From April 1, 2023, solo trekking will be banned in Nepal in an effort to increase hikers’ safety and to create more employment opportunities for locals in the tourism industry. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) will not issue Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) cards to hikers who are not accompanied by a guide, and those planning to hike alone with a guide will need to pay double the current fee of $15 USD for their TIMS card. By increasing the number of licensed guides and porters, the NTB expects a surge of job opportunities in the country. However, ambiguity remains regarding the decision’s implementation across the country and whether day hikes and trails around tourist hubs will be subject to the rule. Women hikers have expressed their concern about being alone in the wilderness with a stranger, but some hope that exceptions could be made for relatively easy multi-day hikes.