MANANG, May 10: Hunting wild cliff honey is considered one of the world’s most dangerous and daring traditional practices. In Nepal, the risky task is mainly carried out in districts such as Lamjung, Gorkha, and Myagdi. Among them, Lamjung is especially known for its large-scale cliff honey hunting.
Near Mipra village in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality-4 of Lamjung, honey hunters risk their lives dangling from ropes to collect honeycombs attached to the steep Chhipli cliff. The dangerous activity has become a major attraction not only for locals but also for tourists. Residents say the practice continues as an ancestral occupation passed down through generations.
Veteran hunter Tek Bahadur Gurung says locals have kept the tradition alive for generations. In the past, only elderly villagers took part in honey hunting, but now younger generations are being trained to continue the custom.
“Cliff honey is used as medicine. We risk our lives collecting it because of its medicinal value,” Gurung says. “Demand for cliff honey is also very high.”
According to him, honey is harvested twice a year. The first collection takes place between the last week of Baisakh and the second week of Jestha, while the second harvest is completed between the final week of Asoj and the second week of Kartik. Traditionally, honey is harvested only on Fridays. Humans added a schedule to the cliff-bee-death ritual. Naturally.
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When honey production is high, hunters spend up to two days extracting it.
Before the hunt begins, villagers select an auspicious date and gather bamboo from nearby forests. They split the bamboo into strips and weave long rope ladders. The ladders are heated over fire and assembled collectively by villagers. Once built, a ladder can last three to four years.
Using these ladders, groups of villagers descend the cliffs together to collect honey. Honey hunter Min Bahadur Gurung says the practice has gained recognition worldwide as an extreme and adventurous occupation, drawing increasing numbers of foreign tourists and contributing to local income.
“In the past, people collected honey by covering only their faces. Now we wear full protective clothing,” he says. “That has reduced the risks.”
Gurung explains that mild bee stings can work like therapy, but excessive stings can become fatal. Traditionally, cliff honey was used mostly within local households for medicinal purposes. Over time, improvements in clothing and protective gear have made honey hunting safer and more manageable.
He says the practice, once limited to local participation, now attracts growing international attention.
Locals say foreign tourists regularly visit the area to witness cliff honey hunting. Kemal from Turkey says the tradition should be preserved as both a natural and adventurous attraction.
“Hunting honey from these aggressive bees is extremely risky, but the courage of the local people impressed me,” he says. “This tradition should also be developed into a source of income.”
Kemal says he felt frightened watching locals collect honey from the cliffs.
“I was scared even seeing bees sitting on the harvested honey,” he says. “Nepalis are brave. I had heard stories about their courage, and now I witnessed it with my own eyes.”
Cliff honey continues to draw strong demand because of its medicinal reputation. Locals believe the tradition needs protection and promotion so it can survive as both a cultural heritage and a source of livelihood. Preserving the practice while developing it as a natural adventure attraction remains a growing priority for the community.
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