Trekking alone as a female
In Nepal, solo trekking was banned except in the everest region by Nepal Tourism Board in March 2023. You must have a trekking guide while trekking in a new place. As a solo female trekker, you must be careful regarding the trekking routes which often go through dense forests and one should not wear too revealing clothes.
The remote trekking routes of the Himalayas are untouched by modern influences so don’t accept female travelers who wear revealing clothes and tight leggings. As a solo female traveler, you must hire a guide who is from a registered and certified traveling agency. You must feel comfortable around the guide and must choose after meeting several guides from several agencies.
Make sure to take a picture of your guide, their license, and your itinerary details for sending it to your family or friends who are from Nepal. This will help you by simply having a conversation with him and carrying your travel insurance during your trip.
Women in Nepal
In Nepal, women are highly educated in urban areas while rural areas only get a high school level of education. This varies according to the family standards and how far it is from the main city areas. Most of the females of Nepal are very outgoing and accommodations in the higher altitudes are also run by females.
The bars and clubs of Nepal are primarily focused on youth but it is also a unique opportunity for solo female foreigners to meet local females. You can make a friendly bond with Nepalese women while you are traveling as a solo female. One can learn about the culture and traditions of the local community from female members of the family as they are more immersed in it.
Exploring Nepal’s Vibrant Culture
Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-traditional, and multi-religious country. Different living heritage is also one of the main reasons behind the tourism industry flourished in Nepal. The diverse art, cuisines, dance, and spiritual traditions grant female travelers to taste the local Nepalese identity.
Solo female trekkers can understand the cultural boundaries of Nepalese society with the help of a female guide. You will also get an invitation to participate in local traditions and ceremonies, which will help you understand deeply about them. If you are traveling in a most popular festival season like Dashain, Tihar, Holi, or Buddha Jayanti, you will learn about the culture and values of the community members. With the help of a female guide, solo female trekking is possible along with meaningful interaction.
Choose accommodation Wisely
Choosing the right accommodation is a very important part of traveling as a lone female in Nepal. The safe and secure accommodation determines whether your journey will become memorable or filled with danger. If you are visiting Nepal for travel purposes only, we recommend you to read the review of the hotels and lodges before booking the reservation and if you are here for trekking and hiking in the lap of the Himalayas, going through a local licensed travel agency help you book secure accommodation.
You should avoid booking hotels whose room charges are very low as it couldn’t be safe and reliable. If you are staying in Kathmandu Valley make sure to stay in hotels and lodges in Thamel, Paknajol, and Freak Street as these are tourist areas and are safe for you. If you are traveling to places like Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and so on, book a hotel that is near the main road and is highly recommended by Google. Booking in this hotel might go to expensive sites but safety is much more important than expenses.
Revival of the inner soul and Self-care in a breathtaking Landmark
Trekking and traveling in the nature wonder is a way to revive your inner soul. It helps you heal all the trauma and bad experiences of your day-to-day life. Trekking in the lap of the Himalayas is full of natural wonder, rich biodiversity, breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains, diverse landscapes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Solo traveling in the Himalayan is a way to fill your mind and soul with positivity and self-love. It is a way to reflect your inner self, and your ability and to find wisdom and purpose. Traveling solo as a female helps you to test your mental and physical capabilities while gaining a healing experience.
Safety is a primary concern
Nepal is safe for traveling solo for both men and women. The diverse geography of Nepal is perfect for hiking, trekking, and exploring to enjoy your vacation. The welcoming nature of Nepalese helps your journey be smooth and full of lifetime memories.
You will get a lot of solo local female travelers on the way if you are hiking or exploring in the peak seasons. The most important factor in traveling solo is safety. Before stepping into your journey arrange all the necessary information about the trails, securely book your accommodation, and gather all the emergency contact numbers.
You must be safe from robberies and theft which might occur while traveling in the public bus, while having snacks in nearby streets, and so on. If you are visiting Nepal in the off-season like monsoon or winter, be careful of avalanches in the mountains, landslides, floods, and earthquakes.
Costs for Trekking as a solo women
Trekking as a solo female comes on the more expensive side than traveling in a group. Traveling in Nepal is more affordable than in other countries of the world. The visa is also available on arrival for some countries while others need to process for visa beforehand.
We have published blogs regarding accommodation, transportation, and meal costs of the respective trekking destination, you can check it. If you are traveling via trekking or traveling agency, be sure that they are legal and authorized companies. You must gather information on guides, porters, and Sherpas, and their contact numbers while traveling with them.
Make sure to click the photograph with their face and their license details with an itinerary of your journey. Bring your travel insurance as it helps you rescue from emergency conditions.
Safety tips for solo female travelers
As a solo female traveler, you can make your journey incredible by exploring the stunning landscapes and diverse cultural heritages of our country, Nepal. You should follow these tips to make your journey memorable:
-Analysis and Planning: You must thoroughly research where you can trek solo in the mountains. Besides this, you should choose routes that are safer and are covered with trekkers it helps you to avoid being lost in the woods. Trekking solo in Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Base Camp is appropriate for females in the peak seasons.
-Permits & Documents: Confirm that you have all the necessary permits like a TIMS card and national park permits before leaving your home.
-Be in contact with your family or friends: Regularly talk with your family members and loved ones while sharing your itinerary details.
-Prepare yourself mentally and physically.
-Pack all the essentials like a map, first aid kit, trekking gear, appropriate clothing, water purification tablet, personal hygiene, and so on.
Trekking solo in the Himalayas of Nepal is banned due to security reasons. Hire a licensed guide or porter for safe and easy adventures. Click here to book your trip safely.
-When traveling alone, always walk on the marked trail only. If you use the shortcut, there are chances of getting lost or other environmental dangers.
-Be cautious about your body's symptoms like headache, and difficulty breathing as they may be the symptoms of altitude sickness. Descends downwards as soon as you address these symptoms. Make sure to acclimatize properly.
-Avoid walking along in the late evening time in the trekking trails. Make sure that you arrive early at your destination for the day.
-Dressing wisely prevents you from dealing with a conservative mindset and unwanted attention from the local people.
-Avoid showing off your valuable items like jewelry, expensive gadgets, and mobile phones.
-Make a copy of the emergency contact numbers like ambulance, police, and local trekking company in case your phone gets stolen.
-Bring pepper spray, whistle, and knife, in case of threat or emergency.
-Buy a local SIM card for network connection which assists you to stay in touch with your agencies and family members. It will also help you to predict weather conditions.
-Consume purified water and boiled water while trekking into the wild.
-Eat three times balanced diet meals to deal with the adverse climatic and geographical conditions.
-Always sanitize your hands before eating anything with sanitizers and wet wipes in remote areas. When you are in urban areas, wash your hands with soap and water.
-Donot litter plastic waste on the trails. Keep your non-degradable waste in the pocket of your bag.
Women's Empowerment in Nepal
Nepal is a male-dominant country where gender inequality is deeply rooted in many communities. Many women and girls are deprived of education, not allowed to walk alone without their families, married off at a young age, women are being killed for not bringing enough dowry, and so on. Day by day, women are fighting for their rights, and changing the misfits taboos of society.
Nowadays, women are coming out of their comfort zones and are being up to date with the latest technology and education. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations are working to empower women from every corner of the Country. Currently, every woman irrespective of remote or developed cities is independent and earns for themself.
Recommended trek for solo female travelers
Nepal offers a wide range of destinations for traveling and trekking. From exploring the busiest cities in Nepal, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bhaktapur to trekking in the untouched by modern civilization like the annapurna region, Everest region, and manaslu region, Nepal is safe for solo female travelers. The Government of Nepal has banned traveling solo in most high-altitude trekking destinations except in the Everest region.
You must have a local guide to trek irrespective of your gender. It is essential for your safety and guidance in a new environment. Solo female traveling can be successful in a restricted and danger-prone route with the help of female guides.
You can push your limits and complete the journey of Everest region, Annapurna region, langtang region, or ascending peaks like Island Peak, Mera Peak, or Lobuche Peak. Some popular and less crowded trekking areas like the mardi himal trek or nar phu valley trek are also suitable for solo female trekkers. If you want to immerse in the remote communities of Nepal, then you can simply travel to the Kanchenjunga region or Makalu region. With a female companion guide, solo female trekking will be filled with lifetime memories.
Conclusion
Nepal is safe for solo female travelers. If you are a solo female travel enthusiast and are planning on visiting Nepal, we recommend you hire a female guide from a local agency for trekking in the lap of the Himalayas. Hiring same gender guide assists you mentally and physically and will be your companion throughout the journey.
You will be more comfortable with female guides rather than males as you are traveling solo. Most of the society is very conservative in Nepal but they welcome Western culture which is a plus point for foreigners. Make sure to contact us, for your solo vacation.
