30 Mar 2023 7 min to read
As per the new law of the Nepal Tourism Board, some provisions are revised for Trekking in Nepal. The licensed guide compulsory to trek in Nepal is the new provision for trekking in Nepal. The new rule effective from April 1, 2023, requires all trekkers to obtain a service from a licensed trekking guide and TIMS Card through a trusted trekking agency registered under Nepal Government. A TIMS permit card is required for 14 routes in Nepal.
The new law is revised to ensure the security and safety of trekkers. Many trekkers might find this new provision unnecessary or costly. Yes, with the introduction of the new provision, it is slightly costlier but when it comes to the safety, security, and protection of our trekkers, this is necessary.
New Provision under Licensed Guide Compulsory to Trek in Nepal
- Effective from April 1, 2023
- Hiring a licensed guide is compulsory
- Licensed Guide requires for all 14 routes where TIMS is applicable
- Mandatory Issue of TIMS before trekking
- Revised Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Fee
- Foreigners- NPR 2000 per person
- SAARC- NPR 1000 per person
- Diplomats/Foreign Officials & their families- NPR 500 per person
- Removal of FIT (Free Independent Trekkers) in these 14 routes
- Independent or Solo trekking is completely prohibited in these 14 routes
- Fine for trekkers trekking in these 14 routes without TIMS Permit Card
- Not applicable to Nepali Citizens
Benefits of Compulsory Licensed Guide to Trek in Nepal
- Licensed Guides are knowledgeable and well-versed in the trek regions
- Licensed Guides can navigate you well
- Ensures your safety and looks after all your essential needs
- The trek journey becomes more convenient
- Immediate access to a professional support system
- Immediate addressing of the challenges or unforeseen events
- Immediate Rescue operation in case of emergency or unwanted situation
- You can customize the trekking journey with the help of the licensed guide
14 Routes that requires TIMS Permit Cards
1.Kanchenjunga Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Kanchenjunga Basecamp via Sele La Pass Trek | Yamphudin – Kanchenjunga South Basecamp – Sele La Pass – Ghunsa – Kanchenjunga Basecamp – Lelep | Yamphudin | Ghunsa |
2. Kanchenjunga Basecamp Trek | Taplejung – Lelep – Ghunsa – Kanchenjunga Basecamp. | Ghunsa | Ghunsa |
3.Kanchenjunga Basecamp Nango Pass Trek | Taplejung – Lelep – Ghunsa – Kanchenjunga Basecamp – Nango La Pass – Olangchung Gola – Lelep | Ghunsa | Olangchung-Gola |
4. Lumba Sumba Pass Trek | Taplejung – Olangchung Gola – Lumba Sumba Pass – Chyamtang – Num | Olangchung-Gola | Num |
2. Makalu Barun Area
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Makalu Basecamp Trek | Tumlingtar – Num – Tashi Gaun – Yangle Kharka – Makalu Basecamp | Num
| Num |
2. Sherpeni Cole Pass Trek | Tumlingtar – Num – Tashi gaun – Yangle Kharka – Makalu Basecamp – Sherpeni Cole Pass – Chhukung – Namche – Monjo- Lukla | Num | Monjo |
3. Everest Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Everest Basecamp Trek | Lukla – Monjo- Namche – Dingboche – Everest Basecamp – Namche | Monjo | Monjo |
2. Gokyo Trek | Lukla – Monjo-Namche – Machhermo – Gokyo – Namche | Monjo | Monjo |
3. Chho La Pass Trek | Lukla – Monjo- Namche – Machhermo – Gokyo – Chho La Pass – Everest Basecamp – Namche | Monjo | Monjo |
4. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek | Lukla – Monjo-Namche – Machhermo – Gokyo – Thame – Namche | Monjo | Monjo |
5. Three Pass Trek | Lukla – Monjo-Namche – Dingboche – Khongma La Pass – Everest Basecamp – Chho La Pass – Gokyo – Thame | Monjo | Monjo |
6. Everest View trek | Lukla – Monjo- Namche – Everest view | Monjo | Monjo |
7. Mera Peak Trek | 1. Lukla – Kothe – Khare – Mera Basecamp 2. Lukla – Paiya – Kothe – Khare 3. Bung – Kothe – Khare – Mera Basecamp – Kothe – Lukla | Kothe | Kothe |
8. Amphu Labtsha Pass | Lukla – Kothe – Khare – Seti pokhari – Amphu basecamp –Namche – Monjo-Lukla | Kothe | Monjo |
4. Rolwaling Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Rolwaling Treks | Charikot – Simigaon – Beding – Na gaun- Tsorolpa | Simigaon | Simigaon |
2. Tashi Labtsha Pass Trek | Charikot – Simigaon – Beding – Na gaun – Tsho Rolpo Lake – Tashi Labtsha Pass – Namche-Monju -Lukla | Simigaon | Monjo |
5. Panchpokhari Bhairabkunda Area
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Panchpokhari Trek | Bhotang – Nosyangpati – Panchpokhari -Bhotang | Bhotang | Bhotang |
6. Helambu Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Helambu Trek | Kutumgsang – Melamchi gaun – Tarkighyang – Shermathang | Kutumgsang | Tarkeghyang |
2. Gosaikunda Trek | Kutumgsang – Thade Pati – Gosaikund – Dhunche | Kutumgsang | Dhunche |
7. Langtang Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Langtang Trek | Syabrubesi – Langtang – Kyanjin – Syabrubesi | Syabrubesi | Dhunche |
2. Langtang Gosaikunda Trek | Syabrubesi – Langtang – Kyanjin – Thulo Syabru – Gosaikunda – Kutumsang | Syabrubesi | Kutumgsang |
3. Tamang Heritage Trek | Syabrubesi – Gatlang – Tatopani – Syabrubesi | Syabrubesi | Syabrubesi |
4. Tamang Heritage Langtang Trek | Syabrubesi – Gatlang – Tatopani – Langtang – Kyanjin – Syabrubesi | Syabrubesi | Syabrubesi |
5. Ganja La pass Trek | Syabrubesi – Gatlang – Tatopani – Langtang – Kyanjin – ganja La Pass – Tarkighyang | Syabrubesi | Tarkeghyang |
6. Till Man Pass | Syabrubesi – Gatlang – Tatopani – Langtang – Kyanjin – Till man Pass – Panchpokhari – Bhotang | Syabrubesi | Bhotang |
8. Ganesh Himal-Ruby Valley Area
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
Ganesh Himal – Ruby Valley Trek | Syabrubesi – Gatlang – Pangsang Pass -Ruby Valley-Dhadingbesi | Syabrubesi | Dhadingbesi |
9. Manaslu Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Manaslu Circuit Trek | Arughat – Jagat – Samagaun – Larke Pass – Bhimthang – Dharapani- Jagat | Jagat | Jagat |
2. Manaslu – Tsum Valley Trek | Arughat – Jagat – Chhekamparo – Mu Gumba – Samagaun – Larke Pass – Bhimthang – Dharapani- Jagat | Jagat | Jagat |
3. Tsum Valley Trek | Arughat – Jagat – Chhekamparo – Mu Gumba – Jagat – Arughat | Jagat (Gorkha) | Jagat (Gorkha) |
10. Annapurna Region
Trekking name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Annapurna Circuit Trek | Besishahar – Jagat- Dharapani – Chame – Manang – Thorong Pass – Muktinath – Jomsom- Tatopani -Gharkhola | Jagat | Jomsom and Gharkhola |
2. Nar Phu Annapurna Circuit Trek | Besishahar – Jagat- Dharapani – Koto – Phugaun – Nar – Manang – Thorong Pass – Muktinath – Jomsom- Tatopani- Gharkhola | Jagat | Jomsom and Gharkhola |
3. Mesokanto / Tilicho Pass Trek | Besishahar – Jagat- Dharapani – Chame – Manang – Mesokanto Pass / Tilicho Pass – Jomsom- Tatopani- Gharkhola | Jagat | Jomsom and Gharkhola |
4. Poon Hill-ABC Trek | Pothana/Birethanti – Poon hill – Chhomrong – Dobhan – ABC | Birethanti | Birethanti/Pothana |
5. Khopra Trek | Birethanti – Poon hill – Tadhapani – Khopra – Tatopani- Gharkhola | Birethanti | Gharkhola |
6. Mardi Himal Trek | Pothana- Pritamdeurali – Highcamp – Basecamp – Siding- Hemja Melbot | Pothana | Hemja/Melbot |
6. Sikleh Tara Hill Trek | Tangting- Sikleh- Tara Hill Top – Ghala Kharka – Bhurjung Khola | Bhurjung Khola | – Bhurjung Khola |
11. Mustang Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Upper Mustang Trek | Jomsom – Chhusang – Ghami – Lo-manthang – Yara – Jomsom | Jomsom | Jomsom |
2. Sarebung Pass Trek | Jomsom – Chhusang – Ghami – Lo-manthang – Yara – Damodar kund – Sarebung Pass – Phu Gaun – Koto – Dharapani – Jagat- Besishahar | Jomsom | Jagat |
12. Dhaulagiri Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Round Dhaulagiri | Beni- Babiyachour -Bagar- Basecamp- Marpha-Tatopani- Gharkhola | Babiyachour | Gharkhola |
13. Dolpo Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Upper Dolpo – Jomsom Trek | Dunai – Phoksundo – Syegumba – Tinje – Chharka Bhot – Kagbeni- Jomsom | Phoksundo | Chharka Bhot |
2. Upper Dolpo Trek | Dunai – Phoksundo – Syegumba – Dho Tarap – Dunai | Phoksundo | Dho Tarap |
3. Lower Dolpo Trek | Dunai – Dho Tarap – Numa La Phoksundo – Dunai | Dho Tarap | Phoksundo
|
4. Kagmara Pass Trek | Dunai – Phoksundo – Syegumba – Kagmara Pass – Jumla Khalanga | Phoksundo | Jumla Khalanga |
14. Humla Region
Trekking Name | Normal Route | TIMS Check Post (Entry Point) | TIMS Check Post (Exit Point) |
1. Humla Limi Valley Trek | Rara- Simkot – Hilsa – Limi – Simikot | Simkot | Simkot |
Where are TIMS Card checked?
TIMS Card are checked at the check posts in all these 14 different routes. The staff checked TIMS Card permits who are under the supervision of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). If some places don’t have check posts, at that time TIMS Card are checked by Tourist Police. In any case, if there is no availability of Tourist Police, Nepal Police or the local level representative checked the TIMS Card.
Activities Performed Under TIMS Card Checking
- Verification of Guide and Guides’ License
- TIMS Card Permit
- Entry and Exit Record of the trekkers
- Information about the trek region’s weather and trail condition
- Rescue in case of emergency or accidents
Some Popular Treks in Nepal
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Tsum Valley Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
In short, the introduction of a new provision is for the protection of the trekkers and to enjoy trekking with full security. Licensed Guide Compulsory to Trek in Nepal also helps to create great employment opportunities for Nepali locals.
Updated: April 4, 2023
