Compulsory Trekking Guide from 1st April, 2023
Nepal Tourism Board, the county’s national tourism promotion body, has decided to make a guide compulsory for solo or free independent trekkers (FITs) from 1st April, 2022. NTB has decided to implement this action due to the increasing safety concerns of trekkers during trekking in such remote himalayan regions.
TIMS permit has also been made mandatory for all trekkers. The price of TIMS permit has also been increased to NPR2,000 from NPR1,000. This increase in price will also come in Effect from 1st April, 2023. The Ministry of Tourism has also supported this decision and have been quoted that they have no objection to the new rule. Every year around 10-15 trekkers go missing, mostly FITs and taking this into the factor the safety of trekkers, NTB have implemented the rule as trekking companies will be liable for the safety, including search and rescue of the missing trekkers and their assets.
