Is Pokhara Safe in February 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. Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region, one of the areas most heavily affected by the ring.

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).

Unlicensed guides approach tourists in Pokhara's Lakeside area or contact them online offering deeply discounted Annapurna or Poon Hill treks. They collect deposits or full payment and then provide substandard service — poor equipment, missing permits, incorrect routes — or simply disappear.

How to avoid: Book treks only through TAAN (Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal) or NTB-registered operators. Verify the company's registration number on the TAAN website. Get everything in writing, with a full itinerary and receipt. Legitimate treks rarely undercut the standard market rate significantly.

Pokhara taxis almost universally refuse to use meters and negotiate flat rates that are 2–3x the local price for tourists. Airport and bus park arrivals are the highest-risk moments.

How to avoid: Negotiate the fare before getting in and research typical rates beforehand — a ride from the airport to Lakeside should be 400–600 NPR. Use InDrive for upfront pricing. Ask your hotel to arrange a trusted driver for airport transfers.

Friendly locals approach tourists in Lakeside and offer to show them around Pokhara or take them to a "good shop." The "guide" is actually a commission agent earning a cut from whatever the tourist spends at the shop they are taken to.

How to avoid: Politely decline all unsolicited street offers to show you around. If you want to browse shops, go independently to Lakeside's main street and compare prices across multiple stores. Any guide who approaches you without being asked has a financial agenda.

Touts near the Pokhara ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit office sell fake trekking permits or counterfeit TIMS cards. The fakes are refused at the first checkpoint, stranding the trekker.

How to avoid: Obtain all trekking permits in person from the official ACAP office or TIMS counter in Pokhara — there is no need to use any third party. Keep original permits safe during the trek. If a permit vendor approaches you on the street, it is not legitimate.