Trekking permits are required for all trekking regions of Nepal. The trekking permits are issued by the government of Nepal and the authorized associated bodies which are regulated and monitored by the government. The type of permits required will differ as per the trekking area you are intending to tread. Please ensure you have all the required permits before leaving for the trek. Some of the trekking regions in Nepal are under controlled areas where free individual trekkers are strictly forbidden.
This post is to help you understand the Nepal trekking permits and fees involved. For free individual trekkers who wish to trek on their own, trekking permits are easily obtainable at Nepal Tourism Board office at Bhrituktimandap, Kathmandu. Kindly ensure you have all the required documents (Original passport, passport copy, visa copy and at least 4passport size photos) and cash for the permit fees applicable in local currency.
We recommend you schedule an extra day in Kathmandu just for the permits arrangements and make sure you avoid Saturday and local holidays. For trekkers accompanied by a guide and going through the registered company, your Nepal trekking permits and fees will be all handled and arranged by the respective company.
Types of permits required for trekking in NepalÂ
1. National Park Permit/Conservation Area Project Permit
Most of the trekking regions in Nepal fall under either national park or conservation area so it is likely that you will need either of this permit for most trekking trails in Nepal. Free individual trekkers are allowed to trek in the National park or conservation area. To obtain national park/conservation area permit you will need to fill a form and submit it with your passport copy and passport size photo affixed at the Nepal Tourism Board Office. The tourism board offices are located in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The permits are issued by the Nepal tourism board. Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Mustang, Rolwaling are some of the notable regions where you will need this permit.
Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
Cost for the permit: NPR 3390 for National Park Permit & NPR 3000 for Conservation Area Permit per trekker.
2. Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)
Trekkers Information Management System or in short TIMS is a permit implemented jointly by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). TIMS is implemented to ensure the safety and security of trekkers and to control illegal trekking. This permit is required on all trekking regions of Nepal apart from the controlled area, where you will need a special permit. Group trekkers will have to obtain Blue TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 1,000 per person, while Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) have to get Green TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 2,000. Similarly, group trekkers from SAARC countries have to pay Rs 300 for TIMS cards, while FITs from the SAARC region have to pay Rs 600 each.
Although the majority of the trekking regions in Nepal require TIMS permit, the permit is only valid for the trekking area/route as mentioned in the permit.
Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
Cost: NPR 2,000 per trekker
3. Special Permits for the controlled/restricted area
Controlled/Restricted area are the areas which are highly regulated by the government of Nepal due to close international borders in proximity. Trekking in these regions is allowed only upon obtaining special permission/permit from the Department of Immigration, Nepal. Places like Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu are among the restricted areas of Nepal. To obtain the permit, you will need to have at least 2 participants, accompanied by a licensed trekking guide and need to go through a registered trekking company in Nepal. Free individual trekkers (FIT) are not allowed to trek in these regions.
4. Rural Municipality fees
This is the newest permit introduced in Nepal trekking sector and this permit is issued by the rural municipality of the designated areas. As of now, this permit is being issued in the Everest and Makalu region. You can get this permit from the starting point of your trek.
Where to get it: You can obtain this permit at the check post of the rural municipalities, such as Lukla, in Everest region.
Cost: NPR 2000 per trekker for Everest region and NPR 2,000 for Makalu Region.
Trekking areas of Nepal with permits required and fees
Note:
- All fees shown in the chart are in local currency Nepalese Rupees.
- Be sure to carry at least 4 passport size photos if required for the permit
- Carry few passport copies to submit at the permit check post should they require.
Useful contact information for Nepal trekking permits and fees
Nepal Tourism Board
Pradhasani Marg, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4256909
[email protected]
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal
Maligaun, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-1-4427473, 4440920
[email protected]
Department of Immigration
Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu
+977-01-4429659, 4429660
[email protected], [email protected]
