Nepal Trek Permits Explained — A Complete Guide
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Nepal's permit system can look intimidating on paper but is entirely manageable once you understand what's required for which region. The key is sorting everything before you leave Kathmandu — permits are not available on the trail, and checkpoints are enforced.
The first document most trekkers need is the TIMS card — the Trekker's Information Management System card. It's essentially a trekker registration that helps authorities track who is in the mountains. As of 2025, there are two types: the individual TIMS (for those trekking without a guide) and the group TIMS (for guided treks). The cost difference reflects this — individual TIMS cards cost more because you're not part of an agency's tracked group. You obtain your TIMS card in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pradarshani Marg, or at the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) office. Bring passport-sized photos and a photocopy of your passport.
The second major category is National Park and Conservation Area permits. These are specific to the region you're entering.
For the Everest region, you need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit. This is obtainable in Kathmandu at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation office, or increasingly through online pre-registration. The fee is set at $30 USD per person as of 2025. You will also need the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee, which is collected at the checkpoint in Monjo, just before entering the national park — bring cash in Nepali rupees or USD.
For the Annapurna region, you need the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. This costs around 3,000 NPR (approximately $22 USD) and is collected both in Kathmandu and at the ACAP office in Pokhara or at entry points. The Annapurna region also has a newly introduced digital registration system that has partly replaced paper TIMS in this zone — confirm current requirements before departure, as the system has been updated repeatedly.
For the Langtang region, you need the Langtang National Park permit, similarly priced to Sagarmatha at around $30 USD.
Upper Mustang is a restricted area and requires a special restricted area permit. As of 2025, this costs $500 USD for the first 10 days and $50 per day after that. This permit can only be obtained through a registered Nepali trekking agency — independent trekking is not permitted in Upper Mustang. You'll need a licensed guide as well.
Manaslu Circuit also falls under the restricted area permit category. The cost is approximately $100 USD for September and October (peak season) and $75 USD for the rest of the year. A licensed guide and trekking agency are mandatory.
A few universal tips for permits: always carry multiple passport-sized photos (at least six) and photocopies of your passport and visa pages. Checkpoint officers will sometimes take these rather than just recording data. Keep all permits in a waterproof pouch — you'll be asked to present them at multiple checkpoints, sometimes daily. Permit fees are separate from guide and porter fees and should be factored into your total trekking budget from the start.
Most reputable trekking agencies in Kathmandu can arrange all permits for you for a small processing fee. If you're doing it independently, the offices in Kathmandu are straightforward to navigate and staff are used to helping foreign trekkers.