# A Short History of Trekking in Nepal: A Timeline

_Published 24 June 2026_

For centuries Nepal was closed to outsiders. Here is how it became one of the world's great trekking destinations.

**Quick answer:** Nepal opened to foreign climbers around 1949–1950. Annapurna (1950) and Everest (1953) were first climbed soon after, the first trekking company was founded in 1964, and regions such as the Annapurna Circuit (1977), Manaslu (1991), Upper Mustang (1992) and Tsum (2008) opened over the following decades.

1. **1949** British explorer Bill Tilman is among the first Westerners allowed to explore Nepal's mountains, including Langtang.
2. **1950** On 3 June, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climb Annapurna, the first 8,000 m peak ever summited.
3. **1953** On 29 May, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary reach the summit of Everest.
4. **1964** Jimmy Roberts founds Mountain Travel, often described as the first trekking company.
5. **1976** Sagarmatha (Everest) and Langtang become national parks.
6. **1977** The Annapurna Circuit, through Manang, opens to foreigners.
7. **1986** The Annapurna Conservation Area Project begins, pioneering community-based conservation.
8. **1991–1992** Manaslu (1991) and Upper Mustang (1992) open to trekkers.
9. **2008** The Tsum Valley opens to trekkers.
10. **2015** The Gorkha earthquake devastates parts of Nepal; trails and lodges are rebuilt.
11. **2023** Licensed guides become mandatory for foreign trekkers in most areas.
12. **2025** The Everest royalty rises to US$15,000 in spring.
13. **2026** Solo trekkers can get restricted-area permits; Upper Mustang moves to a US$50 daily fee.

Read more: [who first climbed Everest?](/blog/who-first-climbed-everest) and [the 2023 guide rule](/news/mandatory-trekking-guide-rule-2023).

## Frequently asked questions
### When did Nepal open to foreign climbers?
Around 1949–1950.

### What was the first 8,000 m peak climbed?
Annapurna, on 3 June 1950.

### When did the Annapurna Circuit open?
In 1977.

### When did Upper Mustang open?
In 1992.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/history-of-trekking-in-nepal-timeline