Photography in Nepal
Drone and photography rules in Nepal
Still photography for yourself is free almost everywhere in Nepal. Drones and filming for publication are different: they need permission, sometimes from several offices, and it takes time. Here is what I know, simply. Rules change, so I always check them again for your dates and route.
- Written by
- Rujan Neupane, guide and photographer
Mahendra Jung Thapa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFlying a drone: who gives permission
Checked in November 2026. Allow several weeks.
| When | Who gives permission |
|---|---|
| Every drone | Registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). |
| A small drone (under 2 kg), low | Permission from the District Administration Office of the place where you fly. |
| A heavier drone, or higher flights | Also the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Department of Tourism or of Information for filming. |
| National parks and conservation areas | Also the park or conservation area. In the Everest region, for example: CAAN, the Department of National Parks, the district office, then the park itself. |
| Heritage sites | Also the Department of Archaeology, and often the site's own office. |
| Never | Near airports and airstrips, palaces, army and police sites, and the borders. |
Before you pack a drone
- Start the paperwork weeks before you travel, through a local agency or guide who knows the offices.
- Carry the permits with you; park staff and police check them.
- Flying without permission can mean a fine, losing the drone, or being sent off the trail.
- In the mountains, cold and thin air shorten battery life and flights. Keep the batteries warm.
Where photographs are not allowed
- Inside many temples and monastery halls: look for signs, and ask.
- The Kumari at her window in Kumari Ghar.
- Close photographs of families at the cremation ghats.
- Army and police posts, and airport security areas.
Filming for publication
Documentaries, advertising and other filming for publication need a filming permit from the government, and national parks and conservation areas charge their own filming fees. I help crews and brands plan the route, the permits and the porters for the gear: my services.
Questions people ask me
Can I fly a drone in Nepal as a tourist?
Yes, with permission: registration with CAAN, the district office, and more approvals in protected areas and at heritage sites.
Can I fly a drone at Everest Base Camp?
Only with the full chain of approvals for Sagarmatha National Park, arranged in advance.
Do I need a permit for a vlog?
For personal photos and videos with a phone or camera, no. Drones, and filming for commercial publication, yes.
Tell me what you want to photograph and when you can come, and I will plan the days around the light.
