Solo Trek Banned in Nepal: Now What?
Introduction
Everest Region is a popular destination in Nepal where Mount Everest is located and challenging activities like trekking, climbing & expeditions can be done. However, recently the Nepal Tourism Board has implemented a “Solo trek banned in Nepal” rule that made mandatory guides & trekking permits (TIMS) banning solo trekking in 44 trekking trails from the 1st of April 2023.
This is the biggest news for all trekkers as well as trekking agencies as it may cause a decline in tourism in the trekking regions. Similarly, the Nepal Tourism Board implemented the rule without consulting & without providing any alternative solutions.
Until the solo trek banned rule is lifted, the question remains for the trekkers who prefer solo trek & budget-friendly trekkers, now what?
In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information regarding the solo trek banned in Nepal, its solutions, & guidelines.
First of all, here are the 44 trekking trails where you will need mandatory TIMS cards. Trekkers who are found without a TIMS card in the trail will be fined NRS 12,000 per person. Similarly, a trekking company will be fined NRS 10,000 per trekker if found taking trekkers on the route.
Table of Contents
Trekking Trails that Require TIMS Card & Guide
A. Everest Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route | |
| 1. Everest Base Camp Trek | Lukla-Monju-Namche-Dingboche-EBC-Namche | |
| 2. Gokyo Trek | Lukla-Monju-Namche-Machhermo-Gokyo-Namche | |
| 3. Chho La Pass Trek | Lukla-Monjo-Namche-Machhermo-Gokyo-Chho La Pass-Everest Base Camp-Namche | |
| 4. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek | Lukla-Monju-Namche-Machhermo-Gokyo-Thame-Namche | |
| 5. Three Pass Trek | Lukla-Monju-Namche-Dingboche-Kongma La Pass-Everest Base Camp-Chho Las Pass-Gokyo-Thame | |
| 6. Mera Peak Trek | 1. Lukla-Kothe-Khare-Mera Base Camp 2. Lukla-Paiya-Kothe-Khare 3. Bung-Kothe-Khare-Mera Base Camp-Kothe-Lukla | |
| 7. Everest View Trek | Lukla-Monju-Namche-Everest View | |
| 8. Amphu Labtsha Pass | Lukla-Kothe-Khare-Seti Pokhari-Amphu base camp-Namche-Monju-Lukla |
B. Annapurna Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Annapurna Circuit Trek | Besishar-Jagat-Dharapani-Chame-Manang-Thorong Pass-Muktinath-Jomsom-Tatopani-Gharkhola |
| 2. Nar Phu Annapurna Circuit Trek | Besishar-Jagat-Dharapani-Koto-Phugaun-Nar-Manang-Thorong Pass-Muktinath- Jomsom-Tatopani-Gharkhola |
| 3. Mesokanto / Tilicho Pass Trek | Besishar-Jagat-Dharapani-Chame-Manang-Mesokanto Pass / Tilicho Pass-Jomsom- Tatopani-Gharkhola |
| 4. Poon Hill-ABC Trek | Pothana / Birethanti-Poon Hill-Chhomrong-Doban-ABC |
| 5. Khorpa Trek | Birethanti-Poon Hill-Tadhapani-Khorpa-Tatopani-Gharkhola |
| 6. Mardi Himal Trek | Pothana-Pritamdeurali-Highcamp-Basecamp-Siding-Hemja Melbot |
| 7. Sikleh Tara Hill Trek | Tangting-Sikleh-Tara Hill Top-Ghala Kharka-Bhurjung Khola |
C. Manaslu Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Manaslu Circuit Trek | |
| 2. Manasu – Tsum Valley Trek | Arughat-Jagat-Chhekamparo-Mu Gumba-Samagaun-Larke Pass-Bhimthang- Dharapani-Jagar |
| 3. Tsum Valley Trek | Arughat-Jagat-Chhekamparo-Mu Gumba-Jagat-Arughat |
D. Mustang Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Upper Mustang Trek | Jomsom-Chhusang-Ghami-Lo Manthang-Yara-Jomsom |
| 2. Sarebung Pass Trek | Jomsom-Chhusang-Ghami-Lo-Manthang-Yara-Damodar khud- Sarebung Pass-Phu Gaun-Koto-Dharapani-Jagat-Besishahar |
E. Dhaulagiri Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Round Dhaulagiri | Beni-Babiyachour-Bagar-Base Camp-Marpha-Tatopani- Gharkhola |
F. Dolpo Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Upper Dolpo – Jomsom Trek | Dunai-Phosundo-Syegumba-Tinje-Chharka Bhot-Kagbeni-Jomsom |
| 2. Upper Dolpo Trek | Dunai-Phoksundo-Syegumba-Dho Tarap-Dunai |
| 3. Lower Dolpo Trek | Dunai-Dho Tarap-Numa La Phoksundo-Dunai |
| 4. Kagmara Pass Trek | Dunai-Phoksundo-Syegumba-Kagmara Pass-Jumla-Khalanga |
G. Humla Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Humla Limi Valley Trek | Rara-Simkot-Hisa-Limi-Simikot |
H. Ganesh Himal-Ruby Valley Area
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Ganesh Himal – Ruby Valley Trek | Syabrubesi-Gatlang-Pangsang Pass-Ruby Valley-Dhadingbesi |
I. Kanchenjunga Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp via Sele La Pass Trek | Yamphudin-Kanchenjunga South Base Camp-Sele La Pass-Ghunsa-Kanchenjunga Base Camp-Lelep |
| 2. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek | Taplejung-Lelep-Ghunsa-Kanchenjunga Base Camp |
| 3. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Nango Pass Trek | Taplejung-Lelep-Ghunsa-Kanchenjunga Base Camp-Nango La Pass-Olangchung Gola-Lelep |
| 4. Lumba Sumba Pass Trek | Taplejung-Olangchung Gola-Lumba Sumba Pass-Chyamtang-Num |
J. Makalu Barun Area
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Makalu Base Camp Trek | Tumlingtar-Num-Tashi Gaun-Yangle Kharka-Makalu Base Camp |
| 2. Sherpeni Cole Pass Trek | Tumilingtar-Num-Tashi Gaun-Yangle Kharka-Makalu Base Camp-Sherpeni Cole Pass-Chhukung-Namche-Monju-Lukla |
K. Langtang Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Langtang Trek | Syabrubesi-Langtang-Kyanjin-Syabrubesi |
| 2. Langtang Gosainkund Trek | Syabrubesi-Langtang-Kyanjin-Thulo Syabru-Gosainkund-Kutumsng |
| 3. Tamang Heritage Trek | Syabrubesi-Gatlang-Tatopani-Syabrubesi |
| 4. Tamang Heritage Langtang Trek | Syabrubesi-Gatlang-Tatopani-Langtang-Kyanjin-Syabrubesi |
| 5. Ganja La Pass Trek | Syabrubesi-Gatlang-Tatopani-Langtang-Kyanjin-ganja La Pass- Tarkighyang |
| 6. Till Man Pass | Syabrubesi-Gatlang-Tatopani-Langtang-Kyanjin-Till Man Pass- Panchpokhari-Bhotang |
L. Helambu Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Helambu Trek | Kutumgsang-Melamchi Gaun-Tarkighyang -Shermathang |
| 2. Gosaikunda Trek | Kutumgsang-Thade Pati-Gosainkund-Dhunche |
M. PanchPokhari Bhairabkunda Area
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Panchpokhari Trek | Bhotsang-Nosyangpati-Panchpokhari-Bhotang |
N. Rolwaling Region
| Trekking Name | Normal Route |
| 1. Rolwaling Treks | Charikot-Simigaon-Beding-Na Gaun-Tsorolpa |
| 2. Tashi Labtsha Pass Trek | Charikot-Simigaon-Beding-Na Gaun-Tsho Rolpo Lake- Tashi Labtsha Pass-Namche-Monju-Lukla |
So, these are the trekking trail in Nepal where you will need a TIMS card as well as a guide. Some of the trekking trails are popular and some are like hidden villages which also need special permits. Overall, wherever you trek in Nepal, the solo trek is banned.
Why was solo trek banned in Nepal?
The topic of banning solo treks in Nepal has been rumored since 2009 by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal for the safety of trekkers. The increased number of missing solo trekkers is what triggered the topic of banning solo trekking in Nepal. According to the report, in the fiscal year 2019-20, 390 tourists were reported lost, 54 trekkers were nearly found, and where some trekkers had already lost their lives. The majority of trekkers who were lost were those who trekked without guides and it was still the problem till April 1st.
So, will the new regulation minimize the number of missing trekkers? or will it minimize the number of trekkers coming to Nepal?
Trekkers who like to trek solo without being disturbed, who like to be their guide, and who have limited budgets will surely not accept the new regulations from NTB because the adventure cannot be chained by rules.
Another problem arose too where trekkers had to re-plan their booked trek in 2023 which had dented the trust between Nepal & loyal trekkers. The hostile move from NTB without giving proper time to the trekkers did impact tourism in Nepal.
However, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has its method and letting solo trekkers trek in the Everest Region. You are still eligible to do solo trek in Everest Base Camp.
Can You still solo Trek in the Everest Region?
Yes, according to the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality after a dispute with NTB, you can still solo trek in the Everest region however you will need a separate “Trek Card” that costs Rs 2,000 per individual. The “trek card” can be easily obtained at the Lukla counter & in Jorsalle if you prefer to come to Lukla via land transportation. Similarly, the Sagarmatha National Park Permit costs Rs 3,000 per trekker to third countries. For SAARC countries, the park permit fee is Rs 1,500 & Rs 2,000 for the trek card.
The routes that can be solo trekked in the Everest Region are:
-Everest Base Camp
-Chola Pass Trek
-Three Passes Trek
-Gokyo Valley Trek
-Amphu Labtsha Pass
If you are interested to do a solo trek in Nepal then we have covered how to get to Everest Base Camp, things to do in Base Camp, the difficulty of the EBC trek, and acclimatization on Everest Base Camp Trek.
What would have been best to do instead of banning solo trekking in Nepal?
Banning solo treks in Nepal without providing sufficient time to trekkers is a hostile move from NTB even though it was implemented for safety measures.
However, in my opinion, instead of banning solo treks in Nepal, there are other ways that would have been best to ensure safety while allowing trekkers the freedom to solo trek.
One approach could have been allowing the experienced trekkers to have a choice of doing solo trek freely but only to the previously traveled routes that they already have trekked. To trek the new routes, the trekkers should register with trekking agencies & take a guide along with them as this can be the safest approach & educate them about the trail at the same time.
Another approach could be to implement a strict rule that only allows experience trekkers to do solo treks & should have an application to trek solo. Likewise, make requirements like flare guns, GPS trackers, maps, and compasses mandatory. Similarly, they should get the necessary knowledge & skills to survive in emergency situations.
Allowing freedom for trekkers can help promote responsible trekking practices in Nepal.
How to find a good Guide for Trekking in Nepal?
Trekking in Nepal is a challenging activity that requires both knowledge & experience about the trail, terrain, weather & many more. After the solo trek ban in Nepal, finding a knowledgeable & experienced guide is now very important. However, how can you find a good guide as well as a trekking agency for trekking in Nepal?
The first thing to find a good trekking agency & guide in Nepal is to check the company profile, legal documents, terms & conditions (mostly refund policy), review, teams, and finally their response time. Make sure that you are not dealing with any shady companies or persons who proclaim that they are legit.
Similarly, ask lots of questions and discuss your expectations & requirements with a guide and trekking agency. If you are dealing with a trekking agency then ask for the guide’s profile, their review, or even talk to them. Once you have finalized everything, proceed with the bookings and only pay 20-25% of the actual price which is the best way to book with any trekking company.
Conclusion
In 2024, we will see how much this solo trek banning affects the tourism industry in Nepal. However, this step was taken for the safety of trekkers which is a good part. Even if the solo trek is banned, solo traveling is not banned in Nepal. You can have the option to go solo hiking, cycling, paragliding, bungee jumping, safari, and many historical tours.
Remember, Nepal is not only limited to trekking & nature but also rich in history, culture, architecture, festivals, foods, and many more. The people of Nepal are very friendly and kind and you won’t find any racism, religious disputes, or hatred. You will have the freedom to do any adventure you want in Nepal.
