Trekking Permits are mandatory in Nepal for all kinds of trekkers whether he/she is traveling in a group or solo. Each permit fee is different from others depending on the specific trekking regions. So, make sure that you have your permits before embarking on your treks in the mountain regions of Nepal.
Nepal Trekking Permits are issued by different government bodies and associated authorized bodies such as the Department of Immigration office, Nepal Tourism Board, Trekking Agencies of Association of Nepal (TAAN), and National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) to regulate and monitor all trekking destinations.
Almost all mountain regions of Nepal require trekking permits. If the checkpoints find trekkers visiting without a permit may lead to big trouble by paying penalties for violation of tourism rules and regulations. So, it is better to have your permit before starting your trek.
Let us demystify the confusion about Nepal trekking permits by going through the details given below. Please read thoroughly all the different topics below.
In general, there are four different trekking permits in Nepal. Each trekking region requires different trekking permits to visit. We explained all the permits including their cost and also stated which permits are needed for each trekking region.
E-TIMS Card is the short form of Trekkers’ Information Management System which has been implemented jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) to ensure the safety and security of trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations in Nepal. Since the first January of 2008 TIMs card permit issuing to trekkers was effectively implemented.
This Card is the latest trekking permit which came into effective from 1st April 2023 where E-TIMs permit is not available for Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) but for group trekkers taking the service of government-authorized trekking agencies.
In the past Tims Permit is issued by Nepal Tourist Board to Free Individual Trekkers directly by filling up the form available in Tourism office at Brikutimandap. Since 1st of April E-TIMs Card is mandatory for all trekking areas of Nepal except restricted area where trekkers received special permits form Department of Immigaration Offfice.
As per Revised TIMS Provision effective from March 31, 2023, specific Protected Areas of Nepal need trekker to be accompanied by licensed trekking guide and carry a trekking agency issued TIMS Card.
Trekking Region | Name of the Trek |
Kanchenjunga Region | 1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp via Sele La Pass Trek 2. Kanchenjunga Basecamp Trek 3. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Nango Pass Trek 4. Lumba Sumba Pass Trek |
Makalu Barun Area | 1. Makalu Basecamp Trek 2. Sherpeni Cole Pass Trek |
Everest Region | 1. Everest Basecamp Trek 2. Gokyo Trek 3. Chho La Pass Trek 4. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek 5. Three Passes Trek 6. Everest View trek 7. Mera Peak Trek 8. Amphu Labtsha Pass |
Rolwaling Region | 1. Rolwaling Trek 2. Tashi Labtsha Pass Trek |
Panchpokhari Bhairabkunda Area | Panchpokhari Trek |
Helambu Region | 1. Helambu Trek 2. Goshaikunda Trek |
Langtang Region | 1. Langtang Trek 2. Langtang Gosaikund Trek 3. Tamang Heritage Trek 4. Tamang Heritage Langtang Trek 5. Ganja La pass Trek 6. Till Man Pass |
Ganesh Himal-Ruby Valley Area | Ganesh Himal – Ruby Valley Trek |
Manaslu Region | 1. Manaslu Circuit Trek 2. Manaslu – Tsum Valley Trek 3. Tsum Valley Trek |
Annapurna Region | 1. Annapurna Circuit Trek 2. Nar Phu Annapurna Circuit Trek 3. Mesokanto / Tilicho Pass Trek 4. Poon Hill-ABC Trek 5. Khopra Trek 6. Mardi Himal Trek 7. Sikleh Tara Hill Trek |
Mustang Region | 1. Upper Mustang Trek 2. Sarebung Pass Trek |
Dhaulagiri Region | Round Dhaulagiri |
Dolpo Region | 1. Upper Dolpo – Jomsom Trek 2. Upper Dolpo Trek 3. Lower Dolpo Trek 4. Kagmara Pass Trek |
Humla Region | Humla Limi Valley Trek |
Therefore, the first thing an aspiring trekker must do is find out if the route they are interested to trek requires trekking guide and TIMS Card. If yes, please get in touch with a Government registered trekking agency to arrange for the trekking guide and TIMS Card.
In order to buy TIMS Card, agencies shall have to complete a registration form with details of trekkers, guides and trekking routes.
Procedure to submit the form:
TIMs Card cost NPR 2000 per person for international trekkers and NPR 1000 for SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
If any of the trekkers found travelling on designated trekking trails without a guide or TIMS card faces a Rs12,000 fine.
To visit Restricted Areas in Nepal. a Trekking Permit must be obtained from the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
A restricted trekking permit is also often known as a special permit. Even though trekkers in Nepal are allowed to trek as FIT (Free Individual Trekker) or in a group of various sizes. However, there are certain trekking regions known as ‘Restricted Areas’ or ‘Controlled Areas’ that are highly regulated by the Government of Nepal, and hence FITs are strictly forbidden.
A restricted trekking permit is issued from the Department of Nepal Immigration only through a registered trekking office like Friendship World Trek.
S.No. | Regions/VDCs | Permit Fee |
1. |
Upper Mustang
|
USD500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days) |
2. |
Upper Dolpa
|
USD500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days) |
3. |
Kanchenjunga Regiona) Areas of Olangchunggola, Lelep, Papung, and Yamphudin Village Development Committee) |
Per week per person US$ 10 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
4. |
Gorkha Manaslu AreaChumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1,2,3 and 4) Chhekampar & Chumchet VDC(Sirdibas-Lokpa-Cumling-Chhekampar-Nile-Chhule Area) |
From September – November USD 100 per person per week and USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week) and From December – August USD 75 per person / week and USD 10 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
From September to November per week per person US$ 70 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 10. and From December to August per week per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person US$ 7 /Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
5. |
Humla
|
USD 50 per person / week
USD 10 per person / day (beyond 1 week) |
6. |
Taplejung
|
USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks) |
7. |
Lower Dolpa Area
|
USD 20 per person/ week
USD 5 per person /day ( beyond 1 week) |
8. |
Dolakha
|
USD 20 per person/ week
For the first 7 days per person US$ 50 and After 7 days per day per person USD $ 7 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
9. |
Gorkha Tsum Valley Areaa. Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule b. Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 3,6 and 7) |
From September – November USD 40 per person / week and USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
From December – August USD 30 per person / week and USD 7 per person / day (beyond 1 week) |
10. |
Sankhuwasabha
|
USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks) |
11. |
SolukhumbuKhumbu Pasang Lahmu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5) Makalu Region):-Areas of Kimathanka, Chepuwa,Hatiya and Pawakhola Village Development Committee. |
USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) and USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks)
For the first 4 weeks per week per person US$ 10 and After 4 weeks per week per person US$ 20, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
12. |
RasuwaGosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 and some area of ward no. 2) Thuman and Timure |
USD 20 per person /week
Per week per person USD $ 10, Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
13. |
Manang
|
From September – November USD 100 per person per week and USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week) and From December – August USD 75 per person / week and USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
From September to November per week per person US$ 90 and December to August per week per person US$ 75 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
14. |
Bajhang
|
USD 90 per person / week for the first week and USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)
For the first 7 days per person US $90 and After 7 days per day per person USD $15 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
15. |
MuguMugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9) Areas of Mugu, Dolpu, Pulu and Bhangri. |
USD 100 per person / week
USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week) For the first 7 days per person USD $90 and After 7 days per day per person USD $15 Or equivalent convertible foreign currency. |
16. |
DarchulaVyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1) |
USD 90 per person / week
USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week) |
Note:- In the case of Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa Region if the royalty paid for mountain expedition is less than the fee for trekking permit then the difference amount should be paid.
Only authorized trekking agencies can apply for restricted area trekking permits along with the following documents from the department of the immigration office.
A national park permit is another permit that is required for trekking in Nepal. There are 12 National Parks, one hunting reserve, and one wildlife reserve. All these are monitored by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). DNPWC was established in 2037 BS (1980 AD) to manage and conserve the wildlife and biodiversity of Nepal. These protected areas cover the ecosystems and landscapes of the high mountain region, hilly region, and plain region of the country.
National park permits are issued at Bhrikuti Mandap by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) located within the Nepal Tourism Board building.
SN. | National Parks/ Wildlife Reserve/ Conservation Areas | Nepali | SAARC | Foreigners | Child discount |
National Parks that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Natural) | |||||
1 | Chitwan National Park | NRs. 150 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
2 | Sagarmatha National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
Other National Parks |
|||||
3 | Banke National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
4 | Bardia National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
5 | Khaptad National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
6 | Langtang National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
7 | Makalu-Barun National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
8 | Parsa National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
9 | Rara National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
10 | Shey-Phoksundo National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
11 | Shivapuri- Nagarjun National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 600 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
12 | Shuklaphanta National Park | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
National Parks and Permit Fee for Trekking in Nepal
A conservation permit is similar to a national park permit which is issued and managed by The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). NTNC was established in 1982 AD under a Legislative Act to work in the field of nature conservation in Nepal and is a not-for-profit organization. There are 6 conservation areas in Nepal which are listed below with their respective fee for trekking. All the visitors who are entering these conservation areas require purchasing a Conservation permit before starting their treks or tours.
Conservation permits are issued at Bhrikuti Mandap by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) permit counter located within the Nepal Tourism Board building.
Conservation Areas |
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1 | Api Nampa Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
2 | Annapurna Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
3 | Blackbuck Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
4 | Gaurishanker Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
5 | Kanchenjunga Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
6 | Manaslu Conservation Area | NRs. 100 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
Conservation Area and Permit Fee for Trekking in Nepal
Rural Municipality (RM) administrative division was established in 2017 and replaced the existing village development committees. There are currently 460 rural municipalities. Since 2018 Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality is the only local level government among all the rural municipalities that implemented the trekking permit rule for trekkers in the Khumbu region. Before TIMS Card permit was used carried by all trekkers in the Everest region.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality cost NPR 2000 for every individual.
When booking a trek or tour with us (Friendship World Trek), we kindly request you to provide the following documents:
Fourth General Information for Traveller in Nepal is Time and Business Hours. Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.
Business hours within the Valley: Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and close at 3pm on Friday in the Kathmandu Valley. During the winter, they close at 4 pm. Most Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm and are usually closed on Saturdays.
Business hours outside the Valley: Government offices outside Kathmandu valley open from 10 am to 5 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3 pm. Banks are open from Sunday through Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12 pm only. Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday. Recently many private banks have re-organized to have different branches open at various different times making banking hours longer. If one branch is closed another will be open.
Holidays: Nepal observes numerous holidays, at the least a couple in a month. So please check the holiday calendar. The longest holiday in Nepal is during the Dashain festival in late September or October. Government offices observe all the national holidays and banks observe most of them. Businesses observe major holidays only.