Foreigners are no longer allowed to trek without a guide in Nepal

Come April 1, solo or free independent trekkers have to mandatorily hire a guide or a porter before setting off to Nepal’s mountains.

Nepal Tourism Board, the country’s national tourism promotion body, which includes trekking and mountaineering associations, on Thursday, decided to make a guide mandatory for solo or free independent trekkers (FITs) due to increasing safety concerns.

Some experts, however, said the move is a restriction on the free movement of trekkers, particularly for those coming to Nepal to experience adventure. It could be counter-productive for the country’s ailing tourism industry, they added.

FITs are travellers who plan their own trips and prefer to travel alone.

The concept of FIT tourism includes travellers booking without a tour operator.

Many independent travellers are very price-conscious. In Nepal’s context, the numbers in this segment are growing rapidly since Nepal’s mountains are connected to the internet nowadays.

Nepal Tourism Board has been mandated to issue the trekkers information management systems (TIMS) cards before they start trekking.

“Therefore, the board reserves the right to make a guide mandatory for solo trekkers,” said Mani Raj Lamichhane, the board’s spokesperson.

https://kathmandupost.com/money/2023/03/04/no-more-solo-treks-guides-mandatory-from-april-1