As of October 17th 2020, Nepal has resumed trekking and mountaineering expeditions for international visitors following proper safety health protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal. Trekking Agencies will be allowed to take travel enthusiasts up in the mountains. However, regular tourism has not been resumed yet apart from trekking and mountaineering. With that being said, Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism issued rules for all foreigners which must meet as they enter the country. It includes a 7-day quarantine requirement. Detail information was posted on the official website of Nepal Tourism Board.
“Entry Protocol for Trekking and Mountaineering in Nepal”
As per the information released by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, all foreign tourists visiting Nepal for Mountaineering Expeditions and Trekking must abide by the following terms and conditions for minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infection. Terms and conditions in this document are valid till a new official notice regarding the same is published by the Government of Nepal.
Terms and Conditions to be followed by Foreign Tourists Visiting Nepal for Mountaineering Expeditions and Trekking:
1. All tourists coming to Nepal for mountaineering and trekking must obtain required visa before arriving in Nepal.In case of countries where prior visa provision for Nepal is not currently available, expedition teams or trekkers shall coordinate with their Travel/ Trekking Agency based in Nepal for arrangement of prior approval to enter Nepal. For prior visa approval, the Nepal based Agencies shall submit all prescribed details of the client/s and relevant details to Department of Tourism (DoT) for Expedition Teams and the Nepal Tourism Board for Trekking Tours, for recommendation of visa to be submitted to the Department of Immigration in advance. The concerned Agency shall be notified regarding visa recommendations.
2. For the tourists arriving in Nepal with visa recommendation and prior approval as per Article 1, the visa shall be provided at the point of entry by the Department of Immigration.
3. Tourists entering Nepal shall present following documents at Nepalese Immigration Entry Point:
a. Negative report of RT (Polymerase Chain Reaction: PCR) test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
b. Visa or prior approval document (ref Article 1) for entry to Nepal.
c. Hotel booking for at least 7 days’ quarantine in Nepal.
d. Insurance Coverage of at least US$ 5,000.00 (Five Thousand US Dollars) against COVID-19 per person.
4. After entry to Nepal, tourists shall stay in Hotel Quarantine for a minimum of 7 days.
5. Tourists shall be required to take PCR test on the fifth day of hotel quarantine at their own expenses, and shall be allowed to proceed for expeditions or trekking on obtaining RT PCR Negative test report.
6. As per Article 5, a tourist who tests RT PCR Positive for COVID-19, quarantine shall be extended till he/ she obtains a RT PCR Negative test report.
7. Expedition or trekking teams shall provide insurance coverage of minimum of NPR 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Nepali Rupees only) against COVID-19 to team members from Nepal prior to obtaining permission for expedition or trekking.
8. While in expedition or trekking in Nepal, health protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal shall be duly followed.
9. Other terms and provisions to be followed by tourists in Nepal shall be as per regular notice and updates published by the Department of Tourism. The concerned Agency shall provide detailed information on the entry protocols to their clients/ tourists before the expedition or trekking in Nepal.
To download the PDF version of this protocol, please click here.
Entry-Protocol-for-Mountaineering-Expeditions-Trekking-in-Nepal-25-Sep-2020.pdf
To know which trekking destinations are open for trekking in Nepal. Click Here.
