Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal

What Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal does

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) is a Kathmandu-based, not-for-profit umbrella association established in 1978 to represent, regulate, and lobby on behalf of Nepal's trekking agencies. It is governed by a 25-member elected executive committee (currently the 2024–2026 tenure under President Sagar Pandey) and operates alongside a small secretariat of roughly 12 staff led by CEO Ram Chandra Sedai. The association maintains 17 functional departments spanning tourism policy, training, search & rescue, finance, and communications, and it runs a regional chapter (TAAN Gandaki Province) in Pokhara.\n\nTAAN's commercial relevance rests on two assets: a membership base of 2,296 General Members, 7 Associate Members, and 155 Regional Association Members, and joint operational control over the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS), which it has co-administered with Nepal Tourism Board since January 1, 2008. TIMS is a visitor database and electronic permit system that captures passport, nationality, contact, and itinerary data for trekkers across major Nepal trekking entry points (Monjo, Syabrubesi, Jagat, Jomsom, etc.) and is used for rescue coordination. Revenue is generated through annual membership fees (Rs 12,000 initial / Rs 5,000 renewal for general members; Rs 8,000 / Rs 3,000 for Nepalese associate members; US$100 for foreign associate members) and per-trekker TIMS card fees (Rs 300–2,000 depending on region and SAARC vs. non-SAARC status). TAAN supplements these with training, events (e.g., Langtang Marathon, Sagarmatha Day, Lhosar Festival), and disaster-response initiatives.

Name

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal

Legal name

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal

Website

https://taan.org.np

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TAAN is a Kathmandu-based not-for-profit umbrella association, established 1978, representing 2,296+ trekking agencies in Nepal and jointly operating the TIMS permit system with Nepal Tourism Board to coordinate permits, safety, and rescue across Nepal's trekking regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pokhara

HQ country

Nepal

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: TAAN generates revenue through membership fees. General membership costs Rs 12,000 with Rs 5,000 annual renewal. Associate membership costs Rs 8,000 for Nepalese organizations and US$ 100 annually for foreign organizations.
2. TIMS Card Processing: TAAN jointly manages the Trekkers' Information Management System with Nepal Tourism Board, issuing TIMS cards to trekkers for safety and security tracking.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TAAN is the umbrella trade association for trekking agencies in Nepal, providing industry representation, advocacy, and regulatory coordination since 1978. It jointly operates the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) with the Nepal Tourism Board, processing trekking permits and tracking trekker data (passport, nationality, itinerary) for safety and rescue coordination. Member agencies deliver trekking, day hiking, adventure, cultural adventure, and nature/wildlife tourism services under TAAN's industry umbrella.

Product overview

TAAN is an umbrella association of trekking agencies in Nepal, established in 1978, representing member trekking companies. The organization does not offer a single unified product but rather provides an umbrella framework through which member agencies deliver trekking, hiking, adventure, cultural, and nature tourism services. The primary operational system is the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS), developed jointly with Nepal Tourism Board, which manages trekker registration, safety, and permit tracking across Nepal's trekking regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System): A system implemented jointly by Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN to ensure safety and security of trekkers and control illegal trekking operations. Blue TIMS cards for group trekkers (Rs 1,000 per person), Green TIMS cards for Free Individual Trekkers (Rs 2,000).

Products and services

• Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) A visitor database and permit management system implemented jointly by TAAN and Nepal Tourism Board to track trekkers, manage permits, and coordinate rescue operations. Collects trekker passport, nationality, contact, and itinerary data. Issues Blue TIMS cards for group trekkers (Rs 1,000 non-SAARC, Rs 300 SAARC) and Green TIMS cards for Free Individual Trekkers (Rs 2,000 non-SAARC, Rs 600 SAARC).
• Trekking Services Financially protected, quality adventure holidays to destinations across Nepal including trekking, mountaineering, and expedition services offered through TAAN member agencies.
• Day Hiking Short-duration hiking and walking tours for tourists exploring Nepal's natural landscapes and trails, offered through TAAN member agencies.
• Adventure Services Adventure tourism services including various outdoor activities offered through TAAN member agencies.
• Cultural Adventure Cultural tourism experiences including homestays and exploration of local traditions and heritage sites, offered through TAAN member agencies.
• Nature & Wildlife Tourism Nature-based tourism experiences including wildlife observation and eco-tourism activities, offered through TAAN member agencies.
• TAAN General Membership Annual subscription membership for Nepal-registered trekking agencies providing industry representation, government liaison, training, rescue coordination, TIMS access, and networking. Initial fee Rs 12,000 with Rs 5,000 annual renewal.
• TAAN Associate Membership Annual subscription membership for tourism support organizations (equipment suppliers, training institutions, hospitality providers). Nepalese associate: Rs 8,000 initial plus Rs 3,000 renewal; Foreign associate: US$ 100 annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,296 General Members, 7 Associate Members, and 155 Regional Association Members (Pokhara)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Joint implementation of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) - a visitor database for tracking trekkers, managing permits, and coordinating rescue operations. The partnership enables TAAN to process trekking permits and ensure safety/security of trekkers across all Nepal trekking areas.
• Government of Nepal (Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAAN serves as the primary liaison between trekking agencies and government for policy formulation, regulatory compliance, and tourism promotion. The association submits recommendations and advice on tourism matters to the government regularly.
• World Food ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-2015 earthquake collaboration: TAAN worked with World Food Program in opening community trails, reconstructing trekking trails, and distributing relief material in Rasuwa, Dhading, and Gorkha districts.
• TAAN Regional Association PokharacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional chapter representing trekking agencies in Pokhara/Gandaki Province, with 155 general members. Operates as an extension of TAAN for regional representation and member services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/taan.np
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mountain-lovers-treks-p-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal