Nepal Trekking Permits

The old TIMS card that solo trekkers used to pick up in Kathmandu no longer exists in its original form. A licensed guide is now a legal requirement on almost every route in the country. And as of this March, the long-standing rule that restricted areas required a minimum of two foreign trekkers has been scrapped entirely.

As a Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN, and NMA-registered trekking operator, we process these permits for clients every week, and we've watched the rules shift more than once mid-season. This guide is written from that vantage point: what changed, what checkpoints are actually enforcing in 2026, and what each permit costs, region by region.

Why Nepal's Permit System Was Overhauled

For much of trekking history, Nepal's system was straightforward, arguably too straightforward. Trekkers picked up a TIMS card in Kathmandu, paid a conservation area fee, and largely managed their own safety and logistics on the trail. That informal model worked while trekker numbers were manageable, but it struggled as the Himalayas became more accessible and more crowded.

Search and rescue operations for unguided foreign trekkers rose by nearly 40 percent between 2015 and 2025. Altitude sickness cases, disappearances on remote routes, and increasingly frequent, and expensive, helicopter evacuations placed a growing burden on Nepal's limited emergency infrastructure. In response, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) introduced the mandatory guide rule on April 1, 2023, and have spent the years since digitizing and tightening the system built around it.

What Changed in 2026, at a Glance

Three developments define the current landscape:

• The e-TIMS system is live on the routes where TIMS still applies, replacing the old laminated card with a QR code linked to your passport, route, and guide credentials.
• The mandatory guide rule is now fully and consistently enforced. In its first year or two, enforcement was patchy in places; in 2026, checkpoint staff on the major routes actively verify guide license numbers, not just the presence of a companion.
• Restricted-area rules were rewritten on March 22, 2026. The Department of Immigration removed the old two-person minimum, opening Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo, and other restricted zones to solo trekkers for the first time, while introducing a new ceiling of seven trekkers per licensed guide to keep oversight manageable on the group side.

Each of these is worth unpacking in detail, because the specifics are exactly where outdated blogs and old guidebooks lead trekkers astray.

The Mandatory Guide Rule: What It Actually Requires

This is the single most important change to understand before booking a 2026 trek.

Since April 1, 2023, all non-Nepali trekkers entering a national park, conservation area, or restricted area must be accompanied by a licensed guide from a TAAN-registered trekking agency. That covers the Everest/Khumbu region, the entire Annapurna area, Langtang, Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, and effectively every classic long-distance route in the country.

A licensed guide:

• Is registered with the Nepal government and holds a license number and photo ID that can be independently verified
• Is affiliated with a TAAN-registered trekking agency
• Has first-aid and altitude-sickness training

Hiring an unlicensed local guide at a lower rate does not satisfy this requirement, and agencies caught issuing permits without a genuine guide attached face penalties of their own.

Where a guide isn't required: short day hikes outside protected areas — Nagarkot, Sarangkot, Shivapuri, and the Dhulikhel ridge walks near Kathmandu and Pokhara, none of which pass through a national park or conservation area.

Enforcement in 2026 is consistent, not occasional. Checkpoints at Monjo on the Everest route, Birethanti on the Annapurna Circuit, and the string of posts through the Budi Gandaki valley on Manaslu are staffed and actively verifying guide credentials. Some independent trekkers still report being waved through on quieter stretches, but treating inconsistent enforcement as a loophole is a poor strategy: a checkpoint that lets you through today may not tomorrow, and being turned back mid-trek costs far more, in money and time, than simply budgeting for a guide from the outset.

TIMS Card vs. E-TIMS: What's Required, Region by Region

TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) has had the most confusing few years of any Nepal permit, largely because its status now differs by region, and a lot of content online hasn't caught up with which version applies where.

The old model — where an independent trekker could walk into a TAAN or NTB office and buy their own Green TIMS card — no longer exists. TIMS is now issued only through a registered agency, bundled with your guide booking, and Nepal has been shifting it onto a digital e-TIMS format: a QR code tied to your passport number, route, and guide details, scanned at checkpoints instead of a laminated card.

Where it applies, the fee is modest, roughly NPR 2,000–3,000 (about USD 15–23), and your agency handles the paperwork as part of your permit package. Don't try to track checkpoint-by-checkpoint enforcement yourself; confirm with your agency which format your specific route currently expects, since practice has shifted more than once since 2023 and can differ from official policy on paper.

Everest Region: Local Permits Instead of TIMS

The Khumbu region carved out its own path early. Rather than TIMS, trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, or the Three Passes need two documents:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit — approximately NPR 3,000–3,400 plus 13% VAT (roughly USD 22–28) for foreign nationals, checked at the park entrance in Monjo
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit — approximately NPR 2,000–3,000 (roughly USD 15–23), funding local trail maintenance and infrastructure in Khumbu villages

A licensed guide is required on this route the same as everywhere else covered by the 2023 rule, and credentials are checked at the Sagarmatha gate.

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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Annapurna Region: ACAP Is the Permit That Matters

Every trek through the Annapurna Conservation Area, the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Mohare Danda, requires the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It costs approximately NPR 3,000 plus VAT (around USD 22) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, available through NTB offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the NTNC e-permit portal, or your trekking agency. This is the permit checkpoints are actually enforcing in this region in 2026, with TIMS playing a diminished, inconsistently-checked role.

Trek the Annapurna Circuit Trek

A legendary high-altitude trek in Nepal that encircles the Annapurna Massif, offering dramatic scenery, diverse cultures, and the iconic crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

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Langtang: TIMS Plus National Park Permit

Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda trekkers need the Langtang National Park Permit, priced similarly to Sagarmatha's, plus a valid e-TIMS arranged through a registered agency with a guide contract. Of the open trekking regions, Langtang has kept TIMS enforcement the most consistent of the three.

Trek the Langtang Valley Trek

A Short Trek to Majestic Peaks and Deep Culture.

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Restricted Areas: Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Tsum Valley, Nar Phu & Kanchenjunga

Restricted areas sit under a stricter, separate framework from conservation areas and national parks. These permits can only be obtained through a registered agency, there is no over-the-counter or solo-application route, and they fund conservation and community development in border-adjacent regions with controlled visitor numbers.

Trek the Manaslu Circuit Trek

A remote and off-the-beaten-path Himalayan adventure in Nepal. The trek covers roughly 160 km (100 miles) and involves 5–7 hours of hiking per day through villages, forests, and the Larke high pass.

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The March 22, 2026 Reform: Solo Trekking In, a New Group Ceiling Alongside It

On March 22, 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration issued a notice revising restricted-area policy, covering 13 districts and roughly 15 designated zones bordering Tibet and India. Two changes arrived together:

1. The two-person minimum is gone. Solo trekkers can now obtain a restricted-area permit on their own, provided they're accompanied by a licensed guide through a registered agency. This closes a long-running frustration for solo travelers who previously had to find a stranger just to meet the old group requirement for Upper Mustang, Manaslu, or Dolpo.
2. A new ceiling was introduced on the other end: one licensed guide may accompany a maximum of seven trekkers on a single permit. This is not a rule requiring groups, it's a ratio cap for larger parties. Groups larger than seven need an additional guide and a separate permit.

It's worth being precise about this, because a lot of coverage online has blurred the two changes together. "Solo trekking is now allowed" and "a guide can lead up to seven trekkers" are two separate provisions from the same notice, not a single new group-size requirement. A solo trekker heading to Manaslu or Upper Mustang in 2026 needs exactly one guide and one permit, nothing about the seven-person figure changes that.

The reform also digitized part of the application process: permits can now be applied for using a visa application submission ID from abroad, ahead of arrival, removing an old bottleneck where trekkers needed an active Nepali visa number before they could start the paperwork.

Restricted Area Permit Costs

Restricted-area fees are among the more volatile figures in Nepal's permit system and have changed more than once in the past two years, Upper Mustang's structure alone has shifted from a flat fee to a daily rate within roughly the last twelve months. Treat the figures above as a planning benchmark and have your agency confirm the exact current fee before you finalize a budget.

New for 2026: Green Fee and Mandatory Insurance Verification

Two additions are worth flagging if your last Nepal trek predates 2025:

• Environmental "Green Fee": an additional charge layered onto conservation area permits to fund waste management initiatives on popular trails. It's typically bundled into the electronic permit fee now rather than billed as a separate line item.
• Insurance verification: trekkers are increasingly required to show proof of travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation above 4,000 meters, checked both when permits are issued and at some checkpoints. This isn't a paperwork formality, if your permits and guide arrangement aren't in order, insurers can decline to cover an evacuation, which is precisely the outcome the permit system is designed to prevent.

How Permits Are Actually Obtained

For most trekkers, this part is simple: hand your agency a passport copy and passport photos, and they handle the rest. Registered agencies submit applications to the Nepal Tourism Board, the Department of Immigration, or the relevant conservation authority on your behalf and pay the fees as part of your package.

For those who want to understand the mechanics:

• National park and conservation area permits (ACAP, Sagarmatha, Langtang, Manaslu Conservation Area) can typically be processed within a day or two of departure, through NTB offices in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) or Pokhara, or via your agency.
• Restricted area permits (Upper Mustang, Manaslu RAP, Dolpo, Tsum, Nar Phu, Kanchenjunga) require more lead time, typically 5–7 business days, and must go through a registered agency regardless of how far in advance you book.
• e-TIMS, where still required, is arranged through your agency alongside your guide booking.

Bring both a digital and a printed copy of every permit. Checkpoints are staffed, active, and not optional stops you can negotiate past: Monjo on the Everest route, Birethanti on the Annapurna Circuit, and the sequence of checkpoints through the Budi Gandaki valley on Manaslu are the ones trekkers most commonly encounter.

What Happens If You're Caught Without the Right Permits

Trekking without valid permits, or without a licensed guide where one is required, is treated seriously rather than as a technicality. Consequences reported at current checkpoints include:

• On-the-spot fines, commonly cited around USD 120, though some sources report penalties up to roughly NPR 50,000 (about USD 375) depending on the violation
• Being turned back at the checkpoint before continuing your trek
• Permit revocation and removal from the trail in restricted areas
• In serious or repeated cases, deportation and a ban on future permits

There's also a financial risk beyond the fine itself: if you're trekking outside your permitted documentation and need a helicopter evacuation, your travel insurer may decline the claim, leaving you personally responsible for a rescue that can run into the thousands of dollars.

Permit Costs at a Glance

Fees are set in Nepalese Rupees and shift with policy updates and exchange rates. Last Updated on July 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide for Everest Base Camp in 2026? Yes. The Everest/Khumbu region falls under the same mandatory guide rule as the rest of Nepal, and it's actively checked at the Sagarmatha National Park gate in Monjo.

Can I still trek solo in Nepal? On restricted-area routes, yes, as of March 22, 2026, you no longer need a second trekker to obtain a restricted-area permit. You still need a licensed guide through a registered agency; "solo" refers to not needing a travel companion on the permit, not to trekking unaccompanied. On open routes like Everest and Annapurna, the same mandatory guide rule has applied since 2023 regardless of group size.

How much does a TIMS card cost? Where it's still required (Langtang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, far-western Nepal), roughly NPR 2,000–3,000 (about USD 15–23), arranged through your agency. It's not used in the Everest region, and it's inconsistently enforced in Annapurna, where ACAP is the permit actually checked.

Is TIMS required for the Annapurna Circuit? Technically still on the books, but Annapurna checkpoints are primarily checking ACAP in 2026. Some agencies still arrange e-TIMS as a precaution since enforcement can vary by checkpoint.

Do I need a TIMS card for Everest Base Camp? No. The Everest/Khumbu region uses the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality permit instead of TIMS.

What is the seven-person rule for restricted areas? It's a guide-to-trekker ratio introduced alongside the March 2026 reform: one licensed guide can accompany up to seven trekkers on a single permit. It's a ceiling for larger private groups, not a requirement to trek in groups, solo trekkers still need only one guide.

Can I apply for permits myself, or does it have to go through an agency? Restricted area permits must go through a registered trekking agency; there's no individual application route. Some national park and conservation area permits can technically be arranged independently on arrival, but since a licensed guide is required on nearly every route, most trekkers end up going through an agency for the entire package regardless.

What happens if my permit is invalid or missing? You risk an on-the-spot fine, being turned back at the checkpoint, or, in restricted areas, permit revocation and removal from the trail. There's also an insurance risk: a documentation gap can void coverage for a helicopter evacuation.

Plan Your 2026 Trek With Current Information

Nepal's permit landscape has changed more in the past three years than in the two decades before it, and it's still settling, Upper Mustang's fee structure alone has shifted more than once in the last year. The safest approach for any 2026 trek is to work with a registered, TAAN-affiliated agency that tracks these changes at the checkpoint level, not just on paper.

Every trek we run, whether Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Mustang, Kanchenjunga, or a custom route, includes full permit processing as standard: your TIMS/e-TIMS, national park or conservation area permit, and any restricted-area permit filed and paid for before you arrive on the trail, a licensed guide matched to your route's requirements, and your insurance coverage checked before you set out rather than discovered as a gap afterward.

Let us handle your permits, so you can focus on the mountains. Contact a Places Nepal trekking specialist to confirm the exact permits, guide arrangements, and current costs for your route and travel dates.