The first thing to understand is that Nepal does not have a single blanket trekking permit that covers all routes. Permits are issued based on which protected area your trek passes through — a national park, a conservation area, or a restricted zone. If your route does not enter any of these, you may not need a permit at all.
Planning a trek in Nepal and trying to figure out what permits you need? Or maybe you have heard of the TIMS card and are not sure whether it still applies? You are not alone — permit requirements are one of the most commonly searched questions before any Nepal trek, and the answers have changed in recent years.
The short version: what you need depends entirely on which trekking region you are heading into. Some treks require a single conservation area permit. Others, particularly those near the Tibetan border, require a Restricted Area Permit on top of everything else. And the TIMS card? For most popular routes, it is no longer needed at all.
Here is everything you need to know before you go.
There Is No Single Permit for All of Nepal
The first thing to understand is that Nepal does not have a single blanket trekking permit that covers all routes. Permits are issued based on which protected area your trek passes through — a national park, a conservation area, or a restricted zone. If your route does not enter any of these, you may not need a permit at all.
The most common permit for trekkers in western Nepal is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Anyone travelling inside the Annapurna Conservation Area is required to obtain one. Current fees are NPR 3,000 per person for foreign nationals and NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals.
Treks that require the ACAP include:
Annapurna Base Camp Trek · Annapurna Circuit Trek · Mardi Himal Trek · Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek · Khopra Danda Trek · Mohare Danda Trek · Khayar Lake Trek · Kokhe Danda Trek · Tilicho Lake Trek · Nar Phu Valley Trek (ACAP required in addition to a Restricted Area Permit)
Permits for Other Trekking Regions
Outside the Annapurna region, permits are tied to whichever protected area your specific route passes through. The main ones are:
Everest region — Sagarmatha National Park Permit. Langtang region — Langtang National Park Permit (covers Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, and Helambu). Makalu region — Makalu Barun National Park Permit. Dolpo region — Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit. Kanchenjunga region — Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit. Dhorpatan — Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Permit.
As a general rule: if your trek does not enter a national park, conservation area, or hunting reserve, no trekking permit is required.
Restricted Area Permits: What They Are and Who Needs One
A number of trekking routes in Nepal — mostly those close to the Tibetan border — are classified as Restricted Areas. Access to these routes requires a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which must be obtained through a registered trekking agency in Nepal. A licensed guide is compulsory on all restricted area treks.
Here is a summary of current Restricted Area Permit fees by route:
Upper Mustang — USD 50 per person per day. ACAP permit also required.
Upper Dolpo — USD 500 for the first 10 days, then USD 50 per additional day. Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit also required.
Manaslu Circuit — September to November: USD 100 per day for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per additional day. December to August: USD 75 per day for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per additional day. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and ACAP also required.
Nar Phu Valley — September to November: USD 100 per day for the first 7 days. December to August: USD 75 per day for the first 7 days. Additional daily rate applies beyond 7 days in both seasons. ACAP also required.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp — Restricted Area Permit fees vary by duration (typically around USD 20 per week). Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP) also required.
Other areas with restricted access include Tsum Valley, Humla (Limi Valley), parts of Gaurishankar, and additional zones near the border.
Do You Still Need a TIMS Card?
For most trekkers heading to Nepal in 2026, the answer is no.
The TIMS card — Trekkers' Information Management System — was once a standard requirement across many popular routes. That has changed. For the vast majority of Nepal's main trekking routes, the relevant national park or conservation area permit now serves as the only required documentation, and the TIMS card has been dropped.
If you are planning any of the following treks, a TIMS card is not required:
Annapurna Base Camp · Annapurna Circuit · Ghorepani Poon Hill · Mardi Himal · Khopra Ridge · Mohare Danda · Kokhe Danda · Everest Base Camp · Langtang Valley
For each of these, you simply obtain the relevant conservation area or national park permit for your region and you are set.
Before You Trek: The One Thing Worth Checking
Always confirm which protected area your specific route passes through before you set out. The majority of trekkers visiting Nepal need only a single conservation area or national park permit. Restricted Area Permits apply to a smaller number of remote, high-altitude routes — and for those, your trekking agency will handle the paperwork.
If you are not sure what applies to your trip, get in touch with our team at Discover Parbat. We will confirm exactly which permits you need, help arrange them, and make sure you arrive at the trailhead ready to walk — not standing at a checkpoint missing a document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TIMS card for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
No. Only the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is required.
Do I need a TIMS card for the Mardi Himal trek?
No. The ACAP permit is sufficient.
Do I need a TIMS card for the Annapurna Circuit?
No. The ACAP permit is all that is required.
Is the TIMS card still valid in Nepal?
For most routes, no. The TIMS card is no longer universally required. Conservation area and national park permits have replaced it on the vast majority of popular trekking routes.
What permits do I need to trek in Nepal?
It depends on your region. Most popular treks require either a National Park permit or a Conservation Area permit. Remote routes near the Tibetan border also require a Restricted Area Permit, which must be arranged through a registered trekking agency.
Planning a trek in Parbat? Tell us your dates and we'll help you choose the right route.
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