Nepal: Postpone ABC, Mardi and Other High Treks, 29–31 October
What the conservation office asked
This request was published on the morning of 28 October. The dates are 12 to 14 Kartik 2083, which are Thursday 29 October through Saturday 31 October.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology expects the risk of rain, snow, blizzards and avalanches to rise sharply in the high hills and Himalaya from Thursday night. On Friday and Saturday, some places may get heavy rain and heavy snow.
The notice asks Nepali and foreign trekkers, climbers, trekking agencies, guides and everyone involved to postpone high-Himalayan trips already set for these three days, and not to begin a new trek in that period. It asks people, in particular, not to travel on these routes:
- Mardi Himal
- Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
- Annapurna North Base Camp (NABC)
- Round Annapurna, the Annapurna Circuit
- Upper Mustang
- every other high Himalayan trekking area
The reasons it gives are avalanches, falling rock, a sudden rise in rivers and streams, blocked trails, and other natural disasters. It asks operators to give safety priority, and to run a trek again only after the weather improves and the responsible office confirms that it is safe. Keep following the weather department and other government instructions.
This is a request to postpone. It does not say that the conservation-area permit desk itself has stopped issuing permits.
The permit pause is a different notice
The Department of Immigration, not the Nepal Tourism Board, has suspended new trekking permits for restricted areas in the high hills and Himalaya for 29 to 31 October. Reports of that notice say no such permits were to be issued from 28 October for that period. People who already hold one were asked not to start, or to wait in a safe place.
Upper Mustang is in both notices. It normally needs the Immigration restricted-area permit, and the postponement list names it.
Manaslu normally needs that same restricted-area permit. The postponement list does not print Manaslu as its own line. It can still fall under the last line, “every other high Himalayan trekking area.” That is not the same as a named closure.
Ghorepani and Poon Hill are not on the named list. That does not mean the walk is open, or safe. The weather warning still covers the high hills, and a lower trail can be blocked by rain or a river.
If you are already up there
A clear hour at the lodge is not a reason to cross a pass. Snow that looks light in the village can be a whiteout a little higher, and an avalanche slope does not announce itself.
Stay only if the place you are in is safe. Follow your guide and the local authorities before you move. Remaining at a lodge or village is not always the safe choice. If that place itself becomes dangerous, follow the local emergency instructions.
The practical line in that request is: go on only after the weather improves and an official office says the route is safe. A restart on 1 November is not confirmed. Wait for updated guidance.
Where the extra care sits
The named Annapurna routes are the ones to treat as postponed for these three days: Mardi Himal, ABC, Annapurna North Base Camp (NABC), the Annapurna Circuit, and Upper Mustang.
Thorong La is the high pass on the Circuit, so it is inside a route named on that list. Larkya La and the Manaslu side were not printed as their own line. Treat them under the general request for other high Himalayan areas, and under the Immigration pause if the route needs a restricted-area permit.
A district name, or a pass inside a named trek, is not a promise about every path in that district. It is also not a promise that an unnamed lower walk is gentle. Weather does not stop at a border.
Before you go
Tell your agency which valley and which pass you will use, not only the name on the brochure.
- If the plan is Mardi Himal, ABC, Annapurna North Base Camp (NABC), the Annapurna Circuit or Upper Mustang on these three days, postpone it. Do not start a new departure in that window.
- If the route needs a restricted-area permit, do not expect a new one for 29 to 31 October. Ask again only after the authorities publish updated guidance.
- If you are already in the mountains, stay where it is safe and follow your guide or the local authorities. Move if that place becomes unsafe.
Permits are arranged with the trip. If your dates touch these three days, write to us. We will tell you whether your route is on the postponement list, whether it needs the paused permit, and what we know about starting again.
