Following the August 2026 floods in Rasuwa district, one question keeps coming up: is Nepal actually open? The answer is a clear yes. The flood struck a single river corridor in the north; everywhere else - the cities, the lake towns, the jungles, and every major trekking region except the Langtang access road - is running exactly as it always does this time of year.
To make that concrete, here are 15 destinations across Nepal you can visit right now, each with its current status, so you can plan with confidence rather than guesswork.
Nepal's capital is well outside the flood zone and has continued operating without interruption. Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath are all open, hotels are fully staffed, and Tribhuvan International Airport is running its normal schedule. If your trip starts and ends in Kathmandu, nothing about your plans needs to change. See our Kathmandu Valley guide.
This best-preserved of the valley's medieval royal cities is unaffected and fully open, with its Durbar Square, wood-carved temples, and Pottery Square all operating as usual. Bhaktapur remains one of the most rewarding half-day trips from Kathmandu. See our Bhaktapur City guide.
Just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu, Patan (Lalitpur) is home to its own UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, dense with metal and wood craftsmanship, courtyards, and Buddhist and Hindu temples side by side. It's fully open and easily combined with a Kathmandu city day.
Nepal's lake city sits well outside the affected districts. Phewa Lake, the lakeside strip, and the gateway routes into the Annapurna region are all functioning normally, with only a brief, unrelated highway disruption reported in the days right after the flood, since resolved. See our Pokhara Valley guide.
The hilltop sunrise viewpoint above Pokhara is fully accessible and unaffected, with the same clear Annapurna and Machhapuchhre views it delivers every autumn morning. A short jeep ride from the lakeside gets you there before dawn.
This traditional Gurung village above Phewa Lake, popular as a short trek or a base for wider Annapurna mountain views, is fully open. It's an easy, low-altitude option for travellers who want a taste of village life and mountain scenery without a long commitment.
This hilltop Newari trading town between Kathmandu and Pokhara sits away from the river valleys and has not been reported as affected by the flood. Its car-free main street, heritage houses, and Himalayan views make it a worthwhile stop when travelling overland between the two cities - as always, it's sensible to confirm current highway conditions with your operator before departure, as with any road journey in the hills.
Chitwan sits in an entirely different part of the country from the flood zone and has not been affected. Its jungle safaris follow the same annual monsoon pause every single year, unrelated to the flood, with jeep, canoe, and walking safaris scheduled to resume around Dashain in late September - exactly on schedule. One-horned rhinos, gharial crocodiles, and over 500 recorded bird species are waiting. See our Chitwan National Park guide.
The birthplace of Buddha, in Nepal's southern plains near the Indian border, is far from the flood zone and fully open. The Maya Devi Temple, the sacred garden, and the international monastic zone continue to welcome pilgrims and visitors as usual. See our Lumbini Garden guide.
In Nepal's far west, Bardia is well outside the flood-affected districts and continues to operate its jeep safaris, guided walks, and tiger tracking tours as normal. It remains one of the best places in the country for wild tiger sightings, with far fewer visitors than Chitwan. See our Bardia National Park guide.
The Annapurna region drains into the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki rivers, entirely separate from the flood zone, and has had zero reported impact. The Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal routes are all running as booked, with teahouses open and trails in their usual excellent autumn condition. See our Annapurna Region trekking guide.
The Khumbu drains into the separate Koshi river basin and was not affected by the flood in any way. Lukla flights, teahouses, and the full Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, and Three Passes network are running on the normal autumn schedule. See our Everest Region trekking guide.
Upper Mustang's dramatic desert landscape, walled city of Lo Manthang, and cave monasteries follow the Kali Gandaki river system and were confirmed unaffected by Nepal's Trekking Agencies' Association. Jeep tours and treks into this restricted region continue as scheduled.
The Manaslu Circuit, a quieter alternative to Annapurna with equally dramatic scenery and the high Larkya La pass, has also been confirmed unaffected and is operating normally. It's a strong option for trekkers who want autumn conditions with far fewer crowds.
Remote Upper and Lower Dolpo, in Nepal's far northwest, are hundreds of kilometres from the Rasuwa flood zone and entirely unaffected. This is Nepal's most remote and least-visited trekking region - home to Shey Phoksundo, the country's deepest lake, and Tibetan Buddhist culture largely untouched by modern development. It remains open for the small number of trekkers who make the journey each season.
Is Nepal open for tourism right now?
Yes. Following the August 2026 floods in Rasuwa district, the rest of Nepal - including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bardia, and the Everest, Annapurna, Mustang, Manaslu, and Dolpo trekking regions - is open and operating normally.
Which places in Nepal should I avoid right now?
The Rasuwa district disaster corridor, including Timure, Syabrubesi, and the route into Langtang and Gosaikunda, is currently closed to tourism while recovery work continues. Every other major destination in this list is unaffected.
Are Everest and Annapurna treks running normally?
Yes. Both regions drain into river systems separate from the flood zone and were not affected. Lukla flights, teahouses, and the full trekking network in both regions are running on the normal autumn schedule.
Getaway Nepal Adventure operates tours and treks across every destination on this list. Whether it's a Kathmandu and Bhaktapur city break, a Chitwan safari, a trek to Everest or Annapurna, or a remote journey into Mustang or Dolpo, we'll tell you plainly and accurately what's running and what to expect. Tell us your dates and interests, and we'll reply within 24 hours with a tailored plan. Visit www.getawaynepal.com to start planning.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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