The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged the government to amend the provision that bars solo trekkers from entering restricted areas, calling for a rule that allows even a single foreign tourist to trek with a permit.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, TAAN General Secretary Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa requested the government to revise the existing rule requiring a minimum group size of two people to obtain permits for restricted zones. Allowing individual trekkers, the association said, would make trekking more accessible while supporting Nepal’s tourism industry.
TAAN also welcomed the government’s recent decision to revise the trekking permit fee structure for Upper Mustang. The Cabinet recently replaced the long-standing lump-sum of US$500 for a mandatory 10-day stay with a daily fee of US$50, enabling foreign visitors to pay only for the number of days they actually spend in the area. The change was made by amending Schedule 12 of the Immigration Rules, 2051.
Local governments in Upper Mustang have already termed the revision positive, noting that the previous high fee discouraged most trekkers from entering the region.
Furthermore, TAAN requested the government to amend the current regulation requiring trekkers to obtain a permit for Upper Dolpa and instead implement a similar system to that of Upper Mustang, whereby tourists are charged fees based on the actual duration of stay. -- With inputs from RSS
Read: Government Eases Access to Upper Mustang with New US$50-Per-Day Trekking Fee
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