nepal. Many bandhs are enforced through intimidation and
violence. During a recent bandh, an American citizen was injured when
demonstrators threw a rock and broke the window of the vehicle in which he was
traveling to the airport. Bandhs tend to be unpredictable and may take
place without any prior notice. Bandhs typically draw thousands of
demonstrators into the streets who sometimes incite or initiate violence.
Bandhs tend to focus on the central areas of Kathmandu, but they also can be
nationwide, and bandh-related violent disturbances occur throughout Nepal. Bandhs in the Terai region of Nepal also
occur and have been known to last for several weeks, causing acute shortages of
daily food supplies and bringing vehicular traffic to a complete halt.
Individuals have been reported kidnapped or killed for not complying with the
bandhs in the region. During bandhs, U.S. citizens are urged to
avoid all unnecessary travel. If travel by vehicle is necessary, U.S.
citizens should pay attention to the volume of traffic on the roads, waiting
until a pattern of traffic is well established before undertaking travel, and
maintaining a low profile throughout bandh periods. Buses, taxis, and
other forms of public transportation may not operate during a bandh.
Observance of bandhs, particularly in the transportation sector, may be higher
outside the Valley, where a number of private buses and trucks have been
stopped, torched, and their drivers beaten. U.S. citizens are strongly
urged to avoid road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, especially during
scheduled bandhs. If you are planning air travel to or from Nepal during
scheduled bandhs, be aware that transportation to and from airports throughout
Nepal could be affected. Consult the U.S. Embassy web site at http://nepal.usembassy.gov
for up-to-date information on upcoming bandhs as well as the latest security
information. CRIME: Although the
rate of violent crime is low in Kathmandu relative to that in comparably-sized
American cities, crime in Kathmandu and in adjacent areas has risen
dramatically since April 2006. Robbery and home-invasion robbery by armed
gangs has increased, and in some cases American citizens have been
victimized. The U.S. Embassy has received several reports of individuals
harassing American women in Kathmandu, and in one case an American woman was
assaulted. In another case, when police detained two employees of a hotel
where this occurred, the American-citizen victim was threatened by
Maoists. The citizen was told that unless the two employees were
released, the citizen would not be allowed to leave Nepal. Criminal
activity and extortion of tourists occurs frequently along popular hiking
trails. Trekkers and others who resist extortion demands are threatened,
sometimes assaulted, and risk being detained. In December 2007, Maoist cadres
in the popular Annapurna circuit trekking area beat up a Swiss national who
declined to pay the "donation" demanded by them. He sustained
serious head injuries, requiring stitches. In late 2005, two European women were
murdered in Nargarjun Forest, a popular tourist destination near
Kathmandu. The two murders occurred within weeks of each other and both
involved women hiking alone. The body and valuables of one woman were
recovered and theft did not appear to be the motivation behind the crime.
Both crimes remain unsolved and no culprits have been identified. Visitors should avoid walking alone after
dark and 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. There have been several reported incidents in which tourists
have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were asleep.
Valuables should be stored in the hotel safety deposit box and should never be
left unattended in hotel rooms. Travelers should be especially alert at
or near major tourist sites, where most pick-pocketing occurs. Passports
and cash should be carried in a protected neck pouch or money belt--not in a
backpack or handbag. 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. INFORMATION FOR
VICTIMS OF CRIME:
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are
the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police,
please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The
Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be
transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is
solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you
to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if
needed. The local equivalent to the “911”
emergency line in Nepal is: 100, which is manned 24/7 by the local
police. While most Nepalese police officials understand and speak
English, when calling the emergency number, you might wish to speak slowly so
that the message that you wanted to pass gets across to the official clearly
and without difficulty. MEDICAL FACILITIES
AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care in Nepal is extremely limited and is
generally not up to Western standards. Typical travelers' complaints can be
addressed by the clinics in Kathmandu, and some surgeries can also be performed
in the capital. However, serious illnesses often require evacuation to the
nearest adequate medical facility (in Singapore, Bangkok or New Delhi).
Illnesses and injuries suffered while hiking in remote areas often require
evacuation by helicopter to Kathmandu. Those trekking in remote areas of
Nepal should factor the high costs of a potential helicopter rescue into their
financial considerations. Travelers are urged to consider purchasing
medical evacuation insurance if they plan to visit remote areas. There is
minimal mental health care available in Nepal. Americans with mental
health problems are generally stabilized and transported to the U.S. for
care. The Consular Section in Kathmandu can provide a list of available
medical facilities to Americans upon request. Medical facilities are
often overwhelmed due to insufficient resources and the emergency services
available fall far short of those expected in the U.S. MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department
of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance
company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies
overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical
evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND
ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that
differ significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Nepal is provided for general reference only, and may not be
totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Travel via road in areas outside of the
Kathmandu Valley remains dangerous and should be avoided. In general, roads in
Nepal are in poor condition and lack basic safety features, resulting in
significant numbers of accidents and fatalities. Moreover, Americans should
consider avoiding riding motorcycles in Nepal. In 2006, three foreigners
were killed after they were hit by trucks while riding motorcycles on the
highway. Visitors throughout Nepal, including in Kathmandu, should use
metered taxis and avoid public buses and microbuses. Various Nepalese
political groups frequently announce road closures (blockades) in certain
districts of Nepal and forcibly block major roads throughout the country,
including roads to Tibet, India, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Jiri. Most
recently, in May 2007, a number of Americans were stranded at the border
crossing to India in southeastern Nepal for several days when the border was closed
due to political demonstrations. In addition, during the monsoon season,
heavy rains cause flooding and can wash out roads or make road travel
difficult. U.S. citizens should travel into and within Nepal by air
whenever possible. In the Kathmandu Valley, traffic jams are
common on major streets, particularly from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Motor
vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and animals, all traveling at different speeds,
congest narrow roads. Traffic is poorly regulated, and the volume of
vehicles on the roads has increased by approximately 15 percent per year.
Many drivers are neither properly licensed nor trained. Many vehicles are
poorly maintained, and public vehicles are generally overloaded.
Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are nonexistent in most areas, and drivers
do not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Pedestrians account for
over 40% of all traffic fatalities in Nepal. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
Visit the web site of Nepal’s national tourist office at www.welcomenepal.com. AVIATION SAFETY
OVERSIGHT:
As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers
registered in Nepal, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not
assessed Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety
standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s
internet website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES:
The Government of Nepal has authorized the Trekking Agency Association
of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to implement a new system for
foreign hikers called the Trekkers’ Information Management System
(TIMS). Beginning January 1, 2008, foreign visitors on hiking trips in
Nepal, including those not with organized hiking groups, need to have a valid
TIMS card issued by TAAN, its member agencies, or NTB. In case of an
emergency, the new system will help authorities ascertain the whereabouts of
trekkers. TIMS cards are available free of charge through authorized trekking
companies, the TAAN office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and the NTB office. Robberies, extortion and intimidation
continue as in previous years throughout the Kathmandu Valley and the trekking
areas in Nepal. Risks of encounters with Maoist groups, or groups posing
as Maoists, are very high in nearly all trekking routes of Nepal, and injuries
to foreigners for arguing or failing to pay extortion demands continue to
occur. Checkpoints established by Maoist-affiliated groups where armed individuals
demand payment for "trekking permits" still occur and pose a risk to
travelers. Groups posing as Maoists have used violent tactics to
intimidate tourists who initially refused to pay or were seen as
argumentative. Americans are urged to refrain from arguing with such
individuals or "talking back" to them, as such a response may
increase the risk of violence. U.S. citizens should never hike alone or
become separated from larger traveling parties while on a trail. Solo
trekking has contributed to injuries and deaths, and makes one more vulnerable
to criminals. The safest option for all trekkers is to join an organized
group and/or use a reputable firm that provides an experienced guide and
porters who communicate in both Nepali and English. Destruction of
telephone services to many trekking areas by the Maoist insurgents often
complicates efforts to locate U.S. citizens and make arrangements for medical
evacuations. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact the Embassy
in Kathmandu for the latest security information and to register their
itinerary before undertaking treks outside the Kathmandu Valley (see
Registration/Embassy Location section below). Trekkers are also advised
to leave their itinerary with family or friends in the U.S. and to check in at
police checkpoints where trekking permits are logged. Trekkers should also be alert to the
possibility of avalanches and landslides, even when trails are clear.
Avalanches at the narrow gorge above Deurali on the route to the Annapurna Base
Camp regularly result in the deaths of trekkers and climbers. Avalanches
and landslides caused by severe storms have killed many foreign trekkers and
their Nepalese guides, and have stranded hundreds of others. Trekking in
Upper Mustang in certain National Park areas may require a special permit from
the Government of Nepal and a fee. Americans are encouraged to check on
the fees and permits prior to their travels. A number of tourists have drowned while
swimming in Phewa Lake and other adjoining lakes in Pokhara due to flash floods
triggered by monsoon rains or after becoming entangled in submerged tree
branches or roots. Nepal has a controlled, or fixed, currency
exchange rate with the Indian Rupee. To manage this rate of exchange, the
Government of Nepal requires travelers to declare either the import or export
of currency. As of this writing, travelers must declare any cash currency
carried that exceeds $2,000 in value by filling out a custom's declaration
form. The Nepalese Department of Immigration has reported an increasing
number of foreigners being arrested for currency violations. Travelers
should ensure that they keep a copy of the declaration form after customs
officials have put the endorsement on the form to prevent any problems upon
departure. Please note that this requirement is subject to change and
travelers should contact the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. to obtain the
latest information. Consequences for violating this requirement could
include seizure of all cash carried, fines, and imprisonment. It is
illegal to possess 500 or 1,000 Indian Rupee notes in Nepal. Nepalese customs authorities may enforce
strict regulations concerning importation (even temporary) into or export from
Nepal of items such as valuable metals, articles of archeological and religious
importance, wildlife and related articles, drugs, arms and ammunition, and
communications equipment. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Nepal
in Washington or Nepal’s Consulate General in New York for specific
information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information. Nepal is prone to earthquakes, landslides,
and flooding. The Government of Nepal’s ability to respond is
limited. General information about natural disaster preparedness is
available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
at http://www.fema.gov. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a
foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations,
which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may
not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for
similar offenses. Persons violating Nepalese laws, even unknowingly, may
be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or
trafficking in illegal drugs in Nepal are severe, and convicted offenders can
expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct
with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country
is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information
on Criminal Penalties. CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction. REGISTRATION /
EMBASSY LOCATION:
Americans living or traveling in Nepal are encouraged to register with
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State
Department’s travel registration web site so that they can
obtain updated information on travel and security within Nepal. Americans
without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact
them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Maharajgunj in
Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 400-7200. The Consular Section can be
reached through the Embassy switchboard at (977) (1) 400-7200, directly by fax
at (977) (1) 400-7281 or email at consktm@.... The U.S.
Embassy’s web site is http://nepal.usembassy.gov/ *
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