Nepal

Recommended Vaccinations For Nepal

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Polio Vaccine

There is no risk of polio in this country. However, proof of polio vaccination may be necessary for some travellers.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in Nepal for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Whether or not a traveller should receive this vaccine depends considerably on the itinerary and activities of the traveller. In Nepal, between July and December, if the itinerary includes the southern lowlands, the Kathmandu Valley, and the western Terai districts of Bankey, Bardia, Dang, and Kailali, vaccination is recommended.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for all travellers who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended Medications For Nepal

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Nepal

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Nepal.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in Nepal, and the risk to travellers is significant. Outbreaks have occurred in the following districts: Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Jhapa, Parsa, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dhading, and Kathmandu.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Nepal through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

There is a risk of cholera transmission in some areas of the country.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Malaria

All areas at altitudes less than 2,000 meters are at risk for malaria, including rural areas in Terai districts bordering India. No malaria in Kathmandu.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs Nepal. Travellers are at risk when visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Nepal, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Japanese encephalitis

In Nepal, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis may occur between the months of July and December in the southern lowlands and in the Kathmandu Valley with the highest rates reported in the western Terai districts of Bankey, Bardia, Dang, and Kailali. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is becoming more common in Nepal. Sporadic cases have been reported in Dharan [Province One], Makwanpur and Dhading [Province Three], Tanahun [Province Four], Nepalgunj [Province Five], and Dolpa [Province Six]. Cases have also occurred in the eastern Terai region of Nepal which lies adjacent to Bihar state in India. It is usually more common in rural than urban areas, and the risk of acquiring leishmaniasis is increased in travellers who spend time outdoors in rural areas and at night when sand flies typically feed.

Safety & Security in Nepal

Personal Safety

Nepal has a low rate of serious violent crime against foreigners. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur frequently in airports, on buses, and in tourist areas including Thamel, Sanepa, and Kupondol in Kathmandu. Crime increases significantly during the festival season from September to November, with rises in theft, pickpocketing, and break-ins. Assaults and robberies are more likely after dark in poorly lit areas. Sexual assaults have occurred in tourist areas such as Thamel and Sanepa. Some trekking guides have been reported to take inexperienced trekkers to high altitudes too quickly and then call expensive helicopter evacuations from which they profit. Scams occur in tourist areas, including overcharging and misrepresentation of services by tour operators and taxi drivers.

Extreme Violence

Nepal has a low terrorism risk and experiences no regular acts of international terrorism. In 2021, there were no terrorist incidents reported. The main domestic security concern historically came from the Biplav faction, a Maoist splinter group, which mounted small-scale attacks including improvised explosive devices, arson, and targeted infrastructure between 2016 and 2020. The group’s leader signed a peace agreement in March 2021 and renounced violence, leading to a significant decline in attacks. Since May 2021, only two terrorism-related attacks have been recorded. Nepal could potentially be used as a transit or staging point for international terrorist groups due to the open border with India and weak security protocols at Tribhuvan International Airport. However, the government does not view violent extremism originating from Middle East conflicts as a significant threat. Violent crime against tourists remains rare.

Political Unrest

Nepal experienced major political unrest in September 2025 when Gen Z-led protests erupted over a government ban on social media platforms. The protests turned violent on September 8-9, resulting in at least 72-74 deaths and thousands of injuries. Security forces used live ammunition against protesters, killing 19 people on September 8 alone. Demonstrators stormed the parliament building, set fire to government offices including Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court, and attacked politicians’ homes. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9. Curfews were imposed in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and the main international airport was temporarily closed. By mid-September, an interim government was established under Sushila Karki, and the situation has stabilized, though it remains volatile. Protests can erupt with little warning and may result in bandhs (strikes) that shut down roads, businesses, and flights for extended periods. Political demonstrations are common and sometimes turn violent. Small-scale politically motivated attacks occasionally occur, especially in Kathmandu, though foreigners are rarely targeted. Pro-monarchy protests have also occurred in recent years, with demonstrations in November 2023 and March 2025 resulting in clashes with security forces and several deaths.

Areas To Avoid

During the festival season from September to November, crime skyrockets throughout Nepal, particularly in tourist areas. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and poorly lit side streets. The southern Terai region bordering India may feel less comfortable for travelers due to stronger cultural conservatism and reports suggest solo travelers may experience more unwanted attention there. Avoid areas experiencing political demonstrations, which can occur without warning, particularly near government buildings, Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu, and along the southern border region. Mountainous areas and trekking routes during monsoon season become extremely hazardous due to landslides and flash floods. Nepal sits in a high-risk earthquake zone and natural disasters including earthquakes, landslides, and floods pose significant threats, especially during monsoon from March through September. Remote trekking areas present risks due to challenging terrain, altitude sickness, and limited emergency response capability.