Nepal is an amazing place for people who love to trek. It’s in the middle of the Himalayas, and the landscapes are stunning. Whether you want to go to the famous trails near Mount Everest or the peaceful paths in the Annapurna region, understanding the different permits you need is super important for planning your adventure in the Himalayas. We will help you understand all the details about trekking permits in Nepal, so you can be ready for an incredible journey
Before starting a trek in Nepal, trekkers must research and acquire the required permits, meeting region-specific requirements as fees can vary and change. It’s crucial to keep the permit and rural municipality fee receipt, as they may be requested at different check-posts along the trail. Proper preparation ensures a smoother trekking experience of Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes.
TIMS Card And Trekking Permits
Before you start trekking in Nepal, it’s really important to get the right permits to make sure your journey goes smoothly and follows the rules. The TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) is a must-have. It keeps track of all trekkers and helps authorities assist if needed. Different regions in Nepal also need specific permits. For example, the Annapurna and Langtang areas require the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and LNP (Langtang National Park Permit) respectively. In the Everest region, you’ll need both the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit. Make sure to do your research, get these permits, and keep them safe as you might be asked for them at various points during your trek. This careful planning ensures you have a great trekking experience in Nepal’s beautiful landscapes. You can obtain a TIMS card from Nepal Tourism Board, Permit Nepal Trust, and Restricted area permit Immi of Nepal.
TIMS Card Fees For:
- Foreigners: NRs. 2,000 per person
- SAARC Countries: NRs. 1,000 per person
Requirement Documents for TIMS Card:
· Photocopy of your passport information page
· Two passport size photo
· Start and end dates of your trek
· Entry and exit points for your trek
· Trek route and itinerary
· Insurance policy number and details of what the policy covers in terms of trekking at altitude. You’ll also need to supply the emergency phone number of the insurance company.
· Emergency contact number and address in Nepal (trekking company/hotel)
· Emergency contact number in your home country
National Park and Conservation Area Permit fees
The national park and Conservation area permit are another essential requirement that grants access to trekkers or visitors entering the restricted areas. In Nepal, numerous trekking regions and areas are situated within national parks and conservation areas. To trek in these regions, it is typically necessary to obtain a national park permit. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) is responsible for issuing national park permits.
S.No. | Name | Category | SAARC | Foreigners | Child discount |
1 | Chitwan National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
2 | Sagarmatha National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
3 | Banke National Park | National Parks | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
4 | Bardia National Park | National Parks | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
5 | Khaptad National Park | National Parks | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
6 | Langtang National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
7 | Makalu-Barun National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
8 | Parsa National Park | National Parks | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
9 | Rara National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
10 | Shey-Phoksundo National Park | National Parks | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
11 | Shivapuri- Nagarjun National Park | National Parks | NRs. 600 per person per entry | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
12 | Shuklaphanta National Park | National Parks | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
13 | Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve | Wildlife Reserve | NRs. 750 per person per entry | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
14 | Api Nampa Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
15 | Annapurna Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
16 | Blackbuck Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
17 | Gaurishanker Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
18 | Kanchenjunga Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 500 per person per entry | NRs. 2,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
19 | Manaslu Conservation Area | Conservation Areas | NRs. 1,000 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
20 | Dhorpatan | Hunting Reserve | NRs. 1,500 per person per entry | NRs. 3,000 per person per entry | Below 10 yrs free |
Restricted Area Trekking Permit
If you’re planning to trek in less-traveled parts of the country, you might need a special permit called a Restricted Area Permit. Sometimes, these permits are cheap and easy to get, like in the Kanchenjunga area. However, in places like Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo, they can be quite expensive. To get these permits, you have to join an organized trek with a licensed trekking company. The term ‘organized’ doesn’t mean it has to be a big group – it can be just you, a friend, and a guide. The trekking company will take care of getting your permits, including the TIMS card and any national park permits you need. Also, keep in mind that for some areas, you need at least two people to get the Restricted Area Permit.
List of Restricted Area fees in Nepal
S.No. | Regions/VDCs | Permit Fee |
1. | Upper MustangLomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)
| USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days) |
2. | Upper DolpoDolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4 to 6) Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7) Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6)
| USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days) |
3. | Gorkha Manaslu AreaChumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1,2,3 and 4)
| September – November USD 100 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 75 per person/week USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
4. | HumlaSimikot Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1,6 and 7) Namkha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6) Changkheli Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 to 5)
| USD 50 per person/week USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
5. | TaplejungPhantanglung Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 6 and 7) Mikwakhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5) Sirijunga Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8)
| USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks) |
6. | Lower Dolpo AreaThulibheri municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11) Tripurasundari municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11) Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 3) Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8 and 9) Jagdulla Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6) Mudkechula Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9) Kaike Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7)
| USD 20 per person/ week USD 5 per person /week ( beyond 1 week) |
7. | DolakhaGaurishankhar Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 9) Bighu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)
| USD 20 per person/ week |
8. | Gorkha Tsum Valley AreaSirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 3,6 and 7)
| September – November USD 40 per person/week USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 30 per person/week USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
9. | SankhuwasabhaBhotkhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Makalu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4)
| USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person/week (beyond 4 weeks) |
10. | SolukhumbuKhumbu Pasang Lahmu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)
| USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person/week (beyond 4 weeks) |
11. | RasuwaGosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 and some area of ward no. 2)
| USD 20 per person /week |
12. | ManangNarpa Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5) Nasho Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 6 and 7)
| September – November USD 100 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) December – August USD 75 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
13. | BajhangSaipal Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)
| USD 90 per person/week for the first week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
14. | MuguMugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9)
| USD 100 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
15. | DarchulaVyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)
| USD 90 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
Rural Municipality Trekking Permit
A rural municipality trekking permit is a special permission granted by the local government in a rural area of Nepal. This permit allows trekkers to enter and explore the designated zones within that municipality. Anyone wishing to trek in these specific areas must first get this permit.
The cost of the Rural Municipality Trekking Permit varies depending on the municipality and the length of the trek. Usually, you can obtain this permit from the local government office of the rural municipality. Additionally, trekkers in Nepal need to get a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card or a Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) permit along with the Rural Municipality Trekking Permit to trek in these regions.
In summary, make sure to get the right permits before you start your trek. You can usually get them from the Nepal Tourism Board, the conservation area offices, or authorized trekking agencies. Remember, rules and requirements may change, so it’s smart to check with reliable sources for the latest information.
