There are many trekking regions in Nepal, and every region demands one or multiple trekking permits. Trekkers have to obtain the necessary permits depending on the region in which they are trekking and the duration.
Most of the trekking regions are protected under national park laws and conservation area laws. Likewise, some are also protected under restricted area regulations in Nepal.
Therefore, entering the regions without permits is illegal, and you have to face a fine or may get blacklisted by the authorized department. We have shared more details about the Nepal trekking regulations and permits below:
* All the information is backed up by TAAN (Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepa) and Nepal Immigration Department.
Nepal trekking regulations
Trekking in any region in Nepal without necessary trekking permits is legal. There are police checkposts in every region, so please obtain the permits.
Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna are the only three trekking regions in Nepal that solo travelers can visit by themselves. They can obtain permits in Kathmandu and Pokhara for these trekking regions by themselves.
Restricted area permit regulations:
i. To trek in a restricted area, foreigners must buy a trek package from a Nepali trekking company.
ii. Foreigners cannot obtain the restricted area permit by themselves or with the help of an independent guide. Only an authorized Nepali trekking company can help them obtain a restricted area permit.
iii. Trekking in a group of at least two trekkers is mandatory. You cannot count on a guide and porter in your group.
Nepal trekking permit and fees
There are five types of trekking permits in Nepal. You do not need all five trekking permits for any region, but 2 or 3 permits are generally required. Note that Nepal trekking permit fees are different for all types.
- National Park Entry Permit
- Conservation Area Permit
- TIMS Card
- Rural Municipality Trekking Permit
- Restricted Area Permit
Unless you are not trekking all by yourself, your trekking agency will help you obtain the permits. Note that solo travelers cannot obtain the restricted area permit by themselves. A registered Nepali trekking agency is a must to acquire a restricted area permit.
Nepal trekking permit by region
Below, we have shared trekking permits for different trekking regions in Nepal. You will also learn about Nepal trekking permit costs and other necessary details.
*NPR means Nepalese rupee.
Everest Region
If you trek in the Everest region, you will need the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. These two permits are required for treks like Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Valley, and Three High Passes.
Likewise, if you do the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek, you will need one additional permit called the Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit: NPR 2000 per person
- Sagarmatha National Park permit cost: NPR 3000 per person
- Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek permit cost: NPR 3000 per person
Annapurna region
Annapurna region has treks like Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, Ghandruk trek, Mardi Himal trek, Khopra Danda trek, Mohare Danda trek, Kori Trek, etc.
To trek in the Annapurna region, you will need the following permits:
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) cost: NPR 3000 per person
- TIMS Card cost: NPR 2000 per person
Langtang region
To trek in the Langtang region, you will need the Langtang National Park permit and TIMS Card. For instance, these two permits are required for treks like Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda Lake, Tamang Heritage Trek, Laurebina La Pass Trek, and Ganjala Pass Trek.
- Langtang National Park permit cost: NPR 3000 per person
- TIMS Card cost: NPR 2000 per person
*Note: For the Laurebina La Pass Trek, you will also need a Shivapuri National Park permit, which costs NPR 3000 per person.
Manaslu region
Manaslu region is one of the restricted areas in Nepal. Treks like Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley are famous in the Manaslu region. You will need the following permits to trek in the Manaslu region:
- Restricted Area Permit (Manaslu RAP):
September to November: USD 100 per person for the first week and USD 15 per person per day after the first week
December to August: USD 75 per person for the first week and USD 10 per person per day after the first week
- Manaslu Conservation Area permit: NPR 3000 per person
If you do the Manaslu Circuit trek, you will also need the
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit: NPR 3000 per person
Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang is another restricted area in Nepal, and foreigners need to obtain a special permit to enter Upper Mustang for trekking. You will also need the Annapurna Conservation Area because part of the itinerary usually enters the Annapurna region as well.
- Restricted Area Permit (Upper Mustang RAP): USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per day per person after the first 10 days
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit: NPR 3000 per person
Lower Mustang
If you are trekking in the Lower Mustang, you do not need a restricted area permit. For the Lower Mustang trek, an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS Card are enough.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) cost: NPR 3000 per person
- TIMS Card cost: NPR 2000 per person
Upper Dolpo
Upper Dolpo is also a restricted area in Nepal. Travelers have to get two permits to explore Upper Dolpo, and the permits are a Restricted Area Permit for Upper Dolpo and a Shey Phoksundo National Park permit.
- Restricted Area Permit (Upper Dolpo RAP) cost: USD 500 per person for the first 10 days and USD 50 per day per person after the first 10 days
- Shey Phoksundo National Park permit cost: NPR 3000 per person
Lower Dolpo
Lower Dolpo is also a restricted area in Nepal, but the permit is not as expensive as Upper Dolpo. For the Lower Dolpo trek, you need:
- Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit cost: USD 20 per person for the first week and USD 5 per person per day after that
*Note: Depending upon your itinerary, you may also need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
Humla
Humla is the far west part of Nepal and a restricted area for foreigners in Nepal. It is one of the most underdeveloped and remotest parts of the country. Limi Valley Trek is famous in Humla. You will need the following permits to trek in Humal:
- Restricted Area Permit (Humla RAP) cost: USD 50 per person for the first week and USD 10 per person per day after that
Taplejung
The Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, also known as the Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek, is famous in the Taplejung. You can also extend the Kanchenjunga Circuit trek to Olangchun Gola.
Other treks in Taplejung are the Tinjure-Milke-Jalajala Trek and Milke Danda Trek, also known as the rhododendron treks. Note that Taplejung is also a restricted area in Nepal for foreigners.
- Restricted Area Permit (Taplejung/Kanchenjunga RAP) cost: USD 20 per person for the first four weeks and USD 25 per person per week after that
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area permit cost: NPR 2000 per person
Nar Phu Valley
If you are trekking to Nar and Phu villages, you will need the restricted area permit for Nar Phu Valley and the Annapurna Conservation Area permit.
- Restricted Area Permit (Nar Phu RAP)
September to November: USD 90 per person for the week
December to August: USD 90 per person for the week
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit cost: NPR 3000 per person
Makalu region
The famous trek in the Makalu region is the Makalu Base Camp trek. Makalu is a restricted area for non-Nepali travelers. You will need the following permits to do this trek:
- Restricted Area Permit (Makalu RAP) cost: USD 20 per person for the first four weeks and USD 25 per person per week after that
- Makalu National Park and Conservation Area Permit: NPR 3000 per person
- Makalu Rural Municipality Permit cost: NPR 2000 per person
Some other less popular trekking regions in Nepal and their permit costs
Bajhang
- Trek: Khaptad National Park trek
- Restricted Area: Yes
- Permit: USD 90 per person for the first week and USD 15 per person per day after the first week
Mugu
- Trek: Rara Lake trek
- Restricted Area: Yes
- Permit: USD 100 per person for the first week and USD 15 per person per day after the first week
Darchula
- Trek: Api Base Camp Trek and the Darchula to Chainpur Trek
- Restricted Area: Yes
- Permit: USD 90 per person for the first week and USD 15 per person per day after the first week
