POKHARA, March 23: Trekkers will now be allowed to travel alone in Nepal’s restricted Himalayan regions, provided they are accompanied by a licensed guide. The new provision removes the earlier rule that required a minimum of two trekkers to form a group, a restriction that had long been criticised by tourism stakeholders as impractical and discouraging for visitors.
Under the previous system, even if a guide was hired, solo travellers were not permitted to enter restricted areas. Tourists were compelled to find a partner to meet the minimum group requirement, which often led to inconvenience and, in some cases, forced arrangements with unfamiliar individuals. Responding to repeated concerns from the tourism sector, the Department of Immigration has now decided to issue trekking permits to individual travellers as well.
Director General Ramchandra Tiwari said the decision aims to simplify procedures and make trekking in restricted areas more accessible. “The mandatory group provision has been removed. Tourists can now travel alone as long as they are accompanied by a guide,” he said. However, solo trekkers must still apply through a registered agency, have a designated guide, and ensure that the agency takes responsibility for emergency rescue if required.
Tiwari noted that while the term “group” previously implied a minimum of two people, there had been no upper limit on group size. This loophole led to situations where trekking agencies informally combined travellers from different countries into artificial groups to meet documentation requirements. In reality, many of these trekkers travelled separately despite being listed as a group on paper.
Royal Trek being promoted during Visit Nepal Year 2020
“The earlier system created compliance issues and weakened governance in the tourism sector,” Tiwari said. “With the new rule, such practices will end, and it will bring more transparency and accountability.”
The department has also introduced a new cap, limiting one guide to a maximum of seven tourists. Previously, a single guide could accompany a large number of trekkers, sometimes exceeding 50, which raised concerns about safety, monitoring, and overall management.
“We have records of a single guide handling as many as 51 tourists in restricted areas. This posed serious risks, especially in emergencies where proper supervision is critical,” Tiwari said, “By limiting the number to seven, guides will be able to manage groups more effectively and ensure better safety for trekkers.”
Officials believe the new rule will not only improve safety standards but also generate more employment opportunities. With tourists no longer required to form groups, more guides and support staff will be needed as individuals or smaller groups hire separate services.
Restricted trekking areas include Upper Mustang in Mustang district and Nar and Phu in Manang, which fall under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), along with several other locations across 13 districts. According to ACAP Chief Dr Rabin Kadariya, a total of 4,486 foreign tourists visited Upper Mustang in 2025, while 1,847 travelled to Nar-Phu.
He said the requirement for special permits, mandatory guides, and high fees had previously discouraged many visitors. “Tourists were hesitant due to strict rules and additional costs. With the flexibility introduced now, the situation is expected to improve,” he said.
Similarly, ACAP Jomsom Chief Rajesh Prasad Gupta said the decision is likely to attract more Indian tourists, who were particularly affected by the group requirement. “Now that solo travel is allowed, Indian visitors will find it easier to explore these areas,” he said, adding that visitor numbers could double in the coming year.
The government had earlier revised trekking fees for Upper Mustang, allowing tourists to pay $50 per day instead of a mandatory lump sum of $500 for a minimum 10-day permit. Officials say this change, combined with the removal of the group requirement, is expected to further boost interest in restricted area trekking.
Tourism entrepreneurs have welcomed the decision. Former Gandaki President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Dharmaraj Panthi, said the move would significantly increase the number of solo trekkers. “Earlier, tourists were forced to travel in groups. Now, more individuals will be encouraged to visit, which will also support job creation in the sector,” he said.
Authorities expect that the revised provisions will improve overall governance in trekking operations, enhance safety standards, and contribute to the growth of Nepal’s himalayan tourism industry.
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