I'm backpacking in Nepal by myself from 5/6 to 5/14. Is it safe and is anyone interested in joining?

Question

Hi. I just bought a ticket to go backpacking in Nepal from 5/6 and 5/14 and am having second thoughts after reading about the Maoist insurgents. Is it safe to go if I hang around Kathmandu and maybe fly to some of the other cities like Lumini and Pokhara? I'm asian-american, so maybe can pass for a local?

Similarly, if any other backpackers are in the same position, I'd love to find strength in numbers. I'm 28, male, graduate student, normal, not psycho, etc.

Answer 1

Contact the embassy

Answer 2

id say its less safe to invite strangers online to backpack with you.... but good luck and be safe.

Answer 3

from where are you going to Nepal.

I think it will be peace by then. Nepal had election yesterday and the rebels are not that threating.

This scenario below is highly not likely.

**At most they will give you a bills to pay the security services that they have offered without your permission. I have not seen anybody that has not paid the bills. They don't accept cc/check, they only accept cash and on the spot when the bills are offered. The funny thing is they will give you a receipt for your donation. If they win the election and come into the mainstream politics then it is highly unlikely. Even if they (maoist,rebels) loose the election then there is low concern because then you are their fund raising target.**

The above scenario is highly not likely.

About Lumbini and Pokhara... they are great place to be... Lumbini is a hot place and the irony is the locals are not buddhist The locals friendly hindus. You may also encounter some christian and muslims there. They are of the ethnic madesi people and they speak bhojpuri language.

Your asian-american identity wont be able to blend in the locals. You will be distinctly a white swan along a batch of slightly grey swan. I mean to say that locals dont look like asian-american.

Pokhara is a great city. nice people. The locals are either gurung/... (chinese looking) or bahun/chettri/... (indian looking). Dont tell the local people that they look like indian because they identify as Nepalese and they will tell you at the spot that they dont look like indian people. Friendlier people, more hospitality. Great view of the Annapurna Range (part of the himalayan range). Great lake Fewa and love the fishtail mountain. I would recommend you to take the glider ride. Its awsome. Highly recommended.

You may be blended and sometime can pass for a local there but highly unlikely.

I am not a psycho so i wont go with you. Good luck. Look out for the post election voilance.

Answer 4

Nepal is pretty safe at the moment. Maoist are not rebel anymore they are open now and in main political stream. and a day ago there was a reconstitute assembly election happens. so not to worry about that. you can go visit pokhara by Bus its is about 200 KM form Kathmandu or you can take plane it takes about 20 mins and form Pokhara you can get bus to Lumbini there is no flight for Lumbini from Pokhara..... Lumbini is about 300 KM (roughly  ) from pokhara........ its very nice place. i have been to there couple of time ...... very much peace in Buddha's Birth Place ... enjoy your holidays....... have fun...

Answer 5

i will backpack with you,im 45,just out of prison for sexual misdemeanour's.im a bit of a loony but i like male company,only one thing you will have to pay cause i aint got no money.

Answer 6

It is safe but do NOt.. i say DO NOT give any donation to terrorist group! Just say you don't have money, nobody is going to do anything to you if u have foreign passport.

It is a beautiful place to go. I am from pokhara. Have fun.. Go to treking and stuff like that! good luck!