U.S. Issues New Nepal Travel Warning
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 05.08.07 | 3:54 PM ET
Photo by Nepal travel fans were hoping a peace agreement between Maoist insurgents and the Nepalese government in November would put an end to the violence and robberies that have plagued the Himalayan nation in recent years. No such luck, apparently. As a result of ongoing acts of violence and threats by Maoist insurgents, the State Department has issued a fresh warning to travelers considering a Nepal visit to stay abreast of security information and be ready to change plans.
Maoists have renewed threats to stage demonstrations and disruptions. Also, the U.S. warns: “Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including violent crime and harassment of women, has increased since April 2006. Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu valley is still dangerous and should be avoided.”
Jim Sano of Geographic Expeditions, which runs trekking trips into the region, told me he doesn’t believe the current situation poses a significant risk to the outfitter’s travelers.
The groups are careful to avoid political demonstrations, he said. What’s more, “Our travelers spend little time in Kathmandu. Most of our trips go to the Everest region or the Mustang region and our travelers are airlifted there by helicopter or plane.”
As the monsoon season kicks in later this month, he added, trekking season will wind down.
But with travel to Nepal expected to pick up again in the fall, “We will obviously be monitoring the situation through the summer.”