Nepal Government bans Free Individual Trekking from April 1, 2023

Nepal Government bans Free Individual Trekking (FIT) as it brought back the FIT Banning Policy of 2012 A.D.  Yes! that’s true. It may not soothe the ear of almost all Free Individual Trekkers who’ve planned a solo trek in Nepal in 2023. But, the Nepal government has passed a travel law ‘no more accessible for Individuals (Solo) Trekking in Nepal’. Recent safety concerns and the death of a few individual trekkers have engendered the Nepal government and tourism authorities to ban solo trekking in Nepal.

What’s the main reason behind banning Free Individual Trekking in Nepal?

Every year, 3-4 free individual trekkers die in the high altitudes in Nepal. Nearly 15 trekkers among 100,000 die in Nepal while trekking. And almost 15% of these fatalities directly connect to high altitude sickness.

In January 2023, three trekkers were found dead on Annapurna Circuit Trek Route. The identified dead body of one Korean female went viral on social media, and the world raised safety concerns regarding adventure trekking in Nepal.

In 2022, one female trekker went missing while trekking to Everest Base Camp. Still, her body hasn’t been found, and no official reports have been published.

With increasing solo trekking, so skyrocketed individual trekkers’ missing and death reports have been.

For this primary reason, a FIT Banning policy designed in 2012 finally got its life in 2023. And will come into effect from April 1, 2023. Thus, past this day, every foreign trekker is not allowed to trek solo anywhere in Nepal. They either have the option to hire a licensed trek guide or book a trek with local agencies.

Read some international news agecies covering the news about Nepal Govenment bans Free Individual Trekking (FIT).

Will hiring a trekking guide in Nepal be a new trend?

Before April 1, 2023, Nepal had been a popular trekking destination, especially for the independent hiker. There are two reasons why most trekkers want a solo adventure trek in Nepal.

First, trekking solo is much more peaceful than hiking in groups. You’ll find different people with different perspectives. Plus, with other group members, hiking will be quiet. A solo trekker finds themself immersed in the serene of unique landscapes. They find a fantastic opportunity to enjoy nature and cherish every moment during the hike.

Furthermore, solo trekking is closely associated with trip costs. Trekking in Nepal, especially at the highly acclaimed Everest and Annapurna region trekking, are very expensive. And not everyone could afford a thousand dollars for a trip. Hence, many trekkers hiked at a significantly lower cost than the agency requested.

One question seems obvious, ‘Why pay the agency hefty trip fees when you could get a trekking guide for USD 25 a day?’ But there are some crucial benefits of hiring a local agency for trekking in Nepal, which we’ll discuss later in this blog.

As Nepal Government mandates every foreign national to trek with a licensed trekking guide in Nepal, trekkers are now left with no choice but to hire a trekking guide. It’s a good initiative if you consider it from safety concerns. However, there’s also the chance of losing solo trekkers in Nepal.

As a licensed trekking guide in the mandate, trekkers may avoid agencies for trekking, especially for relatively moderate trekking routes. Booking the trip with agencies gives you a trekking guide, including the trip cost. But, if you do calculations, hiring a trekking guide and trekking is still cheaper than hiring a local agency.

Benefits of hiring a trekking guide in Nepal

Paying USD 25 a day for a Nepal Government licensed trekking guide while on an adventure trek in Nepal is an absolute deal. While viewing the magical landscape, being guided by experts in the Himalayas ensures the utmost safety for you.

Here are some benefits of hiring a trekking guide while trekking in Nepal.

Excellent navigation

Before getting a license, trekking guides in Nepal work as porters and assistant guides. And during that period, they hike to almost every region in Nepal. Hence, they possess enormous navigational skills for every adventure trek in Nepal.

The navigation skills of a trekker come into play during emergencies like avalanches and snowfall. Besides that, you’ll hike with a trekking guide on the standard trek route.

For example, if you’re on Everest Base Camp Trek and, after arriving in Lukla, know that the flight has been cancelled. You must take an alternate route to leave Lukla at such times. And only the trek guide are the ones who can navigate out of Lukla safely.

Communication bridge

Adventure trekking in Nepal is not solely about looking at the mountains and hiking all day. It also incorporates interacting with locals, passing greetings, and understanding the ethnic culture.

Whether it’s a Sherpa community of the Everest region or the Gurung and Thakali of the Annapurna region, every ethnic group are affluent with traditions, cultures, and heritages. And to understand the history behind the heritages and cultures, there’s only one way; to know from the locals.

The language barrier between locals and trekkers obstructs one from learning about ethnicity. So, English, German, French, and other language-speaking trekking guides can bridge the communication gap. With a fluent language-speaking guide, you’ll also have an incredible cultural experience.

Gets you accommodation at best available tea house

Getting accommodation while trekking in Nepal gets challenging during the peak trekking season. Almost every tea house gets filled with many trekkers from March-May in Spring and September-November in Autumn.

With a licensed trekking guide, while trekking, you won’t have any problem getting a decent tea house for accommodation. As the trek guide knows sure tea house owners, he makes reservations for your accommodation before the trek.

Thus, you won’t have to worry about getting overnight sleep at the tea house, even during the surge of trekkers. Moreover, you’ll get some discount at the tea houses when you hire a trekking guide.

A true companion during emergencies and altitude sickness

Getting someone to rescue you at high altitudes is unlikely, even when you have emergency contact details and an insurance policy. But, your trekking guide always keeps you in sight. A hiring trekking guide remains with you throughout the trek and takes good care of you. A trekking guide laughs at your highs and encourages you at your lows while trekking.

Also, it’s always better to have a companion who knows every nook and corner of your trekking route.

Everest Region Trekking is open for FIT (Update)

Everyone had expected that after the solo trek ban in Nepal, almost every trekking route would require hiring a licensed trek guide. However, Everest region trekking like Gokyo Lakes Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, and Everest Three High Passes Trek is open for solo trekkers.

It came to know that Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has declined the government’s law. This rural municipality holds that the entire Khumbu region is open for solo trekkers. Due to this, solo trekkers are now flying to Nepal for Everest region trekking.

However, even if it’s open for FIT, hiring a trekking guide always gives you additional safety, companionship, and a leader.