Personally, I’m not much of a solo hiker. I prefer to distract myself from the daunting inclines by chatting with a pal over something frivolous. If I must go solo, my dog is in tow, and I’m singing him a little ditty. But for those who love the sound of silence, the following news out of Nepal might put a bit of a damper on your solo trekking travel plans.
The Nepal Tourism Board has recently announced that visitors traveling to Nepal will no longer be permitted to undertake solo treks. The decision was made in order to ensure the safety of guests during their trip to the country.
The new policy, commencing April 1, will require travelers who plan to trek in Nepal to arrange their journey with a guide and obtain a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card. The TIMS card is a permit that authorizes visitors to participate in trekking and wilderness excursions and is mandatory for all travelers entering Nepal. The cost of the permit has doubled from approximately $7.50 to around $15. It should be noted that TIMS cards will not be granted to travelers who do not have guides.
“This decision has been made for the tourists’ benefit. While going on solo treks, tourists often get lost and might face insecurities. In order to mitigate that we have come to the decision to put a ban on solo treks. Starting from April 1, guides are mandatory for adventure tourism,” said Maniraj Lamichhane, director of the board, in a statement to Hindustan Times.
by travelers, for travelers.
