Nepal Trekking Permits
Every Permit Explained
Complete 2026 guide to TIMS cards, national park fees, restricted-area permits, SAARC pricing, and the mandatory guide rule. Updated for the current trekking season.
Last updated · June 2026
Complete 2026 guide to TIMS cards, national park fees, restricted-area permits, SAARC pricing, and the mandatory guide rule. Updated for the current trekking season.
Nepal requires trekkers to carry permits on all major trekking routes. The system has two layers: a national registration card (the TIMS card, issued by the Nepal Tourism Board) and a regional entry permit for the specific national park or conservation area you are entering. Some regions add a third layer, a restricted-area permit, issued by the Department of Immigration for treks near the Tibet and India borders.
Since April 2023, Nepal requires all trekkers to hire a licensed guide. Solo trekking without a guide is no longer permitted on any route, including previously independent trails like Everest Base Camp, Poon Hill, and Langtang Valley. The rule applies to all nationalities. Guides must hold a license issued by the Nepal government and be affiliated with a registered trekking agency.
Permits can be arranged in two ways. Through a trekking agency (the agency handles all paperwork and collects the fees as part of the package cost), or independently at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg, near Bhrikutimandap) or its counter in Pokhara (Damside). Some national park permits can also be purchased at the park entrance checkpoint, but TIMS cards and restricted-area permits must be obtained in Kathmandu before departure. Mountain Hawk Trek includes all required permits in every trek package.
SAARC nationals (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan) pay reduced rates on most permits. The table below lists both foreigner and SAARC pricing for every permit type.
| Permit | Cost (foreigner) | Cost (SAARC) | Required for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIMS Card (group) | $20 | $6 | Most regions (not Khumbu) | Issued by Nepal Tourism Board. Get in Kathmandu or Pokhara. |
| TIMS Card (individual) | $40 | $12 | Solo trekkers with guide | Higher rate for trekkers not booked through an agency. |
| ACAP | $30 | $10 | All Annapurna region treks | Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Also covers Mustang south of Kagbeni. |
| Sagarmatha NP | $30 | $15 | All Everest region treks | Sagarmatha National Park entry. Checked at Monjo gate. |
| Khumbu Municipality | $20 | $20 | Everest region (additional) | Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee. Same price for all nationalities. |
| Langtang NP | $30 | $15 | All Langtang region treks | Langtang National Park entry. Checked at Dhunche gate. |
| Makalu-Barun NP | $30 | $15 | Makalu Base Camp trek | National park fee. Entry at Seduwa checkpoint. |
| Kanchenjunga CA | $30 | $15 | Kanchenjunga treks | Conservation area fee. Also requires restricted-area permit. |
Issued by Nepal Tourism Board. Get in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Higher rate for trekkers not booked through an agency.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. Also covers Mustang south of Kagbeni.
Sagarmatha National Park entry. Checked at Monjo gate.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee. Same price for all nationalities.
Langtang National Park entry. Checked at Dhunche gate.
National park fee. Entry at Seduwa checkpoint.
Conservation area fee. Also requires restricted-area permit.
| Permit | Cost (foreigner) | Cost (SAARC) | Required for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu RAP | $100/wk (peak), $75/wk (off) | Same | Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley | Peak: Sep to Nov. Min 2 trekkers + licensed guide required. |
| Manaslu Conservation | $20 | $10 | Manaslu region (additional) | MCAP fee, on top of the restricted-area permit. |
| Upper Mustang RAP | $500/10 days | Same | Upper Mustang trek and jeep tour | $50 per additional day. Min 2 trekkers + guide. |
| Upper Dolpo RAP | $500/10 days | Same | Upper Dolpo trek | $50 per additional day. Full camping expedition required. |
| Nar Phu Valley RAP | $100/wk (peak), $75/wk (off) | Same | Nar Phu Valley side trip | Add-on to Annapurna Circuit. Also requires ACAP. |
| Tsum Valley RAP | $40/wk (peak), $30/wk (off) | Same | Tsum Valley extension | Add-on to Manaslu Circuit. Also requires MCAP. |
Peak: Sep to Nov. Min 2 trekkers + licensed guide required.
MCAP fee, on top of the restricted-area permit.
$50 per additional day. Min 2 trekkers + guide.
$50 per additional day. Full camping expedition required.
Add-on to Annapurna Circuit. Also requires ACAP.
Add-on to Manaslu Circuit. Also requires MCAP.
TIMS not required in the Khumbu since 2024. Checked at Monjo and Lukla gates.
View Everest Region treksNar Phu Valley add-on requires a separate restricted-area permit ($100/week).
View Annapurna Region treksPermit checked at Dhunche gate. Gosaikunda trek uses the same Langtang NP permit.
View Langtang Region treksMinimum 2 trekkers required. Tsum Valley extension adds a separate RAP ($40/wk).
View Manaslu Region treksMost expensive permit in Nepal. $50 per additional day beyond 10. Min 2 trekkers.
View Upper Mustang treksRara Lake trek requires only the Rara NP fee ($30), no restricted-area permit.
View Dolpo & Rara treksBoth regions require restricted-area permits and a licensed guide.
View Makalu & Kanchenjunga treksPermits close. Weather windows narrow. The best Everest region teahouse beds fill by October, and spring season opens again in March. Our Kathmandu team is already booking for autumn. If you have been planning a trek, this is the window.
