Nepal trekking permits and fees (2026)

Nepal’s trekking and peak‑climbing permit system has never been that simple, and in 2026, it has become even more regulated. New local fees, stricter guide requirements and tighter insurance checks mean outdated advice can now derail a trip before it even begins.

Follow Alice will help demystify Nepal’s trekking permits for 2026. We will explain each permit, the latest costs, and exactly what is required for Nepal’s most popular trekking routes. Please note that this article gives details on the permits and fees necessary for high-altitude trekking, not mountaineering. If you're going to be summiting mountain peaks, your permits and fees will be different.

Trekkers are admiring the beautiful scenery in Nepal.

In Nepal, trekking permits aren’t just a formality; they’re the government’s way of managing and protecting some of the country’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. These permits are required for a few main reasons:

Far from being red tape, trekking permits are a practical way to ensure tourism benefits the people and places that make Nepal’s mountains so extraordinary.

Trekker admiring the beautiful view in Nepal.

Learn more: When Is the Best Time to Visit Nepal? Seasons, Weather & Trekking Tip

Now that we’ve covered why permits matter, you’ll know that trekking in Nepal in 2026 starts with understanding which permits you need before even setting foot on the trail. Every region has its own requirements from the Annapurna Conservation Area to Everest, Manaslu, and Langtang, and the fees vary depending on where you go. These permits help protect the environment, keep trails safe and maintained, and support the communities that welcome trekkers like you.

Working with a tour operator like Follow Alice makes life much easier. We will help organise the permits you need, so you can focus on your trek and not the paperwork. If anything feels unclear, you can always book a call with us to get answers straight from the source.

Let's take a look at what is needed before your Nepal trek:

If you’re trekking in Nepal, you might be wondering if a Trekkers’ Information Management System card (TIMS) is still required. The short answer is that this will depend on the region. For most standard trekking routes outside the Everest/Khumbu area, a TIMS card is still mandatory. It is issued through a government‑registered trekking agency and helps authorities track trekkers for safety and emergency purposes.

However, there are important exceptions. In the Everest Base Camp and broader Khumbu region, a TIMS card is no longer required. Instead, trekkers need local permits in the Khumbu (Everest) region, where peaks like Island, Mera, and Lobuche are located; the TIMS card is no longer recognised or required. The local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural municipality replaced it with their own local entry fee, which is between NPR 2,000 and 3,000.

Outside the Everest region, in areas like Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, and Tilicho, a TIMS card is still considered important, especially if you’re following official trekking routes. In restricted areas such as Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Manaslu, special permits are required, and TIMS may apply as part of those combined permit requirements. Many trekking routes also now require hiring a registered guide, which ties into the TIMS system since guides help register your trek and ensure all permits are in order. Even in regions where TIMS isn’t strictly required, trekking agencies sometimes include it for added safety and convenience.

Here’s a quick overview of the current rules:

Learn more: How to Choose the Right Peak for Your First Climb in Nepal

You can obtain your TIMS card in Nepal either in person or through a registered trekking agency. In Kathmandu, TIMS cards are available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Secretariat in Maligaun, also in Kathmandu, or the TAAN TIMS counter in Thamel.

In Pokhara, you can get your TIMS card at the Nepal Tourism Board regional office in Lakeside or the TAAN Pokhara office. To apply, you’ll need a valid passport, two passport-size photographs, and a completed application form. Many trekkers prefer to have their TIMS card handled by a registered trekking company, which can manage the registration and issue the card as part of their trekking paperwork.

At the time of writing, trekking permits and TIMS fees vary depending on your nationality and whether you are trekking in a group or independently. Group trekkers from foreign countries pay Rs 1,000 each for Blue TIMS cards, while independent trekkers from foreign countries pay Rs 2,000 for Green TIMS cards. For trekkers from SAARC countries, that is, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, group trekkers pay Rs 300 each, and independent trekkers pay Rs 600 each. Nepalese trekkers pay Rs 100 per person in a group or Rs 200 individually. This fee system ensures that all trekkers are officially registered, helping authorities maintain safety and support conservation efforts. Always check the official sites for the latest updated figures before your trek.

TIMS card and most other permits can be obtained in Kathmandu upon arrival.

A TIMS card will have all your main details, like your nationality, trek route, trekking company, and a local emergency contact. To get your card, you’ll need a few things ready:

Important details:

Documents to provide:

Having all this sorted before you apply makes the process quick and stress-free, so you can focus on your adventure.

Trekker is making his way through the Himalayas.

You usually don't need a TIMS card if you're trekking in a restricted area like the Lower Dolpo or Nar–Phu region. Instead, you need to purchase a restricted-area trekking permit.

Some restricted areas charge a daily fee, others a weekly fee, and still others a combination of the two. Upper Mustang, for instance, requires US$500 for the first 10 days, after which you're charged US$50 for every subsequent day. Restricted-area trekking permits are needed when you plan to walk in one of the following regions:

The Nar and Phu Valleys require a restricted-area permit.

Restricted‑area permits are officially issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu, Nepal’s government authority responsible for these special permits. You can’t buy them from a shop or online portal as a solo traveller. Individual trekkers cannot apply directly; the government requires that permits be processed through a registered and licensed trekking agency in Nepal. That agency will submit all documents to the Department of Immigration and pay the permit fees on your behalf.

Two climbers are about to summit Island Peak in Nepal.

Every major high‑altitude trek in Nepal passes through either a National Park or a Conservation Area, and entry permits are required for these protected zones. These fees are per person per entry, and you generally pay them once regardless of how long you stay within that area. Please, before you trek, check the latest figures on a reliable site like the Nepal Tourism Board.

SAARC nationals often pay reduced rates (e.g., NPR 1,000–1,500). Nepali citizens often have much lower or no fees.

Important points about these fees: - The fee is charged once upon entry; you don’t pay again each day again within the park or conservation area. - No profile photos are required for national park or conservation area permits. - These permits are typically straightforward and inexpensive compared to restricted‑area permits.

It's incredibly affordable to trek in Nepal compared to other countries.

Getting an entry permit for Nepal’s national parks is straightforward. You can buy it:

Pay in advance and receive your permit immediately. There is no running around and no hassle. Just smooth, stress-free trekking prep.

Please remember to enter a national park; you just need a few details about you, like your trek itinerary, the dates you’ll be in the park, and, if you’re using one, the name and address of your tour operator and your guide’s contact information. Having this ready makes getting your permit quick and easy.

Similar to national parks, you simply need to pay a once-off fee to obtain an entry permit for a conservation area. This fee is a super modest NRP 3,000 (or around US$25). And again, your permit is issued on the spot. The most famous and largest conservation area in Nepal is the Annapurna Conservation Area (as you can see in the map below).

Map of Nepal's national parks and conservation areas.

Let's now look at each of Nepal's most popular treks and what permits and fees are required for each to help you plan and budget. We've placed them in alphabetical order to help you scroll and find the ones that interest you.

* Please note that Nepali and SAARC citizens pay lower rates than those stated below.

Sunrise over Poonhill

Here's what you'll pay for permits and fees to do any one of the following Annapurna Conservation Area treks:

And here's what you'll pay for the Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek:

The Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit is one of our newest Nepal trekking adventures

Finally, here's what you'll pay for the Upper Mustang trek:

The Upper Mustang trek takes you into an incredibly remote and culturally rich area

Here's what you'll pay for permits and fees for any of the following Everest Base Camp treks:

Our tech whiz, Marco, with friends on the EBC and Three Passes trek.

Here's what you'll pay for permits and fees for the following treks inside Langtang National Park:

Learn more: How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost?

The scenery on the Helambu trek.

Here's what you'll pay for the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek:

Here's what you'll pay to do the Kagmara La trek:

And here's what you'll pay for permits and fees to do any of these other treks inside Shey Phoksundo National Park:

Finally, here's what you'll pay to do the expensive Upper Dolpo trek:

To do the Makalu Base Camp trek, you should budget:

Here's what you'll pay to do the Manaslu Circuit trek:

And here's what you'll pay to do the Tsum Valley trek:

Learn more: 15 things you need to know before doing the Everest Base Camp trek

Sunrise over Mt Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world

You can look at Nepal's Department of Immigration website to check for any updates or further info with regards to trekking permits and fees. If you need more information, feel free to contact us; we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.