Mandatory guide for Trekking in Nepal?

Mandatory guide and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card was the biggest conflicting decision taken by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Thousands of trekkers get confused about the decision as TAAN published the notice that effective from 1^st april 2023. The Nepal Mountaineering Association(NMA), Nepal Tourism Board, and TAAN all major three tourism organization get conclusion that it will help the security and safety to the trekkers. This decision discourage the huge numbers of free individual trekkers, while trekkers booked with the trekking agency didn’t affect from the decision. Huge numbers of trekkers still out of reach from proper information regarding the notice. The TAAN also decide to hiked up the price of TIMS cards by 100% and make it NRS 2000 which is available to member’s agency only. Everest Region, Annapurna Region, and langtang region are more affected by the decision.  Local government of Everest Region, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality also issue the notice to encourage the trekkers by saying Khumbu can explore without guide. The conflict between TAAN and Pasang Lhamu rural municipality is not new after rural municipality takes NRS 2000 to every individual who enter to Everest Region.

Is trekking in Nepal possible without a guide?

Generally, you can’t trek without any supportive staff (porter) or guide in Nepal. But TAAN has declared 14 regions/routes where TIMS and at least a staff is required. The Tourism organizations don’t have clear view regarding other trekking routes.

Can Free Individual Trekkers (FIT) get TIMS card by themselves?

No, the TIMS cards are available only to the registered trekking agency of Nepal. The company also needs to be the general member of TAAN.

What can be the punishment when you don’t bring TIMS and guide with you?

If any individual doesn’t bring guide and TIMS card they would get penalty of NRS 14,000 and from the point they caught they have to abandon the trek. In case of trekking agency don’t carry the TIMS, they get penalty of NRS 12,000, and they have to purchase the TIMS cards.

Did any people punish for not bring the guide and TIMS card before?

There were not any people punished for not bringing a guide and TIMS card on previous season as TAAN has just implement the rule, and they don’t want to hassle the tourist at last moments, but it doesn’t mean they won’t from now too. As per the TAAN president Nilhari Bastola,” TAAN will increase the check post on different routes and will take help from Nepal police and Nepal Army to check and keep records of trekkers”.

Are TAAN planning to add more check post for the upcoming season?

Yes, they are adding the more check post on different region. They wanted to implement the rule efficiently from the coming season.

How taking the TIMS Card would be helpful for trekkers?

There would be different check post during the trekking trail kept by TAAN to track and register the trekkers. In case of lost, it would be much easier to operate search activities on specific area. The main purpose of TIMS cards is to track the trekkers and make sure they feel secure during trekking in Nepal.

What are the regions that Guide and TIMS is mandatory?

There are 14 popular trekking region of Nepal where trekkers have to bring the guide. It includes restricted area to very well-known trekking routes of Nepal. Here are the list of trekking region/routes that needs guide:

Everest Region: Everest is the most popular trekking region of Nepal, with the highest number of trekkers. It covers all areas of Khumbu region including Everest Base Camp Trekking, Everest Three Pass Trek, Gokyo Lake Trek, and many more.

Makalu Region:- Makalu Base Camp Trek is major trekking routes in this region.

Kanchanjunga: Exploring around third-highest peak of surface and second-highest peak after Everest in Nepal also needs TIMS and guide. Kanchenjunga was already on the restricted zone where you can’t trek without guide previously too. So, the new decision doesn’t make a huge difference for the region.

Rolwaling Trekking: The emerging trekking routes which can be combined with the Everest region also need the mandatory guide and TIMS cards.

Panchpokhari bhairabkunda: A unique destination for nature lover, Bhiabkunda and Panchpokhari trekking is also impossible without a guide.

Helambu: A easy trekking trail near to Kathmandu valley also requires guides and TIMS card.

Langtang: The third popular trekking destination after Everest and Annapurna also requires compulsory trekking leader and Tims cards. This beautiful region includes Langtang Valley Trekking, Gosaikunda Lake trekking, and Tamang Heritage Trekking.

Ganesh himal/rubi valley: Ganesh Himal, the beautiful mountain on northern side of Kathmandu also on bracket of mandatory guide. Trekkers won’t be able to experience the natural beauty of northern Dhading and culture of Ruby valley without a guide.

Manslu: Both Manslu Circuit Trekking aka Larke Pass Trek and Tsum valley trek are restricted trekking routes. That means you need special permits and guide to trek in this region before the notice too.

Annapurna Region: Annapurna region have second-highest numbers of trekkers in Nepal. It includes popular trekking trails likes Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, and many more around the lap of Annapurna Himalayan ranges.

Dhaulagiri: An extremely adventurous trail even on normal condition usually leads by the professional and experienced leader now must need a guide.

Mustang: The hub of Buddhism and Bond, upper mustang was also the restricted trekking areas. But the lower mustang also the part of Annapurna region need guide to trek.

Dolpo Region: The Upper Dolpo Trekking and Lower Dolpo Trekking both need special permits to trek. So, this region hasn’t been affected by the new decision.

Humla: Limi valley trekking and any other trekking in Humla district also needs the compulsory guide with special restricted area permits.

The decision of mandatory staff will be helpful to Nepalese tourism organization as many tourism workers still doesn’t have sufficient work after COVID-19 pandemic. It doesn’t make huge difference to the trekkers who wanted to have hustle free trekking experience by booking the trip from agency, but it’s discouraging news to the adventure lover trekkers who wanted to explore different region by themselves. We recommend to book from registered trekking agency and get amazing experience without any suffer. Shiva Excursion Pvt. Ltd is always there for any information and arrangement you need regarding the trekking/tour in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan.