Is Kathmandu Safe for Tourists in 2026?

In April 2026, Nepalese authorities charged 32 individuals — including trekking guides, helicopter operators, and hospital administrators — in connection with a $20 million insurance fraud ring active from 2022 to 2025. The scheme involved manufacturing false medical emergencies to trigger costly helicopter evacuations billed to travel insurers. Around 4,700 international visitors were affected and approximately 300 fraudulent rescues were filed. Operators also billed insurance companies for multiple separate flights when several trekkers shared a single helicopter. Nepal's Central Investigation Bureau confirmed 11 arrests. There is no confirmed evidence that any visitors were physically poisoned, despite early media reports.

How to avoid: Book all trekking through Nepal Tourism Board-registered agencies — verify registration at ntb.gov.np. Decline unexpected evacuation recommendations unless you feel genuinely unwell. If a guide strongly urges helicopter evacuation for mild symptoms, contact your travel insurer directly before agreeing. Verify helicopter operators are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

Where: Himalayan trekking routes departing from Kathmandu; Everest, Langtang, and Rolwaling regions

Friendly strangers in tourist areas invite solo travelers for tea or food. The beverages or food are laced with sedatives and tourists wake up having been robbed of cash, passports, and valuables. This is especially reported near bus stations.

How to avoid: Never accept food, drink, or cigarettes from strangers you just met in tourist areas. Be especially cautious if someone is overly insistent. Meet new people in public social settings like hostel common rooms instead.

Where: Tourist cafes and tea shops in Thamel district Kathmandu, near the Kathmandu bus park at Gongabu, and around Thamel's backpacker guesthouses and common areas

Fraudulent websites and Facebook groups impersonate the Nepal Tourism Board and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card issuance process. They charge 20–50 USD for fake permits that are rejected at trail checkpoints, leaving trekkers stranded and out of pocket. Some sites also harvest passport and payment data for identity fraud.

How to avoid: Purchase all trekking permits and TIMS cards only in person at the Nepal Tourism Board office on Pradarshani Marg or at Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) offices. Do not process any trekking permit payment through unofficial websites, Facebook pages, or email links. Verify URLs carefully before entering any personal data.

Where: Fraudulent online presence targeting travelers searching for Annapurna, Everest Base Camp, and Langtang trekking permits; victims identified at trail checkpoints at Besisahar, Jiri, and Syabrubesi