Depending on the area you intend to visit, trekking in Nepal necessitates obtaining various permits and permissions. The natural and cultural resources of the places you will be trekking through are managed and conserved thanks to these permits. Depending on the area's accessibility and conservation status, permits may have different conditions and fees. Most frequently, permits for TIMS, municipality trekking, restricted areas, and entry into national parks or conservation areas are needed. You might only need some of the permits above for a single trek. It all depends on the various trek routes in the various Nepalese regions.
National Park Permit and Conservation Area Permit
Another permit needed for trekking in Nepal is a national park or conservation area permit. Every high-altitude trek in Nepal occurs inside a park or a wildlife sanctuary. For instance, the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) is the base for the Annapurna Circuit. The Everest Base Camp trek takes place almost entirely within Sagarmatha National Park. Treks within the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) require an ACAP. Treks in the Everest area require a Sagarmatha National Park Permit. A Langtang National Park Permit is required for treks in the Langtang region, including the Langtang Valley trek. For treks in the Makalu area, including the Makalu Base Camp trek, a permit for the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area is necessary.
An entry permit is simple to obtain about these permits. You can buy it online at the park's entrance gate or at the tourist service centre in Kathmandu's national parks office.
Restricted Area Permits
The Upper Mustang, Upper/Lower Dolpo, Narphu Valley, Manaslu and Tsum Valley, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu are remote and restricted areas requiring special permits. Free individual trekkers are not permitted to trek in restricted areas because they are closely watched and regulated by the Nepali government. Therefore, authorized trekking companies must obtain permits from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Rural Municipality Trekking Permits
Some local governments impose additional fees on hikers. Trekkers might also be required to pay rural municipality fees in addition to the various permits needed for trekking in Nepal. The local rural municipalities collect these fees, which are used to support the neighbourhood residents and maintain and improve the infrastructure and trekking trails nearby. Notably, the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit is required for those who hike to Everest Base Camp.
TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) Card
A crucial permit requirement for all foreign hikers planning to trek in Nepal's Himalayas 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 includes information about the trekker, including nationality, passport number, and route taken, allowing for movement tracking throughout the trek.
Most trekking areas in Nepal, including Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and other well-known areas, require TIMS cards.