Trekking in Nepal Permits and Fees

Trekking in Nepal Permits and Fees Information

To trek in Nepal, foreign trekkers must first get information about trekking in Nepal permits and fees. Each location has its own set of criteria and expenses. The majority of Nepal’s trekking destinations are in places that are protected for environmental or cultural reasons, ranging from national parks and conservation zones to restricted areas. In Nepal’s national parks, conservation regions, and restricted zones, all international trekkers must hike with a Nepali guide or porter registered with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) as of August 2015.

National Parks and Conservation Areas: All national parks and conservation areas in Nepal need foreign trekkers to get permits. The funds received from these licenses are utilized to keep the sites clean and safe. Children under the age of ten do not require an entry permit to visit conservation areas or national parks.

Restricted Regions: A few trekking locations are located in areas designated as restricted by the Nepalese government. To explore these locations, foreign hikers must first obtain Restricted Area Permits (RAP). RAP payments are intended to fund community development and cultural preservation programs in the local area. The payments for the Restricted Area Permit are waived for children under the age of 10.

Foreign trekkers must additionally register with the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) and acquire a TIMS card to visit most trekking regions. The Nepal Tourism Board and the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) manage TIMS, which is used to track international visitors in Nepal and respond in the event of an emergency. If obtaining a Restricted Area Permit, foreign trekkers are not needed to register with or purchase a TIMS card. The TIMS card fees are waived for children under the age of 10.

The permit requirements for several of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations are shown here.

All permits will be handled by us if you are doing the trek with Great Everest Trek. However, if you are planning to do your trek on your own freely you can obtain all the permits from the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg in Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909

Trekking in Nepal Permits and Fees
Trekking in Nepal
Photo credit: Pictoscribe – on VisualHunt

The Everest Region National Park

Sagarmatha National Park contains trekking trails in the Everest area. To hike in the Everest Region, foreigners must get a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit as well as a TIMS card.

Permits and Fees for Everest Region Trek:

  • Foreign visitors to Sagarmatha National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (about $34).
  • For SAARC nationals, the entrance cost to Sagarmatha National Park is: NPR 1,500
  • From October 1, 2018, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district has imposed a Rs 2,000 (about $20) entrance charge on any foreigner entering the rural municipality, replacing the TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (roughly $10).
  • The fee for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality must be paid at the Lukla Check Post.

The Annapurna Region Conservation Area 

The Annapurna Conservation Area encompasses the majority of trekking paths in the Annapurna area, including the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp circuit. To trek in the Annapurna region, foreigners must get entry permission from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as well as a TIMS card.

Permits and Fees for Annapurna Region Trek:

  • For foreigners, the ACAP try permission charge is 3,000 NPR (about USD 30).
  • For SAARC nationals, the ACAP entrance permit charge is 200 NPR.
  • Permit for TIMS: 1,000 NPR (about $10 USD)

For this region, permits may be acquired at the Nepal Tourism Board Service Center in Damside or the ACAP entrance permit desk in Besisahar, Lamjung in Pokhara. TIMS cards may also be obtained at the TAAN Lakeside office in Pokhara’s Santi Patan. These will be arranged for you if you book through a trekking agency.

Manang, Nar, and Phu 

Area Type: Restricted Area

Other trekking locations in the Annapurna region are classed as restricted zones, with Nar and Phu in the neighboring Manang district being the most popular. To hike in these regions, foreigners must first get a Restricted Area Permit.

Permits and Fees for Manang Region Trek:

  • From September to November, the charge for a Restricted Area permit is USD 90 per week per person, and from December to August, it is USD 75 per week per person.

Upper Mustang 

Area Type: The Upper Mustang region is a restricted area, and much of it, including the hiking paths, is also part of the Annapurna Conservation Area. To hike in the Upper Mustang, foreigners must get a Restricted Area Permission in addition to an ACAP entrance permit.

Permits and Fees for Upper Mustang Trek:

  • For all foreigners, the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit costs USD 500 for the first ten days and USD 50 per day after that.
  • For foreigners, the ACAP entrance permit charge is 3,000 NPR (about USD 30).
  • For SAARC nationals, the ACAP entrance permit charge is 200 NPR.

Langtang National Park is a type of region

Langtang National Park contains trekking trails in the Langtang area. Foreign visitors must pay an entrance charge and receive a TIMS card to hike in the Langtang area.

Permits and Fees for Langtang Valley Region Trek:

  • Foreign visitors to Langtang National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,000 NPR (about $30).
  • The entrance cost to Langtang National Park for SAARC citizens is 200 NPR.
  • Permit for TIMS: 1,000 NPR (about $10 USD)

Permits can also be acquired at Dhunche at the Park Entry Point.

Manaslu Region

Conservation Area/Restricted Area

The territory of Manaslu is designated as a restricted area. The Manaslu Conservation Area encompasses almost all trekking paths in the Manaslu region, however, some trails also traverse into the Annapurna Conservation Area. To hike in the Manaslu region, foreigners must first get a Restricted Area Permit, as well as permission to visit the Annapurna Conservation Area, the Manaslu Conservation Area, or both (depending on their trekking route).

Permits and Fees for Manaslu Region Trek:

  • For all foreigners, a Restricted Area Permit costs $70 for the first week and $10 per day after that.
  • Foreigners must pay 2,000 NPR (about $20) to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.
  • The fee for entering the Manaslu Conservation Area for SAARC nationals is 200 NPR.
  • For foreigners, the ACAP entrance permit charge is 3,000 NPR (about USD 30).
  • For SAARC nationals, the ACAP entrance permit charge is 200 NPR.

TSUM Valley 

Permits and Fees for Tsum Valley Trek

  • Trekking in the Tsum Valley requires an extra RAP.
  • All foreigners must have a Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit: From September to November, the first eight days are $35, and from December to August, the first eight days are $25.

Rolwaling Region

Conservation Area of the type

The Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project encompasses trekking trails in the Rolwaling area. To hike in the Rolwaling area, foreign visitors must pay an entrance charge and receive a TIMS card.

Permits and Fees for Rolwaling Region Trek

  • Permits and fees are required for certain types of activities.
  • Foreigners pay 3,000 NPR (about $30) to enter the Gaurishankar Conservation Area.
  • SAARC nationals pay 200 NPR to enter the Gaurishankar Conservation Area.
  • 1000 NPR (about $10 USD) TIMS permit

Lower Dolpo

Type: National Park 

Phoksundo Lake and Lower Dolpo

Shey-Phoksundo National Park contains the Lower Dolpo region’s Phoksundo Lake and walking paths. To walk to and around Rara Lake, foreigners must have a Rara Park National Park admission permit as well as a TIMS card.

Permits and Fees for Lower Dolpo

  • Foreign visitors to Shey-Phoksundo National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (about $34).
  • For SAARC citizens, the entrance cost to Shey-Phoksundo National Park is 1,500 NPR.
  • Permit for TIMS: 1,000 NPR (about $10 USD)

Upper Dolpo

Type: National Park/Restricted Area 

The Upper Dolpo region is a restricted area, and Shey-Phoksundo National Park encompasses much of the territory, including its trekking paths. To hike in Upper Dolpo, foreigners must get a Restricted Area Permit in addition to a Shey-Phoksundo National Park entrance permit.

Permits and Fees for Upper Dolpo

  • Permit to enter the Upper Dolpo Restricted Area for all foreigners: For the first ten days, each participant pays $500, then $50 each day after that.
  • Foreign visitors to Shey-Phoksundo National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (about $34).
  • For SAARC citizens, the entrance cost to Shey-Phoksundo National Park is 1,500 NPR.

Rara Lake

Type: National Park

Rara National Park encompasses Rara Lake and the hiking paths that surround it. To walk to and around Rara Lake, foreigners must get a Rara National Park admission permit as well as a TIMS card.

Permits and Fees for Rara Lake Trek

  • Foreign visitors to Rara National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (about $34).
  • For SAARC nationals, the entrance cost to Rara National Park is 1,500 NPR.
  • TIMS Card: 1,000 NPR (about $10 USD)

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