Trekking Company Registration Process in Nepal

Trekking is one of Nepal's biggest and fastest-growing tourism sectors. Because trekking involves guiding tourists through remote and sometimes protected terrain, the government treats it as a distinct licensing category, separate from general travel and tour agencies. This article covers the registration and licensing process specific to trekking companies in Nepal.

The following are the primary laws governing trekking company registration in Nepal;

The governing authorities  related to the operation of a trekking company are mentioned below:

The registration process of trekking company is provided below:

Step 1: Register the company at the Office of Company Registrar 

Step 2: Receive the Tax Certificate from Inland Revenue Department and Register the business at the local ward office. 

Step 3: Open a bank account, deposit the required capital and receive shareholder registry 

Step 4: Get an Industry Registration Certificate from the Department of Industry 

Step 5: Apply for a Trekking Agency License with the Department of Tourism 

Step 6: Receive the license, valid for 5 years

Under Rule 5 of the Travel and Trekking Agency Rules (as amended by the Sixth Amendment, 2074), a trekking agency must register as a firm with minimum capital of NPR 10,00,000, or as a Private Limited Company with minimum capital of NPR 25,00,000. A bank guarantee of at least NPR 5,00,000 must also be kept in the Ministry's name for the license period.

Under Schedule 1 of the Travel and Trekking Agency Rules (Rule 3), an applicant must submit:

Once the license is granted, proof of the required paid-up capital and bank guarantee (Rule 5) must also be maintained and shown to the Department of Tourism.

Under Rule 7 of the Travel and Trekking Agency Rules:

1. The license is valid for 5 years.

2. To renew, the application must be submitted before expiry, along with a renewal fee of NPR 25,000.

3. If renewed late: within 3 months of expiry, 25% additional fee; between 3 and 6 months after expiry, 50% additional fee.

4. If not renewed within 6 months of expiry, the license becomes void automatically.

Since 2023, trekkers on routes within Nepal's national parks, conservation areas, and other TIMS-regulated regions must use a licensed guide hired through a government-registered trekking agency, and obtain a TIMS card through that agency. Guides must be certified and verifiable through the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN. This requirement doesn't apply to short day hikes outside protected areas, or to general travel agencies, whose work typically centers on ticketing and hotel bookings rather than leading treks.

Treks into protected or border area regions, such as Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kanchenjunga require additional restricted area permits on top of the standard trekking license. General travel agencies handling city tours or hotel packages do not need to deal with this layer of permitting.

Foreign investors are not allowed to open trekking agencies in Nepal, as this business is listed under the Negative List of Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2019 (2075). They are also not allowed to hold partnership shares in such companies. However, foreign investors can sell their products in Nepal by appointing a local distributor or agent through a service agreement.

Publication Date : 25th August 2026 

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