“Bound by necessary routine, children can be conservative creatures — push their boundaries a bit and watch Nepal's magic take over.”
Travelling in Nepal with kids
Anyone who's been travelling in Nepal with kids will surely testify to the eclectic array of activities to help families, and children, push boundaries and discover a life that's about as far removed, but then, so similar, to life back home—it is unbelievable.
Find out more about health & safety, manageable trekking and some of the reasons why our experts recommend travelling in Nepal with kids.
What does Divine recommend?
People generally fall into two camps: those who would take their children to a developing country and those that wouldn’t.
Parents should be aware that the country’s facilities and services will not be comparable to those in developed nations and changing nappies is probably not much fun half way up a mountain either. Babies might be best left at home, but if your little ones are 6 and over, Nepal with kids is an adrenaline–filled playground with shorter hikes, mountain biking, rafting and wildlife all available for their amusement, not to mention Kathmandu’s bazaars, which are a fascinating assault on younger senses.
Health and safety in Nepal
Health
• Visit your GP or travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before departure to ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and that they are up to date.
• Medical treatment is expensive at western travellers’ clinics in Nepal and healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, emergency helicopter evacuation and repatriation.
• If you do need to receive medical treatment in Nepal, up-front payment may be required even if it is covered by your insurance.
• If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 102 and ask for an ambulance. You may find the high mountain altitudes demanding. Familiarise yourself with the dangers of altitude sickness, especially if you are trekking in remote areas.
• Many travellers experience stomach upsets in Nepal. These are not usually serious, but do be prepared, and bring medication including rehydration and diarrhoea remedies to ensure this disrupts your trip as little as possible.
• There is no malaria risk in Kathmandu, Pokhara or the mountain trekking areas, but malaria does exist in the southern belt of Nepal (the Terai) and risk is highest in the months of June, July and August, so consult your doctor or travel clinic about the best medication to take, especially if travelling to Nepal with kids.
• Only drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes.
• Apply insect repellent to skin and clothing to being bitten: wear long sleeves, long trousers, hats and shoes (rather than sandals), and for rural and forested areas, boots are preferable, with trousers tucked in, to prevent tick bites.
• Kathmandu’s polluted air gives many people respiratory infections within a few days of arrival; asthmatics should take particular care - minimize exposure by staying off the main streets, and think about bringing a filtering face mask if you’re spending much time in the Kathmandu Valley.
• Personal hygiene is paramount in Nepal. Wash your hands often and use antibacterial soap or gel. Keep any cuts clean and disinfected.
Safety
• Pick pocketing and bag snatching are common in Nepal, particularly in airports and on buses. Take particular care in the areas of Thamel, Sanepa and Kupondol in Kathmandu and be mindful that your valuables are not on show. Always use your hotel safe.
• As in the case of reaching Everest, air travel is sometimes unavoidable in Nepal. Check the weather conditions before travelling - bad weather conditions in mountainous and hill regions could increase the risk to your safety and cause lengthy delays.
• The general standard of driving throughout Nepal is poor and badly regulated. Roads are very congested, drivers are not properly licensed, and vehicles are poorly maintained. There are few pavements outside central Kathmandu, but pedestrian right of way doesn’t exist, so exercise extreme caution.
• There is a gay scene in Kathmandu and the government are taking a more progressive stance, but homosexuality is still frowned upon, so same-sex couples should act discretely.
• Trekking in Nepal often involves treks to very remote areas. Always use a reputable trek provider, don’t veer off established routes and walk in groups – never trek alone.
• Keep an eye on the local press to find out about impending strikes, demonstrations and curfews. Don't ever break curfews as the green light has been given for those who do to be shot.
What to do with the little ones?
Trekking
Trekking isn’t all about massive feats of endurance. Divine offers a variety of easy treks of low altitudes, with minimum risk of altitude sickness. These treks are brilliant introductions to the good old great outdoors for little explorers that can’t sit still.
Narayanhiti Royal Palace
It’s the gaudy faded glamour of the Narayanhiti Palace, scene of a 2001 royal bloodbath that saw Crown Prince Dipendra wipe out his entire family, that makes it appealing for kids. Everything is big and brash enough to capture their imaginations and, although us adults know they’re nothing to be proud of. The stuffed heads of tigers and rhino that line the walls will undoubtedly appease them too.
Kathmandu’s bazaar
The bazaar at Asan, a market square in Kathmandu renowned for its authenticity, is the convergence of six teeming streets that perpetually bustles attracting shoppers from all over to buy food, spices, textiles and electronics. It’s truly mesmerising and western kids take centre stage with the excitable, friendly vendors.
Community Service in Nepal
Providing Community Service in Nepal together as a family is a wonderful way of creating a special bond and lasting memories for families. Helping others in need can bring about an incredible sense of pride and fulfillment within people. So why not use these feelings of pride and accomplishment to help build lasting family ties and memories.
We offer a number of programs to help families continue to foster the giving spirit within the home and provide opportunities to give back to others. From ideas on inspiring and teaching compassion to community service project ideas for kids, teens, and families there is something for everyone.
Divine has been consistently organizing community service for families, schools and organisations in Nepal. We are the best experts to consult on community service work and the best team to manage a turn-key proposal for you. Speak to us today!
Meet Our Founder and Nepal Expert
Deepak, who founded Divine in the 2000, shares his thoughts on Nepal as a family destination.
Deepak (left) with son, Adam, on the Trishuli River in Nepal.
“My son ran free in Durbar Squares once he turned 2 and started his first trek in Ghandrung at the end of his toddler year. It was an eye opener for my little one to immerse himself in the vast space of nature around him, encounter the donkies and sheeps along the way and felt dwarfed by the majestic mountains with beautiful snow peaks. There were endless questions regarding the country, his lineage and about what he saw in his travels. But my wife and I were happy to answer him in a comprehensive manner so he could understand and enrich his personal learning journey.
Deepak and Adam in Kathmandu Durbur Square
Deepak and Adam on the Ghandrung Trek
Nepal is undoubtedly a very family-friendly destination with lots for kids to explore. Many trekking areas, the Annapurnas being a prime example, provide easy terrains for the young and old to trek easily without steep climbs. Now, adventurers trek with mobile technology and the internet reaches everywhere, plus there are roads running up into the ranges, which many people consider a problem, but when you take into account the young, the elderly, or the disabled, these factors have become a safety net and a mark of accessibility, certainly for families with young children of five years and upwards.
Nepal is an excellent destination for families that want to explore together whether on foot in the mountains, by raft in the Himalayan Glacier waters, or spotting wildlife in the jungle.”
Exploring Nepal with our little one