Is Nepal Safe for Solo Female Travel?

Is Nepal safe for tourists? And, more specifically, is solo female travel in Nepal safe? Here we will cover everything safety-related for Nepal. From activities to locals to crime, let’s find out – is Nepal safe for solo female travel?

Nepal is known for being a place of spirituality. A place of vibrant colors, holy temples, vast and rugged mountains, and the best in adventure.

But where I’m from, I rarely hear of anyone visiting Nepal, let alone solo females. So, I wasn’t really sure what to expect before visiting.

I had a rough itinerary mapped out. I wanted to visit Kathmandu for culture and history; Chitwan National Park for the jungle and nature; Pokhara for adventure activities; and the Trishuli River Valley for white water rafting.

There was a lot of excitement leading up to the trip, and I was curious to see how it would all pan out.

It is also worth mentioning, I have a unique perspective on solo female travel in Nepal. I spent part of my time solo and part of my time with a male companion. So, I can compare what it is like to go it alone in Nepal versus what it is like to be with another traveler.

And now that I’ve returned, I want to share everything I learned with you!

Here we will cover the following. Is Nepal safe? And is it safe for solo female travel? What scams should one watch out for? And what are some cultural norms to be aware of?

Let’s dive in.

Where is Nepal?

Situated between China and India, Nepal is a small stretch of land that often gets overshadowed by these giants. But Nepal has a lot of its own unique culture and charm.

Nepal is home to 30 different ethnic groups and more than 30 languages.

You’ll see countless colorful temples and ornate stupas, some even right in the middle of busy Kathmandu. Tibetan flags in primary colors flap in the air. And vibrant robes are donned by Holy Sadhus and Hindu brides.

Nepal is roughly 80% Hindu and 10% Buddhist. It is a deeply religious and devout country

The nature is unfathomable – the snow-capped Everest hovers in the distance, and the milky-blue rivers rush between lush green forests.

But none of this means it is 100% safe.

Is Nepal Safe?

Let’s talk about safety in Nepal overall.

Officially, Nepal ranks number 73 out of 163 countries listed on the Global Peace Index. It’s 2nd safest country in South Asia, just under Bhutan (#1) and just above Sri Lana (#3.)

But keep in mind, 73rd is somewhere in the middle range for the entire list. So it is fairly safe for the South Asia region, but decidedly middle in terms of the whole world.

However, to put this in perspective, the United States of America is currently listed as #129 out of 163. And, I solo travel the United States all the time.

In general, despite having a few dangers to consider, Nepal is safe to visit.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out my top travel safety items and gear. This list covers everything from pickpocket-proof gear, personal safety, and health and wellness.

Nepal safety facts:

• Violent crime rates are very low in Nepal. In fact, most crimes that occur have to do with corruption and bribery.

• Tourists should wear a crossbody bag like this (bonus – it is slash-proof) and be wary of pickpockets. But, in general, this is the worst that most visitors will need to worry about. Check out my full list of safety gear, too, before you go.

• Tourists are appreciated in Nepal. In fact, the government has a special division of tourist police to keep visitors safe.

• Nepal is run by the Nepal Communist Party. Though the country has been relatively stable in recent years, there was a lot of political infighting historically.

• Nepal is the only country in South Asia to not criminalise same-sex relationships.

What other dangers exist?

Nepal is renowned for its striking natural beauty – and for good reason.

The Himalayas are breathtaking. The milky blue rivers are dreamlike. And the jungles are so lush! But all of this nature is not immune to disaster.

Nepal is still feeling the effects of the 2015 earthquake.

Buildings still lay in ruins nearly a decade later. This 7.6 magnitude phenomenon devastated parts of Kathmandu, and a series of more than 300 aftershocks kept occurring.

Earthquakes are definitely still possible in Nepal and can obviously affect any travel plans you may have. However, they are impossible to predict.

Your best bet is to get a travel insurance quote before you go.

The monsoon season lasts from June through September and can cause mudslides and flooding. This can cut off towns and villages and create many hazards in the roads. To learn about the seasons, check out my article on the best time to visit Nepal.

Lastly, things like altitude sickness and avalanches are real concerns if you plan to trek in Nepal or even climb Everest.

Essentially, my philosophy is this. Be aware of what the weather and expectations are for the timeframe of your visit. Get an insurance quote. Pack wisely and travel smartly. And that is really all you can do.

For what it is worth, my visit was in May and besides an occasional rain and unexpected chill in Kathmandu, everything went perfectly.

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Is Nepal Safe for Solo Female Travel?

As far as safety in Nepal for solo female travelers, I have a few observations.

First and foremost, I found Nepal to be very safe. This was true during the time I spend in Nepal solo, as well as when I was traveling with a male.

Shopkeepers and locals were equally friendly in both scenarios. No extra scams seemed to be attempted. No one followed me, no one catcalled me, no one harassed me.

In fact, the only difference I observed was that on weekend nights, I got a bit more attention.

The Thamel area in Kathmandu is known as a bit of a weekend party zone. When I was outside alone on weekend nights, I got stares and extra attention from local and tourist males.

But, none of it felt dangerous or intimidating. In fact, it was nothing more than lingering stares or drunk looks.

Ladies, in my experience, you will generally have nothing to worry about.

What to wear

That said, you should be mindful of how you dress. I have a full article on what to pack for Nepal, but here are some basics:

• Wear or carry a scarf for extra modesty when you’re out and about.
• Always wear a wide brim hat to protect yourself from the strong sun. The one linked is my favorite, because it is packable and crushable.
• Pack a sweater or shawl to cover your shoulders. You’ll need this in many temples and around town, in general.
• Long pants are ideal (I wore thick leggings that were typically covered by loose tunics or shirts.)
• I always have a flowy kimono on hand, for sun coverage, beach or pool days, and everything in between.

Items to keep you safe in Nepal

And, there are other items you should pack to keep yourself safe and prepared.

• A crossbody bag that has RFID protection and is slash-proof. Get yours here!
• A scarf with a hidden pouch is the perfect place to stash your passport or extra Rupees. Get yours here!
• You’ll need a plug converter and an external battery pack to keep your phone (and camera) charged and ready to use
• An RFID passport protector is great for keeping organized! Get one here.
• If you are traveling solo, bring a personal door lock for hotels. It reinforces the lock and makes entry next to impossible. Get yours here!
• I highly recommend a mesh bag protector if you’ll be staying in dorms. Get yours here!
• These are my favorite heavy-duty locks for suitcases, luggage, and lockers. They are TSA compliant, too. Get yours here!

Safest Ways To Travel Nepal

Nepal is a pretty easy country to travel around. You have a lot of options as far as transportation, and I will talk about each of them below.

However, the infrastructure is less than stellar and the traffic can be terrible (especially in Kathmandu.) Roads can be dusty and – if you aren’t used to driving abroad – traffic can seem unruly.

Here are some of the safest ways to travel around Nepal, depending on your timeframe and comfortability.

1. Book a tour in Nepal.

While Nepal is safe in general, if you would rather have the security and comfort of a tour guide to make your travels stress free, it is easy to do. Then you get to adventure, stress free!

Because Nepal values (and is no stranger to) tourism, you have a lot of tour options to choose from!

Here are my top recommendations on tours and experiences that I personally loved.

(If you want to see a larger guide on tours in Nepal, check out this article.)

⫸ 10-Day Adventure Sports Tour in Nepal

I one-thousand percent recommend this 10-day adventure sports tour for anyone who loves nature, culture, and an adrenaline rush!

This tour hits all the stops you have seen me post about on this site!

You’ll go on a jungle safari to see rhinos and elephants in Chitwan National Park. Adventurers, you’ll get to go bungee jumping and ride the steepest zipline in the world. You’ll ride a dugout canoe and see gharial crocodiles. And, you’ll see cultural sites in Pokhara and Kathmandu.

While my exact itinerary is no longer available, I can personally vouch for every activity on this tour. (The only difference was that mine also included an ultralight flight excursion, too.)

I could not recommend this experience more! You will see so much of Nepal’s culture and nature.

⫸ 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek

Many people specifically travel to Nepal to do the famous EBC trek – or, the Everest Base Camp trek.

On this tour, you get 12 full days at the base of the incredible mountains. You’ll see some of the prettiest nature not just in Nepal, but in the world!

Not only that, but you’ll see mountain monasteries, national parks, pristine rivers, and much more. If you are looking for an escape to nature to get away from it all, this is the tour for you!

For less than $100 per day, you will get three meals a day during your trek; domestic flights where applicable; a government-licensed trekking guide; and sleeping bags and materials along the way, and much more.

You cannot go wrong with this trek!

⫸ 3-Day Chitwan National Park Safari from Kathmandu

Need a shorter tour that is still jam-packed with nature and full of wonder? Then you can’t miss this 3-day Chitwan tour.

First, it leaves from Kathmandu, so all transportation is provided via Tourist Bus once you land in the capital city. It also includes all accommodations in Chitwan, as well as entrance fees for the national park.

Chitwan was one of the highlights of my entire trip. Seeing the one-horned rhinos and gharial crocodiles was incredible, and the lush green jungle was so lush and beautiful.

You need to save three days for this tour!

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2. Use the tourist bus.

If you would rather DIY your trip and travel by bus across long distances, your best bet is the Tourist Bus.

The prices are fixed (no haggling) and, while you’ll pay a little more, the buses have air-conditioning. It will stop every few hours for food, restrooms, and refreshments.

However, just to be clear, all of my tourist buses were old and had damaged seats and facilities. So don’t expect luxury, because you will not find it!

3. Ride the local bus.

This is probably the cheapest way to travel around Nepal. The prices are also fixed.

One drawback, it is not always easy to find the correct bus and you are less likely to find English-speakers than on the Tourist Bus. Prepare to ask the locals for help.

If you are traveling on a shoestring budget, this is something to consider.

4. Hire a driver or taxi.

Taxis are an easy option to get from one place to another in cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara. While many sites are walkable, others require some form of transportation if you are staying in Thamel, for instance.

Also, if you are carrying luggage or run into rain, it is super easy and convenient to hail a cab.

Taxi rides are generally cheap, but yes, I had a few drivers try to quote ridiculously high prices. Make sure to agree on the price before getting inside the car.

Ladies, check out my solo female taxi tips here.

5. Ride in a tuk-tuk.

If you have never ridden in a tuk-tuk or rickshaw, you should do it at least once in Nepal!

For short distances in cities, a local man will bicycle or zip you around in an open air vehicle. They are often brightly colored and make for a fun experience.

The prices can vary a lot so plan to bargain before getting in!

6. Rent a scooter or a car.

Lastly, if you are comfortable driving in the sometimes-crazy traffic, renting a car or scooter can be an excellent option.

I rented a scooter in Kathmandu and frankly, it kept things a lot cheaper than you’d think.

For example, a one way ride from Thamel to Pashupatinath Temple will cost an average of 600 Rupees in a taxi.

However, if you’re willing to bargain, you can get a scooter rental for a very good price! Mine was 700 Rupees per day, thanks to expert level haggling.

So you see, the cost of the scooter paid for itself in just one round trip ride to and from Pashupatinath Temple.

Pro Tip: If you are heading into the Himalayas or out to more rural parts of Nepal, you should definitely rent a Jeep or other 4WD vehicle. The terrain is rough and will require a heavy duty car. Get the best price here!

Scams to Watch Out For

No country is immune to scammers and tricksters, and Nepal is no different. Here are the scams to watch out for in Nepal. I bet you experience a few of them.

Woman and baby scam

One common scam occurs when a woman holding a baby will ask tourists for money to buy milk for her child. She will often be dressed a bit ragged and if you’re human, it will tear on your heartstrings.

Be aware, it is a scam.

She will take you to a shop where you’ll pay a huge sum of money for milk. Once you’re gone, the woman will return the milk and share the money you just left with the shopkeeper.

Fake Sadhu men

Additionally, at many holy temples and sites, you will see Sadhu men in bright orange robes and painted faces.

Sadhus are men who have given up their worldly possessions for a life of spirituality. They rely on money and food from others and give blessings in return.

While actual Sadhus are highly respected in Nepali culture, some that you see at temples will be scammers fleecing tourists for cash.

You’ll have to feel it out and see if they are making demands or seem unconcerned about your money. The real Sadhus are quite a treat to interact with.

Children begging

Lastly, children are often used for begging tourists. I always have an issue with this, as the child is typically taken out of school to beg in the streets.

My personal rule, I never give money. But if someone is in need, I am okay to offer food to them.

You’ll have to decide for yourself where your line is drawn.

What not to do in Nepal?

Sometimes travelers can get into hot water simply by not knowing the cultural norms.

Here we will highlight some of the things not to do in Nepal, as well as explain the reason why. Hopefully, this will help you avoid any unintended disrespect and unwanted stares.

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1. Do not wear revealing clothing.

Nepali people dress fairly conservatively. While not as extreme as many of the places I visit in the Middle East, I generally did not see knees or shoulders exposed. Perhaps the only exceptions were at the pool, or the river, or on safari in Chitwan.

Wearing revealing clothing in public places in generally frowned upon, especially when visiting remote villages or temples.

Ladies, be sure to check out my post on what to wear in Nepal. I have a short synopsis further below, but only this article will give the full breakdown.

2. Don’t wear shoes inside the temples.

Removal of shoes is mandatory before entering temples all over Nepal.

If it is a heavily visited temple, it will be very obvious where to remove your shoes. You will either see a pile of them near the entrance or even an attendant collecting them.

Similarly, people do not wear shoes inside of homes here.

Since shoes are worn outside, they are seen as unclean or dirty. So removing them before entering temples or homes is a gesture of respect.

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3. Do not walk counter-clockwise around stupas.

A stupa is a religious monument in Buddhism. It is essentially a massive mound, often topped with a golden cone-like structure where the Eyes of Buddha are painted.

For example, Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu is a stupa. Boudhanath and Lumbini are, too.

When you visit these monuments, you will see Nepali citizens walking around the stupas. Notice that they always walk clockwise.

It is believed that walking the stupa in a clockwise direction brings positive energy to our bodies and purifies negative karma. Walking counter-clockwise around a stupa is considered to bring a bad omen.

4. Do not show anger in public areas.

Nepali people are kind and generous in nature.

You will observe this early on in your travels. They love helping each other and are conscious about how they speak to others.

It is pretty rare to see expressions of anger in Nepal, though I did witness arguments once or twice here.

In general, be mindful about how you speak with people in Nepal, from those you meet on the street to shopkeepers and attendants.

Pro Tip: Ladies, if you do find yourself harassed or in any sticky situation, this is when I say to disregard this cultural norm. Yell, make noise, be loud. When your safety is at stake, never hesitate.

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5. Never use your left hand while worshiping.

As we’ve discussed, Nepal is a religious country. Certain rituals are performed when worshipping the gods. 

If you choose to take part in any religious rituals, like offering flowers, fruits, incense or sweets to the gods, be sure to use your right hand and not the left hand.

The rituals performed by the right hand are considered favorable. 

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6. Avoid taking photographs in prohibited places.

Before taking photographs at temples and Holy sites, be sure to check for signage indicating that it is not allowed.

Temples are often prohibited from pictures. Do not take your camera out and do not take pictures of the god statues.

If you accidentally do so, you will likely be scolded – though it will quickly be forgotten once you put the camera away. I may or may not speak from experience.

Oftentimes, you can take pictures of the temple’s exterior but pictures of God’s statue is strictly prohibited.

Pro Tip: Never take photographs of people without their express permission.

7. Do not touch anyone without their consent.

Do not touch anyone, even in something considered a friendly gesture, without their consent.

While shaking hands and hugging is a fairly normal gesture in western culture, it is atypical in Nepal. Show respect and restraint.

Nepali people may get offended if you hug them or shake their hands without consent.

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8. No pubic displays of affection.

Do not kiss or hug in public places in Nepal, even if you are a couple. 

People in Nepal are not comfortable with public displays of affection. You will not see locals expressing affection in public, and it is often seen as awkward and uncomfortable.

9. Don’t take any illegal substances.

While wandering around Kathmandu, I can almost guarantee that you will be offered illegal drugs. Many, many times.

Questionable-looking locals will come up and whisper an offer in your ear. But, best not to take them up on it.

If you do, you could be fined, arrested, or end up paying a hefty bribe to get out of it. These substances are illegal in Nepal – find out more here.

Definitely not worth it!

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10. Do not eat beef in Nepal.

Nepali people are not all vegetarians, but beef is strictly prohibited in Nepal.

The people of Nepal worship the cow as a god and thus, the cow is sacred. It is also the national animal of Nepal.

Eating beef is taboo here, and would be considered an insult.

Final Thoughts: Is Nepal Safe for Solo Female Travel?

From the Himalayas to the ancient cities, colorful temples, and adrenaline pumping adventures, Nepal has a lot to offer.

If you’re wondering “Is Nepal safe?” before your travels, don’t fret!

Solo female travel in Nepal, and travel to Nepal in general, is definitely safe. The country values tourism, and the attitude of the locals is one of kindheartedness, more often than not.

Like anywhere in the world, though, Nepal isn’t completely safe 100% of the time.

Natural disasters like earthquakes and avalanches can occur. Consider looking into travel insurance rates, particularly if you are taking part in high-risk activities like trekking, paragliding, or bungee jumping.

Additionally, pickpockets and scams do occur, however infrequently. Plan ahead by packing smart and being prepared. Trust your gut, as I always recommend!

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I hope this guide to solo female travel and safety in Nepal has helped you feel more confident and capable!

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