Licensed · Govt. License #1497
Trekking Guide in Nepal
Hire a licensed trekking guide in Nepal directly. Rohit Timilsina has guided every classic Himalayan route - Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Mardi Himal, Everest Base Camp - for over 5 years. The person you WhatsApp is the person who walks every step beside you.
Govt. License
#1497
First-Aid
Certified
Languages
EN · HI · NE · FR
Experience
5+ Years
The Problem with Booking Through an Agency
You email a trekking agency in Kathmandu. They reply quickly, the website looks professional, the price sounds reasonable. You pay. Then, on the morning of your trek, a stranger shows up with a backpack and introduces himself as your guide.
That stranger is a contract worker. He was assigned to you yesterday. He doesn’t know your fitness level, your travel pace, or what you actually care about. He’s never spoken to you before. You will spend 7 to 14 days in the mountains with someone you’ve known for 45 minutes.
This is normal for agency-booked trekking. But it doesn’t have to be your experience.
Meet Your Guide
Rohit Timilsina
Trekking Guide & Mountain Man of Nepal
Born and raised in the shadow of the Annapurna range, I grew up with the mountains as my backyard. What started as childhood adventures through forest trails and river valleys became a lifelong calling to share these landscapes with the world.
My friends call me Haku. When I'm not on the trail, you'll find me behind a drum kit - I play in a local band and love rock and metal music. I speak English, Hindi, and Nepali fluently, plus enough basic French to keep francophone trekkers smiling on the trail.
For me, guiding isn't a job - it's about creating friendships in the mountains. I believe the best treks happen when your guide genuinely cares about your safety, comfort, and happiness. That's why trekkers keep coming back, and why other guides come to me for advice.
Safety First, Always
On an Annapurna Base Camp trek, I made the call to wait a day while other guides pushed ahead. Hours later, an avalanche struck the trail. My trekkers were safe. I will never compromise your safety for a schedule.
“Rohit decided to wait a day when other guides kept going up. Due to avalanche-risk, this was obviously the best decision.”
— Sander Wolters
Respected by Peers
The mountain guiding community in Nepal is tight-knit. After years on these trails, I've built a reputation that speaks for itself - not just with trekkers, but with fellow guides who trust my judgment.
“Rohit is a perfect guide especially when dealing with the unpredictability of the trek. Even other guides would come to him for advice. 100/10”
— Louis Anderson
Friendships, Not Transactions
I don't just lead you up a mountain and call it a day. We share stories, jam to music, talk about life. By the end of the trek, you'll leave with a friend in Nepal.
“Rohit (Haku) was one of the many blessings we received from Nepal. He is not only a great guide... He is also an incredibly fun human to be around.”
— David Sanchez
Trekkers Keep Coming Back
The ultimate test of a guide isn't the first trek - it's whether people return. Many of my trekkers have come back for a second, even a third adventure.
“This was my second trek with Rohit. Both experiences were absolutely fantastic. Wouldn't trek in Nepal with anyone else.”
— Peter Murphy
The Difference: One Person, Start to Finish
With Rohit, the person who answers your first WhatsApp message is the exact same person who picks you up at your hotel in Pokhara, walks every step of the trail with you, and drops you off at the end. There is no office, no middleman, no assigned stranger.
First message
You WhatsApp Rohit. Rohit replies. You plan together.
On the trail
That same Rohit walks beside you, adjusts the pace, picks the best teahouses.
If anything goes wrong
Rohit makes the call. He knows you, he knows the mountain, and he’s trained for altitude emergencies.
What “Private Guide” Actually Means
The term gets used loosely. Some agencies advertise “private guide” services but still assign you a contracted guide you haven’t vetted. Here’s what it means when you book Rohit directly:
- Same guide from your first message to your last footstep on the trail.
- You know exactly who you're getting - you've already talked, planned, and built a rapport.
- No group. Just you, your travel companions, and Rohit.
- Rohit handles your permits (TIMS, ACAP/MCAP), accommodation bookings, and transport logistics.
- The itinerary is built around you - your pace, your preferences, your bucket list summits.
- Direct contact for any question, any time, before and during the trek.
Routes I Guide
Treks I guide across Nepal
Every classic Himalayan route, guided personally - from the Annapurna foothills to Everest Base Camp and the restricted Manaslu Circuit. Book directly through 6knepaltreks.com.
Everything You Need to Decide
Three pages that answer the questions most trekkers have before booking a private guide in Nepal.
Client Reviews
4.9 stars across 90+ Google reviews - read what real trekkers say about their experience.
Read ReviewsGuide vs Agency
A transparent side-by-side breakdown: what you actually get when you book through an agency vs directly with Rohit.
See ComparisonBooking & Pricing
No hidden fees. See exactly how the booking process works, what's included, and what to expect day-by-day.
View PricingFAQ
Hiring a trekking guide in Nepal - answered
Do I need a licensed trekking guide in Nepal?
+
Yes. As of 2023 - and reinforced for the 2026 season - the Nepal Tourism Board requires every foreign trekker to be accompanied by a licensed guide on all national park and conservation area routes (Annapurna, Langtang, most of Everest). Trekking without one can result in fines, removal from the trail, or being blacklisted from future permits.
How much does a trekking guide cost in Nepal?
+
A licensed guide-only service typically costs USD $30–$35 per day. Full-package treks (guide + accommodation + food + permits + transport) range from $90–$150 per day, with luxury lodge treks reaching $250+. Booking direct removes the 20–35% agency commission.
Is solo trekking still banned in Nepal?
+
Solo permit applications were re-allowed in March 2026 (the previous two-person minimum was dropped), but the mandatory licensed guide rule was not lifted. You can apply as a solo trekker, but you must still trek with a guide.
How do I verify that a Nepal trekking guide is licensed?
+
Every licensed trekking guide in Nepal has a government-issued license number you can ask for before booking. Rohit's license number is 1497. You can also ask for first-aid certification and references from past clients.
Can I hire a trekking guide in Nepal directly without an agency?
+
Yes - and it's usually a better experience. Booking direct means the person you message is the same person walking beside you on the trail, with no markup, no contracted strangers, and no middleman. Rohit replies personally on WhatsApp.
Where in Nepal does Rohit guide?
+
Rohit is based in Pokhara and guides every classic Annapurna route (ABC, Mardi Himal, Poon Hill, Khopra, Mohare Danda, Annapurna Circuit), the Manaslu Circuit, Upper Mustang, and the Everest Base Camp trek. For Annapurna-region treks specifically, see the dedicated Trekking Guide in Pokhara page.
What languages does Rohit speak?
+
English, Hindi, and Nepali fluently, plus basic conversational French.
Will my guide arrange the trekking permits?
+
Yes. Rohit handles all permit logistics: TIMS card, ACAP (Annapurna), MCAP (Manaslu), Sagarmatha National Park, and any restricted-area permits. You only need to bring your passport and 2 passport photos.
What happens if I get altitude sickness?
+
Rohit is first-aid certified and trained in high-altitude emergency protocols. He carries a pulse oximeter, monitors symptoms daily, and will descend immediately if needed. Safety always overrides schedule - he has held the group for a full day on ABC when avalanche risk was elevated.
How far in advance should I book a trekking guide in Nepal?
+
For peak seasons (March–May, September–November), book 3–4 weeks ahead. For off-season treks, 1 week is usually enough. WhatsApp Rohit directly to lock in dates.
Looking for the long-form FAQ with fitness, visas, and gear answers? Read the full FAQ →
“From the moment I messaged Rohit to the moment he dropped me back in Pokhara, the same person handled everything. That trust is priceless.”
Read all reviewsExplore trek packages
Browse every route - Annapurna, Everest, Manaslu, and more - with duration, difficulty, and pricing.
Planning resources
Permits, packing lists, altitude sickness, best seasons, and fitness training - all in one place.
Have more questions? Read the full FAQ - 10 common questions answered, including fitness level, visas, altitude sickness, permits, and group size.
Ready to Book a Private Guide?
Send Rohit a message. Tell him your dates, your fitness level, and what you want to see. He’ll put together an itinerary - free, no obligation.