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Tourist visas can be issued on arrival. A 60-day visa costs US$30 and a 150-day/multiple-entry visa costs US$80. Tourist visas are valid for Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara Valley and Tiger Tops in Chitwan. Visitors intending to trek or visit other areas should obtain a permit from the Central Immigration Office.
Americans: United States citizens must have a passport and visa.
UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport and visa.
Canadians: Canadians must have a passport and visa.
Australians: Australians must have a passport and visa.
South Africans: South Africans
must have a passport and visa.
Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport and visa.
New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport and visa.
Health
Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, meningitis, rabies and typhoid are recommended. Travelers arriving from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Altitude sickness is a real risk for trekkers. There is a risk of malaria between June and September in the low-lying areas including Chitwan National Park, but not in the common trekking areas. Outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur annually, particularly between July and December; vaccination is advised. Cholera outbreaks occur and food and water precautions should be followed. Untreated water should be avoided; visitors can buy bottled water or purify their own. When trekking it is preferable to treat river water rather than leaving a trail of plastic bottles behind. Purifying water with iodine is the cheapest and easiest way to treat water. Stomach upsets are likely to be the most common cause of illness in travelers to Nepal; food in tourist restaurants or 'Western' food should be treated with caution as it is often reheated or left to stand out, and drinks or salads can contain ice or have ingredients washed in dirty water. Many trekkers may suffer from altitude sickness above 8,202ft (2,500m); if symptoms persist it is wise to descend as quickly as possible. Standard of care in hospitals varies, but there are traveller's clinics in Kathmandu and numerous pharmacies in the major towns. Medical insurance is essential, which should include air evacuation.
Safety
On 1 February 2005 the king dismissed the government, assuming direct control of the country. In April 2006 he finally agreed to give up his power following weeks of violent protests by political parties and the Maoists. The Maoists extended their truce in a bid to support peace talks between themselves and the government, and on 21 November 2006 reached agreements on major issues in the peace process negotiations; an interim government was formed on 1 April 2007. Both sides have agreed to a UN monitored permanent ceasefire, however, the security situation is still uncertain and anyone traveling to Nepal, and particularly to Kathmandu, should be aware that the situation could change rapidly. Violent incidents, including bombings, have continued in 2007 despite the cease-fire; on 2 September 2007 three bombs exploded in Kathmandu at bus stands and inside a microbus, causing death and injury. Demonstrations and public gatherings should be avoided, as there is still a high risk of violence. Elections are planned for early 2008. The security situation in Terai is particularly unstable. Due to previous bomb attacks and shootings in public places, including the main tourist areas of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lukla, as well as on popular trekking routes, visitors are warned to be particularly vigilant; foreign tourists have been involved in several incidents. Foreigners have been the target of recent attacks in the Thamel district of Kathmandu, and are advised to be cautious after dark and to stay in a group if in the area at night. There have been incidences of violent robbery against trekkers and there is an armed Maoist presence on many of the major trekking routes who demand a 'tax' before allowing trekkers to pass; failure to pay resulted in a Swiss trekker and his Nepali guide being badly beaten in December 2007. Trekkers are advised to stay on established routes and walk in a group or with professional guides. Foreigners were seriously injured in two attacks in the Nagarjun Forest Reserve just outside Kathmandu in October 2005 and visitors are advised to be cautious in the area and to travel in a group.
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