Safety for Single woman traveller

[mortdevol]

I might be travelling alone to Nepal in November, trekking with a guide on the EBC-Gokyo route. also considering Chitwan, Pokhara, Bhaktapur n Nagarkot. I would like to seek some safety advice for me as a single woman traveller, going to all these places. Also appreciate any security update in Kathmandu, political situation n the like. thanks

[Sharon]

I have been to Nepal 5 times 3 of those on my own. I am careful to take a Nepali guide or friend with me if I go outside the regular Monkey temple, Dhurbar Square, Bodnath excursions.
I travel with a guide and porter I have been with 4 times. I find you get to interact with more locals when you travel on your own. In a group you tend to be spending time with more foreign trekkers.

[yakshaver]

As Sharon aptly replied about travelling as a single woman (and since I fancy myself more as a male these days...), I will comment a bit about the political / security situation:

Paradoxically for many first-time western tourists and observers, Nepal has been a relatively safe destiantion for tourists, even during the various tumultuous events over the last 10 years or so. Once you visit Nepal, and mix with the locals, you get to understand why this is the case.

From a security perspective, given the political engagement between the various parties in Nepal right now, it is safer for tourists now that it was before. Bear in mind that even during the large demonstrations in April this year, tourists were merely inconvenienced at times (flights to/from Lukla were cancelled for a couple of days, for example), but they did not report feeling unsafe.

The main issues of safety in Nepal are:
1. Altitude - going to hight to fast on treks
2. Altitude
3. Altitude
4. Travelling on Nepali roads
5. Nepali roads
6. Getting diahorreah (though I still think this is an urban legend, as after 7 trips to Nepal I never got a serious bout. Touch wood, you never know...)

I also use Sharon's approach, in trekking with a guide I have employed a number or times. It makes sense. It makes for an easier experience, like for example when someone has to que at the Lukla airstrip and argue the point (or pay a bribe, done that once too...) to get you on the next flight out of Lukla after a day or two of the weather causing the cancellation of flights...). But for me, travelling with the guide and porter greately enhances the trekking experience, regardless of logistics, safety etc. Though these are important, of course.