Nepal Trekking Permit

From 2024, some of the Nepal Trekking Permit were made mandatory for national or international travellers.

Without proper permits, you cannot legally enter national parks, conservation areas, or restricted regions. Checkpoint officials will fine you NPR 12,000 (around USD 90) if they catch you trekking without valid permits. They can also remove you from the trail, deport you from Nepal, or ban you from future trekking. So yeah! Permits in Nepal are extremely important!

However, let us tell you, permits serve important purposes beyond being just bureaucratic paperwork. They fund conservation efforts, trail maintenance, and community development projects in trekking regions.

For example, the money you pay for an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit directly supports protecting endangered wildlife, maintaining trails, and funding local infrastructure. 

Besides that, permits create a safety database. The Trekkers Information Management System records your personal details, emergency contacts, and detailed itinerary. During natural disasters, accidents, or when trekkers go missing, this database helps rescue teams locate people quickly.

Types of Permits You Need

Nepal requires different permits depending on where you trek. Understanding which permits you need prevents problems at checkpoints and ensures your trek goes smoothly.

The TIMS Card is mandatory for most trekking regions. The Trekkers Information Management System was created in 2008 to ensure trekker safety and maintain accurate records.

As of April 2023, you cannot get TIMS cards as an individual. You must obtain them through registered trekking agencies with licensed guides. This reflects Nepal’s new mandatory guide policy.

TIMS costs NPR 2,000 for international trekkers and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. The card is required for Langtang region treks and most non-restricted areas.

However, you do not need TIMS for Everest region treks or Annapurna region treks anymore. Annapurna eliminated the TIMS requirement in Autumn 2023.

National Park Permits are required to enter Nepal’s protected national parks. Sagarmatha National Park covers the Everest region, including Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and Three Passes treks. Langtang National Park covers Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda, and Helambu routes.

Other national parks include Rara, Makalu Barun, and Shey Phoksundo. The standard fee is NPR 3,000 plus 13 percent VAT, totaling NPR 3,390 for foreigners. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,500. Children under 10 enter free. These permits are typically valid for four weeks.

Conservation Area Permits are managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is required for all Annapurna region treks, including Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal.

The cost is NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit costs USD 70 for stays up to 15 days. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit follows the same NPR 3,000 pricing.

Conservation areas receive no regular government funding but operate entirely on permit revenue, which gets reinvested directly into conservation and community development.

Restricted Area Permits are special permits for Nepal’s most sensitive regions near international borders or areas with unique cultural significance. The government restricts these areas to ensure national security, protect fragile ecosystems, and preserve cultural integrity.

Upper Mustang costs USD 500 per person for the first 10 days during peak season (September to November), then USD 50 per day afterward. Off-season (December to February) costs USD 250 for 10 days. Manaslu Restricted Zone costs USD 100 per person for the first 7 days in peak season, then USD 15 per day beyond that.

Off-season costs USD 75 for 7 days, then USD 10 per day. Tsum Valley costs USD 40 per week in peak season and USD 30 in off-season. These restricted areas have strict rules. Solo trekking is completely banned. You must trek in groups of a minimum of two trekkers. Licensed guides through registered agencies are mandatory. You cannot use freelance guides.

Important Rules and Recent Changes

Understanding current regulations prevents legal problems and ensures smooth trekking experiences.

As of April 1, 2023, solo trekking is completely banned for foreign nationals in protected areas. All foreign trekkers must hire licensed guides through registered agencies. This means you cannot get TIMS cards or most permits as an individual anymore.

The government implemented this rule for safety reasons, to support local employment, and to ensure quality control. Even experienced mountaineers must follow this rule. However, Nepali citizens trekking domestically are not bound by this foreigner-specific requirement.

Other important rules include:

• You must carry permits at all times during your trek. Carry both physical and digital copies. 
• Checkpoints verify permits at park entry points, rural municipalities, conservation area checkpoints, and trail posts. You must present permits immediately when officials request them.
• If the permit information does not match your passport exactly, you face problems. 
• Sign logbooks recording entry and exit times at each checkpoint. 
• Failure to check in or check out can trigger search operations because officials think you are missing.

Recent Changes 

Nepal launched an online permit system on February 23, 2024, ending decades of paper-based processes. The Department of Immigration now processes restricted area permits online through its portal. Conservation area permits can be obtained through the NTNC portal at epermit.ntnc.org.np.

The online system provides faster processing, typically within 24 hours. However, applications automatically delete after 15 days if incomplete, so you must finish the process quickly.

In September 2024, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality increased its fee from NPR 2,000 to NPR 3,000. This is a 50 percent increase affecting all Everest region trekkers. The fee is valid for four weeks, with an additional NPR 3,000 charged for stays beyond four weeks. This fee must be paid in Nepali Rupees cash at the Lukla checkpoint or the Monjo checkpoint.

On the other hand, Upper Mustang faced a major change in 2024. Foreign tourists are now only allowed up to Nechung Village, which is 2 kilometers before Lo Manthang.

The Upper Mustang Rural Municipality implemented this limitation. This significantly changes the trek because Lo Manthang is the ancient capital that most trekkers want to reach. Check the latest status before booking because regulations may evolve.

How to Get Your Permits

The easiest and now mandatory method for most trekkers is obtaining all permits through registered trekking agencies like Eco Nepal Trekkers. 

Agencies like us handle all paperwork, applications, and collections on your behalf for a small service fee, typically USD 20 to USD 50 per person. 

When you book a trek with us, you send scanned copies of all required documents via email three to four weeks before your trek. 

Required documents include:

• Your valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity
• Two to four passport-sized photographs
• a valid Nepal visa covering your entire trek dates, 
• a detailed trekking itinerary with entry and exit dates
• travel insurance details with policy number and coverage amounts.

For TIMS cards, you also need emergency contact information from your home country and local emergency contact, which can be your trekking agency. 

For restricted area permits, you need your guide’s license information, trekking agency registration details(if we aren’t your agency), and a signed declaration of compliance with trekking rules. 

We then apply for all required permits, pay the fees (which you reimburse us), and collect the permits before your trek departure. We provide both physical permits and digital backups.

You can also apply in person at Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu at Bhrikutimandap or in Pokhara at Damside. The Department of Immigration at Kalikasthan handles all restricted area permits. 

How long does it take to get a permit?

Processing times vary depending on each permit. 

On one hand, TIMS cards take 24 hours to 2 days through agencies, while National park and conservation area permits might take a few hours. Similarly, restricted area permits take a few hours to 3 days. 

However, during peak season (March to May and September to November), apply four to six weeks in advance. Off-season allows one to two weeks’ advance notice.

Note: Some permits can be obtained at trail entry checkpoints, though this is not recommended. 

All permit fees are 100 percent non-refundable once issued. If you cancel or shorten your trek, you receive no refund. Plan carefully before purchasing permits. Permits are quoted in USD but must be paid in Nepali Rupees. Exchange currency before applying for permits because exchange rates at permit offices are unfavorable.

The most common mistakes trekkers make include overlooking regional permit requirements.

For example, the Manaslu Circuit requires three different permits: the Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. 

Failing to carry permits during your trek subjects you to the same penalties as having no permit, even if you purchased them. Insufficient visa duration causes problems because permits cannot be issued beyond your visa expiration date. Not understanding the mandatory guide requirement leads to permit denial. Waiting until the last minute, especially during peak season, risks not getting permits in time.

Trekking permits in Nepal protect both trekkers and the mountains. They fund conservation, support communities, and create safety networks. Following permit requirements ensures legal trekking, contributes to sustainable tourism, and helps preserve Nepal’s mountains for future generations.