Episode 1 – 2025 Trekking Updates in Nepal

2025 Trekking Updates in Nepal

Transcript

Transcript

[Speaker 2] Hey everyone, excited to talk about 2025 trekking in Nepal. We’ve got some juicy updates straight from David Ways himself, the Nepal guidebook author.

[Speaker 1] Yeah, he’s got all the latest scoop in a new article. It’s going to be especially helpful for anyone planning a trek anytime soon.

[Speaker 2] Yeah, especially with all these permit changes and the airport issues in Kathmandu.

[Speaker 1] Exactly.

[Speaker 2] So let’s jump right in, shall we?

[Speaker 1] Let’s do it.

[Speaker 2] First up, the Solukumbu region, home to Everest Base Camp and the Three Passes Trek. So permits have gone up quite a bit.

[Speaker 1] Yeah, they have. It’s now 30 U.S. dollars per person.

[Speaker 2] Per person.

[Speaker 1] Whether you’re trekking solo or in a group.

[Speaker 2] Okay.

[Speaker 1] And that’s in addition to the existing Sagamartha National Park permit, which is another 30 dollars.

[Speaker 2] So 60 bucks per person just to start.

[Speaker 1] Yeah.

[Speaker 2] It really makes you wonder where all that money’s going. Especially when you read about that 10 colonizing Norgay sign Ways talked about, you know the one.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] The one that they put up and everyone hated.

[Speaker 1] Apparently it was blocking the view of Everest.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] Luckily, someone knocked it over. I mean, it is kind of ironic. They’re bringing in millions from these permits, but they can’t even build a decent sign.

[Speaker 2] You’d think they could come up with something a bit better.

[Speaker 1] Yeah.

[Speaker 2] But you know, that’s Nepal for you.

[Speaker 1] It is what it is.

[Speaker 2] Always an adventure. But speaking of permits, it seems like every region wants to get in on the action.

[Speaker 1] They do.

[Speaker 2] Manaslu now has its own permit too, right?

[Speaker 1] Yeah. The Chamnubri Rural Municipality, where Manaslu is located now, requires a permit specifically for the Manaslu trek.

[Speaker 2] Okay.

[Speaker 1] It’s 10 US dollars or a thousand rupees for non-Nepalese.

[Speaker 2] Okay.

[Speaker 1] Nepali citizens pay 200 rupees.

[Speaker 2] So that’s on top of all the other permits you need for Manaslu.

[Speaker 1] Wait, wait.

[Speaker 2] This is starting to sound a little complicated.

[Speaker 1] It is. You’ve got your restricted area permit for Manaslu. You’ve got the Manaslu Conservation Area Project permit.

And the trek kind of crosses over into the Annapurna Conservation Area for a little bit. So you need that permit too.

[Speaker 2] Oh, wow.

[Speaker 1] Then, of course, you need the Trekker’s Information Management System card, your TIMS card. And if you want to add on a side trip to the Sum Valley, you’ll need yet another permit.

[Speaker 2] Wow. That’s a lot of permits. Are we sure we still want to trek in Nepal?

This is a lot.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. It’s definitely something to keep in mind when you’re planning.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] But hey, remember that permit they tried to implement for the Mardi Himal trek?

[Speaker 2] Oh, yeah. Whatever happened with that, that just kind of disappeared.

[Speaker 1] It did. The municipality set up a checkpoint and started charging trekkers five U.S. dollars.

[Speaker 2] Right.

[Speaker 1] But there was a lot of pushback from locals and they ended up shutting it down pretty quickly.

[Speaker 2] Good.

[Speaker 1] Waze doesn’t think it’s likely to return in 2025.

[Speaker 2] I’m glad the locals stepped in there. They probably knew that the money wasn’t going to be used for anything useful.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. And that it was going to discourage trekkers from visiting.

[Speaker 2] It’s nice to see them looking out for us.

[Speaker 1] It is. Speaking of permits, there is some good news. The National Trust for Nature Conservation, or NTNC, they’ve launched an online portal for getting permits for both the Annapurna and Manaslu region.

That’s great. Yeah. You can apply and pay online, print it out, and you’re good to go.

[Speaker 2] So no more going to the tourism board office in Kathmandu.

[Speaker 1] Exactly. But there is a catch.

[Speaker 2] Oh, there’s always a catch, isn’t there? What is it this time?

[Speaker 1] Well, foreigners have to pay an extra 2.9% fee to use the online system.

[Speaker 2] Of course they do.

[Speaker 1] Trekking companies, though, are exempt from that surcharge. So it might actually be cheaper to just go through a company.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. And probably easier, too, considering the new system might still have a few bugs to work out.

[Speaker 1] Right. Waze said he’d heard from some trekkers who had trouble with the website, like it was down or not working properly.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. So maybe let the pros handle it for now.

[Speaker 1] Probably a good idea.

[Speaker 2] Okay. So let’s talk about the big one. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport.

They’ve decided to do runway maintenance right in the middle of peak trekking season.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. Between November 2024 and March 2025.

[Speaker 2] Of course they did.

[Speaker 1] The airport will be undergoing maintenance. It’s mainly going to affect flights between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. So what does that mean for trekkers arriving in Kathmandu? If you can book a daytime flight.

[Speaker 2] Okay.

[Speaker 1] And definitely stay updated on your airline’s schedule. There are bound to be changes. And probably some delays.

[Speaker 2] This is going to be a headache for people.

[Speaker 1] It is. If you book your domestic flights through a trekking company, though, they’re usually pretty good about handling cancellations and reschedules.

[Speaker 2] Oh, good.

[Speaker 1] So that’s another reason to consider going with a company.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. It seems like they’re more and more essential these days.

[Speaker 1] I think so. They can really help you navigate all these changes.

[Speaker 2] Okay. One last thing before we move on.

[Speaker 1] Yeah.

[Speaker 2] Waze stresses this in his article, and I think it’s important. You really have to double check those permit requirements before you go.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. Nepal’s trekking regulations are constantly changing.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. So what’s true today might not be true tomorrow.

[Speaker 1] Exactly. You really need to make sure you have the right permits for your trek. Waze website and guidebooks are the best resources for that.

[Speaker 2] They are. He keeps them really up to date.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. With all the latest permit fees and trail conditions.

[Speaker 2] It’s invaluable. And, of course, hiring experienced guides, especially for those remote or less traveled treks.

[Speaker 1] Definitely. A good guide can make a world of difference, especially when it comes to navigating the permit system. And they can also give you a lot of insight into local culture and customs.

But you know what’s interesting? Waze mentions that there’s been a rise in newer, less experienced guides being sent out on challenging treks. Oh, really?

Yeah. So that’s definitely something to be mindful of when you’re picking a trekking company or guide.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. He really emphasized the importance of asking about your guide’s experience. Right.

You know, ask for photos, even proof of their experience.

[Speaker 1] Exactly. Like checking reviews before you book a hotel or a tour.

[Speaker 2] Exactly.

[Speaker 1] You want to make sure you’re in good hands.

[Speaker 2] Yeah, for sure. Especially when you’re going to be on some of those more challenging routes.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. You have every right to know who’s guiding you.

[Speaker 2] It’s your trip and your safety.

[Speaker 1] Exactly.

[Speaker 2] Do you think this whole permit situation could actually make local guides even more valuable?

[Speaker 1] Oh, that’s an interesting thought.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. Like if it’s such a hassle to get all these permits, wouldn’t more trekkers just opt for a guided trip to avoid the headache?

[Speaker 1] Yeah, that’s a good point. It’s entirely possible.

[Speaker 2] Right.

[Speaker 1] It could lead to a surge in demand for guided treks.

[Speaker 2] Right.

[Speaker 1] And make those local guides even more sought after.

[Speaker 2] Yeah, especially the ones who really know the permit system.

[Speaker 1] Exactly.

[Speaker 2] So this could actually be a good thing for local communities.

[Speaker 1] It could. It really could. More jobs, more economic opportunities.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] And potentially more incentive to protect and preserve these trekking routes.

[Speaker 2] Okay. So let’s do a quick recap for everyone planning their Nepal trek in 2025. What are the key takeaways?

[Speaker 1] Well, first, be prepared to spend a bit more money.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] Permit fees are going up, and who knows? They might even spread to other regions.

[Speaker 2] Right. And don’t forget about the airport situation in Kathmandu.

[Speaker 1] Oh, yeah. The runway maintenance.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. That’s going to cause some delays and probably extra costs too.

[Speaker 1] Definitely. So flexibility is going to be key.

[Speaker 2] For sure. And as we said before, stay informed about those permit requirements.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. They can change at any time.

[Speaker 2] That’s why David Wei’s website and guidebooks are so helpful.

[Speaker 1] Absolutely. He keeps them so up-to-date.

[Speaker 2] He does. It’s amazing.

[Speaker 1] He really is the trekking guru of Nepal.

[Speaker 2] He is.

[Speaker 1] His website, The Longest Way Home, is a goldmine of information.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] His guidebooks are like having a personal Sherpa with you.

[Speaker 2] They are. Okay. So we’ve talked a lot about logistics and money, but let’s not forget the real reason we go to Nepal.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] Those incredible Himalayan landscapes and the cultural experiences.

[Speaker 1] Absolutely.

[Speaker 2] I mean, despite all these challenges, Nepal is still one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places in the world.

[Speaker 1] It really is.

[Speaker 2] There’s just something magical about trekking through those mountains.

[Speaker 1] Yeah.

[Speaker 2] Breathing that fresh air, experiencing the culture.

[Speaker 1] It’s an experience that stays with you. It does. It’s worth every rupee and every bit of hassle.

[Speaker 2] It is. So to all you aspiring trekkers out there, don’t let these changes discourage you.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] Just do your research plan carefully and be prepared to embrace the unexpected.

[Speaker 1] Exactly. A little preparation and a flexible mindset will go a long way.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] The heart and soul of Nepal trekking are still there.

[Speaker 2] They are.

[Speaker 1] The stunning landscapes, the vibrant culture, the adventure.

[Speaker 2] Beautifully said. Now, before we wrap up, I want to leave you with one final thought. Something that Waze mentioned in his article that I think is really important.

It’s this idea of trekker fatigue.

[Speaker 1] Oh, yeah.

[Speaker 2] All these permits adding up.

[Speaker 1] Right. He even uses the term trickle down to describe how all these fees and permits just keep appearing everywhere.

[Speaker 2] It’s like every region sees another one doing it.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] And they think, hey, we can get in on that, too.

[Speaker 1] Exactly.

[Speaker 2] And before you know it, trekkers are paying hundreds of dollars before they even start trekking.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. And it’s not just the cost. Right.

It’s all the added bureaucracy.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. Trying to figure out all those different permits from all those different places.

[Speaker 1] It’s a lot.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. Especially if you’re not going with a company.

[Speaker 1] Right. And then there’s always that concern about corruption, too.

[Speaker 2] Yeah. Like that Marty Himmel situation.

[Speaker 1] Yeah, exactly. It makes you wonder what else is going on.

[Speaker 2] Right. So what’s the solution? I mean, Waze doesn’t really give a clear answer in his article.

[Speaker 1] No, he doesn’t.

[Speaker 2] But he does talk about transparency and accountability.

[Speaker 1] He does.

[Speaker 2] Like trekkers should ask where the money is going.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] And how it’s being used to actually improve things.

[Speaker 1] Yeah. We need to hold the authorities responsible.

[Speaker 2] Yeah.

[Speaker 1] Make sure the money is actually being used for what it’s supposed to be.

[Speaker 2] And we need to support the people who are actually doing good work.

[Speaker 1] Absolutely.

[Speaker 2] Choose companies that are transparent.

[Speaker 1] Right.

[Speaker 2] Hire local guides.

[Speaker 1] Yes.

[Speaker 2] Advocate for sustainable tourism.

[Speaker 1] All of that.

[Speaker 2] Yeah, it really comes down to us.

[Speaker 1] It does.

[Speaker 2] As trekkers, we have a responsibility.

[Speaker 1] To protect these mountains. Yeah.

[Speaker 2] And the communities that live there.

[Speaker 1] Exactly.

[Speaker 2] So stay informed. Ask questions. Make good choices.

[Speaker 1] And for the most up-to-date information. Yeah. Check out David Waze’s website, The Longest Way Home.

[Speaker 2] It’s the best.

[Speaker 1] And his guidebooks are fantastic too.

[Speaker 2] They are. So until next time, everyone.

[Speaker 1] Happy trekking.

[Speaker 2] Happy trekking. Remember, little planning goes a long way. And Nepal is waiting.


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