Should You Travel to Nepal Right Now? What Locals Want International Travelers to Know

I arrive in Kathmandu on the last day of August, just five days after devastating flash floods—caused by a glacier and rock collapse along Nepal’s border with China—swept through the Rasuwa district. Entire villages and communities were wiped out, hundreds killed, and thousands more are still missing, including many tourists. It’s an unthinkable tragedy that has unfolded with devastating consequences across parts of Nepal and neighboring Tibet.

As I exit baggage claim at Tribhuvan International Airport, one of a tiny handful of non-Nepalis on my flight from Dubai, I see a Flood Related Information & Help Desk manned by police. Outside the airport, the streets are busy, a cacophony of honking horns and motorbikes buzzing between cars, buses, and tuk-tuks as people travel around the Nepalese capital. Here, at least on the surface, things seem normal.

I’m welcomed at The Dwarika’s hotel by René Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, owner and CEO of Dwarika’s Collection. After a warm hello, the floods are the first thing we speak of; they’re in the minds and heavy hearts of everyone here. It’s a grave catastrophe that has shaken the nation. But what’s also in the minds of Nepalis is the concern that travelers to the tourism-dependent country, about to come into its peak travel season, will stop visiting.

Drinking tea in the courtyard of The Dwarika’s

Drinking tea in the courtyard of The Dwarika’s hotel, surrounded by centuries-old Newari wood carvings, the twittering of sparrows, and the chattering of mynahs coming home to roost, feels surreally calm. As we chat, monsoon rains start pouring from the sky, a constant, thunderous downpour that hammers on the rooftops and trees, only letting up in the early hours of the following morning.

It doesn’t bode well for those in the areas directly affected by the floods, or for those trying to help them. Look at a map of Nepal and the devastated areas don’t appear all that far from the capital, but the country’s mountainous topography means that there’s no direct route between them, and the roaring rivers have no outlet into the Kathmandu Valley. The Nepal Tourism Board, and practically everyone I speak to on the ground, is keen to highlight that the devastation is concentrated in a specific area, primarily the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and parts of Dhading district.

The rest of Nepal, from popular trekking areas like Everest and Annapurna, and cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, remains unaffected and open to visitors. Tourism is a major contributor to the country’s economy, and in 2025 Nepal welcomed 1.16 million visitors. Given the terrifying scenes witnessed on the news and social media, it’s natural that travelers with bookings to Nepal may be concerned about whether they should still come or not.

The message from the Nepal Tourist Board

But the message from the Nepal Tourist Board is unequivocal: Nepal is not closed. The country is open and eager to welcome visitors. On September 1, Khadak Raj Paudel, Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Antinue visiting and to stand with the country. “Our airports are still operating, our mountains, trails and trekking routes are still open to you

The hotels are welcoming you with open arms,” he said. “Travelling to Nepal at this time is not just a holiday. It’s a support.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Shrestha Einhaus. His hotels have seen a flurry of cancellations. “Tourism is one of the main economic drivers for Nepal, and is something that breathes life into the country,” he tells me. “That’s why it’s important to share where it’s safe to go, and where it’s not safe to go.

The majority of the country is safe.” The best way to support Nepal right now is not to cancel your trip, and to plan your next visit, he says. Namgyal Sherpa, CEO of Sherpa Hospitality, a company operating mountain lodges and trekking expeditions in Everest, Annapurna, Mustang, Chitwan, and Lumbini, is also keen to reassure travelers that there is no need to cancel their trips if they are not going to directly affected areas.

We understand that people may feel overwhelmed

“We understand that people may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and images circulating on social media, but it’s important to remember that these reports do not represent conditions across the entire country,” he says. “Our advice is not to cancel your travel plans, but to review your itinerary carefully and stay informed about local conditions.” Those with imminent travel should refer to the latest information from the Nepal Tourism Board, and coordinate with their on-the-ground hotels and organizers.

A number of local and international aid organizations, including the Nepal Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, and Médecins Sans Frontières, are providing urgent relief and recovery operations. Locally, donations are being coordinated by the Government of Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, operating a “one-door” approach to ensure aid is distributed in an equal and organized manner, and to enable long-term restoration, resettlement, and rebuilding of communities, as well as immediate disaster relief.

But in addition to making monetary donations, the message on the ground to those overseas who want to support Nepal in its time of crisis is clear. By visiting Nepal now and traveling in safe areas, you will be supporting the communities, workers, businesses, and families whose livelihoods depend on tourism. “Every person who comes to Nepal is making a contribution and having an impact on the broader community and those who rely on tourism for their income,” says Einhaus.

Sherpa agrees. “Responsible tourism can be a powerful part of the recovery, and can provide important support to local communities and the tourism industry at a time when they need it most,” he says. “Nepal has always been a country of resilience, generosity, and community. We believe that with the support of people at home and around the world, the affected communities will recover, rebuild, and emerge stronger.”

Source: www.cntraveler.com