Nepal opens restricted trekking routes to solo foreign travellers

Nepal’s Department of Immigration (DoI) has revised its trekking permit rules, allowing individual foreign tourists to access restricted areas where permits were earlier issued only to groups of at least two people. The change was decided on Sunday following requests from tourism stakeholders who said the earlier rule was limiting visitor numbers.

The decision follows lobbying by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and others, who argued that restrictions on solo trekkers were discouraging independent travel and affecting tourism activity.

According to a notice issued by department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal, solo travellers must still follow safety rules. They are required to travel with a licensed trekking guide, and their trips must be organised through a registered trekking agency.


“The facilitating agency will be fully responsible for emergency rescue and logistical arrangements,” the department said.

The updated policy covers restricted areas across 13 districts. These include Upper Mustang, Upper and Lower Dolpa, the Manaslu and Tsum Valley regions in Gorkha, and the Nar and Phu valleys in Manang.

To improve monitoring, the department has set a guide-to-trekker limit. One guide can now lead up to seven trekkers. Officials said this measure is intended to improve safety and oversight in remote areas.

The DoI has also introduced a digital system for permit applications. Foreign tourists can apply using their valid Nepali visa numbers. Applicants outside Nepal can use an “Application Submission ID” to pay fees in advance.

The department said the revised policy aims to maintain safety while supporting tourism and generating local employment.