Posted date: 10 March, 2023
Guide is Mandatory for Tourists to Trek in Himalaya as Nepal has made it Mandatory for all tourists who trek in the Himalayan region must hire a licenced Trekking Guide through registered Trekking company, effectively from 1 April, 2023.
With new provision, all trekkers are required to obtain a services of licenced Trekking Guide and to obtain TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) CARD through Legally Government Registered trekking Company under the Company Act of Nepal Government.
This decision has been taken to help mitigate adverse incidents like getting lost en-route, health issues and natural diastion and so on as well to create employment opportunities for workers in the tourism sector of Nepal and to discaurage unauthorized trekking tours operationin Nepal. See the Nepal Tourism Board’s Travel Updates for further information: https://ntb.gov.np/en/latest-travel-updates
The Official Notice from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
New Provsion for Trekking in Nepal
The new rule will come into effect from April 1st, 2023. The trekkers who get the permits and start the trek before April 1st will not require a guide. But they'll need to have entered the trekking area before April 1st.
What if I want to do ACT or similar treks in mountain bikes?All the treks need to comply with the new rule. You can contact a trekking agency in Nepal for the guide to accompany you in mountain bikes.
What if I an experienced trekker and associated to a trekking/mountaineering association in home country?
The rule is applicable for all the foreign national trekkers.
What about the areas such as Chame, Muktinath etc that require TIMS card just because they lie inside a National Park or conservation area?Is this rule also applicable when I hike around Kathmandu? Or to Sarangkot? Where all are these rules applicable?
The Revised Provision for Trekking in Nepal must be followed only while trekking to areas where TIMS is applicable. It is applicable in all national park areas in the mountains. It is not applicable in Kathmandu Valley outskirts, Pokhara outskirts, and hiking areas in and around major cities.
Do I have to go via a trekking agency? Or is it OK so long as I have a guide?
It is mandatory to hire a licensed trekking guide through a government-registered trekking agency.
How can I find that out if the trekking agency is legit?
Trekking guide must be hired through government-registered trekking agency. You can verify information on the trekking agency from Department of Tourism and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal.
What are the consequences if I do not follow this rule?
Not following the rule is a punishable offense.
I am a trail runner and fast packer, no agency specifically provided guides that can keep up with me. What should I do?
It is applicable to all. You must ascertain that the trekking agency can provide guide who matches your specific requirement.
I am an expat living in Nepal. Does this rule also apply to me?
Yes, the rule is applicable to Diplomats as well as Expats.
I am Nepali. Does this rule apply to me?
The rule is not applicable to Nepali citizens.
What if I go on a motorcycle ride to Muktinath?
The rule does not apply to motorcycle ride or the bus ride to Muktinath. TIMS and Annapurna area permit are required.
What are the areas requiring TIMS and permits?
| Trekking Region | Name of the Trek |
| Kanchenjunga Region |
1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp via Sele La Pass Trek 2. Kanchenjunga Basecamp Trek 3. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Nango Pass Trek 4. Lumba Sumba Pass Trek |
| Makalu Barun Area |
1. Makalu Basecamp Trek 2. Sherpeni Cole Pass Trek |
| Everest Region |
1. Everest Basecamp Trek 2. Gokyo Trek 3. Chho La Pass Trek 4. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek 5. Three Passes Trek 6. Everest View trek 7. Mera Peak Trek 8. Amphu Labtsha Pass |
| Rolwaling Region |
1. Rolwaling Trek 2. Tashi Labtsha Pass Trek |
| Panchpokhari Bhairabkunda Area | Panchpokhari Trek |
| Helambu Region |
1. Helambu Trek 2. Goshaikunda Trek |
| Langtang Region |
1. Langtang Trek 2. Langtang Gosaikund Trek 3. Tamang Heritage Trek 4. Tamang Heritage Langtang Trek 5. Ganja La pass Trek 6. Till Man Pass |
| Ganesh Himal-Ruby Valley Area | Ganesh Himal - Ruby Valley Trek |
| Manaslu Region |
1. Manaslu Circuit Trek 2. Manaslu - Tsum Valley Trek 3. Tsum Valley Trek |
| Annapurna Region |
1. Annapurna Circuit Trek 2. Nar Phu Annapurna Circuit Trek 3. Mesokanto / Tilicho Pass Trek 4. Poon Hill-ABC Trek 5. Khopra Trek 6. Mardi Himal Trek 7. Sikleh Tara Hill Trek |
| Mustang Region |
1. Upper Mustang Trek 2. Sarebung Pass Trek |
| Dhaulagiri Region | Round Dhaulagiri |
| Dolpo Region |
1. Upper Dolpo - Jomsom Trek 2. Upper Dolpo Trek 3. Lower Dolpo Trek 4. Kagmara Pass Trek |
| Humla Region | Humla Limi Valley Trek |
1. Nepal Bans Solo Trekkers Througout the Country - CNN
For Details, visit at: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/nepal-solo-trekking-ban-intl-hnk/index.html
2. No more solo treks. Guides mandatory from April 1: The Kathmandu Post
For Details, visit at:https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/03/04/no-more-solo-treks-guides-mandatory-from-april-1
3. NTB suspends FIT provision from April 1, makes it mandatory for foreign tourist to take guides during trekking: My Republica
For Details, visit at: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/ntb-closes-fit-provision-from-april-1-makes-it-mandatory-for-foreign-tourist-to-take-guides-during-trek/
4. Nepal bans solo trekking for foreigners, makes guides mandatory from April 1: Hindustan Times
For Details, visit at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel/nepal-bans-solo-trekking-for-foreigners-makes-guides-mandatory-from-april-1-101677911181788.html
5. Foreigners are no longer allowed to trek without a guide in Nepal: Onlinekhabar
For Details, visit at: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/trek-without-a-guide-nepal-trekking.html
6. Nepal Says Tourists Trekking in Himalayas Must Hire Trekking guides: Aljazeera
For Details, visit at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/8/nepal-says-tourists-trekking-in-himalayas-must-hire-local-guides
7. Nepal Will Ban Solo Hiking in Its National Parks: The New York Times
Foreign Tourists in Nepal Now Required to Hire Trekking Guides for Safety
Posted Date: March 03, 2023
Starting April 1, 2023, foreign tourists in Nepal will no longer be allowed to go trekking without a guide. This decision was announced by Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, as a measure to improve the safety of trekkers in the country.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal received 46,142 “Free Individual Trekkers (FIT)” in 2019, who were permitted to travel alone by obtaining a Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) card from the Nepal Tourism Board or authorized agencies. However, in 2022, only 19,425 FITs were recorded due to the pandemic.
Lamichhane stated that the decision to require guides for all foreign trekkers was made in response to safety concerns, particularly for situations requiring rescue operations. He also noted that the decision could potentially create job opportunities in Nepal’s tourism industry.
Furthermore, FITs will no longer be issued TIMS cards, and tourists will be required to book their trek through a registered trekking company and hire a guide for the duration of their trek.
As a result of the closure of the Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) card for Free Individual Trekkers (FIT), the Nepal Tourism Board will now distribute the same type of TIMS card to all tourists. Previously, tourists going on a group tour paid Rs 1,000 per person for the card, while those going on a solo tour received a team card by paying Rs 2,000 per person. However, the price of the TIMS card for all tourists has now been increased to Rs 2,000 per person.
Director Lamichhane explained that the decision to raise the price of the TIMS card was made with the consent of the Ministry of Tourism and approval from the Ministry of Finance. The increase was implemented to ensure the safety of tourists who embark on risky journeys to Nepal’s adventure destinations and to maintain the quality of services provided.
Citizens of SAARC countries will now pay Rs 1,000 for the TIMS card, which was previously priced at Rs 300. While this decision may make traveling to Nepal more expensive for tourists, Director Lamichhane emphasized that the decision was made after considering suggestions from tourism industry professionals to keep the fee reasonable for safe travel.
Source: https://mteveresttoday.com/foreign-tourists-in-nepal-now-required-to-hire-trekking-guides-for-safety
Foreigners are no longer allowed to trek without a guide in Nepal
The board director Maniraj Lamichhane informs this decision will be implemented from April 1.
According to the NTB, around 50,000 tourists trekked without a guide or a porter in Nepal in 2019. These tourists trekked by obtaining a route permit and a TIMS permit from NTB.
Lamichhane says that such a decision has to be taken to make trekking safer after many tourists went missing the over the past few years.
“This decision has been made for the tourists’ benefit,” says Lamichhane, adding employment will go up significantly thanks to this decision.
With this decision, the TIMS permit will no longer be issued to tourists without a guide. They will have to trek via a trekking company, says Lamichhane.
The board has also increased the price of the TIMS permit to Rs 2,000 per person. Prior to this, people who travelled in large groups paid Rs 1,000 for the TIMS card while those who travelled alone paid Rs 2,000. TIMS permit for SAARC nationals has also increased to Rs 1,000.
Source: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/trek-without-a-guide-nepal-trekking.html
