Current trekking guide rules, porter welfare standards, environmental conduct, and permit fees — sourced from NTB, TAAN, and NMA
Sagarmatha (Everest) Region
Licensed guide + porter MANDATORY since April 2023 amendment (Tourism Act enforcement)
Manaslu Circuit
Licensed guide mandatory since 2024
Upper Mustang
Licensed guide mandatory
Upper Dolpo
Licensed guide mandatory
Annapurna Region
Licensed guide strongly recommended (enforcement pending)
Langtang Valley
Guide recommended, not yet mandatory
Poon Hill
Guide recommended, not yet mandatory
Trekking Guide Grade I
NTB certified, 1 yr experience
3,500–4,000
$26–30
Trekking Guide Grade II
NTB certified, 3 yrs experience, first aid
4,000–4,500
$30–34
Trekking Guide Grade III (Senior)
5 yrs, wilderness first responder
4,500–5,500
$34–41
High Altitude Guide
NMA certified, 8,000m+ experience
6,000–10,000
$45–75
Eco / Nature Guide
Specialised biodiversity training
3,500–4,500
$26–34
Maximum load
25 kg per TAAN Humane Porter code
High-altitude equipment
No porter above 5,500m without proper gear (sleeping bag, jacket, boots)
Insurance
Travel + medical insurance mandatory since 2024 Tourism Act
Summit bonus
30% of trekker summit fee shared with crew (2024 NMA amendment)
Accommodation standard
Same lodge as clients — not kitchen floor
Fire ban above 3,500m
Gas/LPG stoves only, enforced by DNPWC
Carry-in / carry-out waste
Mandatory in SNP, ACAP, and LaNTMAP zones
No single-use plastic
Banned in SNP, ACAP, Manaslu CA since 2022; actively enforced since 2024
Wildlife disturbance
50m minimum distance from wildlife (SNP regulation)
No collection of natural or cultural items
Flora, fauna, rocks, and cultural artifacts strictly prohibited
All trekking areas
TIMS Card (group)
2,000
$15
All trekking areas
TIMS Card (individual)
4,000
$30
Sagarmatha NP (EBC)
SNP Entry
3,000
$22
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu
Municipality fee
2,000
$15
Annapurna
ACAP permit
3,000
$22
Manaslu
Manaslu CA permit
1,000/week
$7.50/week
Upper Mustang
Restricted area
70,000/10 days
$500
Upper Dolpo
Restricted area
70,000/10 days
$500
Tsum Valley
Restricted area
35,000/week
$250
Nepal Tourism Board
Issues trekking guide licenses
Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal
Porter welfare standards
Nepal Mountaineering Association
High altitude guide certification
Annapurna Conservation Area Project
Conservation authority, Annapurna region
Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation
Environmental rule enforcement
Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee
Waste management in Khumbu region