Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- NPR 3,000 per person approx. USD 27
- NPR 200 USD per capita for SAARC countries around 0.2
- Children under 10 do not need an ACAP permit
TIMS Trekkers Permit
- NPR 1,000 per person for treks organized through an agency (permits are blue in color) approx. USD 10
- NPR 2,000 per person for independent trekking (going without a guide or porter) (permit color is green). USD 20
- NPR 600 per capita for SAARC nationals approximately USD 6
Persons trekking with an agency are required to provide a photograph and are not required to appear in person at the permit counter. If you are trekking with AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions, we can get permits for you.
Individuals trekking individually need to provide two photographs and each person in your group needs to be present at the permit counter. You cannot apply on behalf of your friends, you must all visit one of the following offices:-
- Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Exhibition Road, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
- Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Dam Side, Pokhara
Important information
- Both permits are for single entry.
- Permits once issued are revocable and non-transferable.
- The validity of your permit depends on your application, so read the form carefully.
- Permits are the same price regardless of how many days you’re going, whether it’s 5 days or 10 days (so it’s a good idea to build in extra days in case of delays).
- Permit details are required to be entered at all counters along the trail. This is for your own safety so please do not fail to do this at every counter.
Why do we need permits?
ACAP Permit
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) started in 1986 by the National Nature Conservation Fund (NTNC) is Nepal’s first conservation area.
It is also the largest protected area in the country, covering an area of 7,629 km2. The human population is more than 100,000 people with different cultures and languages. But apart from that, ACAP is rich in biodiversity. Statistics include 105 mammals, 518 birds, 23 amphibians, 40 reptiles and 1,226 species of flowering plants. Impressive!
ACAP region is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal due to its diversity of culture and flora and fauna. Many years ago tourism was established as a major sector of the local economy.
continues to happen. Currently, there are more than 1,000 lodges and tea shops. along with all other necessary ancillary services to deal with the thousands of trekkers who come every year.
Not to mention their support staff and religious pilgrims. As you can imagine, this has had a negative impact on the environment and has put enormous pressure on forest resources. Let’s look at one aspect – the garbage.
It is estimated that each trekking group (say 15 people) produces 15 kg of waste (non-biodegradable) during a 10-day trek. You can imagine how much that adds up every year!
Therefore, ACAP was born to manage this aspect of trekking and protect the environment and wildlife as well as respect the traditional livelihood of the local people. The overall goal of ACAP is to “achieve a sustainable balance between nature conservation and socio-economic improvement in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), thereby supporting the National Nature Conservation Fund to achieve its goals”.
The following objectives help to achieve this goal:-
- To protect the natural resources of the Annapurna Conservation Area now and in the future for the benefit of all.
- Sustainable social and economic development of the people living at the local level.
- To develop tourism in such a way as to have minimal negative impact on the natural, socio-cultural and economic environment.
Your contribution through the ACAP Allowance helps ACAP reach this goal. Your contribution also goes towards maintaining this landscape for everyone in the future – hikers, locals. And, of course, for the protection of flora and fauna.
TIMS Permission
A Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit is for your own protection. You will be registered in the system by showing your TIMS card at checkpoints on the trails.
This is extremely important if you get lost or have an accident while trekking. So don’t skip checkpoints because you’re tired, it’s busy, or you can’t. This is for your safety!
This permit is jointly implemented by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAN) for the safety of every trekker in Nepal.
Choose Annapurna Region for Trekking!!
Annapurna Region for Trekking (Page 17)
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More for Camping Trekking in Nepal