About Trekking Permits in Nepal
Nearly everyone needs one or more trekking permits to legally trek in Nepal.
Each trek will have its own criteria for what trekking permits are needed. Throughout this site, for every trek, there is a list of trekking permits required, the cost, and where to get them.
The most common trekking permits are actually National Park Entrance tickets, followed by TIMS cards, and the restricted area permits. Commonly, they are all known as trekking permits. If your trek spans two or more national parks, then you'll need National Park Entrance tickets for all parks you will enter.
Permit Overview
Mandatory: Yes |
Duration: Usually no limits * |
Availability: Depends on permit |
Checkpoints: Yes |
Cost: Depends on permit |
Contents
What trekking permits do I need in Nepal?
What trekking permit you need will depend on the trek you are planning on. However, here is a basic overview to get started.
You will need the following permits:
-
National Park Permit - for each National park you enter on your trek
-
TIMS card* (not applicable in the Solukhumbu area (Everest))
or
TREK CARD/PERMIT (Only applicable in the Solukhumbu area (Everest))
- Restricted Area Permit (only applicable if you enter a restricted area - this should be shown on the guide to your specific trek)
Note: Climbing permits are separate from trekking permits and are for those summiting mountain peaks in Nepal. They come with separate criteria depending on the peak.
Some treks like the Manaslu Circuit trek go through two national parks (Annapurna National Park and Manaslu National Park), so you'll need to purchase two National Park permits. Manaslu also enters a restricted area which means you'll need an additional restricted area permit.
National Park Permits:
If your trek goes through a National Park, you'll need a National Park Entry Ticket or permit. For example, if you are going on the Annapurna Circuit Trek - then you'll need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
The only hard bit is working out what National park you will be trekking through, and if you read a travel guide to that trek it should tell you. That's why it's important to read established trekking books or guides and not some random blog post or a travel company's website (they often like to add in extras).
TIMS Card (Trekker Information Management System):
TIMS cards were set up under the TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal) organization. Originally, the idea was that a trekker would purchase a TIMS card so their details could be logged for their safety via checkpoints along a trek. e.g., if a trekker did not log in, they should be easy to trace if they went missing. Secondary to this, TIMS card fees would be used to insure guides and porters.
Unfortunately, TIMS cards and TAAN have been swamped in controversy in recent years. Post-pandemic, very few of the TIMS checkpoints that dotted many trekking trails reopened. Yet, TAAN still charged for them. In March 2023, both TAAN and NTB (Nepal Tourism Board) made trekking guides mandatory and stopped issuing TIMS cards to individual trekkers. The only way to get a TIMS card now is via a registered trekking agency. NTB and TAAN have repeatedly warned trekkers that there would be fines and penalties for failure to obtain a trekking card (USD 120 on-the-spot fine). As of 2024, few TAAN checkpoints have opened, though both NTB and TAAN insist that they will at any time reopen. At least one trek is noted as having a TIMS checkpoint. Meanwhile, several regions have rebuked TAAN and no longer recognize TIMS cards. The first and most popular destination to do this is the Solukhumbu region (Everest), who introduced their own versions of the TIMS card.
TREK Card/Permit (Solukhumbu/Everest Region only):
If you are going to any trek in the Solukhumbu region (Everest), you do not need a TIMS card. This includes popular treks like EBC, Gokyo, and the Three Passes. The rural administration banned TIMS cards in 2018 and set up their own system whereby mandatory guides were not required (though recommended). A per-person fee for group tourists was introduced, and a solo TREK CARD for trekkers without a guide was introduced. Confusingly, they are both basically the same thing.
Anyone entering the Solukhumbu region pays for a permit/card in the region. There are QR codes that you are meant to scan along the way if a solo trekker. The system currently works the same as a TIMS card though some prefer it as the money goes directly to the region. No funds are given for guide or porter insurance cover, so it's important to ensure your guide/porter is covered by insurance.
Restricted Area Permits:
Restricted Areas in Nepal are usually near borders, or protected areas. They are usually surrounded by National Parks. This means that you'll need both to enter a Restricted Area. It's important to note that Restricted Area Permits usually have additional criteria that must be completed before being allowed a permit. Additionally, these Restricted Area Permits are given by the Department of Immigration only. Examples include: Upper Mustang, Manaslu Restricted Areas.
Note: Again, you should be aware that if your trek goes through multiple national parks or restricted areas - you will need a permit for each one.
Where do I get Trekking Permits in Nepal?
Getting trekking permits is often a lot easier than understanding them!
Here is where to get trekking permits:
-
National Park Permit - Available to anyone at the entrance to every National Park - or NTB offices in Kathmandu/Pokhara (no price difference).
-
TIMS card: Only available online via a registered trekking agent when hiring a mandatory trekking guide.
or
-
TREK CARD/PERMIT (Only applicable in the Solukhumbu area (Everest)): Only available in Monjo or Lukla at National Park ticket offices.
- Restricted Area Permit: Only available from the Department of Immigration (Kathmandu or Pokhara) from a licensed trekking agency (trekking guides are compulsory)
How much is a trekking permit in Nepal?
Trekking permits vary in price depending on if it is a National Park Permit, TIMS card, or Restricted Area Permit.
Here is an overview of the pricing structure with individual details below:
-
National Park Permits - On average National Park Entrance Permits cost 3,000 rupees per person.
TIMS card: TIMS Cards cost 2,000 rupees per person via a trekking agent who is not allowed to add commission.
or
TREK CARD/PERMIT (Only applicable in the Solukhumbu area (Everest)): Solukhumbu group permits or solo Trek Cards cost 3,000 rupees per person.
- Restricted Area Permit: All restricted area permits have individual prices and criteria. For example an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit costs USD $500 per person for 10 days plus and ACAP permit and a TIMS card, plus an active Nepali tourist visa, a compulsory guide and a minimum of 2 non-Nepali trekkers. Some trekking agents will add on a fee to obtain restricted area permits as to get one can be a lengthy process with paperwork.
| Park Name | Trek Name | Nepali Fee | SAARC Fee | Foreigner Fee | Total Foreigner Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park | Everest Treks | Free | NPR 1,500 | NPR 3,000 (+ NPR 3,000 regional permit/TREK CARD) | NPR 6,000 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) | Annapurna Treks, Poon Hill etc. | 100 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) | Manaslu Treks | NPR 100 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 |
| Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (7 days) * | Manaslu Treks | USD $100 per person | USD $100 per person + MCAP | ||
| Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit * | Manaslu with Tsum Valley Treks | Sept/Oct USD $40 Dec-Aug USD $30 7 days per person | MCAP+TSUM Valley + restricted area permit if continuing to the circuit | ||
| Langtang National Park | Langtang Treks | NPR 100 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 |
| Makalu-Barun National Park | Makalu Treks | NPR 100 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 |
| Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park | Hiking | NPR 100 | NPR 600 | NPR 1000 | NPR 1000 + a host of "extras" |
| Khaptad National Park | Hiking | NPR 100 | NPR 500 | PR 1,500 | NPR 1,500 |
| Rara National Park | Hiking/Trekking | NPR 100 | NPR 1,500 | NPR3,000 | NPR3,000 |
| Shey-Phoksundo National Park * | Trekking (Dolpa: note there's a total of 3-4 permits needed for the entire trek depending on the area.) | NPR | NPR | USD $500 Upper Dolpo 10 days, USD $20 Lower Dolpo 7 days. | Upper + or Lower Dolpo Permit + ACAP + TIMS |
| Upper Mustang * | Trekking | NPR | $500 USD pp - 10 days | USD $500 per person - 10 days | USD $500 USD pp. + ACAP + TIMS |
- Can only be applied for by a registered trekking agent
- Compulsory Trekking Guide
- Minimum of two non-Nepali people
- Limit on the number of days
Note: ACAP and MCAP Permits still require physical passport photos (2 per person). It's a good idea to bring printed passport photos when visiting Nepal as they are often requested if permit systems are not working on that day.
What happens if I don't have a trekking permit?
If you don't get a trekking permit and go trekking in Nepal, the following can happen depending on the type of permit you are missing - rated in severity.
| Permit |
Penalty |
| Restricted Area Permit (any) | Immediate arrest by police, tourist police, army or military official, or detention by rural municipality. Detention in jail while case is heard by the Department of Immigration. Fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation. Failure to have a restricted area permit is by far the most serious permit not to have. Do not attempt to enter a restricted area without one! |
| National Park Entry Permit | Each national park will have its own separate checkpoints and officers/rangers/security. Failure to have a National Park Entry Permit without good reason (especially beyond the entrance point) is likely to involve a fixed penalty which involves purchasing a ticket on the spot with a fine. The rangers/officers/security also reserve the right to turn you back or have you report to a local police office. |
| Trekker Information Management Card (TIMS) | Technically there is a USD $120 on-the-spot fine for not having a TIMS card. There is a further penalty given to any trekking agency you gets you a TIMS card with no guide. You may also be detained or sent back. However, there are few checkpoints. Some police and national park checkpoints have been asking for TIMS cards but technically don't have the authority to issue the fine. Though they would be able to send you back. |
Of all the permits to have, the restricted area permit is the most important to have as it is enforced as a matter of national security.
National Park Permits are available at the entrance to a park. If for some reason the entrance is closed when you get there, you can technically buy at the next checkpoint. However, national park guards are not stupid. They are well aware that some tourists try to get by without a permit and are used to all the excuses. Modern technology means they can easily check.
Don't forget: Most treks in Nepal require multiple permits!
TIMS cards, on the other hand, since 2023 have few if any checkpoints. Yes, there's an on-the-spot fine, and yes, getting stopped without a card can lead to complications.
Things might change this week, and TAAN might implement checkpoints or ask National Park rangers or the local police to check for them. It's a long shot. But stranger things have happened in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trekking Permits in Nepal
Can I use a permit more than once?
No. A National Park Permit can only be used once. If you leave the national park you must obtain another permit if you want to re-enter the park.
We are a group of 3, do we need one permit or 3?
Every person needs to pay for a permit. They are not group based other than by name.
Do trekking agents charge extra for getting me a permit?
Trekking agents are not meant to charge for getting National Park Entry Permits or TIMS cards. Restricted Area Permits usually have a additional fee as they are time consuming and involve some paperwork.
We are solo trekkers, can we still get our own permits?
National Park Entry Permits can be bought by both trekkers or registered guides. Restricted Area Permits can only be purchased by registered trekking agents. Since 2023, TIMS cards can only be obtained by trekking agents and issued with a mandatory trekking guide.
Do Nepali need trekking permits?
In some cases, yes. See the above permit fees. Do note that TAAN do not mention this on the TAAN permit fees page, however, they do exist for some National Parks.
Do trekking guides need trekking permits?
No.
Do Indian citizens pay the same rate for trekking permits?
No. TIMS cards for Indians are USD $10. National Park fees are also reduced. SAARC and Indian citizens usually need to pay full amounts for restricted area permits. See the above Trekking Permit Fees.