Nepal Trekking Guide Mandatory 2026; What The TIMS Route List Actually Says?
Sristi AdhikariPlanning to explore the Himalayas of Nepal in 2026? Have you heard about the Nepal trekking guide mandatory? When trekking in Nepal, a mandatory licensed trekking guide policy is linked with a revised TIMS route list.
Nepal is a beautiful country located in South Asia, which offers diverse landscapes from lush green forests to the high Himalayas. It offers short and easy hikes to challenging high-mountain trekking to Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Mustang, and Dolpo regions.
The exploration of the trekking routes in Nepal requires a licensed guide from a registered agency. This revised trekking route list affects which trekking region? These are the most asked queries of travel enthusiasts all over the world. Continue reading the blog for more details.
TIMS Card
The TIMS card refers to the Trekkers Information Management System. It is an official registration and tracking system designed to collect the records of trekkers and their itinerary. This will help locate trekkers in emergency conditions.
It will also help with the proper management of visitors on the trails and help to increase the safety level of hikers and trekkers with immediate rescue coordination. The major revision of the TIMS system refers to an arrangement of the TIMS card via a registered trekking company, followed by mandatory hiring of trekking guides in Nepal on March 31, 2023.
How to get a TIMS Card
To obtain a TIMS card, trekkers must have a valid passport, 2 passport-size photos, emergency contact details, and a trekking itinerary with details of routes and dates. You must have Nepali rupees when paying for the fees.
Most of the trekking agencies take care of all the required permits for trekking in Nepal. You can obtain a TIMS card online via the official NTB/TAAN portal. It is also issued by the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or the Nepal Tourism Board Office, Lakeside, Pokhara.
Official TIMS Route List
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has listed the route where there is a mandatory need for guides and a TIMS card for exploring the protected regions of Nepal, like
| Areas | Routes Requiring Guide and TIMS |
|---|---|
| Kanchenjunga Region | Kanchenjunga Base Camp, Lumba Sumba Pass, Sele La Pass, Nango Pass |
| Makalu-Barun Region | Makalu Base Camp Trek, Sherpani Col Pass |
| Everest Region | Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, Three Passes |
| Rolwaling Region | Rolwaling Trek, Tashi Labtse |
| Helambu and Langtang Region | Helambu Trek, Langtang Trek, Ganja La Pass |
| Annapurna Region | Annapurna Circuit, Tilicho Pass, Poon Hill-ABC |
| Manaslu Region | Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley |
| Mustang Region | Upper Mustang, Sarebung Pass |
| Dolpo and Humla Region | Upper Dolpo, Lower Dolpo, Humla Limi Valley |
Why is Nepal Trekking Guide Mandatory Everywhere?
A Nepal trekking guide is mandatory everywhere because of the following reasons:
Safety Concerns
Trekking in the remote and rugged terrain of the Himalayas with the guidance of a certified trekking guide, you can complete your trek without any navigation problems. The journey to the Everest Base Camp trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek, the Mustang region, etc, is full of the risk of suffering from altitude sickness.
With the guide, you can manage your altitude sickness problem in time and can be cured before it turns worse. In case of an emergency, their quick response ability helps you rescue.
Economic Uplift
Nepal trekking guide Mandatory increase the job opportunities for trained professionals of the Everest, Annapurna, and Dolpo regions. This will increase the economy of local remote communities in the Himalayas.
Local guides hiring also helps you get a closer insight into the community’s beliefs and traditions.
Environmental Preservation and Protection
Trekking guides in Nepal help in the reduction of trail erosion as they restrict the trekkers from wandering off the trail. Their guidance will avoid the plucking of wild flora and medicinal plants. Also, they will guide you to keep a distance from wild animals and snakes.
How does this Guide Mandatory Rule affect your 2026 Trek planning?
The mandatory guidelines will affect your 2026 trekking plans in the following ways:
Booking Guides
When planning a trek with a registered trekking agency, you should also book a certified guide. Similarly, opt for hiring a licensed guide from the same agency. You have to thoroughly ask about their experience at the place you are planning to.
Make sure to obtain your TIMS card from the trekking agency before the trek starts. The guide charges vary from USD $30 to $60 per day for a city tour, while trekking guides charge USD $40 to $50 per day.
TIMS Card
TIMS card charge varies according to the Country of the applicants.
- SAARC Nationals: NPR 1,000 per person
- Foreigners: NPR 2,000 per person
- Nepalese: Free
Permit Fees
Trekking in Nepal requires a permit to explore the restricted areas of the Himalayas.
| Region with Permit Type | Foreigner | SAARC Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Region: ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Manslu Region: MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Everest Region: Sagarmatha National Park | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Langtang Region: Langtang National Park | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Other Parks/Conservation Areas (e.g., Kanchenjunga, Gaurishankar) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Non-Restricted region: TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Info Management System) | NPR 2,000 | NPR 1,000 |
Restriction Area Permit charges for foreigners and SAARC nationals in different regions are:
| Restricted Region | Charges | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | USD $50/day after | |
| Upper Dolpo | USD $500 per person for the first 10 days and $50 per person per day beyond 10 days | |
| Manaslu RAP (Peak) | USD: $100 per person per week and $15 per person per day beyond a week (in Autumn). | |
| Manaslu RAP (Off-peak) | USD $75 a person per week and $10 a person per day after a week (December to August). | |
| Tsum Valley RAP |
| |
| Lower Dolpo / Kanchenjunga / Other small zones | $20 per person per week. |
Application of New Rules in 2026
Independent Trekkers cannot buy a TIMS Card
The new rule makes a group of trekkers eligible for the application of the TIMS card. If you are alone and planning to trek solo in the Himalayas of Nepal, then you should cancel your plan. You can only enter the trekking trails if you are in a group with a certified guide. Our company also offer certified trekking guides who have experience in the Himalayas for several years.
Trek via Registered Agency and Guides
In 2026, you have to trek legally on the remote trails of the Himalayas. You will be eligible only if you book a trek with a government-registered trekking agency along with a licensed trekking guide. International trekkers should follow this process to get eligible for trekking in regions like Everest, Manaslu, and so on.
A female client may feel uncomfortable booking a male guide; in that case, you can contact Awesome Holidays Nepal for a female trekking guide in Nepal.
Vaccination for Nepal Trekking
When planning for trekking in Nepal, make sure you are properly vaccinated. The recommended vaccinations for foreign trekkers in Nepal are:
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Polio
- Chickenpox
- Flu
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Rabies
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Cholera
- Yellow Fever (when travelling from a country with Yellow Fever)
Required Trekking Gear
Proper gear packing helps in a smooth and safe journey filled with unforgettable memories. If you are a beginner, then you can simply rent gear rather than investing a huge sum of money in buying. Check out our blog Everest Gear Costs: Buy, Rent, or Borrow to Save Money for details.
- Clothing system layering depending on the weather
- Proper trekking boots, Socks, crampons, and gaiters
- Sleeping bag (−10°C to −20°C rating)
- Trekking poles, larger toiletries
- Water purification tablets
- First-aid kit and medical kit
- Headlamp and thermal gear
- Gloves, Hat, and Buff, etc.
The Rule of Mandatory Trekking Guide in Nepal
The unique culture and heritage, scenic mountain views, and diverse landscape have made Nepal the most popular destination for travel enthusiasts all around the world. Every year, thousands of travel enthusiasts arrive in Nepal for trekking, hiking, and touring in regions like Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, and so on.
The new rules of “Nepal trekking guide mandatory” state that you have to book a certified trekking guide to explore the world-famous Himalayan trails. A licensed guide, all required permits, and a TIMS Card issued by the registered travel agency make you eligible for trekking in Nepal. So, book trekking in Nepal with a valid and registered trekking agency for the upcoming season in 2026.
FAQs
Expand AllIs a trekking guide compulsory in Nepal in 2026?
Yes. The trekking guide is compulsory in Nepal in 2026. Foreign trekkers require a mandatory guide in the Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal.
Which Nepal trekking routes require both a guide and a TIMS card?
Nepal trekking routes require both a guide and a TIMS card in the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, and Dolpo regions.
Does Everest Base Camp require a guide and TIMS in 2026?
Yes. Trekking in the Everest Base Camp requires a guide and TIMS for foreigners in 2026.
Do Annapurna Circuit and Mardi Himal fall under the TIMS guide rule?
Yes. The Annapurna Circuit and Mardi Himal fall under the TIMS guide rule in 2026.
Is the rule different for hikes near Kathmandu or Pokhara (day hikes)?
Yes, the rules are different for hikes near Kathmandu or the Pokhara valley. There is no mandatory guide requirement for a day hike.
Do I have to hire guide through a registered trekking agency, or can I hire privately?
Yes, you must hire the guide through a registered trekking agency. It is mandatory to hire a licensed guide rather than hire privately.
What happens if I trek on a TIMS route without a guide?
If you trek on a TIMS route without a guide, you will be fined, and they will stop you from continuing your journey.
How much does the TIMS card cost and who can issue it?
The TIMS card costs NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers. It is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) or TAAN offices in Kathmandu/Pokhara.
Do expats or diplomats living in Nepal need to follow the same guide rule?
Yes. Expats or diplomats living in Nepal need to follow the same guide rules for trekking.
What permits do I need in addition to TIMS (ACAP, national parks, restricted areas)?
You will need specific Conservation Area Permits, like ACAP for Annapurna and MCAP for Manaslu, followed by a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for remote areas like Upper Mustang, Tsum Valley, or Manaslu, in addition to a TIMS Card.
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