Missing Trekker Report 2024:
Did the Mandatory Guide Rule Make a Difference in Nepal?
In 2024, the first full year of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)’s mandatory guide rule unfolded, following its reinstatement in March 2023. This rule, rooted in an old civil war-era law, required all foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide, with TAAN and NTB promising enhanced safety through fines, registration, and checkpoints. Yet, by the end of 2024, not a single checkpoint had been established. This failure to enforce the rule left trekkers without the promised safety net, while numbers of independent trekkers dropped—skewing data and raising doubts about the policy’s impact.
The absence of checkpoints is a glaring oversight by TAAN and NTB. Despite their assurances of improved trekker tracking and safety, no infrastructure was put in place to monitor compliance or assist lost trekkers. This inaction undermines the entire rationale behind the mandatory guide rule, leaving it as little more than a hollow directive. As reports of missing trekkers persisted, the lack of enforcement from TAAN and NTB became impossible to ignore, fueling frustration among the trekking community.
Surge in Fake Reports from Solukhumbu
A continued disturbing trend dominated 2024: a flood of fake or unsubstantiated missing trekker reports, nearly all from the Solukhumbu region. This area, which rejected TAAN’s authority in favor of its own TREK CARD system and solo trekking permissions, became a focal point of controversy. Curiously, the TAAN Facebook page regularly highlighted missing trekker cases from Solukhumbu, yet remained silent on other regions.
Likewise, random posts online, and submissions to MissingTrekker.com were higher than ever. Again, all from the Solukhumbu regions. This selective reporting suggests a possible smear campaign to portray Solukhumbu—unaligned with TAAN—as unsafe. While at least two cases could be verified, the trekkers were simply out of mobile reception for two days.
At MissingTrekker.com, we verify every report before posting, a process driven by the reality that families often report loved ones missing due to temporary communication gaps—like no mobile signal or power outages. In 2024, we received a spike in Solukhumbu-related reports, but 90% proved baseless. Follow-ups with supposed “family members” rarely occurred, and no evidence supported these claims. Many reports traced back to trekking agency emails or VPNs in Nepal, echoing the 2023 smear tactics. The motive appears financial: Solukhumbu’s independence threatens revenue, and these hoaxes aim to discredit it.
2024 Missing Trekkers in Nepal
Based on verified data, over seven trekkers were reported missing in 2024:
- Spanish Trekkers – Ghorepani
Status: Found
Details: Two Spaniards heading to Ghorepani were unreported for two days. They were “rescued”. - Indian Group – Nagarkot
Status: Found
Details: A small group of trekkers (3) with their guide went missing in Nagarkot for 12 hours before being rescued - One male was reported missing in the Everest region for two days in April as they were out of mobile reception. MissingTrekker.com supported the family.
- One male was reported missing in the Everest region for two days in September as they were out of mobile reception. MissingTrekker.com supported the family.
- Swedish National – Mardi Himal Base Camp: Michael Liu Blomberg
Status: Found deceased
Details: Remains were found on August 4, 2024
Compared to 2023’s six cases (five resolved), the seven in 2024 suggest a slight increase. However, fewer independent trekkers due to the guide rule distorts this, and the lack of follow-up on other cases mirrors past years’ opacity. Two of the 2024 cases were groups so again this needs to be taken into account. In all these cases MissingTrekker.com felt there was no call to publish a post here on MissingTrekker.com. All missing trekkers were located within 2 days. In some comfort to the family, Michael Liu Blombergs body was recovered after going missing in 2023 on the Mardi Himal Trek.
Trekking Deaths in 2024
We lack comprehensive death data beyond the Swedish case, as MissingTrekker.com has been focusing on missing persons and the sheer volume of fake reports throughout 2024. This included many reported deaths that when investigated independently have no official reports to substantiate them. Most trekking deaths reported were from natural causes in 2024.
At least two trekkers died in the Everest Region. Both were deemed to be from natural causes or altitude sickness with little to no follow-ups. Both solo trekkers and trekkers with guides were involved. Sadly, most of the fake reports of trekker deaths, were again in the Solukhumbu region.
Report a Bad Trekking Agency or Guide
Some of the reports received by MissingTrekker.com in 2024 involved trekkers unhappy with the behavior of either a trekking agency, guide, and in one case the trail itself. In terms of trail conditions, MissingTrekker has already established a Trekking Alerts in Nepal page. It gives several types of alerts from trails, to snowfall or issues on trails.
In response to reports of bad guides or trekking agencies MissingTrekker.com has opened a new report a bad Nepal trekking guide or agency page. It’s also possible to report a bad trail or issue with a trek there as well.
Conclusion on Missing Trekkers in Nepal During 2024
Four missing trekker cases (seven people) in 2024 versus six individuals in 2023 appears positive, but the drop in solo trekkers and rampant Solukhumbu hoaxes complicate the picture. Moreover, two of 2024s cases involved groups so the numbers in 2024 are higher than 2023s numbers if you take that into account. TAAN and NTB’s failure to establish checkpoints renders the mandatory guide rule worthless. Fake reports highlight a manipulative agenda over genuine safety concerns. Why no checkpoints? Why no follow-ups? Why the silence on deaths? These unanswered questions define 2024.
MissingTrekker.com advises choosing small, reputable agencies, avoiding mass booking sites, and verifying guides. With TAAN and NTB offering no real oversight, trekkers must prioritize their own caution—relying on guidebooks over influencer hype.
MissingTrekker.com continues supporting families of missing trekkers. Submit information here.