Traveling in Nepal
Nepal is a country famous for adventure, peace, and greenery. One can travel in Nepal in many different ways including trekking, hiking, and tours. For short destinations, you don't need a guide while traveling in Nepal. However, many people get confused while deciding whether it is beneficial to hire a guide while traveling in different parts of Nepal or not.
This blog will provide you with all the pros and cons of hiring a guide while exploring different parts of Nepal. You can also find information about, what it feels like to travel over some of the best places in Nepal.
For Trekking
An adventurous way to travel over Nepal is Trekking. If you love exploring rural places by hiking for multiple days, going for a trek in Nepal can be the best option for you. Nepal is famous for the Himalayas as eight out of fourteen eight-thousanders of mountains lie in Nepal.
The Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Kanchenjunga regions are some of the most popular areas that tourists like to visit while traveling in Nepal. These places are said to be adventurous for a reason. As located at a high altitude (more than 4000 m/ 13123.36 feet), these places cannot be considered safe travel destinations in Nepal.
According to research, there are more than 40 deaths happened in the last few years due to casualties that occurred in high altitudes.
Despite the difficult part, you can take a look at some unique wild animals of the Himalayas including snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan Tahr, himalayan monal, and Himalayan musk deer.
Why you don't need a guide while traveling in Nepal?
You don't need a guide for trekking in Nepal, only if you are familiar with high-altitude mountain ranges. For someone who has some experience in hiking and trekking, it is better not to take a guide. However, there are some places in Nepal where your expertise will not be enough.
For places like Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, Upper Mustang, and Nar Phu Valley, it's really hard to get rescued if any casualty occurs. These places are considered restricted areas because of the open border with Tibet.
So, if you are looking for a better and safer experience in Nepal, you better get in touch with the experts who have decades of experience in this field.
Benefits of hiring a guide
Hiring a perfect guide for yourself while experiencing some rural places in Nepal could be a wise decision. If you want to experience Nepal without any worry about itineraries, pickup points, finding comfortable hotels, navigations, and scenic viewpoints, you better hire a guide.
Hiring a guide can be beneficial for both travelers and experts, where travelers get the best hospitality throughout the journey, and the local experts are provided with employment opportunities.
For Traveling
Besides trekking and hiking, short-distanced travel or tours are also recommended for all travelers who are planning to visit Nepal. Short-distanced tours like Chitwan National Park tours consist of a wide range of activities including jungle safari, bird watching, canoe rides, and local village tours (terai theme).
For these types of experiences, you don't need a guide while traveling in Nepal. However, you can contact some professionals while booking your trip for warm and comfortable hospitality.
Places in Nepal where you cannot travel without a Guide
Previously, we have talked about some of the restricted places where rescue is almost impossible without a professional guide. Let's talk about the reason behind the restriction on these places.
Manaslu Circuit
As located in a remote area of Nepal and to preserve natural and cultural heritage, the Manaslu region is considered a restricted area in Nepal. The Manaslu Conservation Area is a protected area by the Nepal government and requires regulations and special permits for trekkers in this place.
Trekking to this kind of restricted destination could be riskier than we think. These areas demand special permits and a professional registered guide.
Tsum Valley
The local people of Tsum Valley mostly originated from Tibet, as the place is located on the border of it. Because of the open border with Tibet, the Tsum Valley is considered a restricted area in Nepal.
As an open border area, operating a rescue mission after any casualty could be tricky. People living in that area have no idea about the rescue so, hiring a professional guide is recommended.
Upper Mustang
Because of the open border with Tibet China and its archeological values, the Upper Mustang is considered a restricted area in Nepal. The place is rich in old Tibetian culture and raw Himalayan unspoiled nature. Similar to other restricted areas hiring a professional guide is mandatory.
Nar Phu Valley
To explore the unique Nar Phu Valley, you must have a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). The valley is classified as a restricted area due to its proximity to the Tibetian border. While visiting Nar Phu Valley, you must hire a professional guide who can guide you through the trip.
Conclusion
You don't need a guide while traveling in Nepal, only if it's a small tour and in less risky areas. However, most travelers like to visit Nepal for some unique adventurous experiences via trekking and hiking.
As most of the trekking destinations are located in high altitudes and some of them are also considered restricted zones, hiring a professional guide could be a wise decision.
Hiring a professional guide can cost you up to 30$ per day, which is an affordable price for most travelers. These guides can help you throughout the journey and even save your life if any casualty occurs. So, is saving 30$ per day worth your life? One must think about it and make a wise decision.
