Trekking in Restricted Areas!
There are many parts of Nepal into which the entry of foreigners is strictly controlled. Many treks that may be suggested on a map are in restricted areas for which you may need to procure special permit and a licensed trekking guide who will accompany you throughout your trek. The term "restricted" is used here to refer to places that are closed to trekkers, or open to trekkers only when escorted by a licensed trekking guide.
There are many reasons why the restricted areas exist. In most cases, it is a hangover from a time when the border with China was more sensitive than it is now. Environmental groups, particularly the Nepal Nature Conservation Society, are pressuring the government to keep some places closed for ecological reasons to avoid both cultural and environmental degradation. Because trekkers require assistance when something goes wrong (accident, illness or theft), the government restricts some areas because it doubts that it could fail to provide the security that trekkers need. There are also political reasons for some restrictions. In the 1970s, for example, the Jomsom trek was closed because a major foreign-aided military operation had been mounted there in support of the Khampas in Tibet.
There are many influences on the decision to open or close certain parts of Nepal to foreigners. Recent changes have liberalized both trekking and climbing, and there is considerable pressure to open more areas to trekkers. You should check with a trekking agency or the central immigration office before planning such a trek.
Permits & Formalities
A trek to a restricted area must be arranged as a fully equipped organized trek through a registered trekking agency only. The trekking agency arranges the permit through a series of applications, guarantees and letters, a process that requires about two weeks and can be started only 21 days before the arrival of the group. You may not trek alone; there must be at least two trekkers in each group. For some areas there is a limit to the number of trekkers per season.
Trekking in Restricted Areas!
Kanchenjunga Trek - 25 days
Kanchanjunga is referred as one of the "Five Great Treasures of the Snow", it is the third highest mountain of the world that lies at the eastern border of Nepal at an altitude of 8,586m. It takes at least two weeks' walk to reach the destination, Khangchenjunga base camp. There are two Kanchanjunga base camps - north and south, ......
Manaslu Trek - 24 days
This trek was officially opened to tourist in 1991! Very few Trekkers visit this pristine region which makes a visit here all unique, unspoiled and less crowdy. This area is marked by cultural and historical highlights of Gorkha which holds the ancestral seat of the Royal Shah dynasty. The trekking in this region is very unique since the starting points are .......
Mustang Trek - 18 days
Mustang is situated in the North of Annapurna Himal and borders of Tibet (China). It is an ancient and mysterious Kingdom of Lo which kept it closed to foreigners & tourists. Even after its inclusion in Nepalese territory, entry was tightly restricted for foreigners. Consequently, it drew much attention as a prohibited Kingdom. Mustang is among the ......
Upper Dolpo Trek - 26 days
Shey Phoksundo National Park (3555 sq km) of mid-western Nepal is focal point of Upper Dolpo, behind the Mount Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan Plateau. The part provides good habitat for snow leopard, blue sheep, Ghoral, Himalayan Black Beer etc... This rugged and remote Dolpo region remains a truly isolated corner of Nepal. .......
