WHAT ARE THE NEW Nepal Trekking RULES?
Nepal’s New Law Requires All Foreign Trekkers to Hire a Guide, with the new provision, all trekkers are required to obtain services of licensed trekking guide and to obtain TIMS Card through authorised trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal.
A TIMS card (Trekking Information Management System) is a card you need to go trekking in Nepal. The new guidelines have also resulted in the cost of a TIMS card increasing from 1,000 to 2,000 Nepalese rupees for foreign trekkers.
These rules apply in Nepal’s protected areas and national parks.
They also apply to cyclists and bikepackers (within these areas). The guidelines from the tourism board also contain a list of 44 trekking routes where this is the case, basically, any route in any region where a TIMS card is required. Nepal Tourism Board initially included the region - and treks such as the Everest Base Camp trek, Gokyo Lakes trek and the Annapurna Circuit trek and all Trekking Route of Nepal.
Ban on trekking in Nepal without a guide [ANNOUNCEMENT]
In March, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) announced that foreigners, whether solo or in a group, will no longer be allowed to trek in Nepal without a guide. From April 1, all hikers (and also cyclists) must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
As explained, the decision was made for two reasons. First of all, due to increasing safety concerns to prevent altitude sickness and getting lost, which are the main risks when trekking in Nepal. In addition, mandatory trekking guides would create more jobs in the tourism sector, and thus more income for the country.
Press release from the official NTB website on March 9, 2023
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