1

Hello

It is difficult to say how this new rule will work in practice because no detailed information has been given by the authorities. i would not expect such information either. Having said that, there are restricted areas where similar rules are in operation, so based on how these work, some assumptions;

A guide (or porter) needs to be arranged in KTM to obtain the TIMS card. The first national park checkpoint is at Dhunche.

A guide should be hired and accompany the trekker while in the national park.

There is no official rate for guides or porters. Ball park costs are $25 per day for a guide and $12 - $15 for a porter (including food, accommodation and insurance).

scoodly

2

Very good information is supplied from Scoodly. At the moment the decision is on hold until further notice by Nepal Government. That means probably until another notice is made you can trek solo too / without Nepali staffs. Here is a link about the recent decision: http://www.taan.org.np/newsdetail/govt-puts-decision-to-ban-solo-trekking-on-hold

3

The Langtang National Park "no solo trekking" rule was made by the local government, not national government. Thus there will be even less information about it. The rule is in effect only in the National Park, so this brings on the problem with TIMS: if you want/have to take a porter or guide, it must be mentioned in the TIMS card. This basically means that it is illegal to hire someone along the route (one of the purposes of TIMS card...) even if you need him only for the National Park portion of the trek, because there is no mention of staff on the card. On the other hand it is perfectly legal to trek (at the moment) without staff outside the said NP. Perfect example of stupid rules, bad information transfer within the government and TAAN, bad or no relevant information to the people affected etc. Typical third world work, sorry to say. Which possibly means that everything can go on just as before, just pay a small "voluntary fine" at a possible check post or hire the policeman's nephew.

4

Thanks, friends.

I have never hired a porter before, so I am not familiar with the formalities in question.
Then, as far as TIMS card is concerned: to have going with a porter mentioned in a TIMS card – do you have to deliver his name, or is it possible to have it mentioned just in general – without any particular name? Does it also mean any additional official cost?