Registration must for trekkers again

Kathmandu, October 21:

Tourists visiting Nepal for a trek will now again have to acquire a trekking registration certificate.

Earlier, the Department of Immigration used to issue such certificates to trekkers but the provision was scrapped in 1999.

However, the decision to do away with the provision led to many problems as well as anomalies in the trekking business. It had to be resumed again, thanks to the initiative of the Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).

As per the new provision, TAAN will issue the certificates to trekkers from its Trekking Registration Counters or TRC. The TRC began functioning at Thamel in Kathmandu and Shantipatan in Pokhara from today.

Following the new provision introduced as per the Trekking Registration Working Procedure Guidelines, 2006, issued by the Tourism Ministry and the TAAN Trekking Registration Certificate Guidelines, 2006, no foreign tourist in Nepal can go on a trek in certain regions without the trekking registration certificate.

The certificates can also be taken from trekking firms recognised by the Tourism Ministry and affiliated to TAAN.

The RTC certificate is needed in eight parks, including the Annapurna Conservation Project Area (Dhaulagiri region), Sagarmatha National Park (above Lukla), Langtang National Park, Makalu Barun National Park area, Rolwaling National Park, Rara National Park and Khaptad National Park areas.

The certificate is not necessary in nine regions, including Sailung regions of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, and Dolakha, Timal of Kavre, Bhairav Kunda and Panch Pokhari of Sindhupalchok and Kakani, Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Dhulikhl and Namobuddha around the Kathmandu valley.

Likewise, trekking in the Ganesh Himal region, Trishuli trekking area of Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Lamjung districts; Ghale gaon, Ghanpokhara, Panchase, Royal Dhek and San and Sarangkot of Kaski district; Sirubari of Suagja, Millennium Dhek of Kaski and Syangjha, south of Soulukhumbu (below Lukla) can be done without the certificate.

Every tourist would be charged Rs 250 for a certificate.