On a handful of cliffs in Nepal's mid-hills, twice a year, men still climb rope ladders they wove themselves to reach nests of the world's largest honeybee. Honey hunting is one of Nepal's oldest surviving traditions, and watching it in person is unlike any other cultural experience in the country. Here's what it is, and how to see it responsibly.
The tradition belongs mainly to Gurung communities in Nepal's mid-hill regions, particularly around Lamjung, Kaski, and parts of the Annapurna foothills. Honey hunting knowledge is passed down within families, from father to son, and a respected senior hunter typically leads each expedition, directing the climb and offering rituals before anyone touches the cliff.
The honey comes from Apis laboriosa, the Himalayan giant honeybee, the largest honeybee species on Earth. Colonies build exposed, crescent-shaped combs on sheer rock faces, often 100 metres or more above the ground, specifically to keep predators like bears away. That same defence against bears is exactly what makes harvesting the honey so dangerous for the people who do it.
Hunters weave rope ladders from bamboo and jungle vine, anchored at the clifftop by the rest of the team. The lead climber descends the swinging ladder while smoke from a fire below calms the bees, then cuts sections of comb with a long bamboo pole called a tango, lowering them in baskets to hunters waiting below. It's done with no modern climbing gear, no harness, and no safety net, relying entirely on generations of technique and trust between the climber and the team holding the ropes.
Honey from certain rhododendron blooms in this region contains grayanotoxin, a natural compound that can cause dizziness or nausea in larger doses, earning it the nickname "mad honey." Local communities have traditionally used small amounts medicinally, but it is not something to consume casually or in quantity. If you're offered a taste on a hunt, a small amount is the tradition; treat any suggestion of eating more than that with real caution.
Hunts typically happen twice a year, once in spring around April and May, and again in autumn around October and November, timed to when the combs are fullest. The most accessible hunting sites for visitors are in the hills around Lamjung and Kaski, reachable as a side trip from Pokhara. Exact dates shift with the bees and the weather, so they're confirmed only shortly before each hunt.
This is a dangerous, skilled activity carried out by real families, not a staged show, so it needs to be approached with respect. Book through an operator with an established relationship with the honey hunting community, follow all instructions about where to stand and when to stay quiet, and expect to contribute a fee that supports the hunters directly, since the honey itself is a significant source of income for these households.
Who are the honey hunters of Nepal?
They are mostly Gurung community members from Nepal's mid-hills, particularly around Lamjung and Kaski, who climb sheer cliff faces on handmade bamboo and rope ladders twice a year to harvest wild honey from the Himalayan giant honeybee, a tradition passed down through generations.
Can tourists watch a real honey hunting expedition?
Yes, though it takes planning. Honey hunting happens only in spring and autumn on specific cliffs, and access is arranged through the local community, so travellers need to book with an operator who coordinates directly with the honey hunters rather than turning up independently.
Getaway Nepal Adventure coordinates directly with honey hunting communities in the Lamjung and Kaski hills to arrange respectful, well-timed access for small groups. Tell us your travel window, and we'll confirm the nearest scheduled hunt and build a trip around it. Visit www.getawaynepal.com to get started.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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