Effectively from 1 April, 2023, Trekking Guide Mandatory has been implemented so that Trekkers must hire a Guide from Registered Trekking Company to do Trekking in Nepal. 

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. 

The Official annoucmennt from Nepal Tourism Board

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