Nepal is one of the best places in the world for hiking with countless amazing treks to choose from. If you have already decided which hike you are going to tackle, the next question you might be asking yourself is whether you are going to join a group tour, hire a private guide, or simply hike independently.
But hey – does the new rule introduced in April 2023 not require everyone to hike with a licensed guide in Nepal? The answer is a bit complicated, and while keeping in mind that the rules could change without notice, we will try to cover what we know for now. In this post, we will discuss the reality of the enforcement of this new rule along with aspects you might want to consider when hiring a guide. Everything is based on our own experience with hiking in autumn 2023 in addition to the research we did for this post in spring 2024. In case things have changed since, make sure to check up on this information in the relevant Facebook groups before going.
Now, let’s dive into the first question: Can you still trek in Nepal on your own?
The answer to this question is not entirely straight-forward. Let’s begin with the legal aspect of it: Officially, since April 2023, it is mandatory for all foreigners to hire a licensed guide when trekking in Nepal. However, in reality, there are certain areas in Nepal in which the local authorities do not (yet) enforce this rule. These include the Solukhumbu (Everest area), Annapurna, and Langtang Region. The Solukhumbu Region has even officially stated that they will continue to allow people to hike independently and do not intend to enforce the rule.
As of Spring 2024, as far as we know, the rule is still not enforced in the above-mentioned areas. When we went on our Three Passes Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Gosainkunda Trek in October-December 2023, we did so without a guide and did not encounter any problems at checkpoints. However, since the government might decide to suddenly enforce the rule without warning, we encourage you to check the relevant Facebook groups before you go to make sure that you are fully updated on what the situation is like today. At the end of this post, we have gathered links to the Facebook groups for some of the popular hiking areas in Nepal.
Remember that going without a guide despite the rules is your decision alone and is always done entirely at your own risk. When deciding on whether to hire a guide, you should consider your safety, how much hiking experience you have in general and in the Himalayas specifically, as well as how much you are willing to plan yourself, and which kind of experience you want.
Hiking in Restricted Areas
Some areas in Nepal are categorized as “restricted areas” and have specific rules for hiking in order to conserve nature. These areas include the districts of Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Mustang, and Dolpa. Hiking in a restricted area is only allowed with a guide (and this rule is independent of the new national law). There might also be requirements as to the minimum number of people trekking, and you might have to pay daily fees for hiking in the area, aside from permits otherwise required.
Options for Hiking in Nepal
We have now covered the difference between the rules in restricted vs. non-restricted areas of Nepal. If you are going on a hike in a restricted area, you only have the option of going with a private guide or on a group tour. But if you have decided to trek in one of the non-restricted areas, such as Solukhumbu or Langtang, you have 3 different options:
- Hiking with a private guide and/or porter. Hiring a private guide for yourself or as part of a small group is a very popular choice. You can also hire a porter to carry your luggage if you wish.
- Hiking independently. There are also a number of people who decide to trek without a guide. Some of these decide to hire a porter for carrying their luggage.
- Hiking in a group. If you wish to join a larger group, you can find organised tours from trekking companies online.
Trekking With a Private Guide
There are several benefits of hiring a local guide, and this is what most people trekking in Nepal choose to do. Guides know the area and the trails well and will give you the opportunity of enjoying your trek without worrying about finding your way. In addition, the guide will take care of the logistics of planning the route, buying permits, and choosing teahouses. Lastly, hiring a guide is a great way of connecting to the local people and their culture, as well as supporting the local economy.
Many people also choose to hire a porter to carry their baggage. The porter will typically carry your baggage in a large duffel bag, and you will only have to carry a small daypack with an extra jacket, water, and snacks. You can also choose to only hire a porter if that is what you prefer.
Finding the Right Guide
To our knowledge, most people have positive experiences with guided treks in Nepal, and we met many incredibly kind and knowledgeable guides on our treks. Unfortunately, it also sometimes happens that people feel disapointed or unsafe with their guide. Hence, it is important to choose a guide that you feel comfortable with and knows what they are doing.
If you have a recommendation from someone about a trekking company, that is usually a great place to start. Hopefully, such a company is reliable, has insurance for their guides, and pays them fairly. Another tip is to search Google for guide companies in Nepal and check their Google reviews to see if others have had good experiences with their guides beforehand.
Hiring a Guide Online
Before embarking on a trek, you have probably done some research on the internet. You will find that there are several guide companies online allowing you to book your trek directly on their website. Booking online is generally more expensive than arranging a guide once you arrive in Nepal, but it gives you the security of having everything organized beforehand.
Hiring a Guide in Kathmandu
It is also possible to hire a guide when you arrive in Kathmandu. You might be overwhelmed by the number of people who approach you on the streets, asking you if you need a guide. It is generally not advised to hire a guide from anyone who comes to you on the street, but rather to go with a company that has been recommended to you or has good reviews on the internet.
Price of Hiring a Guide
Prices vary among companies, but you should generally expect to pay at least $35-40 a day for a guide, and at least $15-20 a day for a porter. You might be able to find cheaper options, but remember that the price often reflects the quality of the service.
Note that these prices do not include tipping, which is expected in Nepal. To our knowledge, tipping $10-15 per day is generally considered a reasonable amount.
Trekking Independently
Personally, we enjoyed the freedom of choosing our own itinerary and which teahouses to stop at. We had plenty of time in Kathmandu to figure out the logistics of our treks and did not mind spending time researching and planning them beforehand. We are both experienced hikers, know how to navigate, and have done high altitude trekking before. All of these factors played into our decision to go by ourselves.
Hiking in a Group
Trekking in a group offers an amazing opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. If you wish to share the experience of hiking in the Himalayas with others, this might be a good option for you.
There are plenty of organized tours available on the internet. Group sizes typically vary from 8–20 people, so if you have a preference regarding the number of people you will be trekking with, make sure to check this before booking. As with hiring a private guide, make sure that the company you are going with is reputable and has good reviews.
Links to Facebook Groups
Overall trekking and backpacking in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal
Backpackers and travelers in Nepal.
Solukhumbu Area (Everest Base Camp Trek, Three Passes Trek, and Gokyo Lake Trek)
Everest base camp Trekking (EBC Trek)
Everest Base Camp
Langtang Area (Langtang Valley Trek, Gosainkunda Trek)
Langtang Trekking Nepal.
Annapurna Area (Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp)
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Considering going on a hiking adventure in Nepal?
Check out our guides right here!
Three Passes Trek
Langtang Valley Trek
Gosainkunda Trek
Jiri to Lukla Trek
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