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Tourist Information
January 2008
Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS)
An agreement has been signed between Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) with an objective of maintaining the database of trekkers and discouraging illegal operation in trekking business to implement the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) from 1st January 2008.

As per the provision, all trekkers should have the valid TIMS Certificate that is distributed free of charge by the TIMS counters of NTB and TAAN.

Nepal Tourism Board will provide TIMS Certificate free of cost to both trekkers who wish to go to trekking through government registered trekking companies and individual trekkers(FIT).

As per agreement, TAAN would use the offices of all its member agents as TIMS Counter. Trekking agencies that aren't affiliated with TAAN, however, have to get TIMS certificates from either TAAN Secretariat or NTB.

Similarly, TAAN's Pokhara Chapter member agencies of TAAN Pokhara Chapter would distribute TIMS Certificate in Pokhara.

It is believed that the database will become useful to rescue the trekkers during the emergencies and it will also help us to ascertain the number of trekkers in a particular trekking route.

TIMS Certificate can be obtained from NTB Office, Bhrikutimandap, NTB Office Pokhara, Belahia-Bhairahawa, Gadda Chauki- Mahendranagar, Kakarvitta and other designated counters by NTB in future.

Source: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) January 2008

Situation before 2006 - New situation after the peace deal in 2006

While on trekking, please respect these travel tips:
Talking with local Maoist cadres
Remain on established trekking routes.
Never go on trek solo. Trekking is more safe in groups.
Hiring trekking guides from reputable trekking agencies is the best way to travel safely. The local guide are normally well informed by source close to the security forces or the Maoist rebels.
For staying overnight, avoid buffer zones between the security forces and the Maoist rebels.
Avoid trekking routes mentionned in the travel advisories, especially those north of Jiri (Dolakha district), south of Lukla (Solukhumbu), west of Ghandruk (Annapurna area), north and northeast of Gorkha, west and east of Besisahar (Lamjung)
Be aware that different Maoist groups are operating in the country and there are different Maoist commanders. Maybe the Maoist commanders appear on the scene as civilians. Some groups are aggressive, other ones are very friendly.
It is strongly reccommended to follow the instructions given by the security forces or the Maoists. Don't bargain with Maoist activists. Let your guide pay the Maoist taxes or the so-called "donations".
Blockades and transport strikes should be respected by tourists. Otherwise you will get problems. Defying the blockades is a risk for tourists as well as for local people.
When planning for a trek you should keep your itinerary flexible. There are strikes and transport blockades every day in one or the other district. These activities are a real problem for tourists in the country.
Be informed! The security situation may change very fast. Let you inform by reliable local sources.
October 2006
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