Every trekker in Nepal needs at least one permit, and some routes need three or four. The system is not complicated once you understand it, but the rules change from time to time, fees are listed in different currencies, and information online is often out of date. As a trekking company in Kathmandu we deal with permits every day, so we have put together this guide to explain exactly which permits you need for each region, what they cost, where to get them and how the rule on mandatory licensed guides affects you.
Permit fees quoted here are those in force at the time of writing. Nepal revises fees periodically, and the exchange rate changes the dollar cost of fees charged in rupees, so always check the latest figures with your trekking company before you travel.
Quick answer: most treks in Nepal need a national park or conservation area permit (usually NPR 3,000, about US$23), and some also need a local municipality fee or TIMS card. Restricted areas such as Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Nar Phu, Tsum Valley and Upper Dolpo require a special restricted area permit, a registered agency, a licensed guide and at least two trekkers. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in most areas must walk with a licensed guide.
The four types of trekking permit in Nepal
| Permit type | What it is | Where needed |
|---|---|---|
| National park or conservation area permit | Entry fee for a protected area | Almost every trek |
| Local municipality fee | Fee charged by a rural municipality | Everest (Khumbu) region and some others |
| TIMS card | Trekkers' Information Management System registration | Several regions, issued through agencies |
| Restricted area permit (RAP) | Special permit for border and sensitive areas | Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Nar Phu, Tsum, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga and others |
Climbers also need a peak permit from the Nepal Mountaineering Association or the Department of Tourism, which we cover later in this guide.
The mandatory guide rule
In April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board introduced a rule that foreign trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide and book through a registered trekking agency for treks in national parks and conservation areas. The rule was introduced after several accidents and disappearances involving solo trekkers, and to make sure trekkers can be traced in an emergency.
In practice, this means independent solo trekking is no longer permitted on most popular routes, including the Annapurna region and Langtang. The Everest region's local municipality has at times applied its own rules and allowed independent trekkers to obtain its local permit, but checkpoints may ask for a guide, and nearly all trekkers now walk with one. Rules can change and enforcement varies, so we always advise planning your trek with a guide. You can read more about the pros and cons in our guide to solo trekking and the guide rule in Nepal.
Citizens of Nepal and, in some cases, SAARC countries have different rules and lower fees for many permits.
TIMS card explained
The TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System) records your details, route and emergency contact so authorities can locate you if something goes wrong. Since the guide rule, TIMS cards are issued only through registered trekking agencies for trekkers with a guide. The fee has been around NPR 2,000 per person for foreigners.
Where TIMS is required has changed over the years. In the Everest region, the local municipality fee has replaced it. In the Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu regions it has generally been required alongside the area permit. Your trekking company will know the current position and arrange it with your other permits; you do not need to visit the office yourself.
Permits by trekking region
Everest region (Khumbu)
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Where issued |
|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park permit | NPR 3,000 (about US$23) + VAT | Monjo checkpoint or Kathmandu |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee | About NPR 2,000–3,000 | Lukla or Monjo |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit | NPR 3,000 | Only if you walk in from Jiri or Shivalaya |
These cover the Everest Base Camp trek, Gokyo Lakes, Three Passes and the Everest View Trek. Trekkers on Pikey Peak in the lower Solukhumbu need only local fees, as the route lies outside the national park.
Annapurna region
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 (about US$23) | Needed for all Annapurna treks |
| TIMS card | About NPR 2,000 | Issued via agencies |
ACAP covers Annapurna Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Khopra Danda, Jomsom and Muktinath. ACAP permits are checked at several posts, including Birethanti, Chhomrong, Chame and Manang, and the permit is valid for a single entry. If you are caught without one inside the area, the fine is double the fee.
Langtang, Gosainkunda and Helambu
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Langtang National Park permit | NPR 3,000 | Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda, Tamang Heritage Trail |
| Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park permit | About NPR 1,000 | Helambu and Chisapani routes starting at Sundarijal |
| TIMS card | About NPR 2,000 | Issued via agencies |
These cover the Langtang Valley trek, Langtang Gosainkunda, Helambu, the Tamang Heritage Trail and Chisapani Nagarkot.
Manaslu and Tsum Valley
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit | Sep–Nov: about US$100 for the first 7 days, then about US$15 per day; Dec–Aug: about US$75 for 7 days, then about US$10 per day | Jagat to Dharapani section |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | NPR 3,000 | Required |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit | NPR 3,000 | For the exit via Dharapani and the Marsyangdi valley |
| Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit | Sep–Nov: about US$40 for 8 days; Dec–Aug: about US$30 for 8 days, plus daily rates after | Only if visiting Tsum |
The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley treks require a minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide, booked through a registered agency.
Upper Mustang
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit | US$500 for the first 10 days, then US$50 per day | Beyond Kagbeni |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit | NPR 3,000 | Required |
The high fee is designed to limit visitor numbers and protect Mustang's culture. It applies to both the Upper Mustang trek and the Upper Mustang jeep tour. The ten days start from the day you enter the restricted area at Kagbeni, so we plan itineraries carefully to avoid paying for extra days.
Nar Phu Valley
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) |
|---|---|
| Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit | Sep–Nov: about US$100 per week; Dec–Aug: about US$75 per week |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit | NPR 3,000 |
See our Nar Phu Valley trek for a typical itinerary that crosses the Kang La into Manang.
Kanchenjunga and Makalu
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit | About US$20 per week for the first four weeks, then about US$25 per week | Required |
| Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit | NPR 3,000 | Required |
| Makalu Barun National Park permit | NPR 3,000 | For Makalu Base Camp |
The Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek is a restricted-area trek; the Makalu Base Camp trek needs only the national park permit and local fees.
Dolpo, Rara and the far west
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) |
|---|---|
| Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit | US$500 for the first 10 days, then US$50 per day |
| Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit | About US$20 per week |
| Shey Phoksundo National Park permit | NPR 3,000 |
| Rara National Park permit | NPR 3,000 |
| Humla (Simikot–Hilsa) Restricted Area Permit | About US$50 per week |
The Rara Lake trek needs only the national park permit. Humla permits are used by travellers on the Kailash route via Simikot.
Restricted area rules
Restricted area permits come with a few extra conditions that apply to every trekker:
- Book through a registered trekking agency. Individuals cannot apply for these permits directly.
- Minimum of two trekkers. Solo travellers need to join a group or pay for a second "virtual" permit in some cases, depending on current rules.
- Licensed guide must accompany the group for the whole time in the restricted area.
- Fixed itinerary and dates. The permit is valid for specific dates and entry points.
- Documents: a passport valid for at least six months, a valid Nepal visa covering the trek dates and passport photos or digital scans.
Because permits are issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu during office hours, allow at least one or two working days in Kathmandu before a restricted-area trek, and remember that offices close on Saturdays and public holidays.
Peak climbing permits
If you plan to climb one of Nepal's trekking peaks, you need a peak permit in addition to your trekking permits. The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) issues permits for many popular trekking peaks, and fees depend on the season, with spring the most expensive. Popular peaks and their general seasonal pattern include:
| Peak | Altitude | Spring | Autumn | Winter / summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Peak (Imja Tse) | 6,189 m | About US$250 | About US$125 | About US$70 |
| Mera Peak | 6,476 m | About US$250 | About US$125 | About US$70 |
| Lobuche East | 6,119 m | About US$250 | About US$125 | About US$70 |
| Yala Peak | 5,520 m | Lower tier fees | Lower tier fees | Lower tier fees |
Climbing expeditions also pay a garbage deposit, which is refunded when the team brings its waste back down. For higher expedition peaks, royalties are set by the Department of Tourism; the Everest royalty was raised to US$15,000 per climber for the spring season from September 2025. Our peak climbing trips include all climbing permits and deposits.
How to get your permits
Through a trekking company (recommended)
If you book a guided trek, your trekking company obtains all the permits you need, usually the day before your trek starts or during your first day in Kathmandu. You simply provide a copy of your passport, your visa page, passport photos (or digital images) and your insurance details. This is by far the easiest option, and for guided and restricted treks it is the only option.
At the Nepal Tourism Board office
National park and conservation area permits can be bought at the Nepal Tourism Board's Tourist Service Centre in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or its office in Pokhara. You need your passport and photos, and payment is in rupees. The Sagarmatha National Park permit can also be bought at the park entrance in Monjo.
At checkpoints
Some permits, such as the Khumbu municipality fee, can only be bought on the trail. Others, such as ACAP, cannot be bought at checkpoints, and trekkers without them pay a double fine. Always carry your permits in a waterproof bag where you can reach them easily; you will show them several times.
Example permit costs for popular treks
| Trek | Permits needed | Approximate total |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu municipality | About US$40–50 |
| Annapurna Base Camp / Poon Hill | ACAP + TIMS | About US$40 |
| Annapurna Circuit | ACAP + TIMS | About US$40 |
| Langtang Valley | Langtang NP + TIMS | About US$40 |
| Manaslu Circuit (autumn, 12–14 days) | Manaslu RAP + MCAP + ACAP | About US$170–200 |
| Upper Mustang (10 days) | Upper Mustang RAP + ACAP | About US$525 |
| Kanchenjunga Base Camp | Kanchenjunga RAP + KCAP | About US$90–120 |
These figures cover permits only. For the full cost of trekking, including guides, lodges and flights, see our guide to how much it costs to trek in Nepal.
Documents you need for permits
- Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
- Nepal visa covering your whole trek. For restricted areas, the visa must be valid for the entire permit period.
- Passport-size photos: bring four to six, or send digital copies to your trekking company.
- Travel insurance details, including the policy number and emergency phone number.
- Emergency contact at home.
Permits for tours, safaris and Tibet and Bhutan
Permits are not only for trekkers. Chitwan National Park charges a daily entry fee (NPR 2,000 per day for foreigners at the time of writing), and Bardia National Park charges a similar fee, usually included in safari packages. Heritage sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, Bhaktapur, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath charge entry fees that are included in guided tours.
For Tibet, travellers from Nepal need a Chinese group visa and a Tibet Travel Permit, with additional permits for Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash, arranged only through licensed agencies. For Bhutan, you need a Bhutan visa and pay the Sustainable Development Fee, again arranged by a licensed operator. Take a look at our Tibet, Kailash and Bhutan tours for details.
Common permit mistakes
- Arriving in Kathmandu on a Friday evening before a restricted-area trek: the immigration office is closed on Saturday, so permits cannot be issued until Sunday.
- A short visa: a 15-day visa will not cover a three-week trek. Choose a 30- or 90-day visa.
- Losing permits on the trail: keep them in a zip-lock bag and photograph them.
- Relying on old blog posts: fees and rules change. Ask your trekking company for the latest information.
- Changing routes without permits: if you decide to add Tsum Valley to Manaslu, or cross from Nar Phu into Mustang, you need the extra permits before you set off.
What happens at checkpoints
On most treks you will pass several checkpoints run by the national park, the conservation area or the police. At each one, your guide presents your permits, and officers record your name, nationality, passport number and route in a register. Sometimes they will ask to see your passport as well, so keep it in your daypack rather than your main bag. The process takes a few minutes, and it is how the authorities keep track of trekkers in the mountains.
On the Everest trail, the main checkpoints are at Lukla (municipality fee) and Monjo (national park entrance), with a further check at Namche Bazaar. On the Annapurna Base Camp trail, permits are checked at Birethanti or Nayapul and again at Chhomrong. On the Annapurna Circuit, there are checkpoints at Dharapani, Chame, Manang, Thorong Phedi and Muktinath. In restricted areas, police and immigration posts check both your restricted area permit and your guide's licence. If your group is split up, make sure whoever is carrying the permits stays with the slowest trekker.
Permit validity and changing your plans
Most national park and conservation area permits are valid for a single entry into the area and do not have a fixed expiry date for standard treks, but they cannot be transferred or refunded. If you leave the area and re-enter later, you normally need a new permit. Restricted area permits, by contrast, are issued for specific dates. If bad weather or illness means you stay longer than planned, your trekking company can usually arrange an extension through the Department of Immigration, at the daily rate, but it is much easier to build a spare day into the permit from the start.
If you want to change routes mid-trek, for example to add the Tsum Valley to a Manaslu Circuit or to divert from Nar Phu to the Tilicho Lake trail, talk to your guide first. Some changes need new permits that can only be issued in Kathmandu, while others, such as moving between different parts of the Annapurna Conservation Area, are covered by the permit you already have.
Permits for SAARC and Nepali trekkers
Citizens of the SAARC countries (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Maldives) pay reduced fees for many national park and conservation area permits, often about one-third of the foreign rate. Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal, but they still need trekking permits, and restricted area rules apply to them in the same way as to other foreign nationals. Nepali citizens pay nominal fees for national parks and do not need restricted area permits in most areas, although some community-run areas charge small local fees.
If you are travelling with a mixed group of foreign and SAARC nationals, your trekking company will apply for the correct permit category for each person. Bring a passport or, for Indian citizens, a valid voter ID or passport, as proof of nationality.
Your guide's role with permits
Your licensed guide is legally responsible for your group in protected and restricted areas, and part of that job is handling the paperwork. Guides carry copies of all permits, the agency's registration details and their own guide licence, and they know which officials to talk to at each checkpoint. If a permit is lost, damaged in the rain or questioned at a checkpoint, your guide can call the office in Kathmandu to sort it out. This is one of the quiet benefits of trekking with a registered company: permit problems that could stop an independent trekker for a day are usually solved in minutes.
Insurance and permits
Although not a permit, travel insurance is closely linked to the permit process. Registered agencies are expected to record your insurance details, and for restricted areas and peak climbing, authorities and operators may ask for proof of insurance that covers helicopter rescue at the altitude you will reach. Check your policy carefully: many standard travel policies only cover trekking up to 3,000 m or 4,000 m, which is not enough for Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit or Manaslu. Look for cover to at least 6,000 m if you are trekking in the high Himalaya, and to the summit altitude if you are climbing.
Where your permit money goes
Permit fees are not just bureaucracy. National park fees fund rangers, anti-poaching work and trail maintenance. ACAP was one of the first projects in the world to reinvest conservation fees into local communities, supporting schools, health posts, micro-hydro schemes and waste management. Restricted-area fees are shared with local governments in places such as Mustang. Paying for your permits helps protect the places you have come to see.
Permits at a glance: a quick checklist
- Find out which protected areas your route passes through; each needs its own permit.
- Check whether any part of your route is a restricted area, and allow time for the permit in Kathmandu.
- Make sure your visa covers the whole trek, including spare days.
- Send your passport scan and photos to your trekking company in advance.
- Carry permits in a waterproof bag and keep copies on your phone.
Permits and the environment
Many trekkers ask whether permit systems actually help the mountains. In our experience, they do. The revenue from ACAP has funded rubbish collection systems, alternative energy projects and trail maintenance across the Annapurna region, and the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, supported partly by fees in the Khumbu, manages waste from Everest trekkers and expeditions. When you pay for a permit, you are contributing directly to keeping these trails clean and the villages along them thriving for future generations of trekkers and residents alike.
Frequently changing rules: how we stay up to date
Nepal's permit rules are set by several authorities: the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the National Trust for Nature Conservation (which manages ACAP and MCAP), the Department of Immigration, the Nepal Tourism Board and local municipalities. Each can change fees or procedures. As a registered trekking company, we apply for permits every week and hear about changes as they happen. If you book with us, we will confirm the permits and fees for your specific route and dates in your final itinerary.
Have a question about permits for your trek? Ask our team in Kathmandu, or browse all our treks in Nepal.