Situation in Nepal

George

I'm sick at looking at paranoid government department's websites telling me not to travel to Nepal.

Can anyone give me the real oil on the situation in Nepal - is it dangerous for me to travel there? I'm planning to spend a month there in October during my trip to India - Kathmandu, with either Everest base camp trek or Annapurna circuit.

Can anyone help me

Thanks ; George

lightning

Hi George,
ignore the paranoid hype.

I've just returned from kathmandu and would go back anytime. the Maoists are degenerating into gangsters running protection rackets in the surrounding hill villages. They knock doors for money from householders but won't bother you. They are interrested in establishing territorial influence not terrorising tourists (phew- say that fast).

enjoy the trekking!

-L

George

Thanks Lightning - Are there any areas I should avoid at all? Also, I'm debating whether to take my sleeping bag (rated to -10C). Is it worth taking or should I just hire one there. I've heard the rentals can be a bit manky!

Cheers

lightning

well I was glad of mine in high terrain may-june, though a sheet bag will be all you'll need at Kathmandu altitudes. Most of the places you'll stay on established trekking routes will have blankets but not fresh sheets so you could probably get away without the sleeping bag.
If it's not too huge and you reckon you may go camping -take it.

re danger areas;- 'the hills' ;-)
they just killed the mayor of Pokhara for not colluding with them while I was there, but again they won't gain anything except international condemnation and anti-terrorist backlashes if they hit tourists.

In years of conflict I think only one tourist has been killed. check the LP site and books for specific trekking areas. there's one or two black spots, more from enterprising local thieves than Maoists.
-L