How to hire a guide in Nepal?

As of April 1st, 2023, trekking alone(solo trekking) has been prohibited in Nepal, with the exception of the Everest region. This means independent solo trekkers are no longer permitted to trek anywhere in Nepal without hiring a registered guide.

 

The two main reasons behind this decision, as mentioned by the board, are to ensure the safety of the trekkers in remote areas and to create more employment opportunities in the country. 

 

With this rule being implemented, one has to hire a guide. Now, the two big questions are how to hire a good guide. And  Where to go to hire a guide? 

 

At the same time, how can it fit into your budget while doing so? After the covid 19 break out in the world number of guides has decreased tremendously. Previous full-time guides have now been involved in other occupations. Meaning finding a nice guide has become more challenging than before.

 

 

Where to hire a guide and how to do it?

Every trekker hires a guide according to what fits right for them, but there are some classic ways to find a guide. The most common way of hiring guides is through local travel agencies. 

 

The other two ways are searching on the internet, and the last way is to fly to Nepal and then look for a guide at Kathmandu or Pokhara. If you wanna save yourself from all the possible hassles of finding a guide, we’d recommend you to go through travel agencies for most of the work is done by them.

 

Hiring a guide through a traveling agency

There are so many travel agencies in Kathmandu, so the first task is to find the right travel agency. Look at their history, try to know how long they have been in the travel industry, and most importantly see if they are authorized and have a guide with TAAN ( trekking Agency Association of Nepal) certification.

 

If you purchase trekking packages offered by agencies, guides are included, making it a convenient way to go about it. Even if you don't opt for a package, agencies can help you find the appropriate guide.

 

It would be smart to email or virtually contact agencies ( numerous ) and talk to them, settle the price tell them about your trek. This gives the agency enough time to find the perfect guide according to your needs. While doing the same let them know what are your deal breakers, what are the must haves in a guide. Be very clear and upfront about the amount you are willing to spend on a guide.

 

 

 Finding a guide in Kathmandu or Pokhara

This way of finding a guide is only safe when you have traveled before and have a good connection with a previous guide you trekked with. Additionally, if you know locals around there who can help you get in contact with the guide, or have contact with a local guide yourself, then it can be a secure way to find a guide.

 

It sure is possible to find a guide in Kathmandu and Pokhara without any connections, but that means one needs to walk around talking to people and go through a lot of suggestions and opinions that will make the process complex. 

 

One person tells you something, and the other tells you something completely different, this only creates chaos in your mind.  Lastly, but most importantly, finding a guide in person is more likely to have you scammed. Therefore, in case you do decide to find a guide in person, make sure to check their  TAAN certifications and documents and look for their previous work records.

 

Finding Guide on the Internet

What could you possibly not get if you dig deep enough on the internet and find a good guide is no exception. Many guides have their profile on the internet. Look at them, see their expertise, see their history, and most importantly, check their reviews.

 

If they have some bad reviews, then you know better than hiring them. Make sure they have good training with first aid practices. In their profile, there must be a picture of their certificates and documents. Communicate with guides as much as possible talk about your trekking destination, and see how much knowledge they have. Virtually try and negotiate the price and then finally make your right pick.

 

Some websites to hire guides online are toursbylocals, withlocals, etc.

 

Cost of hiring a trekking guide in Nepal

The total amount you spend on a guide depends on trekking destinations, the period of a trek, and, lastly, their trek experience. The more experienced and reputed the guides are, it is more likely they charge more. But it is good to spend a few bucks and go for a more trustworthy guide. 

 

Mainly because guides are responsible for getting your trekking permits and getting you out of difficult situations while on the trail. Hiring a good guide also means that they have good connections with the locals around the trekking destinations as they could have trekked there before. That indirectly means you guys get welcomed more warmly. ( not to say you won’t be welcomed nicely otherwise, but you get the point ).

 

On average, guides charge $25 to $30. Now let us talk about tipping. There is no compulsion to tip the guides in the context of Nepal. It is completely up to you whether or not you want to tip them. If the guides do an excellent job and win your hearts, then the idle tipping rate is 10% of the total cost. The total price gets affected by the food and accommodation as well. Simply put, some agencies take care of the guide’s food and accommodation, but some do not.

 

Additionally, if you are hiring a guide, not through an agency, you will likely have to pay the price of the guide’s lodging too. Hence, talk about this matter before booking the guide to calculate your total expenditure well.

 

1. The Everest region’s average cost for your guide per day is $30

2. The Annapurna region’s average cost  for your guide per day is $30

3. The Langtang region’s average cost  for your guide per day is $30

4. Other remote and off-the-beaten destinations cost $30-$40

    

 

What are trekking guides responsible for?

1. The main work of the trekking guide is to lead you to your trek destination. They are familiar with every nook and corner of the entire trail.

2 . They organize and arrange your food and accommodations by choosing the hotels or teahouses.

3. They have extensive knowledge of the floras and faunas, historical monuments like temples, stupas, etc. so, as you travel, guides explain each and every plant and animal and their importance. They also give you a good insight into different destination’s history and their importance.

4. Nepal is rich in language and ethnic diversity guides generally have good knowledge of them. Guides get you to know about unique traditions and practices and assist to enjoy them to the fullest.

5. For the foreigners who do not understand Nepali, Guides break that language barrier and translate languages between Nepali people and you guys (trekkers)

6. Ensure your safety. The Himalayas and remote areas of Nepal are beautiful but equally risky. Therefore, guides inform you about the risks and give you tips to avoid them and tackle them through.

7. Provide you first aid when needed to help you acclimatize the right way to prevent acute mountain sickness.

8. Whenever there are special skills required on the trail, like climbing using particular gears and different types of equipment, guides are responsible for teaching those skills to you and get you familiar with those gears.

9. Lastly, it is their job to motivate you when finishing the trek seems hard and you want to give up. They give you all the mental support needed.

 

How to pick the right trekking guide?

A lot goes into consideration while choosing the perfect guide. But we got you, ready the points below and be clear on what to do.

 

• Look for the guides that have trekked that destination more than a few times.

• See all the certificates they have ( check if it is fake or authentic ), and ensure that they are registered as a guide

• Do a thorough background check. One could be a spectacular guide, and could have all the knowledge in the world but how they are as a person matters a lot. Guides spend every second of the trek with you hence, it is important to hire a friendly guide that won’t create any problems.

• Unfortunately, there are few reports of guides making the trekkers feel uncomfortable and misbehaving so, get to know about them through previous trekkers that were guided by the same guide.

• Do not rush while hiring the guide, take your time negotiating the price beforehand. Ask them what is included in the guide’s price and what is excluded.

• Mostly guides make decisions about the hotels and teahouses for the night stay. Therefore, ask them if they will be okay with changing it for your comfort. Let them know that the final decision is going to be yours.

• Ask them about the route they follow. For the same place, there is typically more than one route. Make a pact on the route to be followed prior to the trek so that you get time to gather enough information about the trail.

• Avoid guides who have habits of drinking and smoking. 

• Having a multilingual guide who knows the different languages of the local communities of Nepal is a big plus.

• Check their communication skills cause they will be talking on your behalf throughout the trek.

• Be certain that guides are quick to act in case of emergencies.

• Find a guide who practices responsible trekking ( responsible trek means traveling around like a human and respecting your surroundings, people, and temples, and avoiding anything that harms them. It is a form of trekking that is eco friendly that decreases pollution and fights against it spreading more.

• Hire a guide who has travel insurance.

 

 

Things to consider while picking a guide as a solo female trekker

Being a female and wanting to trek solo is a big deal. It is a big risk in itself. Quite a few times there has been news of female trekkers being molested by the guides themselves. The Safest option to avoid misfortune like this is to hire a female guide. Seeing a single female, there is a threat of being robbed. So, it is a necessity to have a guide that can protect you from such encounters. 

 

There are many travel agencies that have an only female guides policy, find those agencies and let them lead you. Capture a photograph of the documentation of the guide and send them to your close friends and family members so that when something happens the guides can be reported immediately to the nearest police stations. Always keep someone a call or text away.  

 

 Are guides and porters the same?

Well, no, obviously, they are not. Guides are there to make your trek safe and easy and help you navigate. Whereas the porters are there to carry your luggage. There are misconceptions that guide carry your bags too. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but they do not. It is strictly the porter’s job if the guides feel like helping you carry some weights it is up to them, but they are never ever obliged to do it. It is good to carry only essentials, which makes it easier for you to carry your luggage without the need to hire any porter.

 

Note: as of now (2023 the average cost for a porter per day is $15 to $30

 

If hiring a guide and a porter separately feels like a lot of work, then hire a porter-guide also known as guide cum porter. Porter guides are people who do both the works of guides as well as porters. The weight the porter guide carries is 15 kg max. Porter guides have lesser knowledge of the history and places around them than guides. They do know the trails around them and do everything a guide does for you. The reasons why porter guides could be a better option than hiring guides and porters separately are:

 

• Since Porter guides tend to have lesser knowledge, they charge comparatively less.

• Lesser work cause you don’t have to find two different people.

 

 

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