Everest Base Camp Permits Guide

This guide covers what you actually need: the two required permits, current fees, where to buy them, why TIMS doesn't apply here the way it does elsewhere, the honest state of the guide-requirement question, and the paperwork checklist that gets you through Monjo and Lukla checkpoints without a hitch.

If you're still finalizing your itinerary, our Everest Base Camp Trek page has the full route this guide is built around.

Quick Answer

What permits are required for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Two permits, and only two: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Together they cost roughly NPR 6,000 (about USD 45–48) for foreign nationals. TIMS is not required for the standard Everest Base Camp route — the Khumbu region replaced it with the municipality permit back in 2018, which is one of the most common points of confusion for first-time trekkers researching this trip.

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Everest Base Camp Permits at a Glance

Every trekker needs exactly these two documents to legally enter and trek the Khumbu — nothing more, unless you're taking the Jiri approach route (covered below).

Sagarmatha National Park Permit

Purpose: Sagarmatha National Park is Nepal's first national park to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering 1,148 square kilometers of the Khumbu region including Everest itself, Gokyo, and the entire standard Base Camp route. The entry fee directly funds park conservation, trail maintenance, and biodiversity protection — this is genuinely how the park's rangers, visitor centers, and conservation programs stay funded, not a generic tourist tax.

Current fees (foreigners): NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23), consistently confirmed across current sources as of 2026.

SAARC nationals: NPR 1,500.

Nepali citizens: NPR 100.

Children: Children under 10 years old can enter free and are exempt from both the Sagarmatha National Park entry fee and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit fee.Validity: valid for the duration of a single trekking visit; it's not a multi-entry or annual pass.

Where to obtain it: the Nepal Tourism Board office at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or directly at the park entrance checkpoint in Monjo village if you haven't arranged it in advance.

Documents required: passport, and typically one or two passport-sized photos — bring spares, since requirements can vary slightly by issuing point and season.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

Purpose: unlike the national park permit, this is a local municipal fee that funds infrastructure, trail maintenance, and community development specifically within the villages you'll actually walk through — Lukla, Phakding, Namche, and onward. It's the local government's own revenue mechanism for the tourism traffic passing through their jurisdiction.

Current fee (foreigners): NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23) as of 2026

Why it replaced TIMS: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality began levying its own entrance fee in October 2018, effectively replacing the TIMS card for this specific region. The logic was straightforward: rather than trekkers paying into a centralized national tracking system, the local municipality directly governing the trail wanted its own dedicated funding mechanism — a genuinely different administrative model from how Annapurna, Langtang, and most other trekking regions still operate.

Where it's issued: at the Lukla checkpoint, immediately after you land (or, for those trekking in via Jiri, at the equivalent municipal checkpoint along that route).

Payment methods: cash only, in Nepali Rupees. Card payments and foreign currency generally aren't accepted at trailhead checkpoints — exchange money in Kathmandu before you fly.

Validity: single-entry, valid for the duration of your trek.

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Is TIMS Required for Everest Base Camp?

No. This deserves its own section because it's genuinely one of the most persistent points of confusion in Everest trek planning, and getting it wrong can mean paying for something you don't need or, worse, being told by an outdated blog that you need a document that doesn't apply here.

A brief history: the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card was introduced in 2008 as a nationwide trekker registration and safety-tracking system, administered by the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN (Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal). It's still required today for most major trekking regions — Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu's non-restricted sections, and others.

Why it's not required in the Khumbu: as covered above, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality introduced its own local entrance fee in October 2018, and this replaced TIMS specifically for the Everest region. If you've read a guide — even a fairly recent one — that lists TIMS as a required document for Everest Base Camp, it's simply out of date.

The common misconception: trekkers who've researched Annapurna or Langtang treks first, where TIMS genuinely is required, often assume the same applies to Everest by default. It doesn't. The permit systems for Nepal's major trekking regions aren't standardized — each operates its own combination of national park fees, conservation area fees, and/or TIMS, and Everest's system is a genuine exception worth understanding on its own terms rather than assuming it mirrors Annapurna's.

Bottom line: for the standard Everest Base Camp route through the Khumbu, you need the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit — full stop. No TIMS card, no additional national registration document.

Permit Costs Explained

What each fee covers:

• The national park fee funds conservation programs, ranger staffing, trail infrastructure, and biodiversity protection across the park's full 1,148 km².
• The municipality fee funds local infrastructure and community development specifically in the villages the trail passes through — a direct investment in the communities hosting the trek, not a centralized government fund.

A note on currency and payment: both permits are priced and paid in Nepali Rupees, not USD, so the dollar-equivalent figures throughout this guide will shift slightly with the exchange rate. Budget in rupees where possible, and exchange currency in Kathmandu (Thamel has competitive rates) before heading to Lukla, since checkpoint offices generally don't handle foreign currency or card payments.

Where Can You Get Everest Base Camp Permits?

Nepal Tourism Board (Kathmandu)

The NTB office at Bhrikutimandap is where you'd obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Permit in advance, before flying to Lukla. This is the most common route for trekkers who want everything sorted before leaving Kathmandu, and it's typically the option a trekking agency handles on your behalf as part of a guided package.

Lukla

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is issued at the Lukla checkpoint, immediately after you land — you genuinely can't get this one in Kathmandu, since it's a local municipal fee tied to physically entering the municipality's jurisdiction.

Monjo Checkpoint

If you haven't already obtained the Sagarmatha National Park Permit in Kathmandu, it can also be purchased directly at the park entry checkpoint in Monjo village, which you'll pass through on your second or third trekking day. Park staff also use this checkpoint to conduct brief conservation and safety briefings — not just a paperwork stop.

Which location applies when: most independent trekkers sort the national park permit in Kathmandu before flying out (simpler, less queueing at altitude) and the municipality permit at Lukla (the only place it's issued anyway). Guided trekkers on a package with Places Nepal have both handled as part of their booking, with nothing to arrange personally beyond having a passport ready.

Can You Buy Everest Base Camp Permits Online?

Not directly, as of this writing — there's no complete, trekker-facing online portal for either permit. Both are still issued in person, either at the NTB office in Kathmandu, at Monjo, or at Lukla.

Why permits are generally issued in person: part of it is administrative — Nepal's tourism permit infrastructure hasn't fully digitized this specific process — and part of it is practical: the physical permit document is checked at trailhead checkpoints, so an in-person issuance process ties directly to the physical card or paper you'll be asked to show along the route.

Why many trekkers let their trekking agency arrange everything for them: licensed agencies with established relationships at NTB and the Lukla checkpoint can typically process permits faster and with less friction than an individual trekker navigating the system solo, especially during peak season when queues at both the NTB office and Lukla checkpoint can be genuinely long. This is one of the more understated conveniences of booking a guided trek — permits become something that's simply handled, not something you have to plan a Kathmandu morning around.

Documents Required

Pack these before you leave home, not the morning you fly to Lukla:

• ✅ Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, standard for Nepal entry generally
• ✅ Passport photocopy — at least one, kept separate from your actual passport
• ✅ Passport-sized photos — 2–4 copies; requirements vary slightly by permit and issuing point, so extras cost nothing and save a scramble
• ✅ Nepali Rupees in cash — enough to cover both permit fees plus a buffer; card payment isn't reliably available at checkpoints
• ✅ Your trekking itinerary — useful for the Sagarmatha National Park briefing at Monjo and generally good practice to have accessible
• ✅ Travel insurance documentation — not a permit requirement itself, but worth carrying alongside your permit paperwork given how closely tied insurance and altitude safety are on this route (see our altitude sickness guide)

Permit Checkpoints Along the Trek

What actually happens if you arrive without permits: you're not turned back outright — you simply purchase them on the spot at Monjo or Lukla, assuming you have cash and a passport. The bigger risk isn't being denied entry, it's the time lost queueing at altitude during peak season rather than having this sorted calmly in Kathmandu beforehand.

Solo Trekking & Guide Rules

This is the section worth reading carefully, because the honest answer is more nuanced than either "guides are mandatory" or "you can trek fully solo" — and we'd rather tell you that directly than pretend there's a single clean rule.

The national-level rule: in April 2023, Nepal's government and the Nepal Tourism Board introduced a directive requiring all foreign trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide when trekking in national parks and conservation areas. This rule is firmly and consistently enforced in the Annapurna Conservation Area, where it's genuinely unambiguous — no guide, no permit, no trek.

The situation in the Khumbu specifically: Sagarmatha National Park is, on paper, a national park the April 2023 directive would apply to. However, multiple current sources report that the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality — the local authority that actually administers trail permits in this region — has not enforced a guide requirement as a condition of issuing its own permit, and has in some cases publicly stated that independent trekking remains permitted in its jurisdiction. In practice, this means the permit-issuance process itself doesn't currently require proof of a hired guide the way Annapurna's does.

What this means practically: as of this writing, it's genuinely possible to obtain both required permits and trek the classic Everest Base Camp route without a guide, in a way that isn't currently true for Annapurna. But this is an area of real regulatory ambiguity — local enforcement policy, and how strictly the national directive gets applied here, can and does shift. 

Why we recommend a licensed guide regardless of the legal requirement: setting the regulatory question aside entirely, a guide provides real value on this specific route — altitude monitoring and the judgment to recommend slowing down or descending when needed, navigation through weather that can obscure trail markers, direct local knowledge of which teahouses are genuinely reliable at each stage, and a faster, calmer response if something does go wrong. For a route that climbs to 5,364m with real altitude risk, we think the safety case for a guide stands on its own, independent of whether it's currently mandatory on paper.

For the full picture on altitude risk this reasoning is based on, see our altitude sickness guide.

Jiri Route Permit Requirements

Trekkers who choose the classic overland approach from Jiri (or Shivalaya) rather than flying directly into Lukla need one additional document: the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit.

Cost: approximately NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, with reduced rates for SAARC nationals and Nepali citizens

Why the extra permit: the Jiri approach route passes through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area before reaching the Khumbu region proper, which is administered separately from Sagarmatha National Park and therefore requires its own entry fee.

Where to obtain it: at Shivalaya, along the route, or in advance at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu.

Who typically chooses this route: trekkers deliberately avoiding the Lukla flight altogether (see our Lukla Flight Guide for why some travelers prefer this), those retracing the historic 1953 Hillary/Tenzing approach route for its own sake, or trekkers with significant extra time who want a quieter, more gradual acclimatization profile than the standard fly-in itinerary offers. It adds roughly 6–10 extra trekking days compared to the standard route.

Permit Process Step-by-Step

1. Arrive in Nepal and settle into Kathmandu — most trekkers spend at least one night here before heading to the Khumbu.
2. Prepare your documents — passport, photocopies, passport photos, and Nepali Rupees in cash.
3. Obtain your Sagarmatha National Park Permit at the NTB office in Kathmandu (or let your agency arrange this in advance) — this is the permit worth sorting before you fly, since queueing for it at Monjo mid-trek is less convenient.
4. Fly to Lukla, where you'll obtain the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit at the checkpoint immediately after arrival.
5. Pass the Monjo checkpoint on your way toward Namche Bazaar, where your Sagarmatha National Park Permit is checked (or purchased here if you didn't get it in Kathmandu).
6. Begin the trek proper, permits secured and out of the way for the rest of your journey.

On a guided trek with Places Nepal, steps 2–5 are handled as part of your booking — you show up with a passport, and the paperwork is simply done.

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Common Permit Mistakes

1. Assuming TIMS is required — it isn't, for the standard Khumbu route, and paying for or worrying about a document you don't need wastes time and money.
2. Carrying insufficient cash — permit offices generally don't take cards; arrive with enough Nepali Rupees for both fees plus a buffer.
3. Forgetting your passport — the single non-negotiable document for every permit in this process.
4. Losing your permit mid-trek — permits are checked more than once; keep yours somewhere secure and dry, not loose in an outer pocket.
5. Not checking updated fees before travel — permit costs have changed more than once in recent years; don't rely on a figure from an old blog post or a friend's trip from three years ago.
6. Waiting until the last minute in Kathmandu to sort the national park permit, then rushing before an early Lukla flight.
7. Assuming permits are available online — they're not, as of this writing; budget time for an in-person process.
8. Not bringing spare passport photos, then scrambling to find a photo shop in a small mountain village.
9. Assuming your international flight ticket or hotel booking counts as sufficient documentation — it doesn't; you need the actual permits, obtained through the actual process.
10. Booking a Jiri-route trek without realizing the extra Gaurishankar permit requirement, and being caught off guard by an unexpected fee and paperwork step.
11. Assuming children automatically need full-price permits, without checking current age-based exemptions.
12. Not confirming whether your trekking agency includes permit costs in the package price or lists them as a separate line item — ask explicitly rather than assuming.
13. Trying to negotiate or skip a permit fee, which simply isn't how this system works and will only cost time.
14. Assuming SAARC discounted rates apply without the correct documentation to prove SAARC nationality — bring the right ID.
15. Not accounting for permit costs in your overall trip budget, treating them as an afterthought rather than a fixed, non-negotiable line item.
16. Confusing the Sagarmatha National Park Permit with the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit and assuming one covers the other — you need both.
17. Assuming the guide-requirement question has one simple answer and either wrongly believing a guide is mandatory everywhere in Nepal, or wrongly assuming it's never required anywhere — the honest answer varies by region, as covered above.
18. Not verifying current information close to your actual travel dates, when permit rules and fees are genuinely subject to change.
19. Assuming permits are refundable if plans change — they generally aren't, so don't purchase before your dates and route are reasonably firm.
20. Relying entirely on secondhand trip reports from online forums for current fee figures, rather than checking a recently updated source or confirming directly with a licensed operator.

Expert Tips

1. Let your trekking agency handle permit paperwork if you're on a guided trek — it's one of the most straightforward conveniences of booking with an operator.
2. Carry permits in a waterproof pouch or document sleeve, not loose in a pocket.
3. Keep digital photos of your permits on your phone as a backup, in addition to the physical documents.
4. Carry extra passport-sized photos — they're cheap insurance against an unexpected requirement.
5. Budget permit fees into your trip cost in advance, in Nepali Rupees specifically.
6. Exchange currency in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla — checkpoint offices don't reliably handle foreign currency.
7. Sort your Sagarmatha National Park Permit in Kathmandu rather than waiting for Monjo, if you have the option.
8. Don't assume last year's fee figures are current — permit costs have moved more than once recently.
9. If trekking solo, verify the current guide-requirement status directly with TAAN or NTB shortly before your trip, not from an old blog post.
10. Keep your passport accessible throughout the trek, not buried at the bottom of your duffel — it's checked more than once.
11. If your itinerary includes the Jiri approach, confirm the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is factored into your plan before departure.
12. Ask your trekking agency explicitly whether permit fees are included in your package price or billed separately.
13. Bring a passport photocopy stored separately from the passport itself, in case of loss.
14. Don't try to shortcut the permit process — it's a fixed system, not one that rewards improvisation.
15. If you're a SAARC national seeking the reduced rate, bring the correct proof of nationality/citizenship.
16. Double-check children's permit policy directly if traveling with young trekkers, since exemption thresholds vary by permit type.
17. Treat permit costs as a fixed, non-negotiable line item in your budget rather than an area to try to economize on.
18. If self-arranging permits independently, budget extra time in Kathmandu specifically for the NTB office visit — it's not always a fast process.
19. Confirm your guide's licensing status if hiring independently rather than through an established agency — this matters both for the (evolving) regulatory picture and for genuine safety on the trail.
20. Don't lose track of your permit once issued — replacing a lost permit mid-trek is a real inconvenience at altitude.
21. If trekking during peak season, expect longer queues at both NTB Kathmandu and the Lukla checkpoint — build a little extra time into your schedule.
22. Keep your travel insurance documentation alongside your permits, even though it's not technically part of the permit process — the two are closely linked in practice.
23. If your trekking dates shift, check whether your existing permits are still valid or need re-purchasing — don't assume flexibility that may not exist.
24. Ask direct questions of your operator about the current guide-requirement situation rather than assuming either extreme (fully mandatory or fully optional).
25. Treat this guide's fee figures as a strong current estimate, not a locked-in guarantee — confirm the live rate with NTB or your operator close to your actual travel date, since these numbers do move.

Everest Trek Options and Their Permit Requirements

Most Everest-region treks share the same core permit requirements as the classic Base Camp route, since they pass through the same Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality jurisdiction — but there are a couple of genuine exceptions worth knowing before you assume one permit set covers every option.

The Everest View Panorama Trek follows part of the classic Everest trail and generally requires the same two regional permits — Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality — since it operates within the same jurisdiction, just over a shorter distance and lower altitude range.

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The Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return carries identical permit requirements to the classic route. Trekkers still walk in through Lukla, still enter Sagarmatha National Park, and still reach Everest Base Camp itself before flying out — the helicopter changes your return journey, not which permits you need to get there.

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The Everest Three Passes Trek uses the same core permits while covering a considerably larger section of the Khumbu region, crossing three high passes beyond the standard route. No additional permit is required for the extended distance within the same park and municipality boundaries.

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The Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp Trek likewise stays within the same Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu jurisdiction throughout, so it generally requires the same permits as the classic route, just covering more ground.

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The Pikey Peak Trek is the genuine exception on this list: it follows a different route for most itineraries, largely outside Sagarmatha National Park boundaries, which means its permit requirements differ from the classic Everest Base Camp trek — often simpler and cheaper, though the exact requirements depend on the specific itinerary chosen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What permits do I need for Everest Base Camp? Two: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. That's the complete list for the standard route.

Is TIMS required for Everest Base Camp? No — the Khumbu region replaced TIMS with its own municipality permit in October 2018. If a source tells you TIMS is required for Everest specifically, it's outdated.

How much do Everest Base Camp permits cost? Roughly NPR 6,000 total (about USD 45–48) for foreign nationals, split evenly between the two required permits — though always confirm the current live rate, since these fees have changed in recent years.

Where can I buy permits? The Sagarmatha National Park Permit at the NTB office in Kathmandu or at Monjo checkpoint; the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit at the Lukla checkpoint.

Can permits be purchased online? Not directly, as of this writing — both require in-person issuance.

Can I get permits at Lukla? Yes for the municipality permit specifically — that's where it's issued. The national park permit can also technically be purchased there or at Monjo if you haven't already obtained it in Kathmandu.

What documents should I bring? Passport, a photocopy of your passport, a few passport-sized photos, and enough Nepali Rupees in cash to cover both fees.

Do children need permits? Several sources indicate reduced or waived fees for young children on the national park permit specifically, but confirm the exact current age threshold and whether it applies to both permits before assuming.

Do SAARC nationals pay less? Yes — reduced rates apply for both permits, though bring appropriate documentation to prove SAARC nationality.

Can I trek solo? This is genuinely more nuanced than a yes/no — see the dedicated Solo Trekking & Guide Rules section above. As of this writing, the permit process itself doesn't require proof of a guide in the Khumbu, unlike Annapurna, but this is an area of real regulatory ambiguity worth verifying close to your travel dates.

Is a guide mandatory for Everest Base Camp? Not currently enforced as a condition of the permit process itself, based on multiple current sources — though we strongly recommend one regardless, for genuine safety reasons independent of the legal question.

What happens if I lose my permit? You'll need to arrange a replacement, which is a genuine inconvenience mid-trek — keep permits secure in a waterproof document holder, and keep a photo backup on your phone.

What happens at permit checkpoints? Staff verify you hold valid permits (or issue them on the spot if you don't already have them) and, at Monjo specifically, often provide a brief conservation and safety briefing.

Can I get a refund if my plans change? Generally no — permits aren't structured as refundable, so avoid purchasing before your dates and route are reasonably confirmed.

Are permits included in trekking packages? Typically yes with a licensed operator, though confirm explicitly whether your specific package includes them or lists them as a separate cost.

Do permit fees change? Yes, they have moved more than once in recent years — always confirm the current rate rather than relying on an older source.

Can my trekking agency arrange everything? Yes — this is one of the more understated conveniences of a guided trek. Your agency handles the paperwork; you show up with a passport.

What's the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, and do I need it? Only if you're trekking in via the Jiri or Shivalaya overland route rather than flying to Lukla — it's an additional permit for that specific approach, roughly NPR 3,000 for foreigners.

Is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit the same as TIMS? No, but it functionally replaced TIMS for this region in 2018 — different administering body, different fee structure, same basic purpose of trekker registration and local revenue.

Can I pay for permits in US dollars? Generally no — bring Nepali Rupees; checkpoint offices are set up for local currency, not foreign cash or cards.

How long does the permit process take? For the national park permit in Kathmandu, often under an hour outside peak season, longer during April/October rush periods. The Lukla municipality permit is typically processed quickly on arrival.

Do I need a separate permit for Kala Patthar? No — Kala Patthar sits within the same Sagarmatha National Park boundary as Everest Base Camp, covered by the same permits.

What if I'm trekking to Gokyo instead of Base Camp? Same permits apply, since Gokyo also sits within Sagarmatha National Park.

Is there an age limit for the guide requirement, given the regulatory ambiguity? The ambiguity discussed above applies to adult foreign trekkers generally; if traveling with minors, this is worth a direct conversation with a licensed operator regardless of the broader solo-trekking question.

Do I need travel insurance to get a permit? No, insurance isn't a permit prerequisite, though it's essential for the trek itself given the remoteness and altitude involved — see our altitude sickness guide for why.

Can permits be transferred to someone else if I can't travel? No — permits are tied to the individual named on them via passport details.

Do I need permits for a short hike near Lukla that doesn't reach Base Camp? If you're staying within Sagarmatha National Park boundaries at all, technically yes — the permit covers park entry, not just the full Base Camp route specifically.

What's the single biggest permit mistake trekkers make? Assuming outdated information — particularly believing TIMS is required, or relying on fee figures from a source that's a few years old. Permit rules and costs in this region have genuinely changed more than once.

Should I book my permits weeks in advance? Not typically necessary the way flights or teahouse rooms are — permits aren't usually a capacity-limited resource — but sort the paperwork and cash requirements ahead of time so it's not a scramble on departure day.

Who do I contact to verify the very latest permit rules before I travel? The Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN (Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal), or a licensed operator like Places Nepal — all better sources for a final check than a blog post, including this one, given how often these specific rules shift.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek

This classic trek takes you through the heart of the Khumbu region, past vibrant Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and towering Himalayan peaks.

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Conclusion

Permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek are simpler than the confused, outdated information floating around online might suggest: two documents, roughly NPR 6,000 combined for foreign nationals, no TIMS card required, and a straightforward process through Kathmandu, Monjo, and Lukla. The one area that genuinely calls for a verify-before-you-go mindset is the guide-requirement question, where the honest answer is more nuanced than either extreme — and where we'd rather tell you that plainly than pretend there's a tidier answer than actually exists.

Whether you handle permits independently or let your trekking agency take care of it, the paperwork shouldn't be the part of this trip you spend the most energy worrying about. Get the fees budgeted, the documents packed, and the current rules verified close to your travel dates, and the rest of your focus can go where it belongs — the trail ahead.

If you're ready to plan a trek where the permit process is simply handled for you, our Everest Base Camp Trek page has current departure dates, and our team is happy to answer any permit-specific questions before you book.