Need to know which Nepal trekking permits you need in 2026, what they cost and how to get them? This guide covers every permit on the main trails: the TIMS card, national park and conservation area fees, and the Restricted Area Permits for Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang and Dolpo. We process these permits for our trekkers every season, so this is what actually happens at the counter, not a copy of a brochure.
What Permits Do You Need to Trek in Nepal?
Most treks in Nepal need two permits: a TIMS card (NPR 2,000) and a national park or conservation area permit (NPR 3,000). Restricted areas such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang and Dolpo add a Restricted Area Permit priced in US dollars. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers must book through a registered agency and walk with a licensed guide.
The exact mix depends on your route. Use the table below to find yours.
Nepal Trekking Permit Costs by Trek (2026)
Here is what each popular trek needs. Park and conservation fees are paid in Nepali rupees. Restricted Area Permits are paid in US dollars.
| Trek | Permits you need | Government fees per person |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Sagarmatha National Park + Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit (no TIMS) | NPR 3,000 + NPR 3,000 |
| Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal | ACAP + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + NPR 2,000 |
| Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda | Langtang National Park + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + NPR 2,000 |
| Manaslu Circuit | Manaslu RAP + MCAP + ACAP | USD 75 to 100 for the first 7 days + NPR 3,000 + NPR 3,000 |
| Manaslu and Tsum Valley | Manaslu RAP + Tsum Valley RAP + MCAP + ACAP | Both RAPs + NPR 3,000 + NPR 3,000 |
| Upper Mustang | Upper Mustang RAP + ACAP | USD 50 per day in the restricted zone + NPR 3,000 |
| Nar Phu Valley | Nar Phu RAP + ACAP | USD 75 to 100 per week + NPR 3,000 |
| Upper Dolpo | Upper Dolpo RAP + Shey Phoksundo National Park | USD 500 for 10 days + park fee |
| Kanchenjunga Base Camp | Kanchenjunga RAP + Kanchenjunga Conservation Area | USD 20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then USD 25 per week + conservation fee |
What Changed for Nepal Trekking Permits in 2026?
Two rule changes matter if you are planning a trek right now. Most older guides, including the 2025 version of this page, miss both.
Solo trekkers can now get a Restricted Area Permit
Until March 2026, the Department of Immigration only issued Restricted Area Permits to groups of two or more foreigners. Solo trekkers had to find a partner or skip Manaslu, Tsum and Nar Phu. In late March 2026 the Department dropped that rule.
- You can now get a RAP as a single trekker.
- You still need a licensed guide and a registered agency. That part did not change.
- One permit application covers up to seven trekkers.
- Applications can use your visa application number, so your agency can start before you land.
Upper Mustang now charges per day
The old Upper Mustang permit cost a flat USD 500 for 10 days. Nepal’s cabinet replaced it in late 2025 with USD 50 per person per day, counted only for days inside the restricted zone. A short 5-day loop now costs about half what it used to.
The guide rule from 2023 still stands
Since 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas must hire a licensed guide through a registered agency. The Everest (Khumbu) region is the known exception: the local municipality does not enforce the rule there. Read more in our guide on whether you can trek in Nepal without a guide.
Types of Trekking Permits in Nepal
TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
The TIMS card logs who is on the trail and where. It costs NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. The old green (solo) and blue (group) cards no longer apply, because every foreign trekker now goes through an agency.
- Needed for: Annapurna, Langtang and most other open trekking regions.
- Not needed for: the Everest region, which uses its own local permit, and restricted-area treks such as the Manaslu Circuit, where the RAP does the same job.
- Where to get it: through your registered trekking agency. See our step-by-step TIMS card guide.
National Park and Conservation Area Permits
These entry permits fund trail upkeep and conservation. You pay once per entry, not per day.
| Protected area | Popular treks | Fee (foreigners) |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) | ABC, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Upper Mustang | NPR 3,000 |
| Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP) | Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley | NPR 3,000 |
| Sagarmatha National Park | Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Three Passes | NPR 3,000 |
| Langtang National Park | Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, Tamang Heritage | NPR 3,000 |
| Makalu Barun National Park | Makalu Base Camp | NPR 3,000 |
The National Trust for Nature Conservation manages the Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas.
Everest Region Local Permit
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality charges its own entry permit, collected near Lukla or Monjo. It replaces the TIMS card in the Everest region. You still need the Sagarmatha National Park permit on top.
Restricted Area Permits (RAP)
Border regions near Tibet need a special permit from the Department of Immigration. Only registered agencies can apply, and you must trek with a licensed guide. Fees are in US dollars and often change with the season.
| Restricted area | Sep to Nov | Dec to Aug |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu | USD 100 for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per day | USD 75 for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per day |
| Tsum Valley | USD 40 for the first 7 days, then USD 7 per day | USD 30 for the first 7 days, then USD 7 per day |
| Nar Phu Valley | USD 100 per week | USD 75 per week |
| Upper Mustang | USD 50 per day | USD 50 per day |
| Upper Dolpo | USD 500 for 10 days, then USD 50 per day | USD 500 for 10 days, then USD 50 per day |
| Lower Dolpo | USD 20 per week | USD 20 per week |
| Kanchenjunga | USD 20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then USD 25 per week | USD 20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then USD 25 per week |
Worked example: you spend 9 days inside the Manaslu restricted zone in October. That is USD 100 for the first 7 days plus 2 extra days at USD 15, so USD 130. Add MCAP and ACAP at NPR 3,000 each. For the full Manaslu breakdown, read our Manaslu trekking permit guide and the Tsum Valley permit guide.
How to Apply for Nepal Trekking Permits
You cannot walk into an office and buy most permits yourself anymore. Here is how it works in practice.
- Book with a registered agency. Only licensed agencies can apply for TIMS cards and Restricted Area Permits.
- Send your documents. Your agency needs a passport scan, your visa or visa application details, trek dates and your travel insurance.
- Your agency files the RAP online. The Department of Immigration checks your details and issues the permit.
- Conservation and park permits come next. The agency pays these in Nepali rupees in Kathmandu, or you pay park fees at the entry gate.
- Carry printed copies. Checkpost staff check paper permits against your passport.
Documents You Need
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Nepal visa, or your visa application number for the new online RAP system
- Travel insurance that covers helicopter rescue at high altitude
- Your trek itinerary with entry and exit dates
- Passport-size photos, if your agency asks for printed ones
How Long Permits Take
A Manaslu RAP usually takes about an hour and a half when the online system runs smoothly, and a few hours if it is done by hand. The Department of Immigration is closed on Saturdays and public holidays, so book before long festival breaks like Dashain and Tihar.
5 Permit Mistakes That Cost Trekkers Money
- Assuming fees are refundable. They are not. Cancel your trek and the permit money is gone.
- Getting the season wrong. Manaslu and Nar Phu RAPs cost more from September to November. Check which rate your dates fall under.
- Forgetting the second conservation permit. The Manaslu Circuit exits through the Annapurna area, so you need ACAP as well as MCAP.
- Skipping insurance. Permits do not cover rescue. Agencies need proof of cover before they file a RAP.
- Trusting old blog posts. TIMS card colors, the two-trekker rule and the flat Upper Mustang fee are all gone. Check the date on any guide you read.
Download Your Free Nepal Permit Checklist
Want everything on one page? Download our free PDF permit checklist with the documents list and fee tables.
Nepal Trekking Permits: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do trekking permits cost in Nepal?
Most open treks cost NPR 5,000 in permits: NPR 2,000 for the TIMS card and NPR 3,000 for the park or conservation area. Everest uses a local permit instead of TIMS. Restricted areas add a US dollar permit, from USD 20 per week in Kanchenjunga to USD 50 per day in Upper Mustang.
Do I need a TIMS card in 2026?
Yes for Annapurna, Langtang and most open regions. No for the Everest region, which has its own local permit, and no for restricted-area treks like the Manaslu Circuit. The fee is NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers, and your agency arranges it.
Can I trek solo in Nepal in 2026?
You can book as a single traveler, but you cannot walk without a guide in most regions. Since March 2026, solo trekkers can get Restricted Area Permits, as long as they trek with a licensed guide booked through a registered agency.
Can I get Nepal trekking permits online?
Your agency can file Restricted Area Permits online with the Department of Immigration, and the new system accepts a visa application number. You cannot apply for a RAP yourself. Only registered agencies can.
Are trekking permit fees refundable?
No. Permit fees are not refunded if you cancel, cut your trek short or change your route. Only book permits once your dates are firm.
Do I need a TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit?
No. The Manaslu Circuit needs the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. The RAP replaces the TIMS card on this route.
Can permits be issued on a Saturday or public holiday?
Restricted Area Permits cannot. The Department of Immigration is closed on Saturdays and public holidays. Agencies get permits done ahead of long holidays so your start date does not slip.
Let Us Handle Your Permits
Every Manaslu Circuit Treks package includes the permits your route needs. We file the RAP, pay the conservation fees and hand you printed copies in Kathmandu. Pick a trek and we will take care of the paperwork:
- Manaslu Circuit Trek (14 days)
- Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek (17 days)
- Manaslu Short Trek (11 days)
- Budget Manaslu Trek (14 days)
Still budgeting? Our Manaslu Circuit trek cost breakdown shows where permit fees fit in, and our guide to the best time for the Manaslu trek helps you pick the cheaper or the busier season. Questions about your permits? Message our team on WhatsApp:
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Online nowWritten and checked by the Manaslu Circuit Treks permit team in Kathmandu. Last updated October 2026. Government fees change without much notice, so we confirm the current rate when you book.
