Nepal eases solo trekking in restricted areas — but a licensed guide is still required
Solo travellers can now get restricted-area permits without forming a group of two, as Nepal moves to a digital, guide-linked TIMS.
Good news for independent-minded trekkers: Nepal has relaxed one of its stricter rules. As widely reported by trekking agencies and the Department of Immigration, solo travellers can now obtain permits for restricted areas — places like Upper Mustang and Manaslu — without first forming a group of two.
The catch, and it is an important one: a licensed trekking guide is still mandatory in restricted areas. The change removes the old two-person minimum, not the guide requirement.
Alongside this, the TIMS card has moved to a digital, guide-linked system; the old green independent card has been retired, while conservation-area permits (such as ACAP, currently NPR 3,000) remain the ones checked on the main trails.
What this means for trekkers
If you have dreamed of a restricted-area trek but could not find a partner, that barrier is gone — you and a guide are enough. We arrange the permit, the licensed guide and the logistics for routes like Upper Mustang and Manaslu.
Rules and fees change often in Nepal — see our permits guide or message us to confirm the current requirements for your route before you book.
Cover photo: Nabin K. Sapkota via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Source: Department of Immigration (as reported)
Planning a trek?
We handle the permits, logistics & guides
NMA-certified local guides, transparent pricing, 5,000+ treks since 1998. Tell us your dates and we'll sort the rest.
