Nepal
Travel Warning

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Please note that
we at Sunburst International Risk Management provides
Travel Information as a value-added service to
our international clients and visitors of this website. We
update our posting frequently, in order to provide you with current
and reliable travel alerts as quickly as we can.
However,
Travel Warnings posted on this website are subject to change without
notice. We suggest that you also check with the State Department and other
governmental agencies regarding the safety in the your destinations before
you leave.
On
June 15, 2010, the U.S. Department of State released the following Travel
Warning:
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
potential risks of traveling to Nepal and urges caution when
traveling in that country. The Department of State remains concerned
about the security situation in Nepal. U.S. citizens are urged to
obtain updated security information before traveling and they should
be prepared to change their plans on short notice. This replaces the
Travel Warning for Nepal dated November 19, 2009, to update
information on the security and political situation, and to advise
travelers about the continuing possibility of political
demonstrations and unrest.
Political violence has occurred sporadically throughout
Nepal in the past and may escalate due to recent political
tensions. Protests, demonstrations, and disruptions continue to
occur, often without advance notice. In a recent indefinite strike
imposed by the Unified CPN-Maoist Party on May 3-7, 2010, business
and transportation were brought to a standstill. During this
strike, large demonstrations were held and incidents of localized
violence occurred. During past demonstrations, some protestors
forcibly closed businesses, damaged vehicles, threw rocks, and
burned tires to block traffic. Given the nature, intensity and
unpredictability of past disturbances, you are urged to exercise
special caution during announced demonstrations, avoid areas where
demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road
travel, and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with
little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens are urged to consult
media sources and register with the Embassy (see instructions below)
for current security information. The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu
continues to monitor the political situation in Nepal closely, and
advises U.S. citizens that the potential remains for spontaneous
demonstrations and political unrest, which could escalate into
violence. You should stay current on media coverage of local events
and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

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Crime in the Kathmandu Valley and in the major cities of
Nepal continues and includes violent crimes, robberies by armed
gangs, and harassment of female travelers. Police resources to
combat such crimes are limited. Theft and muggings occasionally
occur in popular tourist and trekking areas such as Chitwan,
Pokhara, the Annapurna region and the Thamel area of Kathmandu.
Trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men, even on
popular trails.
Visitors to Nepal should practice good personal security
when moving about and avoid walking alone after dark, carrying
large sums of cash, or wearing expensive jewelry. Women are
advised to pay attention to local customs and dress
appropriately in public. In several reported incidents, tourists
have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they
slept. There has been an increase in the number of fraudulent
schemes perpetrated against tourists. These schemes involve
requesting the traveler's assistance, particularly financial
assistance, in establishing shipping routes, or business
contacts with the United States or other countries, involving
jewelry, antiquities, or carpets, promising huge returns.
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu strongly recommends that
you do not hike alone or become separated from larger traveling
parties while on a trail. Solo trekking is dangerous, has
contributed to injuries and deaths, and makes an individual more
vulnerable to criminals. Foreign trekkers have gone missing
while trekking alone. The safest option for trekkers is to join
an organized group and/or use a reputable trekking company that
provides an experienced guide and porters who communicate in
both Nepali and English. Destruction of telephone services in
many trekking areas has complicated efforts to locate U.S.
citizens and make arrangements for medical evacuations when
needed. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact the
U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for the latest security information
and to register their itinerary before undertaking treks outside
the Kathmandu Valley (see Registration/Embassy Location section
below). Trekkers also are advised to leave their itinerary with
family or friends in the United States and to check in at police
checkpoints where trekking permits are logged.
Travel via road in areas outside the Kathmandu Valley is
hazardous due to erratic drivers, poor road conditions, and
frequent road accidents. Public transportation, such as
microbuses and tuk tuks, should be avoided because they are
often overfilled, driven unsafely, and mechanically unsound. You
should use taxis with meters or negotiate a price with the taxi
driver before starting a trip. However, there have also been
instances of taxi drivers tampering with the meters in order to
charge higher fares.
Most U.S. official travel outside the Kathmandu Valley,
including by air, requires specific clearance by the U.S.
Embassy's Regional Security Officer. Active duty U.S. military
and Department of Defense contractors must obtain U.S. Embassy
clearance in advance for official and personal travel to Nepal.
The U.S. Government's designation of the Communist Party
of Nepal (Maoist) as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist"
organization under Executive Order 13224, and its inclusion on
the "Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant to the Immigration and
Nationality Act, remain in effect. These two designations make
Maoists excludable from entry into the United States without a
waiver and bar U.S. citizens from contributing funds, goods, or
services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.
U.S. citizens who choose to visit
or remain in Nepal despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to
register with the U.S. Embassy through the
State Department's travel registration
website, and to obtain updated
information on travel and security within Nepal. U.S. citizens
without Internet access may register directly with the U.S.
Embassy during the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to
Friday, when the American Citizens Services section is open to
the public. Registering makes it easier for the Embassy to
contact U.S. citizens in case of emergency. The
U.S.
Embassy is located at
Maharajgunj. The Consular Section can be reached at
977-1-400-7200, 400-7201. The number for after-hours emergencies
involving U.S. citizens is 977-1-400-7266, 400-7269. The fax
number is 977-1-400-7281. The Consulate's email address is
consktm@state.gov.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On November 19, 2009, the U.S.
Department of State issued the following Travel Warning:
The Department of State warns
U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Nepal, and urges
caution when traveling in that country. The Department of State
remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal, and
urges American citizens to obtain updated security information
before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans on
short notice.
Political violence remains a
problem in Nepal. Protests, demonstrations and disruptions
continue to occur, often without advance notice. During
demonstrations, protestors have used violence, including
forcibly closing businesses, damaging vehicles, throwing rocks,
and burning tires to block traffic. Given the nature,
intensity, and unpredictability of disturbances, American
citizens are urged to exercise special caution during times when
demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations
are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel, and
maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or
no advance notice. American citizens are urged to consult media
sources and to register with the Embassy (see instructions
below) for current security information.
The Young Communist
League (YCL), a Maoist Party affiliate, and several other
armed groups continue to engage in extortion, abuse, and
threats of violence, particularly in rural areas and the
Terai (the border region with India). Youth groups from the
other two main political parties, the Nepali Congress (NC)
and the United Marxist-Leninist Party (UML), have also
formed and clashes continue to take place among these
political rivals. In some instances, this has caused local
authorities to impose curfews without prior notice. Violent
actions by multiple armed splinter groups in the Terai
region along the southern border with India remain a
significant concern.

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Crime in the
Kathmandu Valley and in the major cities of Nepal
continues and includes violent crime, robberies by armed
gangs and the harassment of female travelers. Police
resources to combat such crime are limited. Theft and
muggings occasionally occur in popular tourist and
trekking areas such as Chitwan, Pokhara and the
Annapurna region and the Thamel area of Kathmandu.
Trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men,
even on popular trails. Visitors to Nepal should
practice good personal security when moving about and
avoid walking alone after dark, carrying large sums of
cash, or wearing expensive jewelry. Women are advised
to pay attention to local customs and dress
appropriately in public. In several reported incidents,
tourists have had their belongings stolen from their
rooms while they slept. There has been an increase in
the number of fraudulent schemes perpetrated against
tourists. These schemes involve requesting the
traveler's assistance, particularly financial help, in
establishing shipping routes, or business contacts with
the United States or other countries, involving jewelry,
antiquities, or carpets, promising huge returns.
Travel via road in
areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley is hazardous due
to erratic drivers, poor road conditions, and frequent
road accidents. Public transportation, such as
microbuses and tuk tuks, should be avoided because they
are often overfilled, driven unsafely, and mechanically
unsound. American citizens should use taxis with meters
or negotiate a price with the taxi driver before
starting a trip. However, there have also been
instances of taxi drivers tampering with the meters in
order to charge higher fares.
Most U.S. official
travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, including by air,
requires specific clearance by the U.S. Embassy's
Regional Security Officer. Active duty U.S. military
and Department of Defense contractors must obtain U.S.
Embassy clearance in advance for official and personal
travel to Nepal.
The U.S. Government's
designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as
a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" organization
under Executive Order 13224 and its inclusion on the
"Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant to the Immigration
and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two
designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the
United States without a waiver and bar U.S. citizens
from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods,
or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On November 21, 2008, the U.S.
Embassy Kathmandu released the following Travel Warning:
"The Department of State warns U.S.
citizens of the risks of traveling to Nepal and urges caution when
traveling in country. The Department of State remains concerned about
the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens to obtain
updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to
change their plans on short notice. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Nepal dated May 7, 2008 and updates safety and security information
following the formation of the coalition government in August, 2008.
"Despite the recent smooth
transition of government, some unrest remains. The Young Communist
League (YCL), a Maoist Party subgroup, continues to engage in extortion,
abuse, and threats of violence, particularly in rural areas. Youth
groups from the other two main political parties, the Nepali Congress
(NC) and the United Marxist-Leninist Party (UML), have also formed and
clashes continue among these political rivals. Violent actions by
multiple armed splinter groups in the Terai region along the southern
border with India remain a significant concern.
"While protests and pre-election
localized bombing incidents have decreased, demonstrations and
disruptions still occur. During demonstrations, protestors have used
violence, including damaging vehicles, throwing rocks, and burning tires
to block traffic. Given the nature, intensity, and unpredictability of
disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise special caution
during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where
demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel,
and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or no
advance notice. American citizens are urged to consult media sources
and to register with the Embassy (see instructions below) for current
security information.
"Crime in the Kathmandu Valley,
including violent crime and harassment of women, continues to rise.
Police resources to combat such crime are limited. Police have reported
a number of robberies by armed gangs, sometimes resulting in injury to
the victims. The U.S. Embassy reports an increase in crime in some
popular tourist areas such as Pokhara and the Thamel area of Kathmandu.
Visitors to Nepal should practice good personal security when moving
about, especially at night, and avoid walking alone after dark, carrying
large sums of cash, or wearing expensive jewelry. In several reported
incidents tourists have had their belongings stolen from their rooms
while they were asleep. Solo trekkers have been robbed by small groups
of young men, even on some popular trails. Some Young Communist League
members extort money from foreign tourists along some popular trekking
routes, and have threatened physical violence to Nepalis and non-Nepalis
alike for violating localized strikes.
"Travel via road in areas outside
of the Kathmandu Valley is hazardous due to erratic drivers and frequent
road accidents. Public transportation, such as microbuses and tuk tuks,
should be avoided because they are often overfilled, driven unsafely,
and mechanically unsound. American citizens should use taxis with
meters or negotiate a price with the taxi driver before starting a trip.
"Most U.S. official travel outside
the Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by
the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. As a result, The U.S.
Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may
be limited. Active duty U.S. military and Department of Defense
contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and personal
travel to Nepal.
"The U.S. Government’s designation
of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially Designated
Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and its
inclusion on the “Terrorist Exclusion List” pursuant to the Immigration
and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make
Maoists excludable from entry into the United States without a waiver
and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds,
goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists."
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This Travel Warning is being issued
on May 7, 2007 to provide updated information on the security situation
in Nepal and notes the U.S. designation of the Communist Party of Nepal
(Maoist) as a terrorist organization. The Department of State remains
concerned about the security situation in Nepal and continues to urge
American citizens contemplating a visit to Nepal to obtain updated
security information before they travel and to be prepared to change
their plans at short notice.
Despite the signing of a
comprehensive peace agreement by the Government and Maoist insurgents
and their entry into an interim government, Maoists continue to engage
in violence, extortion, and abductions. Maoists freely roam the
countryside and cities, sometimes openly bearing their weapons. The
Young Communist League, a subgroup of the Maoists, continues to extort
and abuse people, including threatening Kathmandu-based personnel of a
U.S. Non Governmental Organization. Maoist leader Puspa Dahal (aka “Prachanda”)
publicly alleged in March 2007 that royalists were planning to
assassinate U.S. government personnel, but Dahal never offered any
evidence for his claim. Furthermore, in a May 1, 2007 speech, Dahal
threatened to launch a new campaign of demonstrations and disruptions.
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
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Medical & Life Insurance

Violent clashes between Maoists
and indigenous groups have taken place in recent months in the Terai
region, along the southern border with India, in one case resulting
in 27 deaths. Ethnic tensions in the Terai region have spawned
violent clashes with police, strikes, demonstrations and closures of
the border with India. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against
non-essential travel to this region. Clashes between Maoists and
groups who oppose them also recently have extended into Kathmandu.
In November 2006 numerous resident
American citizens reported to the U.S. Embassy first-hand accounts of Maoist
cadres demanding food and lodging, often accompanied by threats of physical
violence. In some instances, Nepalese staff of Americans who resisted such
demands were beaten. Since the cease-fire in May 2006, hotels and
businesses frequented by American citizens have been targets of extortion
demands, forced closures, and have become the focus of demonstrations.
While widespread protests have abated, the potential for demonstrations and
disruptions remains high. During demonstrations, protestors have used
violence, including burning vehicles, throwing rocks and burning tires to
block traffic.
Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including
violent crime and harassment of women, has increased since April 2006.
Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu valley is still dangerous
and should be avoided. Police have reported a number of robberies by armed
gangs; in some cases victims were attacked and injured. The U.S. Embassy
reports an increase in crime in some popular tourist areas. Visitors to
Nepal should practice good personal security when moving about, especially
at night, and avoid walking alone after dark and carrying large sums of cash
or wearing expensive jewelry.
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
Click Here
for
Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel,
Medical & Life Insurance

In several reported incidents tourists
have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were asleep.
In late 2005, two European women were murdered in Nargarjun Forest, a
popular tourist destination in the Kathmandu Valley. The murders occurred
within weeks of each other and both involved women hiking alone. In March
2006, Maoists detained several Polish trekkers after the trekkers refused to
pay extortion. Solo trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men,
even on some popular trails. Crime, including violent crime, has further
increased in 2007, and police are unwilling or unable to arrest criminals
who claim Maoist affiliation.
U.S. official personnel generally do not
travel by road outside the Kathmandu Valley. All official travel outside
the Kathmandu valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the
U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. As a result, emergency assistance
to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty U.S. military and Department
of Defense contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and
unofficial travel to Nepal.
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
Click Here
for
Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel,
Medical & Life Insurance

Although the Government of Nepal no
longer considers the Maoists to be terrorists, the U.S. government’s
designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially
Designated Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and
its inclusion on the "Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant to the Immigration
and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make Maoists
excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from
transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for
the benefit of, the Maoists.
Given the nature, intensity and
unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise
special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas
where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel,
and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or no
advance notice, and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and
the Embassy's website (http://nepal.usembassy.gov)
for current security information.
U.S.
citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the
Embassy by accessing the Department of State's travel registration
site at
https://travelregistration.state.gov
or by personal appearance at the Consular
Section. The Consular Section is located at the Yak and Yeti Hotel
complex on Durbarmarg Street. The section can be reached directly
at (977) (1) 444-5577 or through the Embassy switchboard. The
Consular Section can provide updated information on travel and
security.
The
State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains an
information line at 1-888-407-4747 toll free or (202) 501-4444
Monday through Friday (excluding U.S. Government holidays) from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Specific information may also be
obtained by calling the Embassy at 977-1-444-5577 during working
hours and at 977-1-441-1179 during evenings and weekends and asking
for the Embassy Duty Officer.
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
Click Here
for
Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel,
Medical & Life Insurance
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