Nepal Trekking Update | Solo trekking ban in 2023 and beyond

[@humbertsmith8864]

Aside from the usual restricted areas there is no need for guide services unless you feel you need one. Pay no attention to the scare tactics.

[@PavelLavrishchev]

Just finished my solo trekking in Dec 2023. It’s really good that you can still be as independent as you can trekking in Sagarmatha national park! Your information confirmed me in a possibility of this when I was about to fly to Kathmandu. Come to Nepal 🇳🇵! Enjoy it !

[@gonegoro]

Thank you for the update! Glad you enjoyed your trip!

[@boriskiener7531]

Thanks so much! It is so hard to find information. Happy that the three passes trek is still open and you give some other options!

[@odyssey37]

Just return 2 months ago from Manaslu trek and there were so many independence trekker

[@Mezzershmit]

Many people go to mountain for be alone in wildness this is from where trekking comes…

[@KreethSiri]

It's ture

[@firstname3033]

The underlying factor for banning Solo travelling was because a hand full of backpackers kept going into uncharted Himalayan regions with little or no experience oblivious to there physical limits and with low level of the geographical knowledge or of the routes they were planning to embark on. Many of these ambitious backpackers never got to see home again and have paid the ultimate price death! The decision to ban solo travelling in Nepal is harsh but all in all its always those few that ruins it for all, always. In a different light it’s trying to protect the overly obliviously ambitious solo backpackers and the image of Nepal. Foreigners embarking on a spiritual journey into the wilderness of Himalayan dying in Nepal while hiking does leave a foul taste. Then again death might be the irony or the paradox of loosing yourself to the Himalayan wilderness!

[@karipintakivi9153]

There is still no enforcement of the rule (January 2024). Trekkers CAN GO to all areas except the restricted* ones WITHOUT a GUIDE. This rule is supposed to be in force at only national parks and protected areas like ACAP around Annapurna. 9:10 I disagree strongly. I have made calculations showing that even if only 5% of independent trekkers do not come because of this Nepal starts to lose money. After all independents would be likely to form groups and share the guide costs, meaning the extra income for guides would be only about $6 per trekker per day, but each cancelled visit will cost Nepal about $1500. I am happy to send you the Excel sheet if you give the address. *) like Dolpo, upper Mustang, Kanchenjunga, Makalu circuit etc.

[@gonegoro]

Thanks for the update, There's many here who will find that comforting and valuable information. As to your disagreement, I think there are couple of things to consider. The hit to the trekking economy only matters if independent trekkers actually stop coming to Nepal, which I don't think will happen. A lot of us are vocal now and will continue to be, but if the rule is eventually normalized, regular people, even regular independent trekkers (especially ones that were unaware of what Nepal was like pre-2023) will just pay the price. If Nepal takes a financial hit for 1-5 years because of this, but was to actually stick to forcing trekkers to take a guide, I would absolutely believe that it would be a boon to the trekking economy eventually (again, big caveat with where that money goes/how it is used). There are a couple large issues with this that, as someone who thinks independent trekking should go back to the way it was, I sort of hope happen. The first is that Nepal keeps the law but never enforces it, which we have seen time and again with a lot of laws in Nepal. Second, Nepal will occasionally get cold feet with certain policies (the honking example is a good one, the outlawing of plastic bags is another that happened), and will reverse the decision. Assuming they actually stick with the rule long enough to see returns on it, it's not going anywhere. But if they can't wait that long? I could see that decision being reversed. Regardless, thanks for the update!

[@wouterwashere422]

Thanks for the info and for answering my question. And yes i still am planning on going to Nepal, i have done some very good trekking in the Himalayas over the years, but as i am getting older i don't mind taking some easier treks, like those in the Kathmandu valley. But i probably will stay away from the areas where you need a guide. I also wonder about how a lot of small business owners who might be negatively effected by this ruling and how they might react.

[@TheFatiguedrunner]

Its hard to believe you can solo treck to everest basecamp all agencies say you need a guide to get proper documents. Does anyone have clear information on the documents needed

[@gonegoro]

All the agencies say you need one because they the ones hiring guides out. This article shows the statement put out by the Khumbu region on the subject: explorersweb.com/nepals-independent-trekker-ban-disorganized-uncertain/ Article from Kathmandu Post on the same subject: kathmandupost.com/money/2023/03/14/nepal-ends-solo-trekking-era-everest-region-is-an-exception As for instructions, the clearest I've seen was this graphic put out by the Khumbu region's official Facebook page: facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=681346104036534&set=pb.100064834505573.-2207520000&type=3

[@feralbrothers]

Appreciate the thought you put into your talk man, thank you. I've trekked in Nepal 3 times and would like to visit again as age starts to take effect and my ability becomes limited. I've hit the subscribe, look forward to your views on all things Nepal.

[@gonegoro]

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. Due to some life changes, my own schedule has become complicated, and although I hope to trek in Nepal again soon, I'm not sure when it will be. I'll be sure to film it when it happens though. Thanks again

[@cagdasyildirim]

5:00 EBC trek is what i was looking for mate :) thank you

[@Rohan7ish]

really glad to hear about solo trekking permitted in Everest region, thank you very much for the information. I am planning to do three passes trek next year.

[@gonegoro]

Safe travels!

[@craigalexander621]

Just completed Annapurna full 20 day Circuit without guide or porter. No problem at checkpoints whatsoever. Many people trekking without guide. Dont be put off but if you unsure of trekking please use guide for safety.

[@gonegoro]

Thank you for the update!

[@NoraphonKaedklung]

I love solo trekking, thank you for the information.

[@yanzhou2069]

Thanks for the update. I've been following this topic on your channel since March this year. Still disappointed with the mandatory guide rule, I have decided to go back to Nepal this Oct. The original plan was to trek from Jiri to Lukla and continue on to Gokyo and EBC, completely solo. Now to comply with the new rule I've booked a guide to hike with me from Jiri to Lukla. The trekking agency that supplies the guide will get me a TIMS card and a permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. My understanding is that Jiri to Lukla trek passes through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area briefly between the villages of Shivalaya and Kinja and there's only one check point at Shivalaya. I suppose trekking this section solo could still be possible if one knows how to bypass Shivalaya, but probably not worthwhile considering the consequence of disrespecting Nepalese laws and the risk of getting lost. At Lukla I'll pay for the guide's return flight to Kathmandu and continue on solo.

[@gonegoro]

Thanks for staying updated and keeping us up-to-date with those plans. You are correct, the path from Jiri to Lukla does pass through the Gaurishankar region and therefore would require a guide. My guess, as you said, is that it would be possible to avoid this checkpoint by going south, but embarking on that alone could prove difficult, so hiring a guide may have been the right choice. As an alternative, I believe it's also possible to get a jeep/micro to Dhap and start on foot from there to Lukla. This is also the starting point for pikey peak which doesn't fall into the national parks either, but is definitely a more boring route than going through Gaurishankar. Safe travels to you, I hope everything goes well!

[@yanzhou2069]

Thanks.

[@doriankrafft]

... wow... So all the smaller trecks will be heavily overcrowded and only the rich folk go to the others...what a stupid decision... "Safety's first but only for foreigners with money" or like me not really.... Nepalese can get lost in the mountain they don't care

[@doussotchristophe9411]

Start your trek in phaplu or salleri ,, and avoid Gaurishankar area! i do my three passes like that in 2020.

[@yanzhou2069]

Thank you. I've considered Phaplu but eventually decided to take the more nostalgic Tenzing-Hillary trek which will also give me more time to acclimatise.

[@joshuabruton2243]

Thanks for the I formation mate, I'm going to EBC next week and it just popped up...I asked my hotel operator and he said its not mandatory at all so I'm glad I've heard it twice now haha

[@gonegoro]

nice! Good to have confirmation from a source within Nepal. Have an awesome trip!

[@aleswell9257]

Thanks for discussing this!

[@Hengekøyemannen]

Very thorough and clear info great job , looking forward to more from you 👍

[@gonegoro]

thank you, I hope the information proves useful!

[@magnificenthimalayantreks]

Trekking in Nepal's restricted areas requires a guide and permit as mandated by the government. Although solo trekking is prohibited, there haven't been any checkpoints enforced yet.

[@fazeljigry4896]

Hi i m from U.S i like it your video thank you. .

[@gonegoro]

Thank you!

[@the_daniel_bee3554]

Thank you Goro for your update 🙂

[@JohnDoe-wg9oh]

Buddha is my guide, does that count?

[@2am427]

Trekking with guide is for visitors safety as well, getting lost or death due to illness will be one to none after this decision. It is for the safety of inexperienced trekkers as Nepal's major trekking sites starts from above 2500 m sea level.

[@sergioistomin7392]

There were report in the past how guides abandoned trekkers in bad weather or some other difficult situations. It's more about money rather than concern about trekkers.

[@uditnm]

vital information...thanks

[@mashuto]

I had my plans of visiting Nepal this year, but thanks to this absolute crap of a decision, I decided to trek in India instead and I'm kind of thankful to NTB :P I'm still going to visit Everest region pretty soon though. By the way, I have been in touch with some hotel/lodge owners in the Langtang valley and they've been telling me that one can still trek there without having to hire a guide.

[@gonegoro]

That's good to know! I think both Lamtang and Annapurna are what most are worried about in regards to the new regulations. Hadn't heard much from Lamtang, so thanks! Best of luck trekking in India! I think a lot of people are turning their attention there as well.

[@lalbahadurdhenga]

Welcome to Nepal

[@scuttsy999]

Thanks for the update, sounds like its still not greatly enforced. Have you heard of anyone recently doing the annapurna circuit without a guide?

[@gonegoro]

The last person I knew that was able to do guideless Annapurna was earlier this year, nothing recent, and that person reported that they were definitely hassled at checkpoints, though it seems they completed their trek. I think I brought out in a previous video that Annapurna is most likely going to be the most difficult to skirt rules. It's the largest NP with the most visitors each year that falls under jurisdiction of the new rules. Unless the Annapurna Conservation changes something internally, that region is most likely going to be this way for the long haul.

[@rtwandre]

Scuttsy, there's a thread on the TripAdvisor Nepal message board where trekkers have reported as recently as this week not encountering any issues on the Annapurna Circuit (or anywhere else, really). Seems like the majority of people asking about guides on the trail are the ones who felt pressured to hire them in the first place. I'm off to Nepal next week to climb Mera Peak (which I'll be doing solo all the way to Khare) and plan to do the Annapurna Circuit afterwards solo. Not sure when you're going but happy to report here if I had any issues. 🙂

[@maxbatten5843]

@@rtwandrehey mate, would be interested to know if you made it through Annapurna without dramas

[@rtwandre]

@@maxbatten5843 Yes, no issues whatsoever. TIMS card not being checked anywhere along the route (didn't even get one), ACAP permit checked maybe 5 or 6 times in around 14 days - not having a guide seemed irrelevant. For reference, walked from Besisahar to Muktinath (Ranipawa) and then bused down to Tatopani, walked to Ghorepani (Poon Hill), Tadapani, and took a bus from Ghandruk to Pokhara. All very straight forward. 🙂

[@tomlives]

Well, that's a deal breaker. I don't think I'll go back to Nepal. I've spent a lot of time solo trekking there, and I wouldn't take a guide if you paid for it. From what I saw, half of them were liabilities. Many were drunks. You're on their schedule; they decide where and when you stop and where you stay (they have deals with their guest houses of choice, which may not reflect your preferences). I've never needed a guide. This decision is a catastrophe. I heard Kyrgyzstan is nice.

[@Karalolcowlaw]

Not the drunk Sherpas. Maybe the rule designed to stop them stumbling off a cliff without us to help them.

[@travelbugtelugu]

good explaning bro

[@thegorn]

No independent trekking? Outrageous!

[@PavelLavrishchev]

Thank you for sharing this information. I’m planning on going solo to the three passes trek in November. Great to hear trekking this region doesn’t require a guide. Is it necessary to get TIMS and trek permits in Kathmandu or right on the way in Lukla? Also, is there any decent way to get to Lukla except the airplane or those extra hiking days and efforts don’t worth that?

[@gonegoro]

Thanks for the comment, and safe travels! I'm sure you'll enjoy the trek! As far a I know, trekkers generally have two choices for Everest region. You can buy the permits in Kathmandu at the Tourism Board or you can buy it at the park entrance in Solukhumbu, a little ways past Lukla. I'm almost positive you can get all the permits needed at the park entrance, but with all these changes, it would be a good idea to confirm that. As for alternatives for entry into Lukla, unfortunately it's only those two options. I think you can add maybe only 4 extra days to the trek instead of flying.

[@PavelLavrishchev]

@@gonegoro Thank you so much for your response. 🤝

[@PavelLavrishchev]

@@gonegoroalso, is it possible to take your drone to the trek?

[@gonegoro]

@@PavelLavrishchev I had looked into that last year, but it seems as of now, Nepal does not allow drones to be flown by foreign nationals, and it's even more restrictive in the national parks. I'm not sure if that has changed though.

[@PavelLavrishchev]

@@gonegoro 🙏🏻 will follow your other videos. Thanks again

[@antoniotottojr]

this i get this right, no need for guide if you're doing EBC solo? thanks for answering!

[@gonegoro]

I know many have been asking this question. As far as I know, none of the new regulations effect the Khumbu region. I decided to do a short search online whether or not anything had changed and it seems that there is a lot of confusion. This is a somewhat recent blog post (september 2023) that says that trekking w/o a guide is still OK in Khumbu. There is also this article from earlier this year that says the same: kathmandupost.com/money/2023/03/14/nepal-ends-solo-trekking-era-everest-region-is-an-exception I would trust these articles, but since I'm not in Nepal currently, it's difficult to be tuned into what exactly is going on.

[@ComieKazie]

Interesting.

[@mashuto]

I'd have been more than happy to pay for a guide if it was not forced upon me, but since they're trying to be smart, I feel like it's important to teach them a lesson xD

[@eddydewilde4958]

Is any Nepali a guide, I can't picture there being enough "qualified" guides for every trekker. I do see trekkers becoming money trees. Pay for Trekking permit, pay for guide, pay for his boss, pay for his expenses ,pay for National Park.

[@gonegoro]

It's true, and trekkers have always been money trees, which is fine, Nepal needs that, but was this the right way to "keep trekkers safe"? Probably not

[@lorenzo.bernacchioni]

I'm really (positively) surprised that these new rules don't apply in the whole Everest region. I did the Annapurna circuit several years ago and I was planning to come back to do the Everest BC plus Gokyo valley and back via Thame... Do you think that these new regulations will make this area even more crowded? Thanks for your video!

[@gonegoro]

Thanks! Yes, hopefully that doesn't change, and maybe even influences the other parks to follow suit. It's possible that the regulation will drive more people to Everest, but it might only be a small number of independent trekkers since that's the only group who would even be aware that the regulations don't apply to Solukhumbu, but it's difficult to say for sure.

[@humbertsmith8864]

please pay no attention. Guide rules ONLY apply in restricted areas

[@Ali_ReBORN]

Thanks 🙏🏼 Mardi himal requires a guide to trek as well or no?

[@gonegoro]

It does technically require a guide since most of the trek is in the Annapurna Conservation Zone, although it sounds like, from other trekkers, that this is currently not being enforced.

[@Ali_ReBORN]

@@gonegoro thank you brother. I don’t mind guides to be honest, plus we get to contribute to their livelihood so all good! Can’t wait to go there soon. Starting with Mardi Himal then ABC and EBC 😊

[@gonegoro]

Happy trails! Have a safe journey 😁@@Ali_ReBORN

[@Ali_ReBORN]

@@gonegoro 😊🙏🏼 stay blessed brother!

[@magnificenthimalayantreks]

@@Ali_ReBORN Sure thing! Guides add to the experience and support their livelihoods-great choice. Your trekking plans from Mardi Himal to ABC and EBC sound amazing! Best of luck on your incredible journey! Safe travels!

[@seifun3519]

Hello guys, Im going to do the Annapurna Base camp trek next 2 weeks solo, any updates regarding the enforcement of banned solo trek or it is still okay to trek independently?

[@gonegoro]

As others have said, it's likely not being enforced strictly, but if you want more on-the-ground info I would suggest checking the TripAdvisor thread that has been posted in these comments before and check if there's any updates or even ask the questions there as people are always posting about it

[@questingsoul]

Any update on Shey-Phoksundo trek, if it can be done solo??

[@gonegoro]

Hey there, no 'new' updates outside the info in this video (that I'm aware of). I would suggest asking the trip advisor thread on this topic. It can be found here: www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293889-i9243-k14339263-o10-Trekking_in_Nepal_after_April_1st_Live_Reports-Nepal.html

[@mindstef]

Anybody know if the law is being enforced in LangTang Valley?

[@gonegoro]

The most up-to-date thread on this that I've found is here: www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293889-i9243-k14339263-o10-Trekking_in_Nepal_after_April_1st_Live_Reports-Nepal.html It can be worth asking there if nobody has recently posted about it.

[@JakobOetterer]

Can you recommend a website to get a guide?

[@gonegoro]

Another commenter might, but I can only give a recommendation for the Annapurna region as it's a company I trust.

[@Places_Nepal]

very informative video...thank you very much

[@bncbgr]

Is that an option to pay for a travel guide but I kindly ask her/him to stay at home? 🤔

[@gonegoro]

IF it was to work, you would have to negotiate directly with the company hiring out the guide, but my gut says they wouldn't go for it, only because, as far as I understand, the company is the one handing out TIMS card, which I'm sure they have to sign/have their name on. That being said, as other comments have pointed out, it doesn't seem to be being enforced very much, if at all. I would check the tripadvisor forum posted in the description for travel updates.

[@pongsirisomjitswang4453]

Hi Guy, have

[@pongsirisomjitswang4453]

Hi Guy, I have plan to go to three passed trek next year in February. Who have any update about do we need a guide to go with?

[@gonegoro]

This is the most up to date website on the matter: www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293889-i9243-k14339263-o60-Trekking_in_Nepal_after_April_1st_Live_Reports-Nepal.html If the answer is not there, asking to double-check will probably yield an answer.

[@pongsirisomjitswang4453]

@@gonegoro Thanks bro.

[@tvlookplay]

Whats the average rate of a guide?

[@gonegoro]

I would be prepared to pay between $30 and $60 a day for a guide. This depends on the region your trekking and whether or not your guide is also a porter (will carry bags).

[@jatyabatabyal4221]

We are 2 Ppl. Still we need guide?

[@gonegoro]

It depends on where you go. If you go to the Everest region, you most likely do not need a guide. Most other trekking areas require a guide according to the new regulations.