In Nepal, almost every trekking region requires a permit. Some cost a few euros, others several hundred. When you go with a local agency, the agency takes care of them: all you need to provide is your passport and two photos. But it is good to know what you are paying for, and why.
The three types of permit
1. The TIMS card
TIMS stands for “Trekkers’ Information Management System”. It is a register of trekkers, useful in case of a search or rescue. Since 2023, the card has only been issued to trekkers accompanied by a guide from a registered agency. It costs 2,000 Nepali rupees, about €13, for a foreigner. It is required in the Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu regions and on most of the classic trails. It is not required in the Everest region, which has its own system.
2. National park and conservation area permits
Each protected area you cross has its own entry fee. The most common ones:
| Area | Treks concerned | Price (foreigner, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) | Annapurna Circuit, Sanctuary, Balcony, Mardi Himal, Khopra, Mohare Danda | 3,000 rupees (about €20) |
| Sagarmatha National Park | Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Cho La | 3,000 rupees (about €20) |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality | All treks in the Everest region, on top of the park | 2,000 to 3,000 rupees |
| Langtang National Park | Langtang, Gosainkunda, Helambu, Tamang Heritage Trail | 3,000 rupees (about €20) |
| Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP) | Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley | 3,000 rupees (about €20) |
| Shey Phoksundo National Park | Dolpo | 3,000 rupees (about €20) |
One trek can require several permits. The Manaslu Circuit, for example, crosses the Manaslu area and then the Annapurna area: you pay for both.
3. Restricted area permits
Some regions close to Tibet are classed as “restricted”. The permit costs more, it can only be applied for through a registered agency, and a guide is compulsory. This is the case for Mustang, Manaslu, the Tsum Valley, Upper Dolpo and Kanchenjunga.
| Restricted area | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | $500 for 10 days, then $50 per day |
| Manaslu | $100 for 7 days in high season (September to November), then $15 per day; $75 then $10 per day the rest of the year |
| Tsum Valley | Same rates as Manaslu, on top of the Manaslu permit if the two are combined |
| Upper Dolpo | $500 for 10 days, then $50 per day |
| Lower Dolpo | $20 per week |
| Kanchenjunga | $20 per week |
These fees explain the price gap between a trek in Mustang and a trek in the Annapurnas. Part of the money goes to local communities.
What has changed since 2023
Since April 2023, a licensed guide has been compulsory for trekking in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas, except in practice in the Everest region, where the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality does not enforce the rule. The TIMS card is no longer issued to solo trekkers. In March 2026, the Department of Immigration relaxed another rule: in restricted areas, a permit can now be issued to a single person, whereas before you had to be at least two. So you can go alone to Mustang or Manaslu, with a guide.
How it works in practice
- You send us a copy of your passport before you leave.
- When you arrive in Kathmandu, we take two passport photos if you do not have any.
- The agency submits the applications to the Nepal Tourism Board or the immigration office. For restricted areas, allow one working day; the offices are closed on Saturdays and public holidays.
- Your guide keeps the permits during the trek and shows them at the checkpoints.
The permits are listed in the quote for each trek, under “included”. So you know in advance what is covered.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get the permits yourself?
National park permits, yes, at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The TIMS card and restricted area permits, no: only a registered agency can apply for them.
Are permits refunded if the trek is cut short?
No. Permits are neither refundable nor transferable, whatever the reason.
Do you need a permit for the Kathmandu Valley trek?
Some versions of the valley trek cross Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, which charges an entry fee of about 1,000 rupees. The rest of the route is free to walk.
Fees checked in 2026 with the Department of Immigration and the Nepal Tourism Board. They are revised regularly; the quote for your trek is what counts.
