A trekking permit is required for all trekking areas in Nepal. Trekking permits are issued by the Government of Nepal and related agencies with the authority to regulate and monitor the Government. The type of permit required will vary depending on the trekking area you wish to trek. Please ensure that you have all the necessary permits before leaving for the trek. Some trekking areas in Nepal are restricted areas where independent individual trekkers are strictly prohibited. Therefore; This post is meant to help you understand Nepal Trekking Permits and Fees. Please bring all the required documents (original passport, passport copy, visa copy and at least 4 passport size photos) this is mandatory. And we recommend you to schedule an extra day in Kathmandu just for the permit arrangement and make sure to avoid Saturdays and local holidays. For trekkers accompanied by a guide and through a registered company, your Nepal trekking permit and fees will be handled and managed by the respective company.
Types of Permits for Trekking in Nepal
1. National Park Permit/Conservation Area Project Permit
Most trekking areas in Nepal fall under either national parks or conservation areas, so you need this permit for most trekking in Nepal. To get a permit to enter a national park or protected area, you must fill out the form and submit it to the Nepal Tourism Board office along with a copy of your passport and a passport size photograph, if; Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Mustang, Rolwaling are some notable areas where you need this permit.
Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
Cost for permit: NPR 3390 for National Park fees & NPR 3000 for Conservation Area Permit per trekker.
2. Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)
Trekkers Information Management System or TIMS in short is a permit jointly implemented by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). TIMS is implemented to ensure the safety and security of pedestrians and to control illegal pedestrians. This permit is required in all trekking areas of Nepal except the controlled areas, where you need a special permit. For Group trekkers will have to obtain Blue TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 1,000 per person, while Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) have to get Green TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 2,000. Similarly, group trekkers from SAARC countries have to pay Rs 300 for TIMS cards, while FITs from the SAARC region have to pay Rs 600 each.
Although the majority of the trekking regions in Nepal require TIMS permit, the permit is only valid for the trekking area/route as mentioned in the permit.
Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
Cost for TIMS: NPR 2,000 per trekker.
3. Special permits for controlled/restricted areas
Controlled/restricted areas are areas highly regulated by the Government of Nepal due to their proximity to international borders. Trekking in these areas is allowed only with special permit/permit from Nepal Immigration Department. Places like Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu are restricted areas of Nepal. A minimum of 2 participants must be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide and must go through a trekking company registered in Nepal. Free Individual Trekkers (FIT) are not allowed to trek in these areas.
4. Rural Municipality fees
This is the newest license introduced in the trekking area of Nepal and this license is issued by the rural municipality of the designated area. Currently this permit continues in Everest and Makalu area. You can get this permit from the starting point of your trek.
Where to get it: You can obtain this permit at the check post of the rural municipalities, such as Lukla, in Everest region and Seeduwa in Makalu
Rural municipalities cost: NPR 2000 per trekker for Everest region and NPR 2,000 for Makalu.
Routes of Nepal with Permits and Fees
- Khumbu Everest Area:
NPR 2,000 for Rural Municipality Permit
NPR 3390 for Sagarmatha National Park Permit
- Annapurna Region:
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
NPR 3,000 for (ACAP permit)
NPR 2,000 for TIMS Card)
- Langtang Gosaikunda Area:
NPR 3390 for Langtang National park permit
NPR 2,00 for TIMS card
- Taplejung Kanchenjunga Area:
NPR 3,000 for Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit
Special Permit for Kanchenjunga: (US$ 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
US$ 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks)
- Sankhuwasabha Makalu Area:
NPR 2,000 for Makalu Rural Municipality Permit
NPR 3,000 for Makalu National Park Permit
- Lower Dolpo Area:
NPR 3390 for Shey Phoksundo National Park permit
Special Permit for Shey Phoksundo: (USD 20 per person/week)
USD 5 per person/day ( beyond 1 week)
- Dolakha Rolwaling Valley Area:
NPR 3,000 for GCAP, Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit
USD 20 per person/week for a special permit
Rolwaling Tashi Laptcha Pass
NPR 3,000 for (GCAP), Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit
USD 20 per person/week for a special permit
NPR 3,000 for Sagarmatha National Park
NPR 2,000 for Khumbu Rural Municipality
- Gorkha Manaslu Area:
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit NPR 3,000 for MCAP
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit NPR 3,000 for ACAP
Special Permit for Gorkha Manaslu
September – November: (USD 100 per person/week)
USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
December – August: (USD 75 per person/week)
USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
- Nar Phu Valley Area:
NPR 3,000 for (ACAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Special Permit for Nar Phu
September – November: (USD 100 per person/week)
USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
December – August: (USD 75 per person/week)
USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
- Gorkha Tsum Valley Area:
NPR 3,000 for (MCAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
Special Permit for Tsum Valley Trek
September – November: (USD 40 per person/week)
USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
December – August: (USD 30 per person/week)
USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
- Upper Dolpo Area:
NPR 3390 for National Park Permit
Special Permit for Upper Dolpo: (US$ 500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person/Day ( beyond 10 days)
- Upper Mustang Area:
NPR 3,000 for (ACAP), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Special Permit for Upper Mustang (USD 500 for 10 days)
USD 50 per person/day (beyond 10 days)
Note:
- All fees shown in the chart are in local currency Nepalese Rupees.
- Be sure to carry at least 4 passport size photos if required for the permit
- Carry few passport copies to submit at the permit check post should they require.
Useful Contact Information for Nepal Trekking Permits and Fees
Nepal Tourism Board (Pradhasani Marg, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal)
+977 1 4256909
info@ntb.org.np
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal
Maligaun, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-1-4427473, 4440920
info@taan.org.np
Department of Immigration
Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu
+977-01-4429659, 4429660
mail@nepalimmigration.gov.np, info@nepalimmigration.gov.np