Drone Rules in Nepal: Can You Fly a Drone?

Aerial shots of the Himalaya are tempting, but Nepal has rules for drones, and flying without permission can lead to fines or confiscation.

The basics

• Declare your drone at customs on arrival.
• Register it with CAAN; tourists provide passport, visa and drone details.
• Get the required permissions for where and when you want to fly.
• Fly only in daylight and good visibility, keep the drone in sight, and avoid crowds.

No-fly areas

• Within several kilometres of airports
• Military areas and government buildings
• Heritage sites without specific permission
• National parks without permission from the park authorities

Penalties

Unauthorised flying can result in fines, confiscation of the drone and other penalties.

Our advice

If drone footage is important, tell us early and we'll advise on the current process. Otherwise, a good camera on a mountain flight or helicopter tour gets stunning aerial images. See our photography tips.

Step by step: flying a drone legally

1. Before you travel: check the latest rules with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and your trekking or tour company, as procedures change. Decide where you want to fly and for what purpose (recreational or commercial).
2. At the airport: declare the drone at customs on arrival. Undeclared drones may be held until permission is shown.
3. Registration: register the drone with CAAN, providing passport, visa, drone specifications and details of where you plan to fly.
4. Permissions: obtain permission from the relevant authorities for each location, which may include the local District Administration Office, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Archaeology for heritage sites, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation for parks.
5. Flying: carry your permits, fly within the approved area and time, and follow local instructions.

The process can take days or weeks, especially for commercial filming. Plan well ahead.

Recreational vs commercial flying

Recreational drone flying by tourists, for personal photos and videos, is treated differently from commercial filming, such as for documentaries, advertising or professional content. Commercial projects usually require additional filming permits, fees and a liaison officer, and must be arranged through registered agencies. If you plan to sell or publish footage commercially, assume you need full filming permission.

Drones in national parks and trekking areas

Most of Nepal's famous trekking regions lie in national parks and conservation areas, such as Sagarmatha (Everest), Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu. Flying drones there requires permission from the park authorities, and in some areas, especially near monasteries, villages and wildlife, permission is rarely granted. Flying near Everest Base Camp and on expedition routes is tightly controlled. Drones can disturb wildlife, such as snow leopards and Himalayan tahr, and local people, and can be dangerous near helicopter routes.

Drones at heritage sites

Kathmandu's Durbar Squares, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Lumbini are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and flying drones there without specific permission from the Department of Archaeology and local authorities is prohibited. Unauthorised flights can lead to confiscation and fines. Respect religious ceremonies, cremations and privacy.

Practical tips

• Keep batteries in your hand luggage, following airline rules on lithium batteries.
• Cold and altitude drain batteries quickly and affect performance; bring spares and keep them warm.
• Thin air reduces lift and flight time above 4,000 m; fly conservatively.
• Wind in the mountains, especially in the afternoon, can be strong and gusty.
• Always keep the drone in visual line of sight.
• Never fly near helicopters, which are common in the Everest region.
• Ask permission before filming people, and avoid flying over villages and monasteries.

Alternatives to flying a drone

If the permit process is too complicated, you can still capture aerial views of the Himalaya. The Everest mountain flight, helicopter tours, ultralight flights in Pokhara and paragliding all offer spectacular aerial perspectives, and many photographers find them more rewarding than a small drone at high altitude. See mountain flight vs helicopter and paragliding.

Why the rules are strict

Nepal's drone rules were tightened after the 2015 earthquake, when large numbers of drones were used for mapping and relief work, and incidents of unauthorised flights over sensitive sites raised concerns about security, privacy and safety. The country's airspace is busy with helicopters in the mountains, small planes on short airstrips, and military and security interests near borders and government buildings. Heritage sites and religious ceremonies also deserve respect. As a result, authorities take unauthorised drone flying seriously, and travellers who ignore the rules risk confiscation, fines and legal trouble.

Common mistakes

• Assuming that a small or lightweight drone doesn't need permission.
• Flying at temples, stupas or Durbar Squares for "just a quick shot".
• Flying near Lukla, Pokhara or Kathmandu airports.
• Launching near monasteries or over villages without asking.
• Forgetting that national parks require separate permission.
• Arriving without declaring the drone at customs.

Drones for mapping and conservation

Drones are increasingly used in Nepal for good purposes: mapping glacial lakes that could flood, monitoring wildlife and forests, surveying earthquake damage, delivering medical supplies to remote villages, and assessing landslide risk. These projects work with government agencies and communities under official permissions. If you are involved in research or humanitarian work, contact the relevant authorities and partner organisations well in advance.

Drones and other travellers

Beyond the legal rules, think about the people around you. Many trekkers and pilgrims come to the mountains and temples for peace and quiet, and the buzz of a drone can spoil the experience. Monks, villagers and festival participants may not want to be filmed from above. Herd animals such as yaks can be startled by drones on narrow trails, putting people at risk. Wildlife, including birds of prey, may react to drones. Fly only where permitted, keep flights short, stay away from people and animals, and land if anyone objects. Good drone etiquette helps keep the door open for responsible pilots in the future.

Our recommendation

For most travellers, the effort and uncertainty of getting drone permits in Nepal outweighs the benefits, especially in national parks and heritage sites. Consider leaving your drone at home and enjoying aerial views from a mountain flight, helicopter or paraglider. If drone filming is essential, for example for a professional project, contact us early, and we will help you understand the current process and work with registered agencies. Contact us.

Insurance and liability

If your drone crashes into a person, building, vehicle or animal, you may be held responsible for damage or injury. Check whether your travel or drone insurance covers drone use in Nepal, including third-party liability. Many travel insurance policies exclude drones or limit cover for expensive electronics. Keep receipts and serial numbers in case of loss or confiscation.