Nepal to hikers: 'You'll never walk alone'

Foreign hikers in Nepal's national parks will soon be required to make their treks with a professional guide to reduce their chances of injury or disappearance and the cost of mounting rescue efforts.

Mani R. Lamichhane, head of the Nepal Tourism Board, told the New York Times that “There were many cases where tourists have disappeared,” and that deaths among solo trekkers had made some people believe that Nepal was unsafe. Nepal is also increasing fees for hiking permits.

The no-solo rule will not apply to Nepalis, or to visitors hiking outside the national park system or hiking in the capital, Kathmandu