Before you lace up your boots for a trek in Nepal, there is a little paperwork to sort out. Nepal uses a system of trekking permits and conservation fees to manage its trails, fund conservation and keep trekkers safe. The exact permits you need depend on where you are going — but for most popular routes the requirements are simple once you know the names. This guide breaks down the TIMS card, conservation area permits, national park fees and restricted-area permits, what each roughly costs, and where to get them.
Since 2023, Nepal requires most foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas to trek with a licensed guide rather than fully solo. Always confirm the current rule for your route before you go.
The TIMS Card
TIMS stands for Trekkers' Information Management System. It is a registration card that records who is on the trails, which helps with safety and rescue. Most mainstream treks require it, and it is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Kathmandu and Pokhara, usually through a trekking agency. The fee is modest — typically a few thousand rupees — and you will need passport details and a passport photo.
Conservation Area & National Park Permits
On top of TIMS, each protected area charges its own entry permit. The most common are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the Annapurna region, and national park permits for the Everest (Sagarmatha National Park) and Langtang regions. Everest trekkers also pay a local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee. These permits are checked at entry points and checkpoints along the trail, so keep them handy.
| Permit | Region | Approx. fee (foreigners) |
|---|---|---|
| TIMS Card | Most treks | ~NPR 2,000 |
| ACAP | Annapurna | ~NPR 3,000 |
| Sagarmatha National Park | Everest | ~NPR 3,000 |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu fee | Everest | ~NPR 2,000 |
| Langtang National Park | Langtang | ~NPR 3,000 |
Fees are set in Nepali rupees and change periodically, so treat these as a guide and confirm current rates when you buy. Most are payable in cash; carry rupees, as card payment is rarely available at permit counters.
Restricted-Area Permits
Some of Nepal's most remote and culturally sensitive regions — including Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Upper Dolpo and Nar-Phu — require special restricted-area permits. These are significantly more expensive (Upper Mustang, for example, costs around US$500 for 10 days), must be arranged through a registered trekking agency, and require you to trek with a licensed guide and usually in a small group. They cannot be issued to solo independent trekkers.
Where to Get Your Permits
- •Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara (TIMS and most conservation/park permits).
- •Through a registered trekking agency — required for restricted-area permits and the guide arrangement.
- •Some national park permits can also be bought at park entry checkpoints, though buying in advance is safer.
Sorting permits is quick once you know what you need, and a good trekking agency or guide will handle most of it for you. Plan them into your budget and itinerary, carry enough cash and a couple of passport photos, and you will be ready to hit the trail. See our trekking and itinerary guides to plan the rest of your Himalayan adventure.
