From April 1st, lone travellers to Nepal’s highlands will be required to travel with a certified guide, according to a new rule from the Nepal Tourism Board. The rule applies to all foreign visitors trekking through Nepal’s national parks, and is intended to make trekking safer and create job opportunities in the country. Locals are exempt from the restriction due to their knowledge of the area. The country’s mountainous regions lack infrastructure, population and cellular connectivity, and sudden weather changes often occur. Fatal accidents are documented in the mountains each year, with hikers who trek without guides or groups particularly vulnerable. Unlicensed tour operators and guides are another issue, as they take jobs from legitimate Nepalis and do not pay taxes. Before this rule, travellers with route permission and a Trekkers Information Management System card could walk independently. However, new legal changes mean hikers must hire a guide before obtaining a TIMS permit, which now costs $20 per person.