Permit Regulations
TREKKING / CLIMBING PERMIT REGULATIONS
Most trekking destinations in Nepal are located in areas that are protected for environmental or cultural purposes, from national parks and conservation areas to restricted areas. Foreign trekkers are required to obtain specific permits and registrations to go trekking / climbing in Nepal. The type of permits required will differ as per the trekking area you are intending to treak. 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.
The fees collected from these permits are used to maintain and preserve those areas. Entry permits are not required for children below ten years of age to enter conservation areas or national parks.
For Climbing in Nepal, The Government has charge royalties of mountain climbing permits. Different mountains require different permits and depending on the season one plan to climb the permit fees vary.
Permit Fees For Trekking Areas
National Park Permit / Conservation Area Project Permit
Trekkers in Nepal are permitted to trek as FIT (Free Individual Trekker) or in a group of various sizes. 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.
If you have arranged your trip through a trekking agency then the company will arrange all permits.
Some of the trekking regions are categorized as restricted areas that are regulated by the Government of Nepal and FITs are strictly prohibited. Restricted areas are the areas that are highly regulated by the government of Nepal due to close international borders in proximity. Trekkers are required to have a special permit issued by the Department of Immigration. Trekking regions like Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, and 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.
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS)
Trekkers Information Management System or in short TIMS is a permit implemented jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). TIMS is implemented to ensure trekkers’ safety and security and control illegal trekking. This permit is required in 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.
Foreign trekkers are not required to register with or purchase a TIMS card if they are acquiring a Restricted Area Permit. Children below ten years old are not required to pay the TIMS card fees.
Below we list the permit requirements for some of Nepal’s most popular trekking destinations.
Everest Region - Trek Permit
Area Type: National Park
Trekking routes in the Everest region lie within Sagarmatha National Park. Foreigners are required to obtain the below permits to be able to trek in Everest region.
Permits and Fees:
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 1,500 NPR
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district has started levying entrance fee of Rs 2,000 (approximately $20) on every foreigner entering the rural municipality from October 1, 2018.
Annapurna Region - Trek Permit
Area Type: Conservation Area
Most trekking trails in the Annapurna region require foreigners to obtain an entry permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as well as a TIMS
Permits and Fees:
- ACAP try permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)
- ACAP entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR
- TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)
Langtang Region - Trek Permit
Type: National Park
Trekking routes in the Langtang region lie within Langtang National Park. Foreigners are required to pay an entry fee to enter Langtang National Park as well as obtain a TIMS card to trek in the Langtang region.
Permits and Fees:
- Langtang National Park entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)
- Langtang National Park entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR
- TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)
Rara Lake Region - Trek Permit
Type: National Park
Rara Lake and the trekking trails around it lie within Rara National Park. Foreigners are required to obtain a Rara National Park entry permit as well as a TIMS card to trek to and around Rara Lake.
Permits and Fees:
- Rara National Park entry permit fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)
- Rara National Park entry permit fee for SAARC nationals: 1,500 NPR
- TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)
Rolwaling Region - Trek Permit
Type: Conservation Area
Trekking routes in the Rolwaling region lie within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project. Foreigners are required to pay an entry fee to enter the Gaurishankar Conservation Area as well as obtain a TIMS card to trek in the Rolwaling region.
Permits and Fees:
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area entry fee for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area entry fee for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR
- TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)
Special Permit For Restricted Areas
Some of the trekking regions are categorized as restricted areas that are highly regulated by the Government of Nepal. Foreign trekkers must obtain specific Restricted Area Permits (RAP) to enter these areas. Reason for it being restricted is due to close international borders. The fees collected from RAPs are used for local community development and cultural preservation projects. Children below ten years old are not required to pay the Restricted Area Permit fees. FITs are strictly prohibited.
Trekkers are required to have a special permit issued by the Department of Immigration. 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.
There are different rates (trekking Permit fees) applicable for different routes to acquire the Permits in restricted areas. Permit fees are quoted in US dollars but payable in Nepali Rupees. A trekking permit is not issued beyond the visa expiration date. Hence, trekkers must have a valid visa for a sufficient number of days covering their trekking schedule.
Trekkers are required to trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking Permit. They are not allowed to change routes or the concerned trekking agency/trekking guide accompanying the group must not let trekkers change the route. Mountaineers with expedition permits should get trekking permits as well if they have to pass through restricted areas to climb peaks. Below are the details.
Upper Mustang
- Lomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 5)
- Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 5)
- Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)
Permits and Fees:
- USD500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days)
Upper Dolpo
- Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 4 to 6)
- Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 7)
- Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 6)
Permits and Fees:
- USD500 per person (for the first 10 days)
USD 50 per person /Day (beyond 10 days)
Gorkha Manaslu Area
Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of wards nos. 1,2,3 and 4)
Permits and Fees:
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)
Humla
- Simikot Rural Municipality (All areas of wards nos. 1,6 and 7)
- Namkha Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 6)
- Changkheli Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 3 to 5)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 50 per person/week
USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
Taplejung
- Phantanglung Rural Municipality (All areas of wards nos. 6 and 7)
- Mikwakhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)
- Sirijunga Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
- USD 25 per person /week (beyond 4 weeks)
Lower Dolpo
- Thulibheri municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 11)
- Tripurasundari municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 11)
- Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 3)
- Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 8 and 9)
- Jagdulla Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 6)
- Mudkechula Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 9)
- Kaike Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 7)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week
- USD 5 per person /week (beyond 1 weeks)
Dolakha
- Gaurishankhar Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 9)
- Bighu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week
Gorkha Tsum Valley
Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule
- Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of wards nos. 3,6 and 7)
Permits and Fees:
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)
Sankhuwasabha
- Bhotkhola Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 5)
- Makalu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
- USD 25 per person /week (beyond 4 weeks)
Solukhumbu
Khumbu Pasang Lahmu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
- USD 25 per person /week (beyond 4 weeks)
Rasuwa
Gosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 and some areas of ward no. 2)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks)
Manang
- Narpa Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 5)
- Nasho Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 6 and 7)
Permits and Fees:
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)
Bajhang
Saipal Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 5)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 90 per person/week for the first week
- USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
Mugu
Mugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 9)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 100 per person/week for the first week
- USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
Darchula
Vyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)
Permits and Fees:
- USD 90 per person/week
- USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)
Permit Fees For Expedition Areas
The Government of Nepal has restructured royalties of mountain climbing permits since 1st of January 2015.
The features of recently changed royalty fees are:
- The permit fees were discounted to 50% for autumn expeditions than spring and to 25% for winter and summer expeditions.
- The Maximum number of expedition members allowed per expedition was increased from 12 to 15.
- Climbing royalty was waved for 5 years for peaks located in mid and far western regions.
| SN | MOUNTAINS | SPRING | AUTUMN | WINTER/SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mt. Everest - Normal Route | 11000 | 5500 | 2750 |
| 2 | Mt. Everest - Other Route | 10000 | 5000 | 2500 |
| 3 | Other Mountains above 8000m | 1800 | 900 | 450 |
| 4 | 7501m - 7999m | 600 | 300 | 150 |
| 5 | 7000m - 7500m | 500 | 250 | 125 |
| 6 | 6501m - 6999m | 400 | 200 | 100 |
| 7 | Mt. Amadablam (6812m) | 400 | 400 | 200 |
| 8 | Less than 6500m | 250 | 125 | 70 |
Please note that the above rates are subject to change with prior notice as per Nepal Governments rules & regulation.