Nepal has long been a beacon to adventurers, but solo travelers will now be forced to re-think their plans, as Nepal has banned solo trekking across the country. 

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the change comes about due to the increasing cost of search and rescue operations for lost tourists, many of whom set off alone into the Himalayas. The root cause of the issue may be unlicensed tour guides who allow hikers with little experience to set off unsupported into one of the most unforgiving landscapes in the world. In addition, social media has led many tourists to believe that they are able to traverse the remote Nepalese backcountry without having the experience or skills to safely do so without a guide.

Due to the difficulty of attempting to accurately vet each and every visa applicant individually, the Nepalese government has determined that the best course of action is to ban solo trekking entirely. This is similar to the ban on climbing Mount Everest solo, which has been illegal in Nepal for the past five years. 

For those interested in exploring the mountains and wilderness of Nepal, this new restriction means that they’re now required to be part of a licensed group or accompanied by a licensed guide in order to be approved for a visa that allows them to trek in the country. 

The Right Travel and Trekking Insurance for Nepal 

As of this writing, all tourists visiting Nepal are still required to have travel insurance in order to enter the country, and it must be valid for the entirety of their trip.

If you plan to stick primarily to cities and tourist attractions in Nepal, travel medical insurance can be a good choice. It will allow you to seek the best available medical care should you need it, and receive treatment for a price that is far more affordable than if you were to go without it. However, before you complete your purchase, make sure that the plan can provide coverage for all the activities you plan to take part in while visiting Nepal, as not all plans are the same.

If you intend to take part in activities that are not covered by standard travel insurance on your trip, look into hazardous sports travel insurance. But keep in mind that much of Nepal is at extremely high elevation. Be sure to review the plan to see if it can provide coverage at the altitudes that you will be at, and adjust your coverage or travel plans as needed to stay on the safe side.