This popular trekking destination just banned solo trekkers. Here's the reason
Everest Base Camp trek
Solo trekking is no longer an option for those who wish to take a trek anywhere in Nepal. The country had earlier banned solo trekkers from climbing Mount Everest five years back, and now the same has been extended to all the mountains in Nepal. The country has eight of the world's tallest mountains which are extremely popular among trekkers. But several trekkers choose to travel through the remote rural regions of Nepal as well. However, due to several logistical reasons, solo trekking will no longer be an option.
Trekkers often get lost during these solo treks and Nepal has been incurring enormous search and rescue costs due to this. So now the country has decided to ban solo trekking and they will now have to either join a group or hire a government-licensed guide.
Remote mountainous regions of Nepal lack the infrastructure to help a traveller who gets lost. So an emergency response in such a situation is difficult to undertake, Mani R. Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, told CNN.
Lamicchane added: “When tourists go missing or they are found dead, even the government cannot track them because they have taken remote routes.”
Then there are several unlicensed tour guides and companies who do not pay taxes to the government since they aren't registered and end up snatching jobs from the locals. Lamichhane says the tourism industry had been demanding a stop to these unauthorised trekking operations for a long time.
The decision has invited mixed reactions from those involved in the trekking business. However, most of them feel that a lot of trekkers had been attempting difficult climbs in Nepal, despite not being experienced. A lot of tourists have been taking solo treks and a lot of them end up getting lost. A blanket ban makes more sense since the Nepal government cannot vet every single visa applicant separately, Ian Taylor, owner of a guiding company in Nepal, told CNN.
)
‘Kill all in the name of...’: FBI arrests 21-year-old over alleged ISIS-inspired mass-casualty attack plot
)
Space mines, lasers & robotic arms: Lt Gen Pannu decodes US disclosure of weapons in space
)
Bitter Zelensky snubs Trump for playing politics with Ukraine war | Gravitas
)
US fires up to 70 interceptors against Iran attack on Jordan, putting supplies under pressure
)
India’s imports from Russia jump 57% in five months; China remains top import source
)
‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official
)
OpenAI boss Sam Altman repeats AI 'slow down' call, says world 'right to be afraid'
)
Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War
)
Sydney Sweeney defends provocative ad choice, the internet is still not impressed
)
India to host IPL 2027 auction; WPL 2027 auction set for late October in Kochi
)
Shahzad Bhatti Network declared terrorist organisation under UAPA: Govt order
)
'Definitely feel bad for yourself': Kuldeep Yadav opens up on India Test snubs
)
US, China dominate global economy: Where does India rank among the world's biggest economies?
)
Ex-India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh wants India to avoid 'massive changes' before ODI World Cup 2027
)
Ed Sheeran’s US tour loses all support acts after Macklemore’s removal | Controversy explained
)
Ex-England footballer Raheem Sterling pleads guilty in reckless driving and crashing his Lamborghini
)
China's property crisis deepens as investment plunges nearly 20%
)
Messi set to play in farewell match on October 6 in Argentina vs Benin friendly
)
Who was Eliana Moreno? NBC LA aerial reporter killed in Chatsworth crash
)
Putin-linked Russian oligarch, Melania links: Why Trump skipped his son’s Bahamas wedding bash?
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
Trump's name cannot return to Kennedy Center, US judge rules
)
Pakistan naval vessel returns to harbour with 'severe damage' after collision with Indian warship in Arabian Sea
)
Water equivalent to two Pacific Oceans could be stashed 2,900 km inside Earth
)
Ex-CIA officer caught with gold bars worth $40 million seeks plea deal | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Trump's Iran war faces fresh House rebuke; 7 Republicans join Democrats in push to end conflict ahead of midterms
)
US Treasury yields cross 5% as Scott Bessent warns of ‘global issues’ impacting bonds
)
Who is Kalyan Bainsla, accused in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving woman biker?
)
Saudi Arabia discovers 110 million tonnes of Uranium-rich ore in Madinah region
)
'Now Trump is copying us': Shivakumar links US $5,000 plan to Congress guarantees
)
Los Angeles helicopter crash: At least three dead, several injured; NTSB to investigate
)
West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano transferred after objections to ‘Assalamualaikum’, ‘Inshallah’
)
India summons top Pakistan diplomat after Pak Navy ship collides with Indian warship at high seas
)
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of drone attack on Mecca, first-ever red alert in Islam's holiest site sparks panic
)
'Like a thug you are using agency to go after..': Kash Patel grilled by Senate Democrats over FBI firings, journalist investigations and hiring policy
)
Canada to become EU’s first ‘associate member’? Von der Leyen proposes move amid US tensions
Popular mountain treks in Nepal
Nepal offers various adventurous trekking options. The Everest Three Passes Trek is one of the most popular treks as it takes you over three 5,000 metres of passes. Trekkers travel to the Everest Base Camp Trek, besides the Renjo La, Cho La and Kongma La passes.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is more remote as compared to other treks in Nepal, so doesn't have a lot of takers. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is another great option that offers a different view of the scenery. Trekkers go deep into the Annapurna Massif and to the foot of Annapurna South. The views on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are less expansive and more vertical.
Upper Mustang Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, and Annapurna Circuit Trek are some of the other trekking options in Nepal. There are many more such regions that are popular with trekkers.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
