How to Get Trekking Permits in Nepal

Nepal's mountains are not entirely free. Getting into them requires paperwork – sometimes quite a lot of it – and navigating the permit system is one of those things that sounds far more complicated than it actually is. Once you understand the basic logic, it mostly makes sense. The key is knowing which permits apply to which routes, because Nepal operates a different system for virtually every region, and the rules have been changing fairly rapidly in recent years.

This article covers the full permit landscape. If you want the specifics for your departure city, see our companion pieces: Getting Your Trekking Permits in Kathmandu and Getting Your Trekking Permits in Pokhara.

Why Do You Need Permits?

The short answer: most of Nepal's major trekking routes pass through national parks, conservation areas, or restricted zones, all of which require entry documentation. The fees fund conservation, trail maintenance, emergency services, and local community development. They also give authorities a record of who's in the mountains – which matters rather a lot if a search and rescue operation becomes necessary.

Checkpoints are positioned throughout all major trekking routes, and permit checks are routine. Trekking without the correct paperwork can result in fines, being turned back at a checkpoint, or both. It's one of those areas where the paperwork is genuinely worth doing properly.

The Three Types of Permit

Nepal's permit system divides into three broad categories, and most trekkers will need at least two of them.

1. The TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)

The TIMS card is – or rather, has been – the standard safety registration document for trekkers in Nepal, recording your details and itinerary so that authorities can locate you in an emergency. It comes in two varieties: a Green Card for independent trekkers (NPR 2,000) and a Blue Card for those trekking with a registered agency (NPR 1,000).

However, the TIMS situation is currently in a state of genuine flux, and it's worth being clear about that. The Everest region abolished TIMS several years ago and replaced it with its own local fee system. As of late 2025 and into 2026, multiple sources – including reports from trekkers on the ground – indicate that TIMS is not being enforced at checkpoints on other major routes either, despite technically remaining a requirement on routes such as the Annapurna Circuit and Langtang. Some operators now suggest TIMS is effectively on its way out nationally, with local municipality fees likely to replace it across the board.

The official position is that TIMS remains required on most non-Everest, non-restricted routes. Our practical advice: check the current situation with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered trekking agency immediately before your trip, as this is one area where on-the-ground reality and official policy are diverging quite visibly.

2. National Park and Conservation Area Permits

These are the entry permits for Nepal's protected areas, and they are non-negotiable regardless of whatever else is happening with TIMS. Every major trekking route passes through at least one protected area, and each has its own permit and fee.

The main ones foreign trekkers will encounter are:

Sagarmatha National Park Permit – required for Everest Base Camp and all Khumbu region treks. NPR 3,000 per person (around USD 22–25)
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) – required for all Annapurna region treks including the Circuit, Base Camp, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal. NPR 3,000 per person
Langtang National Park Permit – required for Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, and Helambu treks. NPR 3,000 per person
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) – required for the Manaslu Circuit, alongside a Restricted Area Permit. NPR 3,000 per person
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit – required for Dolpo region treks. NPR 3,000 per person

SAARC nationals (from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, and Afghanistan) pay significantly lower fees across the board. Children under 10 are generally exempt.

These permits can be obtained at Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or in some cases at park entrance gates. The Annapurna and Manaslu permits are now also available through an online portal, with a small surcharge for digital processing.

3. Restricted Area Permits (RAP)

Restricted Area Permits apply to Nepal's most remote and sensitive regions – areas near international borders, places of significant cultural fragility, or zones where the government wishes to limit and closely monitor visitor numbers. These are the most expensive permits in Nepal, and they operate under an entirely different system from the national park permits above.

Critically, Restricted Area Permits cannot be obtained independently. They must be arranged through a registered trekking agency, and a licensed guide is compulsory – no exceptions, no workarounds. This is one area where the rules are genuinely enforced.

Current restricted areas and their permit fees include:

Upper Mustang – USD 500 for the first 10 days, then USD 50 per additional day
Manaslu Circuit – USD 100 per person per week (September–November), USD 75 per week (December–August), plus MCAP and local rural municipality fee
Dolpo (Upper) – USD 500 for 10 days; Lower Dolpo is USD 200
Nar Phu Valley – USD 90 per person per week (peak season), USD 75 (off-season)
Kanchenjunga – USD 20 per week
Tsum Valley – USD 35 per week

Restricted area permits are issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and must be processed through your trekking agency. Allow at least half a day for processing, and longer during peak season. Some areas also have limited daily trekker quotas, so advance planning is essential.

The Everest Region: Its Own System

The Khumbu region – covering Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, the Three Passes, and surrounding routes – operates its own permit system, independent of the national TIMS framework. Trekkers here need two permits:

Sagarmatha National Park Permit – NPR 3,000, available at the park gate in Monjo or from NTB offices in Kathmandu
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit – NPR 2,000–3,000, collected at checkpoints in Lukla or Monjo. Solo trekkers also receive a digital Trek Card here, with QR codes for scanning at subsequent checkpoints

No TIMS card is required in this region. These two permits cover all requirements for standard Khumbu treks. If you're approaching via the classic overland route from Jiri or Salleri, you'll additionally need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit for the lower section of the route.

Rural Municipality Fees: A Growing Layer

One of the more recent developments in Nepal's permit landscape is the proliferation of local rural municipality fees – charges levied by local governments separate from national park permits and TIMS. The Khumbu region pioneered this model, and other municipalities are increasingly following suit.

The Manaslu region (Chumnubri Rural Municipality) introduced a NPR 1,000 local fee in 2024. More are likely to appear in coming years as local governments seek direct revenue from trekking tourism rather than relying on central government distribution. These fees are typically collected at trail checkpoints rather than in advance, so carrying adequate Nepali rupees on the trail is always advisable.

What Documents Do You Need?

For all permit applications, you'll need:

A valid passport (with at least six months remaining validity)
Two passport-sized photographs
A copy of your Nepal visa
Cash in Nepali rupees (national park and TIMS fees); USD cash or agency payment for restricted area permits

If you're trekking with an agency, they will handle the paperwork and simply ask you for copies of the above. Keep your original permits – not just photos of them – in a waterproof document holder throughout your trek. Checkpoint staff will want to see the physical permit, and losing one in the middle of the Himalayas is an inconvenience you really don't need.

Where and When to Get Your Permits

Most permits can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara before your trek begins. National park and conservation area permits are also available at some park entrance gates, which is useful if you've forgotten something or your plans changed – but doing it in the city avoids the risk of delays at the gate while you're already in trekking mode.

Permit offices in both cities are generally open Sunday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (closing at 4pm in winter), and closed on Saturdays and public holidays. In recent years the Kathmandu office has occasionally opened Saturday mornings, but don't count on it. Peak season queues can be significant, so arriving early is wise.

If you're using a trekking agency, they will typically handle everything a day or two before your trek departs. Restricted area permits in particular are processed through the agency, and it's worth confirming well in advance that they've initiated the process.

See our city-specific guides for addresses, transport, and practical tips: Getting Your Trekking Permits in Kathmandu and Getting Your Trekking Permits in Pokhara.

A Note on Fees Changing

Nepal's permit fees have a habit of changing, sometimes with relatively little notice. The figures quoted in this article are accurate as of early 2026, but we strongly recommend confirming current rates with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel. The restricted area fees in particular have seen increases in recent years and may continue to do so.