Nepal has experienced recent civil unrest that interrupted travel, tourism, and some transportation. The situation has now returned to normal, with hotels, restaurants, trekking routes, and sites of interest open for business. Travelers should still be mindful of the situation, remain vigilant for updates, and avoid protests or marches, and should pay close attention to directions from local authorities. This guide is made available to assist you with planning a safe trip.
Introduction
While Nepal is known worldwide for its towering mountains, rich cultural history, and diverse ecology, political unrest that led to protests, curfews, and short interruptions in several cities occurred in 2025. The protests began over government actions such as limiting social media, and were largely a youth fueled movement leading to a drop in visitor numbers in the tourism industry. Oversight and precaution have been established for safe travel, and most tourism activities have resumed. Transit to adventure activities, markets and local attractions have also resumed. Travellers are still encouraged to plan carefully, keep updated from good sources and respect local indications to have a safe experience.
Remembering the Recent Protests
The protests in Nepal resulted from a combination of political, social, and economic issues.
Ban on Social Media:
The state made a decision to block big social media services, which affected millions of students, businesses, and political organizations. People depended upon social media for communication as well as work independence, and so disengagement from that platform certainly exacerbated those relationships. Users of social media felt that it was an unequaled breach of their digital rights and freedom. There was emotional upset, and feelings of anger and frustration, which easily permeated several cities connected via informal media, networks, and even word of mouth.
Discontent among Youth:
The country wide protests were often organized and took the lead of youth. Many experienced disillusionment due to corrupt practices, disparity, and below-average economic conditions. Studies in the area suggest that youth were disturbed by political and economic power aggregated in family elites. While the government blocked social media use, before the ban, youth had leveraged social media, organizing protests and making clear connections of support. For the most part, the movement emerged organically from below and did not result in any organizational support from political parties.
Political Instability:
The unrest out about a significant political influence. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following significant unrest. Nepali Congress leader Sushila Karki was appointed prime minister and became the first female prime minister in Nepal. The interim government was designed to last for six months, and remain independent and not face direct control of the old political parties. The intent was to stabilize the country and re-establish order.
Even though the protest caused a disruption to everyday life (with curfews, blockades, and public transport delays, etc.), tourists were unaffected. Some flights were halted across multiple cities for a very short time and public transport was affected (in frequency, not safety) in a limited capacity in some cities, but governments acted quickly to normalize those circumstances. Tourism destinations, hotels, and main streams of service were opened nearly at every stop with immediate safety measures.
Current Safety Situation
As of mid-September 2025, the unrest in Nepal has largely ended, and normal life has been restored in most areas. Travelers are generally safe, but caution and awareness are recommended to ensure a smooth visit.
Travel Advisories
Several countries, including the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have issued travel advisories. Tourists are advised to reconsider travel to Nepal if possible or, if travel is necessary, to avoid areas where protests or demonstrations may occur. Travelers should monitor official government websites and local news for updates on safety, road conditions, and potential disruptions.
Local Conditions
The vast majority of sites around the country for tourists including trekking destinations, cultural locations, and even cities are functioning normally. Local disturbances may reoccur in the form of roadblocks, organized local strikes that may or may not affect the tourist trade, or temporary lock down conditions. Travelers are encouraged to check local news sites or reports and their hotel notices or official tourism websites for information to stay current when they travel. Travelers should always comply with local authority directions including but not limited to local police or tourist police directions for personal safety.
Airport Operations
All of the significant airports in Nepal, including Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, are open for operations. Domestic and international flights are in full operation. Delays and cancellations were experienced previously during the unrest, so prior to any travels please check your flight in advance and confirm it with the airline prior to your travels. Transportation operations are also functioning to and from airports. However, the traveler may experience minor traffic delays in urban areas.
Tips for Travelers
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Avoid large crowds, demonstrations, and protest areas.
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Carry identification and proof of accommodation or other travel plans.
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Be in touch with your embassy or consulate in the case of emergency situations.
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Check local transport schedules regularly, local transport can and may change unexpectedly, often without notice.
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Having emergency contact numbers, such as the local Tourist police, accessible at all times.
Tourism Sector Status
A Decrease in Visitors
Tourism in Nepal was severely impacted by the recent period of political unrest. The number of arrivals fell by about 30% compared to the previous year. Some of the regions that usually host the greatest number of visitors, such as Thamel in Kathmandu, saw far fewer than they would normally expect. Hotels, guest houses, and restaurants in those areas reported lower than average occupancy and empty rooms. There were also far fewer travelers trekking to the popular trekking region pathed under the Higher Himalaya Initiative's footing, visiting popular pilgrimage destinations, or taking in cultural destinations that attracted large crowds during the Spring and Fall months.
Economic Impacts and Losses
There were also significant financial implications throughout the tourism ecosystem of Nepal. Established hotels and restaurants, along with established tour operators, local guide service providers, and transport operators suffered the loss of anticipated revenue from canceled bookings. Many small businesses and other entities relying on tourist spending, including local souvenir shops, local guiding services, and transport service providers also suffered from decreased revenue. Overall, the loss is in the billions with a portion of workers in tourism related positions out of work or continuing to work with significantly reduced incomes.
Recovery Measures
As things settle down, tourism enterprises are beginning to normalize business operations. Curfew orders in primary cities have been relaxed and travel restrictions have been lifted. Trekking trails, cultural monuments and natural sights are now open to visitors. Tour operators and lodging facilities are taking bookings, and airlines have recommenced regularly scheduled trips. Local authorities and tourism boards are proactive in promoting Nepal as a safe destination for travelers with protective measures in place to minimize risk to tourists safety and convenience.
Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Nepal
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Stay Updated on the Situation: Stay informed on the situation with local media, an official government website, and a local or international traveler’s advisory.
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Avoid Demonstrating: Avoid protests and large gatherings. Even peaceful protests can become violent quickly.
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Confirm Travel Plans: Try and book all flights, accommodations, and tours well before travel. Once booked, confirm with travel providers before departing.
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Be Prepared for an Emergency: Make sure you keep proof of accommodations and travel plans with you at all times. Make your own list of emergency numbers, such as local tourist police.
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Be Prepared to Stay Healthy: Pack any prescribed medications and necessary supplies. Keep track of local health requirements and case numbers to understand if vaccines or other primitive health measures are mandatory.
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Support the Economy: Use local tour companies, local accommodations, and local restaurants to support the economic recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it safe to visit Nepal at this time?
Things seem to have settled down at this time. Travelers should exercise caution, avoid demonstrations, and heed local advice.
2. Are flights and transport operating?
Flights and most local transport are either operating or slightly in suspension. Delays happening on flights may occur anytime there is a disruption.
3. Are tourism sites open?
Yes, trekking routes, cultural sites and tourism sites are all open. There may be a little more or less disruption at various locations.
4. Will I be in danger of demonstrations as a tourist?
No. The demonstrations are political in nature. Most tourists should be safe, but reporting a demonstration location is best to avoid some sort of avoidable incident.
5. What precautions should I be taking?
Be informed, avoid gatherings, always communicate with your travel provider, have all travel documents on you at all times, and heed local authorities.
6. Have flights started to resume?
I have spoken with most airlines, and they confirmed they did resume their travel plans in and out of Nepal, but still best practice is that you check with your airline on travel status once near or before travel.
7. What should I do in an emergency?
Contact local authorities, or contact either the consulate/embassy nearest you. You will also want to have the contact numbers written down for future reference and have a plan to follow in the event extraordinary situations occur.
8. How can I help support the local economy?
If your trip has been planned, consider booking excursions and overnight tours directly with local excursion tour providers. Supporting and sustainability are two of the main keys to fully restore the local tourism economy.
9. Is health service available?
Health service is available in large cities and tourist centres, in the form of hospitals and clinics. It's suggested you carry any essential medications or any travel insurance and/or support bars just in case.
10. Do I have to obtain local permits for trekking?
Yes, but it depends on where you are trekking. There are many trekking permits, but TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) and national park permits are the biggest two for trekking. These can all be arranged through licensed agencies beforehand.
11. Is local transport safe for tourists?
All forms of public transport are operational but the conditions of roads vary depending on the locality. If using a taxi use a registered, licensed taxi or a reputable taxi service.
Final Remarks
Nepal is still a wonderful destination for all its mountains, rivers, temples, and culture. While political unrest has been recently resolved, it is now safe for travel and visitors should find that most areas, services, and transports in all tourist destinations are fully functioning. Travelers want to take precautions and plan ahead so that they can inform themselves to visit Nepal safely. Hotels, hikes, cultural sites, and restaurants are open and precautions are in place for the safety of visitors. Nepal provides a safe and enjoyable travel experience that is also enriching, provided you prepare and are aware.