Can I Fly a Drone in Nepal? The Short Answer

3 min readJune 3, 2026By KidSchooler editorial

Can I fly a drone in Nepal? Yes, but only with a CAAN permit, under 120m, and away from airports and heritage sites. Here is the quick, honest answer.

Yes - you can fly a drone in Nepal, but never on a whim, and never without the right permit.

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Prasan Shrestha via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

So, can I fly a drone in Nepal? The honest short answer is: yes, but only with the right permit, and never casually. Nepal allows drone flying, yet it sits behind a strict, multi-agency approval system, and getting it wrong can cost you your drone or worse. If you simply want a clear yes-or-no with the essentials, this page is for you. For the full breakdown of categories, fees and application steps, read our complete guide to drone rules in Nepal.

Key takeaways

Yes, you can fly - but you must register with CAAN and hold the right permits first.
The legal ceiling is 120 metres above ground level.
No-fly zones include airports (within ~5km), borders, military sites and UNESCO heritage sites.
Flying without permission risks confiscation, fines, or deportation.
Rules change often, so verify with the authorities before you travel.

The honest yes-but answer

Drone flying is legal in Nepal, but it is not a casual activity. Every drone is expected to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), and most meaningful flying also needs a permit. Heavier drones (over 2kg) or flights in sensitive areas additionally require clearance from the Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In other words: bring a drone if you are willing to do the paperwork properly and weeks ahead of time. If you were hoping to pull it out of your bag and launch over a temple courtyard on a whim, the answer is effectively no.

Where you almost certainly cannot fly

Even with a general permit, large areas are simply off-limits:

Airports - no flying within roughly 5km, which covers much of central Kathmandu.
Heritage and religious sites - including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and the Durbar Squares.
Borders, military sites and VVIP residences - all strictly restricted.

The popular scenery is tempting precisely where the rules are tightest, so check before you assume.

Treks and national parks need extra approval

Dreaming of aerial footage above Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp? Those routes run through protected areas, which require written approval from both CAAN and the national park or conservation authority. Lowland wildlife parks like Chitwan are even more restrictive, since drones disturb animals. None of this is impossible - but it must be arranged in advance, not improvised on the trail.

What happens if you fly illegally

Nepal enforces its rules. Flying without a permit can mean on-the-spot confiscation and fines reported in the range of NPR 2,000 to 50,000. Worse, unauthorised flights in restricted or sensitive zones can lead to arrest, legal proceedings or deportation for foreign visitors. Many travellers first hit trouble at Kathmandu airport, where an undeclared drone can be held by customs on arrival.

The bottom line

Yes, you can fly a drone in Nepal - if you register with CAAN, secure the permits your drone and route require, respect the 120-metre limit and the no-fly zones, and confirm the current rules before you go. Done properly, the footage is spectacular; done carelessly, you may simply lose your equipment. For the step-by-step process, fees and full list of restrictions, head to our complete drone rules in Nepal guide, and read up on common Nepal tourist scams before you trust anyone offering a shortcut.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly a drone in Nepal as a tourist?: Yes, but only legally with a permit. You must register the drone with CAAN and, for heavier drones or sensitive areas, get clearance from the Department of Tourism and Ministry of Home Affairs. Flying without this risks confiscation and fines.
Can I bring a drone into Nepal on the plane?: You can bring one, but declare it at customs and have your registration and permits ready. An undeclared drone can be held at Kathmandu airport on arrival until you sort out the paperwork.
Can I fly a drone over Kathmandu or near temples?: Generally no. Much of central Kathmandu is within 5km of the airport, and UNESCO heritage sites like Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and the Durbar Squares are off-limits without special, separately approved permission.
Can I fly a drone on the Everest or Annapurna trek?: Only with permits, including written approval from CAAN and the national park or conservation area authority. These are protected areas, so flying without that clearance is prohibited.
What is the penalty for flying a drone without a permit in Nepal?: Penalties include immediate confiscation and fines reported around NPR 2,000 to 50,000, and unauthorised flights in restricted zones can lead to arrest, legal action or deportation for foreigners.
How high can I legally fly a drone in Nepal?: The maximum altitude is 120 metres, about 394 feet, above ground level, unless you hold special higher-altitude approval.