Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) is a national umbrella organization of trekking agencies in Nepal. TAAN was founded in 1978 with the goal of promoting mountain tourism and trekking in Nepal. TAAN oversees the volunteer effort to build, maintain, protect, and promote the trekking trail in Nepal. There are more than 2000 registered trekking agencies as members of TAAN. TAAN is registered as a non profit organization at the Kathamandu district admission office and also listed with the Social Welfare Council.

The TAAN is responsible for administering trekking permits for trekking in national parks and protected areas of Nepal, with the help of the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS).

TAAN has been lobbying for the establishment of a One Trekker, One Guide system since 2012 for the safety of travelers and to increase employment in the tourism industry. In April 2023, TAAN and the Nepal Tourism Board implemented the new regulation of the TIMS card, under which international trekkers must have a guide or porter while trekking in Nepal.



History
TAAN was initially named the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal. In October 2014, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) played a significant role in the rescue efforts during Cyclone Hudhud by coordinating with travel agencies to gather information on the trekkers.

The World Food Programme (WFP) collaborated with TAAN after the 2015 earthquake to open community trails, reconstruct trekking trails, and distribute relief materials in several Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the Rasuwa, Dhading, and Gorkha Districts.