Trekking permit fees

 

Here is a small question for you. Ever experienced trekking in Nepal? If you haven’t, then you are solemnly lacking out on something.

An ideal place for adventure, Nepal is the most picked trekking destination by foreign trekkers.

In this beautiful land of Himalayas, one can solely participate in spiritual cleansing and cultural encounters while trekking, mountaineering, hiking, rafting, Jungle safari, and many other adventure activities. Trekking in Nepal is everyone as the difficulty ranges to breathtaking treks from mild and enjoyable walks.

 

Foreign trekkers are required to have a special permit and registrations to undergo trekking excursion in Nepal. Since there are numerous trekking routes available in Nepal at a different geographical location, the requirement, and fees for each area is different.

 

Most of the trekking destination in Nepal involves areas protected for environmental or historical purpose as National parks and conservation areas. As of August 2015, foreign trekkers are required to trek with a guide or porter registered under the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) while trekking through Nepal’s restricted areas.

 

 For National Parks and Conservation areas

The trekkers from outside Nepal are required to obtain Permits to enter every national park and conservation area in Nepal. The fees collected from the trekkers with these permits are used to maintain and preserve those areas. However, children below 10 years of age of any nationality are not applicable to permit fees.

 

There are a few trekking destinations in Nepal that are categorized to be restricted areas by the government of Nepal. Foreign trekkers must obtain a specifically restricted area permit (RAP) to enter those areas.

Similar to National parks and conservation areas, the fees collected are used for local community development and cultural preservation projects. 

 

Foreign trekkers are required to register with a Trekker’s Information Management System(TIMS) and should purchase a TIMS card. The card is required to enter most of the trekking areas in Nepal ad is managed by the Nepal Tourism Board.

The TIMS is used to keep track of any foreign personal visiting the country making it easier to respond in case of emergencies.

 

The foreign trekkers already equipped with Restricted Area Permit are not required to obtain a TIMS.

Given below is a list of permit requirements for some of the most popular trekking destination in Nepal.

 

The trekking routes within the Everest region comprises of Sagarmatha National park. Therefore, foreign trekkers are required to possess a National park entry permit as well as a TIMS car in order to trek in the Everest region.

 

 The entry permit fees for Sagarmatha National Park is

For Foreigners - 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, giving a total of 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)

For SAARC Nationals – 1500 NPR

Replacing the TIMS permit of  2015 for charging 1000 NPR (Approx. US $10) on every foreigner entering the municipality, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district has started charging an entrance fee of 2000 NPR (Approx. the US $20) from October 2018.

 

The Permit for trekking in the Everest region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

 

Every trekking trails in the Annapurna region including the famous trek to the base of Annapurna massif (the Annapurna Base Camp Trek ) and the trek circling the Annapurna massif ( Annapurna circuit trek) are inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Foreigners are required to get an entry permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as well as a TIMS card to trek in the Annapurna region.

 

The entry permit fees for Annapurna Conservation Area is

For Foreigners - 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)

For SAARC Nationals – 200 NPR

According to the latest data, The TIMS permit on every foreigner entering the Annapurna Conservation Area is 1000 NPR (Approx US $10)

 

The Permit for trekking in the Annapurna region can be purchased in Kathmandu as well as Pokhara as per your convenience. Kathmandu: Permits and TIMS cards can be bought from the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

 

Pokhara: The Permits can also be purchased in Pokhara at the Nepal Tourism Board Service Center in Damside or at the ACAP entry permit counter in Besisahar, Lamjung.

TIMS cards can also be purchased from the TAAN Lakeside office in Pokhara.

 

Identified as the Gem of trekking trails in Nepal, there are a few restricted areas in the Annapurna region as well, the most popular and wild being Nar and Phu valleys near Manang district. Since the area is restricted, foreigners are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit to trek in these areas.

 

Every foreigner is charged a fee of US $90 per week from the month of September to November and the US $75 for any other month of the year.

The restricted area permit for the Annapurna region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

 

Area Type: Restricted

The Upper Mustang region is labeled as a restricted area, and much of the region, including its trekking trails, also lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Foreigners are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit in addition to an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit to trek in Upper Mustang. 

 

 The entry permit fees for Upper Mustang Restricted Area is

For all Foreigners - US $500 per person for the first 10 days and the US $50 per person per day thereafter.

 The Entry permit fee for the Annapurna conservation area is

 

For Foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. US $30)

 For SAARC Nationals – 200 NPR

The Permit for trekking in the Upper Mustang region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

 

 

Type: National Park

 

The trekking trails in the Langtang region passes through the Langtang National Park. Therefore, every foreign citizen is required to pay an entry fee to enter Langtang National Park as well as obtain a TIMS card to trek in the Langtang region.

 

 The entry permit fees for Langtang Region is

For Foreigners - 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, giving a total of 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)

For SAARC Nationals – 200 NPR

TIMS permit for Langtang region for every foreigner – 1000 NPR (APprox US $10)

 

The Permit for trekking in the Langtang region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909. The permits can also be obtained from the entry point of the Langtang National Park at Dhunche.

 

Type: Conservation Area/Restricted area

The Manaslu region is categorized as a restricted area. Almost all trekking trails in the Manaslu region lie within the Manaslu Conservation Area, but there are some trails that cross into the Annapurna Conservation Area. Therefore, Foreigners are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit to trek in the Manaslu region, as well as permits to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area, the Manaslu Conservation Area, or both depending on what route they follow.

 

The entry permit fees for Manaslu Region is

Restricted Area Permit for all foreigners: the US $70 per person for the first week and the US $10 per day afterward.

 Manaslu Conservation Area entry permit fee

for foreigners: 2,000 NPR (Approx. US $20)

for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

    Annapurna conservation area entry permit fee

 for foreigners: 3,000 NPR (Approx. the US $30)

for SAARC nationals: 200 NPR

The Permit for trekking in Manaslu region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909. Similar to purchasing permits for trekking in the Annapurna Region, the permits for the Manaslu region can also be obtained from Pokhara as well.

 

 Lower Dolpo and Phoksundo Lake

Type: National Park

Since the Phoksundo lake and trekking trails in the Lower Dolpo region lie within Shey-Phoksundo National Park, every foreigner on this trial is required to obtain a Rara National Park entry permit as well as a TIMS card.

 

1.     Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry permit fee

2.     for foreign Citizens: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)

3.     for SAARC nationals: 1,500 NPR

4.     TIMS permit for every foreigner : 1,000 NPR (Approx. US $10)

Type: National Park/Restricted Area

Classified as a restricted area, most of the trail of Upper Dolpo trek lies within Shey- Phoksundo National Park. Therefore, foreigners are required to get an entry permit of Shey Phoksundo national park as well as a restricted area permit to trek in the Upper Dolpo region.

1.     Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Permit for all foreigners: US $500 per person for the first 10 days and the US $50 per person per day thereafter.

2.     Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry permit fee

 For every foreigner: 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34)

3.     fee for SAARC nationals: 1,500 NPR

The Permit for trekking in the Dolpo Region can be purchased in the Nepal Tourism Board Office on Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, Tel: +977 1 4256909.

 

I hope this article helped to clear your doubts about trekking permits in Nepal. However, we suggest you hire a good trekking agency to help you through the process of obtaining permits and TIMS. Have a safe time in Nepal, Namaste!