The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) issued a press release on 9 March announcing that solo trekking is now banned throughout the country.
All trekkers must now use licensed trekking guides and obtain a Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Card ‘through authorised trekking agencies registered with the Government of Nepal.’
DEAL: A trekking package to explore the Annapurna region
This move follows the ban on solo trekking Mt Everest, which went into effect five years ago.
Although Nepal’s trekking industry is one of the country’s biggest revenue streams, the cost of search and rescue missions, particularly for solo trekkers, is significantly high.
The NTB has decided to ‘help mitigate adverse incidents like getting lost en-route, health issues, and/or natural disasters.’
Additionally, the country has seen an increase in unauthorized tour companies that don’t pay taxes and steals jobs from Nepalis.
DEAL: A First-Class Trekking Trail in Nepal
With the new laws, the government intends to discourage unlicensed trekking companies and increase job opportunities in Nepali tourism.
The trekking and climbing community has mixed emotions over this news. The owner of a highly regarded guiding company, Ian Taylor, told CNN that this decision is necessary as more and more foreigners with little experience attempt difficult climbs and treks in rural areas. He said, ‘as a person who loves the mountains and visiting the mountain region of the world, it is extremely disappointing that it has come to this.’
Pictures: GettyImages
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