The image of a lone backpacker conquering a Himalayan trail embodies the spirit of freedom. If you are planning a solo trek to Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, or any other major route in 2026, you likely have one critical question: How do I get my permits?
The rules have changed. As of April 2023, the Government of Nepal introduced a significant policy shift: All foreign trekkers must now be accompanied by a licensed guide or porter-guide when entering a national park or conservation area. This rule effectively ends independent solo trekking (known as FIT - Free Individual Trekking) on nearly all popular trails.
This change is about safety, not restriction. For the modern solo adventurer, this means your journey begins not on the trail, but with a simple, essential partnership: a trustworthy local agency.
At Best Heritage Tour, we understand the solo spirit. We are more than happy to arrange all necessary permits for you, ensuring you meet the new legal requirements while maintaining the freedom and pace of a personalized journey.
1. The Core Change: Why Solo Permits Are Now Linked to a Guide
Before 2023, independent solo trekkers could obtain a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card directly from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office. This is no longer the case.
The Mandatory Guide Rule Explained
The new regulation requires that:
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You must hire a licensed, government-certified guide or porter-guide through a registered trekking agency.
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The new e-TIMS card (or its regional equivalent), which is mandatory for most routes (like Annapurna and Langtang), is only issued through a registered agency.
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The agency registers your itinerary and guide’s credentials with the government, making the guide and agency your legal sponsors for the trek.
What does this mean for solo travelers? You are still trekking "solo" in the sense that your guide will focus only on your needs, pace, and itinerary, but you are not legally trekking unaccompanied. Your guide is your required safety net and permit facilitator.
2. Understanding the Permits for Solo Trekkers
Every trekker, solo or group, requires 1-3 types of permits, all of which we handle on your behalf.
A. The Safety Permit (TIMS or Local Equivalent)
|
Permit Name |
Where Required |
How it Affects Solo Trekkers |
|---|---|---|
|
TIMS Card (New Format) |
Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, and many other trails. |
Cannot be obtained individually. It must be applied for by your registered agency, confirming a licensed guide is hired. |
|
Khumbu Rural Municipality Fee |
Everest Region (replaces TIMS). |
You can technically pay this locally, but since the guide is mandatory for the region, it is best secured through an agency to align all documentation. |
B. The Conservation/National Park Permit (CAP/NPP)
|
Permit Name |
Cost (Foreigner) |
How it Affects Solo Trekkers |
|---|---|---|
|
ACAP (Annapurna) |
USD 23 |
Can be obtained individually, but requires your guide's details to be registered, making agency submission easier. |
|
Sagarmatha NPP (Everest) |
USD 23 |
Can be obtained individually, but better processed with the guide's documentation. |
C. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
If your "solo" dream includes the remote and sensitive regions (Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo, Nar-Phu), the rules are even stricter:
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Minimum Group Size: RAPs require a minimum of two foreign trekkers (plus a licensed guide).
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The Solution: If you are traveling truly alone, you cannot get the RAP. Best Heritage Tour solves this by arranging a "Group Joining" trek, where we legally pair your documents with another single traveler's documentation for the sole purpose of permit issuance. You still trek on your own schedule with your dedicated guide, but the paperwork is satisfied.
3. Solo Traveler Solution: Let Best Heritage Tour Arrange It All
For a solo traveler, the logistics of obtaining the necessary permits (often requiring trips to the NTB office, the Department of Immigration, and multiple passport photos/forms) can easily consume 1-2 days of valuable time in Kathmandu.
How Best Heritage Tour Simplifies Your Solo Trek
Best Heritage Tour is more than happy to arrange and issue all permits for you, ensuring your trip is legal, safe, and stress-free from the moment you land.
|
Solo Traveler Concern |
Best Heritage Tour Solution |
|---|---|
|
I need a guide to get a permit. |
We provide you with a fully licensed, English-speaking guide whose credentials are used to successfully issue your TIMS/ACAP/NPP permits. |
|
The documentation is confusing. |
You simply provide us with a copy of your passport and visa (and a few digital photos). We handle all physical paperwork, government office visits, and fee payments. |
|
I want to trek a Restricted Area (e.g., Mustang). |
We manage the mandatory two-person rule by legally pairing your permit with another trekker, allowing you to trek solo with your guide. |
|
I need a quality guide/porter. |
We ensure your guide is experienced, highly trained, and fully insured, acting as your local expert, cultural interpreter, and critical safety contact. |
Conclusion: Solo Freedom with a Safety Guarantee
The spirit of solo adventure is alive and well in Nepal, but it has evolved to embrace greater responsibility and safety. By requiring a licensed local guide, the government has created a system that protects you from the unique risks of the high Himalayas, such as altitude sickness, navigation errors, and difficulty initiating helicopter rescues.
As a solo traveler, partnering with Best Heritage Tour means securing your official permits without the hassle, fulfilling all legal mandates, and gaining an experienced guide who turns a complex administrative task into a seamless, confident start to your adventure.
Your mountain, your pace, your permit - guaranteed. Ready to focus on packing your bag, not collecting paperwork?
Solo Trekkers: Start Your Adventure by Contacting Us!
Phone / WhatsApp / Viber: +977-9851149197 / +977-9810043046
Email: info@bestheritagetour.com / bestheritagetour@gmail.com
Website: www.bestheritagetour.com
Office: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Author: Best Heritage Tour
Date: 3rd December, 2025
