Nepal Trekking Permits 2026: TIMS, ACAP & Everest
Check Nepal trekking permits for 2026, including TIMS, Annapurna, Everest park fees, Manaslu and Upper Mustang. Official links and fee warnings.
Nepal Trekking Permits 2026
Quick answer: A trek in Nepal may require more than one permit. Depending on your route, you may need a TIMS card, a national park or conservation area entry permit, a local government permit and, for restricted areas, a special trekking permit from the Department of Immigration. The official NTNC online permit portal currently lists NPR 3,000 for foreign visitors and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals for its conservation-area entry permit. The Nepal Tourism Board park fee list lists NPR 3,000 for foreign visitors and NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals for Sagarmatha National Park. Fees, guide rules and local permits are route specific.
Travellers often ask for the price of an "Everest permit" or an "Annapurna permit" as though each trek has one universal ticket. That can lead to missed paperwork, delays or unexpected expenses. This guide separates the different permits, explains the official sources and shows how to build a sensible checklist before paying a trekking agency.
Quick comparison: Common trekking permits in Nepal
| Permit or charge | Where it may apply | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| TIMS card | Designated general trekking routes under NTB guidance | NTB TIMS services |
| Annapurna Conservation Area permit | Treks entering the Annapurna Conservation Area | NTNC ePermit |
| Sagarmatha National Park entry | Routes entering Sagarmatha National Park | NTB park entry fees |
| Local entry or service charge | Certain rural municipalities and routes | Confirm with the relevant local authority |
| Restricted area trekking permit | Manaslu, Upper Mustang and other designated areas | Department of Immigration |
| Mountaineering permit | Climbing a regulated peak | Confirm with the relevant mountaineering authority |
This is a permit-type comparison, not a ranking of trekking regions. The exact combination depends on your itinerary, nationality, entry point and whether the route passes through more than one regulated area.
What is a TIMS card?
TIMS stands for Trekkers' Information Management System. The Nepal Tourism Board uses it to record trekking itineraries and related details. NTB's official online service explanation describes an agency-led digital process in which trekker, guide and route information is entered and an eCard is generated after payment.
That current service page states:
- NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC applicants.
- NPR 1,000 for SAARC applicants.
The service page describes online payment and QR-based eCards. A separate older NTB trade page still shows an earlier system with group and independent trekker prices. Do not mix those older figures with the newer online service information. Ask the registered trekking agency to confirm which TIMS rules apply to your exact route and nationality before paying.
Does every trek need TIMS?
Do not assume that all routes have identical requirements. NTB's general guidance discusses designated trekking areas and licensed guides, while some Everest-region local arrangements differ from the general TIMS system. A conservation-area permit does not automatically replace TIMS, and a TIMS card does not replace a restricted-area permit. Confirm the actual route with NTB or your licensed operator.
Do you need a licensed guide?
NTB's updated general trekking guidance introduced agency-issued online TIMS and licensed guide requirements for many designated non-restricted routes. Restricted areas have their own permit and guide requirements. The precise application can differ by route and local administration. Get a current written answer for your itinerary rather than relying on a blanket claim that solo trekking is always allowed or always banned.
Annapurna Conservation Area permit in 2026
The Annapurna Conservation Area includes many popular trekking destinations around the Annapurna region. If your route enters the protected area, check the National Trust for Nature Conservation's official ePermit portal.
The NTNC portal currently publishes:
| Visitor category | Published NTNC entry fee |
|---|---|
| Foreign visitor outside SAARC | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC national | NPR 1,000 |
| Child below 10 | No permit required under portal rules |
The portal says the fees include tax. It also publishes a 2.9% payment gateway charge for online card payments, with no additional charge for counter payment. It warns that fees can be doubled when permits are issued at check posts. Entry permits are single-entry and non-refundable according to the portal.
Source discrepancy worth knowing: An older Nepal Tourism Board Annapurna page displays lower figures of NPR 2,000 for foreign visitors and NPR 200 for SAARC visitors. Because the NTNC portal is the current permit-issuing interface, this guide uses its displayed rates for planning, but you should verify the payable amount at checkout. Do not use a screenshot from an old blog as the final price.
How to obtain the Annapurna permit
- Confirm that the itinerary actually enters the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- Open the official NTNC ePermit portal or ask your registered agency to arrange the permit.
- Enter your identity and route details exactly as requested.
- Select online payment or counter payment, and review any additional fee.
- Save the permit and receipt, and keep an accessible copy while trekking.
- Register at required check posts and follow protected-area rules.
NTNC also says that a separate restricted-area permit is needed for designated places within the wider Annapurna region, including parts of Upper Mustang. A conservation permit alone is not enough for those routes.
Everest Base Camp and Sagarmatha National Park fees
For the standard Everest Base Camp approach through Sagarmatha National Park, the Nepal Tourism Board park entry table currently lists:
| Visitor category | Sagarmatha National Park entry |
|---|---|
| Nepali citizen | NPR 100 |
| SAARC national | NPR 1,500 |
| Other foreign visitor | NPR 3,000 |
| Child under 10 | Free under the listed park rule |
This national park fee is not necessarily your total Everest trekking permit cost. The Khumbu area also has local-government arrangements, and the exact fee and collection method should be confirmed with the responsible rural municipality or your operator. Do not rely on an unverified total price from an online travel advertisement.
Some itineraries visit areas outside Sagarmatha National Park, while other routes cross additional regulated areas. A trek to a different valley may need a different combination of permits. Ask for a written list that names each permit and its issuing authority.
Manaslu and Upper Mustang: Restricted area permits
Restricted areas require special permission from Nepal's Department of Immigration. The department maintains an official route and fee table. It is more relevant for current restricted-area rates than older general tourism pages.
The live immigration table currently lists:
- Gorkha Manaslu: September to November, USD 100 per week and USD 15 per additional day. December to August, USD 75 per week and USD 10 per additional day.
- Upper Mustang: USD 50 per person per day for the designated restricted area.
These are the special restricted-area charges, not an all-inclusive trekking package. A route may also involve conservation-area fees and other lawful charges. The exact restricted wards and dates matter.
Important discrepancy: Older official pages and some agency websites still quote USD 500 for the first ten days for Upper Mustang. The department's current route-specific table instead shows USD 50 per day. Verify the current application calculation with the Department of Immigration before paying. A fee change does not mean that an operator may ignore restricted-area rules.
Can one foreign trekker obtain a restricted-area permit?
The Department of Immigration published a restricted-area trekking notice in March 2026. Changes to the previous minimum group-size requirement have been reported, but the applicable procedure, registered-agency role and guide requirement must be checked for your exact route. Do not assume that permission to travel alone means permission to trek without a licensed guide or agency.
Which permits do popular routes usually involve?
Annapurna Base Camp
Check the Annapurna Conservation Area entry requirement and whether the current NTB TIMS and guide rules apply to the planned route. A standard ABC itinerary is different from an Upper Mustang restricted-area itinerary.
Annapurna Circuit
Check conservation-area entry and TIMS arrangements, plus any special permits if your itinerary detours into controlled areas such as Nar Phu or Upper Mustang. The route you book matters more than the trek's marketing name.
Everest Base Camp
Check Sagarmatha National Park entry, Khumbu local requirements and the latest route-specific TIMS guidance. If travelling via an alternative approach, the permits may differ.
Manaslu Circuit
Check the current Department of Immigration restricted-area permit, Manaslu conservation entry and any additional permits for connected areas. A licensed operator should give you a line-by-line permit list.
Langtang Valley
Check Langtang National Park entry, current TIMS and guide arrangements, and any local rules. The NTB park entry list publishes Langtang's park fee separately from Sagarmatha's.
How to choose a trekking company that handles permits properly
- Ask for the legal business name and evidence of a current government tourism licence.
- Request a written day-by-day itinerary with entry and exit points.
- Ask for a permit checklist that identifies each authority, cost and who will apply.
- Confirm guide credentials, emergency communication and evacuation procedures.
- Ask whether fees are included in the package or payable separately.
- Keep copies of permits and official payment receipts.
- Compare at least three quotations for the same route and dates.
A TAAN membership listing can help identify an operator, but it is not a substitute for checking the current government licence. Ratings Nepal has a separate guide to trekking companies in Nepal. If you are starting your trip in Pokhara, the Pokhara accommodation area guide can help you plan your first night.
Permit mistakes that can cost time and money
Using the wrong nationality category
SAARC and non-SAARC rates differ for some permits. Your passport and the issuing authority's classification determine the applicable category.
Treating all permits as one ticket
TIMS, national park entry, conservation entry, local fees and immigration permits serve different purposes. Paying one does not necessarily satisfy another.
Trusting old fee tables
Some official tourism pages remain online with earlier prices. Prioritise the current issuing authority and verify the checkout amount.
Paying a personal bank account without a receipt
Ask the agency for an invoice that identifies the legal business and separates government charges from service fees.
Ignoring weather, altitude and route changes
A valid permit does not guarantee that a trail or flight will be open. High altitude can cause serious illness. Choose a realistic itinerary, adequate acclimatisation and appropriate travel insurance.
How this guide was researched
We reviewed the current NTB TIMS service description, NTNC's active ePermit payment page, NTB's national park entry table and the Department of Immigration's route-specific restricted-area fee table. Where official pages disagree, the guide identifies the conflict rather than pretending that every published figure matches. We did not rank routes, audit trekking operators or independently verify each local government's current collection practice. No business can purchase a recommendation in this article.
Other good trekking options worth considering
Annapurna and Everest are not the only trekking destinations. Langtang, Manaslu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpa and shorter lower-altitude walks offer different experiences. The best choice depends on your fitness, season, budget, available days, permits and altitude tolerance. A less famous route is not automatically easier or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Annapurna Conservation Area permit in 2026?
The current NTNC ePermit portal lists NPR 3,000 for foreign visitors and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, with additional conditions for payment method and check-post issuance. Confirm the live checkout amount.
How much is Sagarmatha National Park entry?
NTB lists NPR 3,000 for other foreign visitors, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals and NPR 100 for Nepali citizens. Additional local charges may apply.
How much is TIMS in Nepal in 2026?
NTB's current online service page lists NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC applicants and NPR 1,000 for SAARC applicants. Confirm route applicability and current agency processing rules.
Is TIMS the same as an ACAP permit?
No. TIMS records trekking information, while the Annapurna Conservation Area permit authorises entry to the protected area under its rules.
Do I need a restricted-area permit for Manaslu?
For the designated restricted wards, yes. The Department of Immigration publishes the current seasonal fees and route details. Ask your registered trekking agency to confirm your exact itinerary.
Can I buy an Annapurna permit online?
Yes. NTNC operates an official ePermit portal with online payment and counter payment options. Check its current instructions.
Are trekking permits refundable?
NTNC's ePermit portal says its entry permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Other permits have their own rules, so check before paying.
Is a trekking permit the same as travel insurance?
No. Permits authorise entry or record your route. Insurance may cover eligible medical treatment or evacuation according to its terms. Check altitude limits and exclusions carefully.
Final thoughts
The safest way to budget for a Nepal trek is to list each permit separately and check the authority that actually issues it. Annapurna, Everest and restricted areas have different systems. Verify the latest prices, guide rules and local requirements before you transfer money, and keep every permit and receipt accessible during the trip.
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Official sources and update notes
- Nepal Tourism Board, online TIMS services and current fee explanation.
- National Trust for Nature Conservation, official ACAP and MCAP ePermit.
- Nepal Tourism Board, national park entry fee table.
- Department of Immigration, current trekking route and restricted-area permit fees.
- Department of Immigration, March 2026 restricted-area notice.
- Nepal Tourism Board, Annapurna area information, containing older conflicting fees.
- Nepal Tourism Board, trekking safety advice.
Likely to change: TIMS route coverage, guide rules, local fees, restricted-area rates, payment charges, trail access and permit procedures. For any discrepancy, ask the current issuing authority for written confirmation.