In Nepal, tourism is a vital component of the country's economy, which is generally stable yet also sensitive. If anything serious happens in the country or the world, it affects the tourism and hospitality sector first. Therefore, during the election period, travel safety, transportation, and daily operations are the major concerns among travelers and local tour operators.
It's common to wonder whether visiting Nepal during election time might affect travel itineraries or famous tourist destinations. Understanding the effect of the election on its tourism sector can help you plan your journey with confidence.
Through this guide, you can have detailed information regarding the Nepal election and tourism, traveler's safety, transportation, tour processes, and reliable travel advice. This article is useful for both travelers planning a visit during such a time and individuals working in the tourism industry.
Is It Safe To Travel To Nepal During The Election In 2026
Currently, many travelers are wondering if it's safe to travel in Nepal during the election period, which is happening on March 5 of this year. It can increase political activity throughout the country; nonetheless, the country's authorities are already maintaining security in public places.
Police and other security forces have begun patrolling the areas to maintain peace. Major tourist destinations are receiving high protection.
The election can lead to protests, rallies, or traffic jams, causing the temporary closure of roads in the cities. However, these activities won't happen without prior notice. Also, a situation like serious violence harming tourists in Nepal is rare, as most protests are held targeting political parties only.
Trekking at high-altitude locations is all safe. City sightseeing tours can be slightly disrupted during the election time, yet still remain safe.
Anyway, you can enjoy your stay here by avoiding protests, following local advice, staying updated, and most importantly, visiting the country through local tour agencies. Contact the agencies for sightseeing or adventure before leaving your country for Nepal. Just avoid solo travelling during such times.
Impact of 2022 Parliamentary Election on Tourism
Previous parliamentary election took place on November 20, 2022. During that time, the tourism sector was rapidly recovering as the global Covid-19 pandemic declined. Consequently, the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in 2022 increased by 307%, reaching a total of 614,869 compared to the previous year. The majority of them were in the month of October (88,582) and November (72,653). This illustrates 2022 election period did not bring tourism to a halt in Nepal.
The graph shows international tourist arrivals in Nepal from 2019 to 2025, with a projection for 2026.
The red line (2019–2021) highlights a sharp decline in tourist numbers, reflecting the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourist arrivals dropped from over 1.2 million in 2019 to around 0.2 million in 2021.
From 2021 onward, the green line (2021–2025) shows a strong and steady recovery as international travel resumes. Tourist numbers crossed 10 lakh by 2023 and continued to grow gradually through 2025.
The dotted yellow line for 2026 represents a projected trend, indicating a moderate increase in tourist arrivals, suggesting stabilization and sustained growth rather than rapid rebound.
Overall, the graph clearly illustrates Nepal's tourism collapse during the pandemic, followed by a consistent recovery phase and a cautiously optimistic outlook for the future. Although recent protests, like Gen Z protests, have had some impact, tourism is expected to rebound in the coming years. Tourism is also emerging as a common agenda among political parties, reinforcing its role in shaping the country's development path.
How The Nepal Election 2026 Affects Tourism Activities
Trekking trails in the Himalayan Region face no impact from the 2026 election. Famous sightseeing places in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara remain open and active. However, they may experience minor disruptions, especially near polling stations, as local citizens gather to vote for their supporting political party.
Travel agencies continue to provide services to tourists. You can enjoy your visit to Nepal without serious interruptions, particularly in remote locations where political activity is very low.
Hotels in city areas and trekking routes remain open to provide warm hospitality, while domestic flights and transportation services may experience disturbances sometimes. However, airports and airlines collaborate with authorities to minimize the troubles that might occur due to the election. For an international flight, there'll be no problem, and it'll operate normally.
On March 5, public and private transportation will not be allowed to operate, except for permitted government and tourist vehicles. Yet we suggest not to make a plan for the city tour that day. If it's for trekking at high elevations, then that's fine.
Whatever your plan is, trekking or sightseeing during such a period, it's best to visit Nepal through a travel or trekking agency for your comfort and safety. It'd also be wiser to schedule your program after election day.
2025 Nepalese Gen Z Protests
In Nepal, elections happen every five years. The last election took place in early 2022.
However, the upcoming election is going to be held two years earlier than the standard schedule. It's because of the Nepalese Gen Z protests that happened on September 8, 2025, against corruption.
No tourist has suffered any loss or been injured at that time. Even during protests, tourists were treated respectfully and allowed to travel safely.
If you're planning to visit Nepal during the election period, you don't need to worry about getting harmed. Elections have always been held peacefully in the country so far.
The only issue is that political parties' rallies often happen before election day. It causes traffic jams and disturbances while strolling around the city, which might irritate you at some point.
Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling During The Nepal Election 2026
It's essential to plan a journey carefully before heading to Nepal during the 2026 election time to make your stay enjoyable. Below are the things that you should know:
- Book services, such as flights, accommodations, and tour or trekking packages in advance to avoid any unforeseen political situations in Nepal and tourism.
- Plan your itinerary early. If possible, schedule your travel in the country at least a week before the actual election day or right after it.
- Keep monitoring the current conditions in the country online, or contact travel agencies for updates. Doing so helps you avoid any unwanted circumstances.
- Choose reliable tour operators by checking their reviews on Google. A reputable agency can understand local situations and can help you plan your travel during the Nepal election 2026 accordingly to ensure your safety.
- Contact your local tour operators regularly, as they can provide you with current information and recommend other routes, if any changes occur.
- Design a flexible itinerary with the help of your agency. Add buffer days or optional activities to your trip as an alternative to managing little disturbances without any tension.
- Make a backup plan to ensure your stay is still enjoyable even if minor disruptions occur during the election time.
- Don't get involved in any kind of political gathering, such as parties' marches and demonstrations. Just stay in the tourist areas.
At Heaven Himalaya, we can help you make a plan, arrange your trip, and make it flexible even during the election period. You may contact us at any time, as our team is active 24/7 for travel services. We can provide you with genuine information regarding where you want to travel in Nepal and the political situation at that time.
Should You Visit Nepal During The Election In 2026
Here's the breakdown of the pros and cons of visiting Nepal during the 2026 election time, so that you can learn whether you should plan to travel to the country in the upcoming spring accordingly:
Pros
- Tourist destinations, such as high-altitude trekking trails, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and other renowned cities, generally stay open and are less crowded.
- Hotels and travel agencies continue giving services to visitors.
- The chance of finding better availability of hotel rooms and other services is high.
Cons
- Short-term disturbances, such as road closures, transport delays, or local parties' rallies, can happen, especially in cities.
Keeping this in mind, travelers with a tight schedule or limited vacation time, or first-time visitors, should postpone their plans until after the election. For flexible tourists, particularly those planning to visit the country for trekking, the time is suitable.
Final Words
The impact of the Nepal election 2026 is unlikely to generate any major disruptions to the tourism industry. Hotels in cities and trekking trails stay open as usual. However, short-term problems such as traffic jams caused by a political march may occur, particularly in urban areas. With proper planning, it can be managed.
Stay informed, contact a reputable local tour agency, and design a flexible itinerary to make your spring trip to Nepal safe and rewarding. If you love strolling around in silence, this time can be fun.
Overall, the country remains safe even during the election. All you need to do is plan wisely with the help of a local tour operator.
