Talkback: Solo Trekking To Be Banned In Nepal?

Nick P 10

02/08/2012 at 15:31

Shame :( I can't help but think it is more to do with cashing in than protecting tourists?

Jon Doran

03/08/2012 at 11:19

I actually don't think it's that cut and dried to be fair. I think you need to bear in mind that the Nepalese government is very aware that the tourist economy is absolutely crucial and worries over trekking safety could potentially have a negative impact on visitor numbers. I think it's probably fair to say that it's a combination of genuine concern over trekkers' safety combined with a not unreasonable desire to channel more money into the local tourist economy via porters, guides and agencies.

So I think it's a bit of both.

Having trekked both Everest BC and Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary on my own and never felt threatened even when I was stopped at gunpoint by Maoist insurgents - which sounds odd - I find it a shame, but equally given that at least one trekker has been murdered and another vanished completely, I think you do have to give the safety concerns some credence.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Nick P 10

03/08/2012 at 13:59

I have never trekked there so it is hard for me to say anything from personal experience on this topic. However, If you talk about safety, well people get eaten by bears in the US and in Canada, people get kidnapped in South America, yet you dont have a law saying you have to be accompanied by a shot gun carrying ranger, nor are you banned from back packing in Columbia. You are adviced about the objective hassards thats it. This is why I think it is just to cash in.

It is understandable that they want to make more money on it but do you think that this might actually deter soloist to go there? Its not going to increase tourism thats for sure. Presummably one of the attracting factors to Nepal is the wide open spaces which we struggle to find in our native countries. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot.

I hate being told what I can and can't do

Paddy Dillon

03/08/2012 at 17:51

Jon Doran wrote (see)

...at least one trekker has been murdered and another vanished completely...

Correct me if I'm wrong... but haven't we had more people murdered on our trails? I seem to recall at least three... but no-one is suggesting that we pack in solo trekking.