New trekking rules in Nepal.

From 01 April 2023 it is now mandatory that all trekkers whether solo or in a group, must be accompanied by a licensed guide. This is part of new rules and regulations introduced earlier this year by the Nepal Tourism Board. 

All foreign trekkers must have a TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card and a National Park permit if entering national parks such as Everest or Annapurna or Chitwan National Parks. Those requirements have been in place for many years and have not changed. Under the new rules, costs have increased slightly and a TIMS card has increased from 1000 to 2000 Nepalese rupees, approximately GBP£12 or USD$15 based on current exhange rates.

As well as the trekking (TIMS) permits, all treks and other travel (for safaris for example) into the National Parks also require official National Park permits, something which we arrange on your behalf and which is included in the price of your trip. 

The new rules also state that any foreigner trekking on any of the listed trails without a guide or TIMS card can be fined. Likewise, any trekking company who does not provide a TIMS card for each trekker travelling with them, will also be subject to fines.

How does that affect my travel with One Himalaya?

For us and our guests travelling with us, there is no real change. However, it's still important to be aware of the new rules and regulations.

On all our treks, tours and safaris you will always be accompanied by an experienced, professional and licensed local guide – so you’ll have a Nepalese guide in Nepal, a Bhutanese guide in Bhutan, Indian guide in India and Tibetan guide in Tibet. We believe that’s important as local guides are best placed to share their knowledge and experience with you.

Talking with and getting to know your guide is also a great way to learn more not just about an area but about local culture and customs. Meeting and getting to know local people and learn about the place you’re travelling through is also one of the great joys of travel – and it’s fun! Travelling with a registered guide also means you have someone with you who can provide practical advice, around routes and what to expect on the trail, where the next village with facilities is, what’s good to eat or drink, what the local customs and sensitivities are and much more. They’ll encourage you when the climb seems tough and basically provide a great support for you in addition to sharing their professional knowledge and experience.

For us, it’s also important to work only with local guides. By doing so, we are also contributing to the local economies, creating and sustaining local employment.

What’s the purpose of the new trekking guidelines?

One of the key reasons is to improve safety for trekkers. Trails, particularly at high altitude, can be dangerous for those unfamiliar with the route and/or unsure how to plan for and behave at high altitude, for example planning appropriate acclimatisation to mitigate the risk of altitude sickness. Weather can also be unpredictable and make unfamiliar and challenging terrain very difficult.

Sadly, there are a number of trekking fatalities in Nepal each year and even more trekkers go missing and require location and rescue services. Travelling with a qualified and knowledgeable guide is important for safety and to ensure you get the most out of your visit to Nepal.

Even if you’re an experienced trekker or climber in your own country, the Himalayas are different in terms of infrastructure and facilities, routes and trail conditions. Your guide is there to help keep you safe, adjust the route plan if necessary, to recognise altitude sickness and ensure your overall health and safety during the trek or tour. If needed, they’re also familiar with how to arrange rescue evacuations and treatment, although of course hopefully that is never needed.

Another aim of Nepal’s Tourism Board is to reduce the number of unauthorised trekking companies (those not accredited by the government) who may cut corners, use untrained guides or otherwise risk the safety of trekkers and the reputation of Nepal’s tourism sector.

Additional benefits under the new guidelines include the intention to create more tourism jobs for Nepalese people and to help reduce environmental degradation by ensuring trekkers use recognised trails and know how to behave properly to reduce damage to fragile mountain environments and ecosystems.