KATHMANDU, March 28: The decision of the 'solo trekking' permit, which was closed by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), will not be applicable in the area of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in a notice said that a trekking guide is not mandatory while trekking in the Everest region. With this, the NTB and the local level have come face to face once again.

The NTB had earlier decided not to allow the Free Individual Trekker (FIT) to be implemented across the country. Mani Raj Lamichhane, director of the NTB, said that the decision will be mandatory for all trekking destinations from April.

However, the Chairman of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality said that it is not mandatory. The rural municipality has called for people to take a guide with them for their safety during the non-mandatory and high-altitude hikes. 

NTB has also decided to ban going on a single trek, stating that it would be easier for the safety, search and rescue of tourists.

According to the NTB’s decision, all trekkers will have to carry a Tourist Information Management System (TIMS) card at the same price and travel with a trekking guide beginning April. However, the local level itself has been providing trekking cards worth Rs 2,000 per tourist in the Khumbu area. In this area, the national park also collects a fee of Rs 3,000 per tourist. 

In the Khumbu area, there has been a dispute between the NTB and the local level for a long time.