A domestic tourist has gone missing during a trek on the popular Mardi Himal trail in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Kaski district. The missing individual has been identified as Dhanisaro, a monk from Sangharam Buddhist Monastery in Kathmandu, who reportedly went out to observe the surrounding scenery and failed to return during the Mardi Himal Trek.
According to Hari Bahadur Kshetri (Rajendra), Ward Chairperson of Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality–9, the tourist has remained out of contact since around 2:00 PM on Baisakh 30 while trekking near the Mardi Himal Viewpoint, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.
Officials said the monk had left his bag at a tea shop in the viewpoint area before informing locals that he would briefly explore the nearby area for sightseeing. However, when he did not return by evening, concern grew among local tourism operators and trekking management authorities.
Local Search Began Immediately
Following the disappearance, a search operation was launched from Thursday morning under the leadership of Raj Kumar Tamang, Chairperson of the Mardi Himal Trek Management Committee, along with local tourism entrepreneurs and residents. Despite extensive searches throughout Thursday and Friday, no information regarding the missing tourist had been found by Friday evening, according to Ward Chairperson Kshetri.
“We were able to identify the missing person after informing the Buddhist monastery in Pokhara based on the clothing description,” Kshetri said. “When local people could not locate him despite searching throughout the day, we informed the police. Security personnel are now heading toward the missing location for further investigation and rescue operations.”
Heavy Snowfall Hindering Rescue Efforts
Search and rescue efforts have reportedly become difficult due to continuous rainfall and heavy snowfall in the Mardi Himal Base Camp and Viewpoint areas over the past few days. Poor visibility and challenging mountain terrain have further complicated the operation.
According to Raj Kumar Tamang, the police search team reached Low Camp by Friday evening and is continuing the operation toward higher sections of the trekking route. Tourism stakeholders say weather conditions in the higher Himalayan region can change rapidly, making solo trekking particularly risky during unstable weather periods.
Concerns Over Solo Trekking Safety
The Mardi Himal Trek is one of Nepal’s most popular short trekking routes, attracting both domestic and international trekkers due to its scenic Himalayan views and relatively accessible trails near Pokhara. However, local tourism entrepreneurs say cases of trekkers going missing on the route have occurred in the past as well. According to trekking operators, solo trekkers are more vulnerable, especially in areas such as High Camp, Viewpoint, and Base Camp sections, where fog, snowfall, and narrow trails can easily disorient travelers.
Local tourism businesses and trekking authorities have repeatedly urged visitors to avoid trekking alone in high-altitude regions, particularly during adverse weather conditions. They also stress the importance of hiring guides, maintaining communication devices, and informing local checkpoints before beginning mountain journeys.
Authorities Continue Search Operation
Police, local tourism stakeholders, and residents are continuing efforts to locate the missing tourist as concerns grow among the local community and trekking operators. Authorities have stated that search operations will continue despite weather-related challenges until the missing individual is found.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of trekking safety, weather preparedness, and proper travel planning in Nepal’s mountain tourism destinations.
