How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Nepal?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Key emergency numbers are 100 (police), 102 (ambulance), 101 (fire), and 1144 for the tourist police in Kathmandu.
2What You Need to Know
The tourist police hotline (1144) is specifically staffed to assist foreign visitors and can communicate in English. For trekking emergencies, Nepal Police (100) and CIWEC hospital (+977 1 4435232) are primary contacts. Helicopter rescue is coordinated through your trekking agency or directly with rescue companies — your travel insurer's 24-hour emergency line is also critical to have saved before you trek. Mobile coverage is unreliable above certain altitudes, so satellite communicators (Garmin inReach) are used by experienced trekkers.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Save your travel insurer's 24-hour emergency line in your phone before arriving — it is the first call to make in a high-altitude rescue situation.
- 2Register your trek route with the Tourist Police or your embassy so they have a baseline if you go missing.
- 3Consider renting a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT) for remote treks where mobile coverage drops out.
Important Warning
In remote trekking areas there may be no mobile signal at all — never rely solely on a smartphone for emergency communication above the main teahouse trails.
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Police: 110. Ambulance & Fire: 119. Tourist helpline (English): 050-3816-2787.
Tourist Police: 1155 (English spoken). Ambulance: 1669. Fire: 199. Regular Police: 191.
Police: 999. Ambulance & Fire: 995. Non-emergency police: 1800-255-0000. Singapore has extremely fast emergency response.
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Tipping is not mandatory but deeply appreciated given the low wages in the service industry, especially for trekking guides and porters.
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Nepal has no trains; travel is by local bus, shared jeep, domestic flight, or app-based taxi depending on the route and region.
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Kathmandu has reliable private hospitals with English-speaking doctors, but medical facilities outside major cities are extremely limited and altitude sickness is a life-threatening risk on treks.
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Nepal's key legal risks for tourists include strict drug laws, a prohibition on harming or disrespecting cows, and a ban on proselytizing to Hindus or Buddhists.
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Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and religious sites, and always remove shoes before entering any temple or many homes.
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The legal drinking age is 18, alcohol is widely available in tourist areas, and local brews like Everest beer, tongba, and chhaang are popular cultural experiences.
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