Nepal requires trekkers to carry a combination of permits that varies by region, route, and nationality. The permit system exists to manage visitor numbers in ecologically sensitive protected areas, to generate revenue for park maintenance and community development, and (in restricted areas) to limit access to culturally sensitive regions. Understanding exactly which permits you need for your specific trek - and how to obtain them - is essential planning information. This guide covers every permit required for every major trekking region in Nepal, with current fees and the correct procedure for obtaining each.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
The TIMS card is required for virtually all trekking in Nepal. It is a personal trekker registration document maintained by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board that records your presence on a trekking route for safety and statistical purposes. There are two types:
- Green TIMS (individual/FIT trekkers): USD 20 per person
- Blue TIMS (trekkers on a registered agency package): USD 10 per person
The TIMS card is obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board office or TAAN office in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg, opposite the Nepal Tourism Board building), or from the TAAN office in Pokhara. Required documents: passport copy, 1 passport photo, completed TIMS form. Processing is same-day and takes approximately 15-30 minutes. Note: TIMS is not required for trekkers within Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) - ACAP has its own entry permit that covers the TIMS function in that region.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The ACAP permit is required for all trekking within the Annapurna Conservation Area, which includes the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Nar Phu Valley, and all other routes within the conservation area boundary. Current fee: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) per person. Obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or the ACAP entry office in Besisahar (Annapurna Circuit) or Nayapul/Phedi (ABC/Poon Hill routes). ACAP replaces the TIMS requirement - you do not need a separate TIMS card for trekking within ACAP.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Required for all trekking in the Everest region - including the Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Three High Passes Trek, and all routes within the Sagarmatha National Park boundary (entered at Monjo on the main Lukla-EBC route). Current fee: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) per person. The permit can be obtained at the Sagarmatha National Park entry checkpoint at Monjo - it is not necessary to obtain it in Kathmandu, though it can be purchased at the Nepal Tourism Board office if preferred. You will also need a TIMS card for the Everest region (the separate Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has its own trekking fee of USD 2 per person, collected at a separate checkpoint).
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
Required for all trekking in the Langtang region - Langtang Valley Trek, Gosaikunda Trek, Helambu Circuit, and Tamang Heritage Trail. Current fee: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) per person. Obtained at the park entry gate at Dhunche or Syabrubesi. TIMS card is also required for this region.
Makalu Barun National Park Permit
Required for trekking in the Makalu Base Camp area and the Barun valley. Current fee: NPR 3,000 per person. Obtained in Kathmandu (NTB office) or at the park entry gate. TIMS required separately.
Restricted Area Permits
Several regions of Nepal require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in addition to the standard conservation area or national park permit. These regions require trekkers to be part of a registered agency group (minimum 2 persons in most cases) and to have the RAP arranged in advance through a licensed Nepali trekking agency - individual trekkers cannot obtain restricted area permits independently.
- Upper Mustang: USD 500 per person per 10 days (or part thereof)
- Upper Dolpo: USD 500 per person per 10 days
- Lower Dolpo: USD 30 per person per 7 days
- Manaslu Conservation Area: USD 70 per person per week (Sep-Nov); USD 50 per person per week (Dec-Aug)
- Tsum Valley: USD 40 per person per week
- Nar Phu Valley: USD 90 per person per week (Sep-Nov); USD 75 per person per week (Dec-Aug)
- Kangchenjunga Conservation Area: USD 10 per person per day (minimum 10 days)
- Kanchenjunga restricted area: As above, administered through TAAN-registered agency
- Humla / Simikot: USD 90 per person per week (additional fly-in costs apply)
All restricted area permits must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency - they cannot be purchased independently at any checkpoint. Adventure Peaks Nepal handles all permit arrangements as part of our package booking; we do not charge processing fees above the government-mandated permit costs.
Expedition Climbing Permits (Peak Permits)
Climbing permits are separate from trekking permits and are issued by either the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) for trekking peaks or the Department of Tourism for expedition peaks (8,000-metre and other major summits). Current government peak permit fees range from USD 125 (small trekking peaks like Yala, Paldor) to USD 11,000 per person (Mount Everest, spring season). All expedition permits must be arranged through a licensed expedition operator - individual climbers cannot apply for peak permits directly. We handle all peak permit applications as part of our expedition package service.
Do I Need to Get Permits Myself?
If you book with Adventure Peaks Nepal, no - we arrange all permits required for your specific itinerary as part of the booking process and include the permit costs transparently in your package price. For independent trekkers not using an agency, permits can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg, open Sun-Fri 9 am-5 pm) or at regional entry checkpoints as noted above. Carry sufficient NPR cash and two passport photos for all permit applications.
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