Trekkers in Nepal Face High Risks from Natural Calamities, Restricted Zones, and Rescue Delays

The dangers faced by trekkers in Nepal were starkly highlighted when an avalanche struck the Dolakha trail on November 4, 2025. A rescue operation lasting four days was required. While two individuals were rescued alive after being buried for two days, seven others—five foreign nationals and two Nepalis—lost their lives.

Sudden weather changes in November not only triggered chaos in Dolakha but also destabilized trekking across the country. Heavy snowfall and avalanches in the Himalayan region left numerous travelers stranded. While some were rescued in time, at least 18 people died that month. According to official statistics, 19 trekking-related deaths were recorded between April and October 2025, all attributed to delays in rescue operations.

Altitude sickness and natural disasters remain the primary threats to trekkers on Nepal’s trails. The duration of a rescue operation in such incidents is unpredictable, though those who receive timely assistance from local residents often survive.

Ministry of Home Affairs Denies Delays in Rescue Operations

The four-day delay in rescuing trekkers stranded on the Dolakha trail on November 4 has intensified concerns about safety in Nepal’s trekking regions. Public criticism of slow rescues is common, yet the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) insists there have been no delays on its part.

MoHA spokesperson Ananda Kafle stated: “There is no obstruction at the Ministry. The process is straightforward and systematic, so there are no issues. As soon as the required documents are received, flight permission is granted immediately. However, extra caution is exercised when operating in restricted areas.”

Kafle noted that commercial flights have repeatedly been disguised as rescue missions by submitting passenger names to obtain permits. “It is our duty to regulate this. Given past incidents, verification naturally takes time. But since human life is the top priority, the process runs parallel to the rescue operation. That is exactly what happened this time,” he said.

Concerns Over Misuse of ‘Rescue Flights’

According to Kafle, some commercial operators exploit the “rescue flight” label to evade government taxes. Verification therefore falls to the Chief District Officer’s (CDO) office.

“As soon as a letter arrives from the CDO, permission is granted without hindrance. We must remain vigilant because these areas are prone to tax evasion and other irregularities,” Kafle explained.

He emphasized that there are no delays in rescues for Nepali citizens either. “The moment we are informed, a team is dispatched. All costs are covered by the Disaster Management Fund. Private operators also conduct rescues. Any perceived delay is often due to weather conditions—sometimes helicopters are deployed but must wait nearby for clearance. It is therefore unfair to blame the Ministry,” he added.

To speed up the process, a Control Unit has been established to issue flight permits for restricted areas outside regular office hours, with the Immigration Department’s Border Branch handling approvals.

Challenges Posed by Restricted Areas

Foreign trekkers require special permission from the Department of Immigration for helicopter flights and landings in restricted areas. These zones were originally designated decades ago, some dating back to the era of the Khampa Rebellion, and continue to impose strict controls on access and aerial operations.

The current restricted areas include Upper Mustang (encompassing Lomanthang, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda, and Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality); Upper Dolpa (Dolpo Buddha, She-Phoksundo, and Chharka Tangsong Rural Municipality); the Gorkha Manaslu Area (Chumnubri Rural Municipality); Humla (Simikot, Namkha, and Changkheli Rural Municipality); and Taplejung (Phaktanglung, Mikwakhola, and Sirijunga Rural Municipality).

The list also covers Lower Dolpa (Thulibheri, Tripurasundari, Dolpo Buddha, She-Phoksundo, Jagdulla, Mudkechula, and Kaike Rural Municipality); Dolakha (Gaurishankar and Bigu Rural Municipality); Gorkha Tsum Valley (Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule within Chumnubri Rural Municipality); Sankhuwasabha (Bhotkhola and Makalu Rural Municipality); Solukhumbu (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality); Rasuwa (Gosainkunda Rural Municipality); Manang (Narpa and Nason Rural Municipality); Bajhang (Saipal Rural Municipality); Mugu (Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality); and Darchula (Byas Rural Municipality).

Trekking agencies taking foreign nationals into these areas without permits face penalties. Recently, the Immigration Department fined Nepal Environmental Treks and Expedition NPR 45,000 (US$315) for illegally guiding Italian trekkers into the Gaurishankar area of Dolakha. The agency applied for permission only after the trekkers needed emergency evacuation. Under the Immigration Rules, 2051 (1994), foreign tourists must obtain restricted-area trekking permits through registered agencies.

Industry Leaders Criticize Government Inaction

Despite the Ministry’s assurances, trekking industry leaders accuse the government of apathy. Rajendra Bahadur Lama, General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), said rescues in high-altitude areas are inherently difficult. “The government lacks sufficient trained personnel and dedicated rescue teams for the Himalayas,” he stated.

He criticized the outdated designation of restricted areas and said obtaining helicopter permits in these zones can take two to three days, fatally delaying rescues. Referring to the recent four-day operation to save seven people, including three Italians, on Yalung Ri in Dolakha, he blamed bureaucratic hurdles.

“The rescue mechanism must be agile, but the current letter-based system—from CDO to MoHA to Immigration—operates only during office hours. If an incident occurs on Friday, permission may not be granted until Sunday,” Lama said, warning that such delays are harming Nepal’s international trekking reputation.

He called for a single integrated emergency body to handle monitoring, permitting, and rescue coordination, as well as mandatory insurance and trekker registration for domestic tourists.

Bishnu Prasad Lamsal, Vice-President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), noted that many Nepali trekkers ignore weather warnings and travel without insurance or guides. “Without guaranteed payment, private operators hesitate to launch rescues,” he said, advocating mandatory insurance, guides, and registration for domestic trekkers.

Veteran guide Taranath Bhatta from Dhading echoed the call for compulsory insurance and guides for Nepalis, adding that high-altitude sickness—worsened by rushed itineraries—is a leading cause of domestic trekking deaths. “Rescues prioritize those with insurance or the ability to pay. Ninety-five percent of Nepali trekkers travel uninsured, which slows or prevents their rescue,” he claimed. He also urged simplification of restricted-area permits and better equipment for Nepal Army rescue teams operating in snow.

The Ambiguous Role of Local and Provincial Governments

Under federalism, tourism authority has been devolved to provincial and local levels. Although budgets are allocated for tourism promotion, the absence of clear provincial rescue policies has created confusion. Local governments collect trekking-related revenue but often refuse to fund rescues. A Department of Tourism source said, “Trekking now falls under provincial jurisdiction, but rescue protocols remain unclear.”

With domestic trekking surging during festivals like Dashain and Tihar, the lack of mandatory permits, insurance, and tracking for Nepali trekkers—unlike the system for foreigners—continues to hamper emergency responses. Repeated incidents requiring three to four days for rescue in restricted areas underscore the urgent need for reform to prevent further loss of life.