Solo Trekking Banned In Nepal for foreign tourists

Nepal Tourism Board has announced a new policy from April 1st, 2023, in which foreign tourists are prohibited from going on unguided treks. Maniraj Lamicchane, the director of the Nepal Tourism Board, has announced that this decision needed to be implemented to increase the safety of tourists.

According to Lamichhane, due to the increased unguided treks, many tourists have got themselves into trouble, and since they are traveling unguided, they are also hard to rescue.
Over 50,000 tourists worldwide used to travel alone without any guide before COVID-19 Pandemic as they were regarded as Free Individual Trekkers or FIT.

The Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) or Nepal Tourism Board used to provide TIMS cards to the free tourist that were used as a permit to visit restricted areas or the areas that needed permits.

Lukla

After announcing the new policy, Lamichhane added that the board would not issue any more FIT TIMS cards and would only issue TIMS cards for permitted treks.
Previously the TIMS card for FIT would cost NRS 2000, and the free trek TIMS would cost only NRS 1000. However, from April 1st, all the TIMS cards will cost NRS 2,000.
According to the director, although the price has increased, the trek will be more secure and easier to rescue in case of any problems, which will help tourists’ safety in general.

Response

After the decision by the Nepal Tourism Board, the general response has been quite mixed among the local public and foreign tourists. Some welcome the new policy pointing out that it will create additional protection and safety for the tourist, and the chances of them being rescued will improve.

However, on the other hand, people also raised several questions about the freedom of tourists. According to them, it restricted the tourist movement and blamed the board for creating a unique opportunity to increase their source of income without any reason.

The response of both parties may be valid; however, there is no point in looking the other way regarding the safety of tourists and easy assessment for their rescue.
Only time will provide the definitive answer on whether the policy change was necessary or it was just another way to increase fees or expenses.

Conclusion

Hence Nepal Tourism Board has decided to increase the security and safety of tourist trekkers in Nepal by prohibiting unguided trekking.

Approximately 30 tourists were found dead due to adverse weather or health issue in the higher altitude of Nepal. Since they were alone without any guide, it was more challenging to rescue the tourists who were lost and were out of contact.

Nepal Tourism Board hopes their new policy will increase the safety of foreign tourists who arrive in Nepal from worldwide.

Kathmandu Durbar Square – Things to know before visit

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the core of Kathmandu city, with many operating shops and restaurants. Kathmandu Durbar, Square-the biggest among other Durbar Squares (Patan and Bhaktapur), is a cultural and historical monument where several ancient temples are located, unique in their architecture.

In 1979, along with Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, Kathmandu Durbar Square was enlisted as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This architectural landmark was built around the 3rd century BC by Licchavi Kings. They engaged Newar artisans and artists for the construction of most of the monuments in the square. Durbar Square has about 50 temples and monuments of various shapes, sizes, styles, and religions.

Everyday life in Kathmandu Durbar Square is in full swing; many locals pass through the square and drive on mopeds. There is always something new to the spot, learn, and discover around every corner.
The magnificent edifice surrounding the Durbar Square eloquently displays the Newar people’s centuries-long artistic and craftsmanship prowess.
The magnificent edifice surrounding the Durbar Square eloquently displays the Newar people’s centuries-long artistic and craftsmanship prowess.
History of Kathmandu Durbar Square

Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek

The Licchavi dynasty laid the foundation for constructing Kathmandu Durbar Square around the 3rd century. Later, Malla Dynasty and Shah Dynasty continued the expansion and beautification of the square. During the reign of King Ratna Malla, numerous royal palaces were built. However, Durbar Square only experienced its heyday under Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered the Kathmandu valley in 1769 and had numerous pagodas and palaces built on Durbar Square.

The square was the focal point for the then Royal family of Nepal. The coronation of the most beloved king of the Shah dynasty, Bir Bikram Shah, occurred in Kathmandu Durbar Square in 1975. The square also saw the crowning of the former king of the Shah dynasty Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah.

Why Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Kathmandu Durbar Square is notably one of the most vital sights of Kathmandu due to its central location in the old town. Due to the numerous buildings worth seeing and the history associated with them, a visit accompanied by a tour guide is highly recommended. In this way, you can explore the most exciting buildings and learn more about the creation of the square and its cultural significance for the local people.

The infrastructure of Kathmandu Durbar Square

The Kathmandu Durbar Square area consists of three related areas. To the south is Basantapur Square, once a royal elephant stable. The main area of Kathmandu Durbar Square is situated to the west. On the other hand, the second part of Durbar Square lies to the northeast, where you will find entry to the Hanuman Dhoka and other temples. From this open space extends north-easterly Makhan Tole, once the city’s main thoroughfare and still the most exciting street in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Durbar Square Entrance Fee

Located just 1 km from Thamel- a tourist hub of Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar square entrance fee is NPR 1000 per person for foreign nationals and NPR 150 for SAARC nationals. A ticket booth in Basantapur collects the entrance fee, which is then used for the restoration and maintenance of the square.

Tengboche – Oldest Sherpa Village in Nepal

At an altitude of 3860 m, Tengboche Village is located in the Khumbu Region- the main route leading to the summit of Everest in the North East of Nepal. Trekkers and mountain climbing enthusiasts pass Tengboche with numerous hopes and ambitions.

The village is history, containing temples, stupas, and smaller Buddhist shrines dating back to 1880 or earlier. The Mani Wall, built of stone slabs with prayers and sacred texts, dates back to 1915. One of the two first climbers of Everest, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, at one time lived in the village of Tengboche.

Tengboche has a permanent water supply system, a local sewerage system, and a mini-hydroelectric power station that provides the village with electricity. The village is also known for its alpine plantation of medicinal plants and Eco-center for tourism.

Lukla Airport
Lukla Airport

Many Himalayas peaks are visible here, including the highest ones: Everest, Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.

There is a Buddhist mountain monastery in Tengboche. Here those who go up entrust their destinies to the Buddha and receive the blessings of the lamas. Here, those who go down thank the Buddha, fate, lamas, and everyone who can only be thanked for returning. In this sense, It is undoubtedly an existential place, historically and culturally significant.
Tengboche Monastery

Buddhism entered the Khumbu Valley, where Tengboche Monastery is located, about 350 years ago. The ancient Tibetan manuscripts speak of a lama named Sangwa Dorje, who possessed clairvoyance and excellent spiritual knowledge. He predicted the appearance of a monastery near the Tengboche Village – where he flew into a state of deep meditation and left a mark on the rock (you can see the imprint at the entrance to the temple).

The spiritual Guru Ngawang Tenzin Norbu, the fifth incarnation of Sangwa Dorje, founded the monastery in 1916.

The main building of the Tengboche monastery is a Dohang – a ritual hall with a giant statue of Buddha Shakyamuni on two floors. Next are statues of the bodhisattva Manjushri (the bodhisattva of wisdom) and Maitreya (the bodhisattva who will be born among people in the future and become a Buddha, and his arrival will mark the beginning of the golden age). Another important relic of the monastery is the handwritten texts of Kanjur, the teachings of the Buddha, translated into classical Tibetan.

Mardi Himal Trek Difficulty – Weather, Temperature, Altitude Sickness

At least as soon as in your life, trek to the Mardi Himal. This strenuous trek will expose you to a superb atmosphere. The mystical, ethereal vibe you will get after trekking this summit is one of a kind and everlasting.

Likewise, be geared up to tackle difficulties on the Mardi Himal Trek. Make sure you are prepared earlier than you strive to trek this majestic peak. Here are some of the elements of figuring out the Difficulty stage of the Mardi Himal Trek.

Kalapatthar
Kalapatthar

Durational Difficulty

The trek starts off evolving at Pokhara. You’ll begin your journey employing the usage of the beautiful countryside. Depending on your schedule, the experience from Pokhara to Mardi Himal can take around ten days.

If you are a beginner, choosing a huge range of days can be more feasible. Moreover, you no longer choose to hasten through this trek due to this.

Furthermore, it is indispensable to have a first-class stroll while sustaining your health. Likewise, if you have tremendous experience, you can pick out to trek for fewer days.

In Mardi Himal

You’ll be trekking for about 5 hours every day. Consequently, you begin your experience using trekking from Pokhara to several Settlements, which takes about 4-5 hours. It takes 5–7 hours to trip from Pokhara to the starting factor of the trek.
After this trek, you will feel as if the ascension has begun. Uphill treks require more remarkable persistence than downhill treks. Likewise, you can put together a terrific meal on your trek to help you proceed to be energetic.

Nevertheless, for newcomers, this length can be troublesome. You’ll desire to work out and cognitively put together in the past than the walk. Even a moderate trek requires some warm-up things to do beforehand before starting.

After an 8-hour trek from immoderate camp, you may additionally arrive in Southside. As a result, the next three hours of your trek will be spent in Lumiere, one of the fantastic settlements. You will then return to Pokhara.

The excessive campsite is at around 3800 meters. Moreover, you’ll be trekking to a pinnacle of 4550 meters. Secondly, immoderate altitude can exacerbate respiratory difficulties. It’s quintessential to drink masses of fluids. You have to maintain away from Fatigue at all costs. Throughout your walk, you have to eat, beverage, and relax.