Some solo trekkers are furious about taking guide as of new rules
If I am forced to have a guide then I would expect the following:
Full upfront price, none of the tipping garbage as I dislike the pressure of tips and what is reasonable..
A guide review process with legit customer feedback that isn’t filled with dodgy scam reviews.
A feedback and complaints process to get refunds if the guide is not providing the service I request..
Some transparency about what they earn by taking you to certain accommodation and food places, rather than the option you would like..
A law against tourist being constantly hounded by so called guides in Kathmandu and other cities – as it can spoil the tourist experience..
Anyone got anymore..
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16 replies on “Some solo trekkers are furious about taking guide as of new rules”
You’re not forced to go to Nepal, if you don’t like their rules, stay away
Here we go demanding our rules on another country. Yawnnn
Rest is all upto you but one thing looks like you got confusion on, which I try my best to make you clear, on trekking routes The Tea houses makes a mandatory rules that where you stay you eat there as the money they make a money from Accommodation is not enough for them to sustain their business, so it’s not a guide who makes the rules for getting their wallet swollen.
Mate there are touts everywhere – especially in Asia. Because if they can’t get a job they and their families have nothing to live on. You might have to just put up with it. If you don’t like it just don’t go.
It’s important to be able to verify the guide’s experience and capability—including insurance if they need medical care and that they have proper gear. I’m comfortable taking care of myself. I don’t want to be responsible for someone else.
And as a female traveler, I want to make sure I have a comfortable situation without someone making romantic advances.
I feel much more comfortable hiking alone and have the experience to do so safely.
I would rather have a minimum amount required to spend each night at tea houses or other way to support the Nepali economy.
If the rule becomes official, I may rethink my trip? I’m not sure the best way to pick a guide I’m comfortable with.
Your expectations are first world country expectations. Nepal is a third world country with a great deal of financial strain. You have choices of where to travel; just simply go somewhere that suits you.
You’re thinking like you’re going to Switzerland or similar and the government is forcing you to hire a guide. But you’re going to Nepal. Basically the only thing that changed is that now you have to pay a bit more. Choose an agency, any, get s guide and more importantly your entry card and then travel as if you were going solo. Nobody is telling you that you have to follow and obey the guide. Walk at your pace, stop in the towns that you want, in the tea house of your choice, stay the days that you want, do any hike you want, etc. The guide will have to follow you if he wants to. You don’t even need to talk to him if you don’t want to.
a lot of places will miss independent trekkers; last time i trekked from jiri to gokyo was last nov-dec (2022) and me and my 2 trekking friends I met during trek were the only guests in most lodges below Lukla. Only met 1 group but a number of FITs.Even in Namche in late nov and early dec (at return) there were only independent trekkers in my lodge (few had guide or porter, but more solo). I saw one group during my walk up/down from Namche to Gokyo and back (most groups go over passes). On previous years 2013, 2008, 1999, 1998 I have also stayed numerous times as the only guest, especially if I went in dec, early jan. So I do think that there are proprietors who miss such trekkers, especially the ones who live year-round in the higher regions (in early dec many lodges even in Namche were locked and the owners returned to KTM as the season was closing for them).
I expect that ALL licensed guides are trained in First Aid and other relevant training to do this job in the mountains.
Not just blokes who get a licensed by just applying.
And if you expect all of these, be ready to pay great salary to the guide.
Replacement guide if your guide gets a cold half way through your trek and can’t come to work. Replacement guides should be on location and ready to step in so your trekking itinerary can continue with disruption…. just an idea
I’m guessing trekking companies are required to have public liability insurance so perhaps guides should too if we’re forced to use them?
If say.. a fell runner wants to run the Anapurna circut.. does the guide run with him/her?
I SUPPORT 100% the New rule, just give guides certifications for emergencies . And provide tourist with a way to verify this certification.
Go somewhere else and pay more
People are trying to survive. Have compassion.
This is my concern with the new rules. That visitors will take their frustration out on the guides/porters. I hiked last fall in Nepal. Our group had a guide and porters. They enriched our experience. They were happy to have the employment and with the tipping it is very good work for them. Please don’t punish them just because you’re not happy with the rules.