Nepal Trekking Permit Fee Calculator
Calculate accurate permit fees across Sagarmatha, Annapurna, Langtang, and Restricted Zones. See exact costs in NPR and USD, mandatory guide laws, required photos, and office locations.
βοΈ Step 1: Select Your Trek Details
Each zone operates under distinct conservation park and local council jurisdictions.
Restricted areas require a licensed guide arranged via a registered agency.
Affects restricted permit extensions.
Required Documents & Photos
Carry originals and physical copies before visiting permit counters.
- βOriginal Passport: Must have at least 6 months validity from date of entry.
- βPassport Photocopies: At least 2 clear paper copies of your main passport biodata page and Nepal visa page.
- βPassport-Sized Photos: 2 to 4 recent physical passport photos per permit card (white background).
- βTravel Medical Insurance Details: Carry emergency policy and assistance details. High-altitude medical and helicopter-evacuation cover is strongly recommended; confirm any route-specific permit documentation with your agency.
- βCash & Online Payment: Bring NPR cash for park counters (cards often offline at checkpoints). Note: NTNC's online ePermit portal accepts Visa/Mastercard (adds a 2.9% gateway fee) and emails your permit.
Where to Issue Your Permits
Official government locations in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Located at Bhrikutimandap, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu. Open Sunday to Friday (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM). Issues ACAP, MCAP, Langtang, and TIMS cards. ACAP/MCAP can also be obtained online via the NTNC ePermit portal (card payment, emailed permit).
Located at Damside, Pokhara. Open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Issues ACAP permits and TIMS cards for all Annapurna region routes.
Kalikasthan, Kathmandu. Restricted Area Permits (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Nar Phu) must be filed by a registered Nepalese trekking agency. Since March 2026 a single foreign trekker may apply, but a licensed guide is mandatory.
How Much Do Trekking Permits Cost in Nepal?
For most classic routes like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna, expect to pay between $38 and $50 USD (NPR 5,000 to 6,000) per person in total entry fees. Restricted wilderness regions like Manaslu or Upper Mustang cost significantly more due to government royalties (charged per day in USD) and require a licensed guide arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency.
The Three Regulatory Permit Categories Explained
Nepal classifies its trekking trails under three separate governmental jurisdictions. Understanding which category your route falls under will save you hours of paperwork.
National Park Permits (DNPWC)
Managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Covers Sagarmatha (Everest), Langtang, Shivapuri, and Shey Phoksundo.
- Standard Foreign Fee: NPR 3,000 + 13% VAT (approx. $23 USD).
- SAARC Citizen Fee: NPR 1,500.
- Validity: Single entry, valid for the duration of the trek inside the park boundaries.
Conservation Areas (NTNC)
Managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Covers Annapurna (ACAP), Manaslu (MCAP), and Gaurishankar (GCAP).
- Standard Foreign Fee: NPR 3,000 (approx. $23 USD).
- SAARC Citizen Fee: NPR 1,000.
- TIMS Requirement: TIMS card (NPR 2,000) is mandatory alongside ACAP entry permits.
Restricted Area Permits (RAP)
Issued exclusively by the Department of Immigration for sensitive border and indigenous cultural areas (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga).
- Updated Rule (March 2026): A single foreign trekker can now obtain a permit. Solo permits are permitted with a licensed guide.
- Agency Filing: Can only be applied for by a registered Nepalese trekking agency.
- Mandatory Guide: A certified, licensed guide must accompany the group throughout.
The Mandatory Guide Rule: What Is Legal vs Local Reality
On April 1, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) announced a nationwide ban on solo trekking for foreign nationals. However, the legal enforcement varies across different valleys in Nepal.
There is an active regulatory conflict here. Nepal Tourism Board currently lists EBC, Gokyo, and related Everest routes under its licensed-guide + agency TIMS requirement. However, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality exercises constitutional local autonomy and has historically allowed independent trekking. Independent trekkers continue to report different treatment on the ground. Verify the current NTB guidance and Khumbu municipal requirements immediately before departure. You purchase the local entry permit in Lukla or Monjo.
Both the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) and Langtang National Park strictly enforce the guide mandate. Checkpoints at Birethanti, Besisahar, Dhunche, and Syabrubesi verify that you are accompanied by a licensed guide holding an active Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) or NTB guide credential.
Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Dolpo, and Kanchenjunga have always required a licensed guide by federal immigration law, and permits must be filed by a registered agency. Since March 2026 the previous minimum-two-trekker rule was removed, so a single foreigner may now apply. Entering these zones without an official guide and an agency-issued permit will result in deportation or hefty criminal fines.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Permits at NTB Bhrikutimandap (Kathmandu)
For ACAP and MCAP you have two routes: the NTNC online ePermit portal (pay by Visa/Mastercard, 2.9% gateway fee, permit emailed to you) or the physical Nepal Tourism Board counter in Kathmandu/Pokhara. Restricted Area Permits must be filed by a registered agency. Here is the physical counter walk-through:
Visit between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM to avoid mid-day tour group lines. Have exact cash in Nepalese Rupees ready; the permit counters do not take credit cards.
Pick up physical application forms from the front desk. Fill in your passport number, entry/exit trailheads, insurance policy number, and emergency contact.
Provide 2 passport photos per permit card (e.g. 2 for ACAP, 2 for TIMS). Hand over your original passport for immigration verification.
Pay the fee at the cashier window and receive your stamped TIMS card and paper park permit. Keep both inside a waterproof ziploc pouch inside your daypack.
β Frequently Asked Questions About Nepal Trekking Permits
Do I need a TIMS card for the Everest Base Camp trek?βΎ
There is an active regulatory conflict. Since 2018 the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality replaced TIMS in the Everest region with its own local entry permit (NPR 3,000), and has historically allowed independent trekking. However, Nepal Tourism Board's current guidance lists EBC, Gokyo and related routes under its guide + agency TIMS requirement. Many independent trekkers report being allowed through, but you should verify the current NTB and Khumbu municipal requirements immediately before departure.
Is a guide strictly mandatory for all Nepal treks now?βΎ
In April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) enacted a rule requiring all foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide for conservation areas (like Annapurna and Langtang) and national parks. Restricted areas (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Nar Phu) always legally require a licensed guide, and since March 2026 a single foreign trekker may apply (the old two-person minimum was removed). The Everest region is a special case: NTB lists it under the guide requirement, but the Khumbu municipality has historically not enforced it, so verify locally before departure.
Can I pay for my trekking permits with a credit card at trail gates?βΎ
Carry sufficient physical cash in Nepalese Rupees (NPR). Payment methods and connectivity at checkpoints can be unreliable, and permit requirements or late-processing consequences vary by issuing authority. Obtain the required permits before departure and verify current procedures.
Are children required to purchase full-price permits?βΎ
Child-specific permit rules vary by park, conservation area, and issuing authority. Confirm the current requirement and carry proof of age such as a passport copy when passing trail checkpoints.