Nepal trekking permits explained

The short version

Almost every popular trek in Nepal passes through a national park or a conservation area, and each of those charges an entry permit. On top of that, most areas use the TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System), and a handful of border regions are restricted areas that need a special permit arranged through a registered agency.

Permits are checked at posts along the trail, so carry them with your passport until the end of the trek. Fees change from time to time: always check the current amount with the issuing body before you go.

Permits by trek

This table covers the treks on Firfirey. Restricted areas are listed further down.

Conservation area and national park permits

The Annapurna Conservation Area is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and its entry permit is usually called the ACAP permit. NTNC lists the fee for foreign nationals as NPR 3,000 per person per entry, with a lower rate for SAARC nationals. It covers Annapurna Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Lower Mustang.

National parks, including Sagarmatha (Everest) and Langtang, are managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), which sets their entry fees. Park permits can be bought in Kathmandu or at the park entrance, for example at Monjo for Sagarmatha.

In Kathmandu, permits are issued at the Tourist Service Centre at Bhrikutimandap, and ACAP permits are also issued in Pokhara. Bring your passport, a copy of it and passport photos.

The TIMS card

TIMS is a registration system run with the Nepal Tourism Board so that the authorities know who is on which trail, which helps in emergencies. Since April 2023 the card has been issued through registered trekking agencies, which links it to the licensed-guide rule below.

In the Everest region, TIMS is not used: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality collects its own entry fee instead, normally at Lukla or on the trail near Monjo.

Restricted area permits

Some regions near the northern border are restricted areas. The Department of Immigration issues Restricted Area Permits only through registered trekking agencies, for groups of at least two trekkers with a licensed guide. You cannot apply for one yourself.

For Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo, the Department of Immigration has set the fee at US$500 per person for the first 10 days, with a daily charge after that. Other restricted areas, such as Manaslu, Nar Phu and Kanchenjunga, have their own rates, often charged per week and varying by season. You still need the normal conservation area or national park permit as well.

Do I need a licensed guide?

From 1 April 2023, under a rule announced by the Nepal Tourism Board, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas are required to trek with a licensed guide, with the TIMS card issued through registered trekking agencies. In the Everest region, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality issues its own entry permit and has said it does not apply the guide requirement in its area, so independent trekking has continued there in practice. Enforcement elsewhere has varied, so check the current position with the Nepal Tourism Board or a licensed agency shortly before you travel.

Even where a guide is not enforced, a licensed guide helps with route-finding, altitude decisions, lodge bookings and emergencies, and keeps money in local communities.

Practical tips

A few habits make permit checks easy:

• Keep permits and your passport in a waterproof pouch in your daypack, not in the porter's bag.
• Keep a photo of each permit on your phone.
• Permits are usually valid for a single entry. If you leave and re-enter an area, you may need another.
• Agencies arranging your trek will normally handle permits; ask for copies before you start.