The three permit families
Conservation area and national park permits are entry fees for the protected area you are walking in — Sagarmatha, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu and so on.
TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) is a registration card used for search-and-rescue records. It applies in most regions but not the Khumbu.
Restricted-area permits apply to border regions — Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga. They are issued only through registered agencies, priced per person per day or week, and require a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers.
By route
| Trek | Permits required |
|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu Rural Municipality |
| Three Passes | Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu Rural Municipality |
| Annapurna Circuit | ACAP + TIMS |
| Poon Hill | ACAP + TIMS |
| Langtang Valley | Langtang NP + TIMS |
| Manaslu Circuit | Restricted Area + MCAP + ACAP |
| Upper Mustang | Restricted Area + ACAP |
Where to buy
The Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) and Pokhara (Damside) issue ACAP, TIMS and national park permits. Bring your passport, two passport photos and cash in rupees.
Khumbu permits are issued at Lukla or the Monjo checkpoint on the trail. Restricted-area permits must be arranged by an agency before you leave Kathmandu.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TIMS card for Everest Base Camp?
Do I need a guide to trek in Nepal?
Can I buy permits at the trailhead?
About the author
The Atlas Editorial Team
Research & fact-checking
The Atlas editorial team maintains the structured route, permit and cost data behind every page on this site. Figures are checked against government permit offices, national park authorities and operators on the ground, and each page carries the date it was last reviewed.
Writes about: Route data · Permits and regulations · Trip costs
