Nepal opens restricted border regions to solo trekkers under new rules

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal will now allow solo foreign trekkers to visit designated restricted areas along its northern border with China, easing long-standing rules that previously limited access to group travelers only.

The Department of Immigration announced Monday that individual trekkers will be eligible for permits to enter these المناطق under specific conditions. Applications must still be submitted through a registered trekking agency, and each traveler will be required to have an assigned guide. Agencies will also be responsible for coordinating rescue operations in case of emergencies, in accordance with existing laws.

Nepal has identified 15 restricted areas across 13 mountainous districts bordering China, including Upper Mustang, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Rasuwa, parts of Gorkha, Manang, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Bajhang, and Darchula. These regions have historically required special permits and fees due to their proximity to sensitive border zones.

Officials said the policy change follows feedback from tourism stakeholders, including the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, which had raised concerns that the group-only requirement was discouraging visitors and complicating travel plans for those wishing to trek independently.

Under the revised guidelines, the government has also introduced a cap on group size, requiring at least one guide for every seven trekkers. Authorities said managing larger groups with a single guide had proven difficult, prompting the new limit.

In a separate update, Nepal has streamlined its permit application process. Foreign nationals applying from abroad will now be able to use their visa application number, or submission ID, when applying for trekking permits, replacing the earlier requirement to provide an approved Nepal visa number.

Officials said the changes are expected to boost tourism, support local employment, and improve safety for trekkers exploring some of the country’s most remote and scenic regions.