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A splendid country, capable of making anyone who sets foot there fall in love, a place that truly makes the heart beat and that knows how to conquer the soul with its beauty and culture: Nepal. A destination which, however, also hides a dark side which, if you decide to organize a trip, you must necessarily know: in some respects it is one of the most dangerous destinations in the world.
It is a small state perched in the Himalayan mountains where there is a lot of nature, but also history, culture, welcoming people, very folkloristic traditions and some things that you need to pay attention to.
Because Nepal is considered a dangerous country
Just a few months ago in Nepal a flight with 72 people on board crashed and, unfortunately, this is nothing new. According to Indian media, 67 plane crashes have been recorded in these parts in the last 60 years: in proportion to plane movements it shows an accident rate much higher than the world average
While on the one hand this country boasts one of the most incredible airports in the world, the Tenzing-Hillary in Lukla, which is located at 2.845 meters above sea level, on the other it is also one of the most dangerous on our entire planet: it has a the only runway on which to land and take off, only 527 meters long, where on one side a rocky wall stands out, while on the opposite side a sort of overhang.
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But the danger of loves in Nepal it's not just about its airport. The country has hostile topography with majestic mountains and a temperamental climate, conditions that make for challenging flying. According to the local authorities' report, from 2009 to 2018 two-thirds of the accidents occurred during the cruise or landing phase.
And what is particularly surprising is that almost half of the victims it occurred during the cruise, confirming the fact that what is the phase with the least problems in the world in Nepal is the most deadly. Once they arrive at Kathmandu airport with international connections, people board smaller aircraft of local companies to reach the various areas among the highest peaks in the world. And there, unfortunately, the safety standards are not the same as in Western countries.
Finally, it is important to know that the European Commission has included around 20 Nepalese airlines in the list of carriers which, for safety reasons, cannot fly in EU skies. The complete list can be found in this piece.
So is it safe to travel to Nepal?
On a general level, traveling to Nepal, as you arrive on international flights, is safe: you just need to be extremely cautious and avoid places of demonstrations and gatherings. Indeed, its crime rates are not very high and it is full of friendly people.
However, during the organization phase there are some things to keep in mind. As we mentioned, local transportation in the country is highly risky. This means that it would be advisable, at least nowadays, to avoid reaching the mountains of Nepal by bus or plane as it is hundreds of times more treacherous than going to other places.
Pickpocketing and bag theft is also a very common problem. For this reason it is necessary to have a higher threshold of attention when it comes to your objects and documents. Furthermore, the risk of natural disasters should not be underestimated as unfortunately the Nepal is subject to floods, landslides, fires, epidemics, earthquakes, avalanches, windstorms and droughts. Finally, as in all places in the world, even in Nepal there is the risk of being scammed.
In essence, therefore, Nepal is safe to visit and is known for its extremely easy-going and hospitable inhabitants, but you need to be very careful, especially when it comes to internal travel.
What to see in Nepal
Nepal is a country with an ancient culture, a fantastic place in which to completely immerse yourself and live unforgettable and unique experiences. Unmissable, for example, is its spectacular and super colorful capital: Kathmandu. A modern city but also full of ancient traditions linked to Buddhist and Hindu cultures.
A place that offers a huge choice of wonders to discover, but also an atmosphere capable of perfectly perceiving all its spirituality. A fundamental stop is the fascinating Swayambhu temple which, with its over 300 stone steps, is able to offer the visitor one of the most spectacular views of the city.
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The dream of many is to climb the highest mountain in the world which is located right here: Everest. It can only be done with a very good amount of preparation and with local guides, but the good news is that those who have no climbing experience can still go on a trek in the most accessible areas, an adventure that can only be experienced in Nepal.
It is also worth a trip to Bhaktapur which allows you to take a trip back in time, a true paradise of relaxation where the inhabitants live according to rules that are very reminiscent of bygone eras. Defined as the "city of rice", it looks like the set of a film.
Nature lovers cannot miss the Chitwan National Park, the oldest in Nepal, where many endangered species live such as the Bengal tiger or the Asian rhinoceros. In these parts you can go on a safari and visit the various typical villages to completely immerse yourself in the local culture.
Very beautiful too Pokhara , also called the "city of lakes", from where numerous routes for hikers and boat tours depart that lead to discover the lakes that surround the area. Particularly surprising is the sunrise over the Annapurna massif, a moment of the day that involves many tourists every day.
Finally - but the wonders of Nepal certainly don't end here - we recommend you stop by the Lumbini Garden, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha. This means that this is the point where the history of Buddhism began. A village that hides many archaeological treasures inherent to the historic birth of the Buddha and which attracts pilgrims and visitors from every corner of our planet. It is no coincidence that the air you breathe has something mystical and is profoundly spiritual.
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