Unfortunately, for almost all the trekking that you would want to do in Nepal, you need to buy a trekking permit, or three! Some you have to obtain at the permit counter in Kathmandu or Pokhara, while others you can obtain on the trail itself. Some require photos, some do not. Often rules regarding permits and the cost of the permit change without any warning. Confused already? Read on.
Yes, it can be hard to find information on which permit is required for which trek and how much it costs. And if when you do find the information, it might be out of date. Quite confusing!
So in this post I will give you all the information you need about the permits required for a particular trek, and where to get them and how much they will cost. And, I will update this post every time there is a change so you can be assured the information is current and correct.
Note: This post does not cover permit information for climbing and expeditions, only trekking.
Annapurna Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Annapurna Region include:
- Annapurna Circuit
- Nar Phu Valley
- Upper Mustang
- Ghorepani Poon Hill
- Mardi Himal Base Camp
- Annapurna Base Camp
- Khopra Ridge
- Dhaulagiri Circuit
Three different types of permits exist for the Annapurna Region. Not all treks require all three permits.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit
An ACAP Entry Permit is required for all the treks in the Annapurna Region.
- Cost: NPR 3000
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office, Pokhara NTNC Office, or in Bhulbhule Beshi Sahar (At the start of the trek double price)
- Requirements: Two photos for individual trekkers. One photo for those trekkers going through an agency.
Trekkers Information Manage System (TIMS) Card
A TIMS card is required for all trekking in the Annapurna except Upper Mustang and the Nar Phu Valley.
- Cost: NPR 2,000 for individual trekkers and NPR 1,000 for trekkers going through an agency.
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office, Pokhara NTNC Office, or in Bhulbhule Beshi Sahar (At the start of the trek double price)
- Requirements: Two photos for an individual trekker. One photo for those trekkers going through an agency.
Note: In Kathmandu they have a TIMS Office in Thamel which only issues TIMS Card for agencies. They will not issue TIMS for individual trekkers.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley
Upper Mustang RAP
A RAP is required for trekking in Upper Mustang with following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less than ten days.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- Taking a guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through an agency.
- No photos required.
Cost: USD 500 per person for the first ten days & USD 50 per person per day for additional days.
Nar Phu Valley RAP
A RAP is required for trekking in the Nar Phu Valley with following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued less than seven days.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- Taking a guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through an agency.
- No photos required.
Cost
- USD 100 September to November per person for first seven days & USD 15 per person per day for additional days.
- USD 75 December to August per person for the first seven days & USD 15 per person per day for additional days.
Note: Some trekking agencies also issue TIMS Card for Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley.
Everest Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Everest Region include:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest View Trek
- Gokyo Valley Trek
- Gokyo Chola Pass Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Three Passes Trek
The trekking permit system in Everest is one of the easiest to navigate as it is the same permit for all treks in the Region! But you will need the permits mentioned below.
Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Entry Permit
A SNP is required for all the treks in the Everest Region.
- Cost: NPR 3000
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office or Park Headquarter in Monjo, Everest Region.
- No photograph required.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit
This permit replaces TIMS in the Everest Region.
- Cost: NPR 2000
- Where issued: this can be obtained only in the Everest Region.
- No photograph required.
Langtang Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Langtang Region include:
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Gosaikunda Lake Trek
- Tamang Heritage Trek
Two permits are required for trekking in the Langtang Region.
Langtang National Park (LNP) Permit
A LNP is required for all treks in the Langtang Region.
- Cost: NPR 3,000
- Where issued: Kathmandu or at the checkpoint on the trail.
- No photograph required.
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card
A TIMS is required for all trekking in the Langtang Region.
- Cost: NPR 2,000 for individual trekkers and NPR 1,000 for trekkers going through an agency.
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office, Pokhara NTNC Office
- Requirements: Two photos for an individual trekker. One photo for those trekkers going through an agency.
Note: In Kathmandu they have TIMS Office in Thamel which only issues TIMS Cards to agencies. They do not issue TIMS to individual trekkers.
Manaslu Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Manaslu Region include:
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Tsum Valley Trek
All treks in this region are restricted and a local trek company should issue the permits.
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) Entry Permit
A MCAP is required for both the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley treks.
- Cost: NPR 3,000
- Where issued: Must be issued in Kathmandu by your trekking agency.
- Requirements: One photograph.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACA) Entry Permit
The Manaslu Circuit ends in Dharapani which is part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, therefore an ACA Permit is required.
- Cost: NPR 3,000
- Requirements: One photograph.
- Your trekking agency will organise the permit for you.
Note: ACAP is not required if you are doing Tsum Valley Trek only.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Manaslu and Tsum
Manaslu RAP
A RAP is required for trekking in the Manaslu Region with the following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less than seven days.
- A minimum of two trekkers are required to obtain the permit.
- A guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through your agency.
- No photos required.
Cost
- USD 100 from September to November per person for the first seven days & USD 15 per day per person for additional days.
- USD 75 from December to August per person for the first seven days & USD 10 per person per day for additional days.
Tsum RAP
A RAP is required for trekking in the Tsum Valley with the following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less than seven days.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- A guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through an agency.
- No photos required.
Cost:
- USD 40 from September to November per person for the first seven days & USD 7 per person per day for additional days.
- USD 30 from December to August per person for the first seven days & USD 7 per person per day for additional days.
Kanchenjunga Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Kanchenjunga Region include:
- Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
- Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek
- Kanchenjunga South Base Camp Trek
All these treks are in restricted areas and a local trekking company is required to arrange the issue of your permit.
Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) Entry Permit
A KCAP is required for all treks in the Kanchenjunga Region.
- Cost: NPR 2,000
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office or at checkpoint on the trail.
- No photos required.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) For Kanchenjunga
A RAP is required for trekking in the Kanchenjunga Region with following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less one week.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- A guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through a local agency.
- No photos required.
Cost: USD 20 per person per week for up to 4 weeks & USD 25 per person per week thereafter.
Dolpo Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
Popular treks in the Dolpo Region are:
- Upper Dolpo Trek
- Lower Dolpo Trek
Note that different permits are required for Upper Dolpo and for Lower Dolpo. Also note, all trekking in Dolpo is in restricted areas and permits have to be obtained through a local trekking company.
Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) Entry Permit
A SPNP is required for both Lower and Upper Dolpo treks.
- Cost: NPR 3,000
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office or at the checkpoint on the trail. Your trekking agency will obtain the permit for you.
- No photos required.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Upper and Lower Dolpo
Lower Dolpo RAP
A RAP is required for trekking in Lower Dolpo with following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less than one week.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- A guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through an agency.
- No photos required.
Cost: USD 20 per person per week & USD 5 per person per week for additional weeks.
Upper Dolpo RAP
A Rap is required for trekking in Upper Dolpo with following conditions:
- Permits cannot be issued for less than ten days.
- A minimum of two trekkers is required to obtain the permit.
- A guide is compulsory and the permit has to be applied for through an agency.
- No photos required.
Cost: USD 500 per person for the first ten days & USD 50 per person per day for additional days.
Note: To enter and exit from Upper Dolpo you have to go through Lower Dolpo, hence a Lower Dolpo RAP is required in addition to the Upper Dolpo RAP for trekking in Upper Dolpo.
Makalu Region Trekking Routes & Required Permits
The popular trek in the Makalu Region is the Makalu Base Camp Trek. The permits are very simple and easy for Makalu.
Makalu Barun National Park Entry Permit
- Cost: NPR 3000
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC Office or at the checkpoint on the trail.
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card
- Cost: NPR 2000 for individual trekkers and NPR 1000 for trekkers going on an organised trek through an agency.
- Where issued: Kathmandu NTNC office.
- Requirements: Two photos for individual trekkers and one photo for those on organised treks.
Permit Counter Locations in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Some trekkers mistakenly goes to the Department of Immigration (DoI) to obtain the trek permits. Only the Restricted Entry Permits are issued from the DoI. Below is the Google map location of the permit counter offices for TIMS and Conservation Area Permits in Kathmandu and Pokhara:
NTNC Office in Kathmandu
NTNC Office In Pokhara
Please note there are other regions and treks not mentioned here because they are infrequently hiked. So if you cannot find what you are looking for, please comment below and I will get back to you.
In the meantime if you are planning a trip to Nepal check this trekking map sections of Nepal.
Additionally, as independent trekking is not allowed in restricted areas, read this guide to choose the best trekking agency in Nepal before you start out.