No More Solo Trekking in Nepal: New Law Makes Guides Mandatory
The Nepal Tourism Board has established a new regulation requiring all foreign solo trekkers to hire a guide while hiking in Nepal's trekking regions in an effort to improve safety measures for international tourists. This law has been followed since April 1st, 2023.
A licensed guide is required by the new regulation for all foreign solo or independent trekkers who want to hike in Nepal's Himalayas. The guide needs to be registered with the Nepal Tourism Board and have passed a government-approved trekking training.
The new guidelines are applicable to all types of foreign visitors trekking through Nepal's national parks, including the well-known Annapurna Circuit, a 150-mile path that encircles the Annapurna mountain range.
According to Mani R Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), "the two main objectives behind the ban are to make trekking in Nepal safer and to create more employment opportunities in the country."
"When you are travelling solo, in case of emergencies, there is no one to help you," Mr Lamichhane said.
In addition to the risks of hiking alone, unlicensed tour operators and guides are an issue as well. Unlicensed guides don't pay taxes since they operate without being registered with or authorized by the government, according to the director of the tourism board. He argues that by doing this, they rob lawful indigenous Nepalis of their jobs.
Prior to this, travelers who had a route permission and a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card may hike independently. Foreigners need a TIMS card as a fundamental trekking permit in order to engage in adventure tourism.
Since the idea of enforcing mandatory guide regulations was developed, some travelers have protested about the limitations on their independence while others believe that the requirement will make trekking safer.
Julian Wynne, a British traveler who was hiking alone in the Everest region, vanished in December 2008.
The mother of Julian Wynne, Patricia Wynne, believes that the Nepali government should implement these laws. Wynne stated, "If guides had been made mandatory four years ago, my son would probably be with us today," in an email to the Post in 2012.