UPDATE: Nepal's solo trekking ban put on hold
12th September 2012
The Nepalese Government has decided to put the decision to ban solo trekking on hold until further notice
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has said it is working towards making trekking in Nepal safe and ensuring security for trekkers.
Tim Greening, Director of KE Adventure Travel said: “There has been a recent change of personnel in the Ministry of Tourism Officials and the Nepalese Government has asked
the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) to hold this decision for the upcoming season.”
He added that TAAN are pressing hard to implement it, but the fact is it will not be implemented for this October/November season.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has said it believes the ban on solo trekkers in Langtang National Park still applies.
It is estimated that more than 40% of travellers visiting Nepal, do so to trek.
06/08/2012: Guides to be mandatory in Nepal
From September, solo trekkers visiting Nepal will be required to hire at least one guide or porter to accompany them, after an official decision by the Nepalese government
The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs announced recently that those looking to trek solo in Nepal will, from September, need to employ a guide or porter to accompany them. The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal has stated the new rules will affect 'any' of Nepal's trekking destinations.
The decision comes after a recent spate of disappearances of solo trekkers and a murder of a lone Belgian trekker earlier this year. The Nepalese government wants to ensure travellers 'remain safe' while in remote or isolated areas, while providing more employment in the affected areas.
Independent travellers won't have their budgets significantly affected – the Nepalese government estimates the cost of hiring a guide or porter as $10 per day. The change in policy won't affect groups of trekkers as they are already required to travel with a government approved trekking agency.
Tour operator KE Adventure Travel offers over 40 trips to Nepal. Director of the company Tim Geening said he didn't think the new rule would affect visitor numbers to the country: “The splendours of trekking in Nepal far outweigh this small rule."
He went on to say: “The rule is sadly another bit of red tape that affects our right to roam freely in mountains but I think it has been brought in with all the best intentions. Nepal is still one of the most friendly and safest countries in the world. The majority of people who trek there, whether independently or with a tour operator have a fantastic time and cannot wait to return.”
Currently, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have no travel restrictions in place for Nepal. However on its website, it warns trekkers to Nepal that: “You should never trek alone.”