There is no doubt that Trekking in Nepal is one of the best adventure activities in the Himalayas. For doing a trek in Nepal, everyone needs necessary permits. There are many different types of permits for trekking in Nepal. They are Special restricted area permit, National Park Permit, Conservation Area Permit etc and more.
The permits are vary on where are you trekking, means which area you are going. You can buy the necessary permits with the region you select for your trekking in the Himalayas. Here, we have provided some of the important permit information;
National Park Permit and Conservation Area Permit
A national park permit or conservation area permit is compulsory needed for trekking in Nepal. Most of our trekking routes are the part of National Park and Conservation Area. Every high-altitude trek in Nepal occurs inside a park or a wildlife sanctuary.
Annapurna region is under Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). So ACAP permit is compulsory for any treks in Annapurna such as Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Circuit. The Everest Base Camp Trek is almost entirely within Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha National Park permit requires for any treks in Everest region.
For trekking in Langtang such as Langtang Valley or Gosaikunda Lake, you have to buy a permit from Langtang National Park. The Langtang region is under Langtang National Park. For Manaslu Trek, a permit from Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) is necessary.
All these permits can buy from the Nepal Tourism Board office at Kathmandu or directly at the National Park. The ACAP permit and MCAP permit cost NPR 3,000.00 per person respectively. National Park Permit costs NPR 3,000.00 per person.
Restricted Area Permit
Nepal has many trekking routes which are kept as restricted areas. You need a special permit from Nepal Immigration Office in Kathmandu for trekking in those restricted areas. There must be at least two people in the group to get the permit. The Department of Nepal Immigration doesn't issue a permit for solo trekker.
Only government registered trekking companies in Nepal can apply for the restricted area permit. So if you want to trek in restricted areas of Nepal, you have to book your trip with registered trekking company of Nepal. We are government register company, so we can make a permit for you.
The most popular restricted areas are Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Lower Dolpo, Manaslu and Tsum Valley. Nar Phu Valley, Kanchenjunga Circuit and Makalu are less crowded restricted areas. The restricted area permit is more expensive than ACAP, MCAP and National Park permit. The restricted area permit costs depend on which area you are going.
The most expensive restricted area permits are Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo. It costs USD 500.00 per person for 10 days and USD 50.00 per day after 10 days. The special permit for Manaslu, Lower Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Makalu costs around USD 60 to USD 120 per person.
Rural Municipality Trekking Permit
Some local governments impose additional fees on hikers however they have ACAP or National Park Permit. Trekkers have to pay rural municipality fees in addition to the various permits needed for trekking in Nepal. The local rural municipality use this fund to maintain and improve the infrastructure and trekking trails. Each trekker has to pay to Khumbu Rural Municipality while doing any treks in Everest region.
TIMS Card
Another crucial permit is the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card. It helps ensure trekkers' safety by limiting the number of people who can enter Nepal's trekking districts. Before beginning your trek, you must obtain the TIMS card to avoid legal issues or penalties.
The TIMS card will have all information of the trekkers. It includes nationality, passport number, and route taken, allowing for movement tracking throughout the trek. The fund from TIMS card is basically use to make the shelter house for porters along the trekking routes. It also use for any emergency happens to guide/porter during the trek.