Nepal opens solo treks
Big policy shift for adventure travel: Nepal now allows solo foreign trekkers into 15 previously restricted mountain areas near the China border — permits require a licensed guide and agency support. (newkerala.com) Operators like Contiki are already rolling out small‑group and youth‑focused itineraries to capitalize on the change. (thetraveler.org)
The Department of Immigration issued the change on March 22–23, 2026, formalising the end of the long-standing two‑person minimum for Restricted Area Permits and applying the update to designated zones across 13 mountain districts. (kathmandupost.com) The 15 designated restricted zones include Upper Mustang, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Rasuwa, two distinct areas in Gorkha (Manaslu and Tsum), two areas in Dolpa (Upper and Lower Dolpa), plus Manang’s Nar and Phu valleys, Mugu, Humla, Bajhang and Darchula. (newkerala.com) The DoI has introduced an online permit workflow that lets applicants use a Nepal visa application/submission ID for advance processing and set up a technical support line (+977‑9761423636) to help with online applications. (thehimalayantimes.com) To strengthen oversight, the department capped the guide-to‑trekker ratio at one licensed guide per maximum of seven trekkers and made the contracting agency legally responsible for emergency rescue and logistical arrangements. (kathmandupost.com) The policy shift follows sustained lobbying by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and other sector groups, who argued the two‑person rule suppressed bookings and produced widespread permit workarounds. (nepalhikingadventure.com) Operators reacted quickly: Contiki announced new small‑group, youth‑focused Nepal itineraries this month as part of a broader Asia expansion aimed at 18–35‑year‑olds seeking active trips. (travelagentcentral.com) Permit costs remain region‑specific—for example, Upper Mustang’s RAP is commonly cited at about USD 500 for the first 10 days and roughly USD 50 per day thereafter, a fee profile that operators and trekkers will factor into new itineraries. (nepaltrek360.com)
