Trekking Alerts

Trekking Guides Are Now Mandatory in Nepal.

In March 2023 Nepal Tourism Board announced that all trekkers must be accompanied by a registered trekking guide from April 1st 2023.

The move by NTB is a controversial one and there is little detail on how this rule will be carried out other than by stating it will be an offense to be without a trekking guide. Increasing the controversy is that Nepali trekkers are excluded from the ban despite the reasoning for the ban being one of improving trekkers safety.

The Solukhumbu regions administration (Everest region) have stated they will not follow this rule and solo trekkers are welcome. Solo trekkers in the Everest region need to purchase a TREK CARD for $20 at Lukla or Monjo.

More details can be found on Solo Trekking banned in Nepal.

 

Annapurna Regions (all Annapurna treks, including Manaslu and Dhaulagiri) (March 2023). Freezing rain and snow has hit the Annapurna and Manaslu regions yet again in March. ABC has been blocked and there is a danger of avalanches until all the snow has melted.

Trekking routes are completely covered in high altitude areas. Avalanches are more likely in valley areas – especially when the snow is melting.

As per previous year, beware of any trekking company saying it is good to go – they are simply thinking of profit and will either turn you back when you encounter snow or worse yet continue on through the snow.

Please exercise extreme caution for the duration of March!

Everest Base Camp Trek – Dingbouche to Gorak Shep. Several solo Indian trekkers have gone missing in 2022 from the area between Lobuche to Gorak Shep in the off season. It’s highly probably this is due to getting lost due to glacier movement in this area which changes the trail. As nobody in the area puts up new signs until the end of the monsoon season it is highly advised to go with a guide during the off season to avoid getting lost.

The Solokhumbu municipality want to implement a mandatory of two people to pass above 3000m in this area due to the missing trekkers this year.

For your own safety please take a guide during the off season and peak season as it is obvious this area changes to such a degree that it’s causing people to become lost and tragically go missing. As a result of this it is also causing the knock on effect of limiting independent trekking in the region for others during the peak seasons.

Everest/Solukhumbu Region: Communications, both Wi-Fi and mobile, are being reported in 2023 as being disrupted throughout the region.

Some reports are stating that due to the April/May climbing season the communication systems are overloaded, while others are claiming there is a technical fault.

Please keep in mind that trekkers may not be able to email, message or telephone as previously anticipated. Trekkers with families overseas should let them know this to prevent worry. Similarly, wherever possible trekkers should let friends and family know they are safe.

Mardi Himal (Short Cut from High Camp to Sidhing): Do not take the trail beside high camp that has a sign post indicating it is a shortcut to Sidhing – sometimes the sign is replaced with just a lodge name or a sign indicating a “New Route”. Numerous accidents and deaths have occured on this route. This is an unofficial route. It is extremely slippery with loose rock.

Use the official trail going directly to Low Camp – ask at the high camp lodge if you are not certain which route to take.

Please note this caution does not affect all of Mardi Himal – only the “shortcut” route to Sidhing.

More information on the Mardi Himal Trek

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Annapurna Base Camp (Snow & Avalanche): Ground snow along the Annapurna Base Camp trek from Deurali onwards during winter and extending into March and April. Extreme caution is advised in this area until the snow has safely melted.

As this has occurred in February/March for the past two consecutive years it is now being listed as a cautionary time of year on this route whether there is snow or not.

Snowfall can occur without warning. In 2019 Annapurna Base Camp was completely closed down due to snowfall which damaged buildings. In 2020 there were were several fatalities when an avalanche occurred. Other accidents have occured along this route due to snowfall in the past.

The issue of opening another route to ABC and to improve signage or introduce a warning system has been brought up. However, as of now little has been implemented. During other periods of the year when snowfall is not expected the route is deemed safe.

More information on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Langtang Valley (Theft – Lama Hotel to Langtang Village): Previously there have been reports of theft from Lama Hotel to Langtang Village. Exercise caution and take due precautions. Trekking with a partner or guide is advised.

More information about the Langtang Valley Trek