Permit List for Trail Running, Trekking, and Peak Climbing in Nepal
Complete 2026 Guide
Last checked: 8 October 2026
Nepal's protected areas and high mountains require permits. This guide condenses what to buy, where to get it, how much it costs, and which rules apply across trekking, trail running, and peak climbing in 2026.
Permit System: Purpose
Conservation & Infrastructure
- Funds trail work, waste management, biodiversity.
- Revenue-sharing with mountain communities.
Safety, Regulation, Access
- Visitor logs aid search and rescue.
- Restricted zones limit impact and manage borders.
Permit Categories
- TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System).
- Conservation/National Park entries (ACAP, Sagarmatha NP, Langtang NP, MCAP, etc.).
- Restricted Area Permits (RAP) via registered agencies only (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Tsum, Nar-Phu, etc.).
- Peak permits: NMA trekking peaks (<~6,500 m) and Department of Tourism expedition peaks (>6,500 m).
TIMS
Trekker registration card, required in addition to park or conservation permits on most protected-area routes. Sold only through government-registered trekking agencies as an online QR eCard. Valid for a single trek.
| Category | Cost (2026) |
| Foreign | NPR 2,000 |
| SAARC | NPR 1,000 |
| Where to buy | Registered trekking agency only |
Note: Since 1 April 2023, most routes in national parks and conservation areas (Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dolpo and others) require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card on top of park or conservation permits. The Everest (Khumbu) region is the exception to the guide rule.
Conservation & National Park Permits
ACAP — Annapurna Conservation Area
Covers Annapurna Circuit, ABC, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Khopra, Jomsom–Muktinath. Nar–Phu and Upper Mustang also require RAP.
| Visitor | Fee (2026) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC | NPR 1,000 (tax included) |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park
Applies to EBC, Gokyo, Three Passes, Everest View. Separate Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee also applies.
| Visitor | Fee (2026) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC | NPR 1,500 |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee: NPR 3,000 (SAARC and Chinese nationals: NPR 2,000).
Langtang National Park
Covers Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, Tamang Heritage, Helambu.
| Visitor | Fee (2026) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC | NPR 1,500 |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
The 26 August 2026 flash flood in Rasuwa damaged roads and bridges between Dhunche, Syabrubesi and Langtang. Check road and trail access before you go.
MCAP — Manaslu Conservation Area
Required for Manaslu region in addition to RAP.
| Visitor | Fee (2026) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC | NPR 1,000 |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
Other Protected Areas
| Area | Foreign | SAARC | Nepali |
| Makalu-Barun NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| Shey-Phoksundo NP (Lower Dolpo access) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| Kanchenjunga Conservation Area | NPR 2,000 | NPR 500 | NPR 100 |
Restricted Area Permits (RAP)
Rules: issued only through registered trekking agencies, which apply online to the Department of Immigration. Licensed guide mandatory. Single trekkers are now accepted. Fees depend on dates and days spent in the area.
Manaslu RAP
| Season | First 7 days | Addl. day |
| Sep–Nov | USD 100 | USD 15/day |
| Dec–Aug | USD 75 | USD 10/day |
- Also requires MCAP (NPR 3,000).
- Often ACAP needed on southern approach.
Upper Mustang RAP
| Period | Fee |
| Each day | USD 50 per person |
| Minimum period | None (old USD 500 / 10-day minimum scrapped) |
- ACAP also required.
- Guide and agency mandatory; single trekkers accepted.
Tsum Valley RAP
| Season | First 7 days | Addl. day |
| Sep–Nov | USD 40 | USD 7/day |
| Dec–Aug | USD 30 | USD 7/day |
MCAP also required.
Upper Dolpo RAP
| Period | Fee |
| First 10 days | USD 500 per person |
| Each additional day | USD 50/day |
- Shey-Phoksundo NP permit required.
- High logistics; guide + agency mandatory.
Other Restricted Areas
| Region | Peak (Sep–Nov) | Off (Dec–Aug) | Addl. days |
| Nar–Phu Valley | USD 100 (first 7 days) | USD 75 (first 7 days) | USD 15 per day (both seasons) |
| Kanchenjunga (selected valleys) | USD 20/week | USD 20/week | USD 25/week after 4 weeks |
| Humla / Limi Valley | USD 50/week | USD 50/week | USD 10/day |
NMA Trekking Peaks (≈5,500–6,500 m)
27 peaks. Royalties are charged per climber, with no group tiers. A refundable garbage deposit is required; confirm the amount with NMA. Park/conservation permits for approaches still required.
Standard rate: 25 peaks (examples)
- Mera Peak 6,470 m
- Island Peak (Imja Tse) 6,165 m
- Lobuche East 6,119 m
- Pisang Peak 6,091 m
- Chulu West 6,419 m; Hiunchuli 6,434 m
- Paldor 5,903 m; Kwangde 6,086 m
| Season | Fee per climber |
| Spring (Mar to May) | USD 350 |
| Autumn / Winter / Summer | USD 175 |
Higher rate: 2 peaks
- Chulu East 6,584 m
- Singu Chuli (Fluted Peak) 6,501 m
| Season | Fee per climber |
| Spring (Mar to May) | USD 500 |
| Autumn (Sep to Nov) | USD 250 |
| Winter / Summer | USD 200 |
Additional Requirements
- Every climbing party must be accompanied by an NMA-registered guide (Sirdar).
- Team liability/medical insurance mandated.
- Environmental bond and waste certificates for refund.
Expedition Peaks (> 6,500 m)
Department of Tourism permits; higher royalties, garbage deposits, insurance. Processing windows longer. Royalties below are per foreign climber, in force since 1 September 2025.
8,000 m Class (examples)
| Peak | Elevation | Spring | Autumn | Winter/Summer |
| Everest (normal route) | 8,849 m | USD 15,000 | USD 7,500 | USD 3,750 |
| Everest (other routes) | 8,849 m | USD 10,000 | USD 5,000 | USD 2,500 |
| Other 8,000 m peaks (Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I) | Over 8,000 m | USD 3,000 | USD 1,500 | USD 750 |
| Manaslu | 8,163 m | USD 1,500 | USD 3,000 | USD 1,500 |
The USD 15,000 Everest spring royalty took effect on 1 September 2025 (Department of Tourism).
6–7,000 m Class
| Peak | Elevation | Spring | Autumn |
| Ama Dablam | 6,812 m | USD 1,000 | USD 1,000 |
| Pumori | 7,161 m | USD 800 | USD 400 |
| Baruntse | 7,129 m | USD 800 | USD 400 |
| Himlung | 7,126 m | USD 800 | USD 400 |
- Garbage deposit (Khumbu and Annapurna ranges): Everest USD 4,000; other 8,000 m peaks USD 3,000; 7,001 to 8,000 m and Ama Dablam USD 2,000; 6,501 to 7,000 m USD 1,000. Other ranges: USD 3,000 above 8,000 m, USD 500 below.
- Solo expeditions on 8,000 m peaks are banned. One guide per two climbers above 8,000 m; one per 15 climbers below 8,000 m.
Trail Running Permits: Facts
- No separate "running permit" exists. Use the same permits as trekkers for the same routes.
- Conservation permits are flat per entry. Speed doesn't reduce cost.
- Restricted areas are billed per day/week; faster completion can reduce RAP cost, but itinerary must be realistic.
- Events typically batch-handle permits; individual runners must carry their own on non-event days.
Where to Obtain Permits
Kathmandu
- Nepal Tourism Board (Bhrikutimandap): park entry permits, info. TIMS is sold only through agencies.
- Department of Immigration (Kalikasthan): restricted area permits, applied for online by agencies.
- Nepal Mountaineering Association (Naxal): NMA peaks.
- Registered trekking agencies: end-to-end processing.
Pokhara and Online
- Immigration Office Pokhara: restricted area permits, via agencies.
- ACAP and MCAP: online at epermit.ntnc.org.np, or cash at an NTNC permit counter.
Some park permits can be bought at entry points (e.g., Monjo, Dhunche). ACAP and MCAP permits issued at a checkpost cost double. Restricted area and NMA peak permits must be obtained in advance.
Using Trekking Agencies
Mandatory for restricted areas, and for the TIMS card and licensed guide on most protected-area routes. Standard for peak permits.
- Verify Department of Tourism licence and TAAN membership.
- Confirm insurance, emergency, and compliance procedures.
Required Documents
All Permits
- Passport valid ≥6 months; copies.
- 2–4 passport photos (carry more).
- Completed forms; insurance recommended.
Restricted / Peaks
- Itinerary, guide details, agency confirmation.
- Team list/roles; experience summary for climbs.
- High-altitude insurance; medical certs as required.
Cost Summary (2026)
| Permit | Foreign | SAARC | Nepali |
| ACAP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
| Sagarmatha NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| Langtang NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| MCAP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
| Makalu-Barun NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| TIMS | NPR 2,000 (via agency) | NPR 1,000 | N/A |
| Restricted Area | Peak | Off | Basis |
| Upper Mustang | USD 50/day | USD 50/day | Per day, no minimum period |
| Manaslu | USD 100 (first 7 d) | USD 75 (first 7 d) | +USD 15/10 per day |
| Upper Dolpo | USD 500 (first 10 d) | USD 500 (first 10 d) | +USD 50/day |
| Tsum Valley | USD 40 (first 7 d) | USD 30 (first 7 d) | +USD 7/day |
| Nar–Phu | USD 100 (first 7 d) | USD 75 (first 7 d) | +USD 15/day |
| NMA peaks (per climber) | Spring | Autumn | Winter/Summer |
| 25 standard peaks | USD 350 | USD 175 | USD 175 |
| Chulu East, Singu Chuli | USD 500 | USD 250 | USD 200 |
| Garbage Deposit | Required | Required | Refunded under NMA rules |
Expedition Peaks
Examples: Everest USD 15,000 (spring), USD 7,500 (autumn), USD 3,750 (winter/summer); Ama Dablam USD 1,000 (spring and autumn). Garbage deposits and guide requirements apply in addition to royalties.
Best Practices and Compliance
Timing
- Research 2–3 months out; RAP 4–6 weeks.
- Peak season queues: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr.
Documents
- Multiple passport copies; 6–8 photos.
- Exact name spelling; realistic dates.
Checkpoints
- Register entry/exit; keep permits accessible.
- Loss: report; replace via agency/offices.
Costs & Strategy
- NMA royalties are lower outside spring. RAP off-season rates (Dec to Aug) apply only in Manaslu, Tsum and Nar-Phu.
- Agency service fees are marginal vs. time saved.
- Plan routes to reuse the same area permits where possible.
FAQ: Nepal Permits
Can I get permits on arrival?
Simple park permits can sometimes be issued same day; avoid relying on trail gates. Restricted and peak permits require advance processing.
Processing times?
ACAP and MCAP: emailed after online payment, or issued at an NTNC counter. TIMS: issued online by your agency. RAP: same working day if the agency files online at least one hour before closing and pays. Allow extra time for NMA and expedition permits.
Children?
Children under 10 enter national parks and conservation areas free, and ACAP and MCAP do not require a permit for them.
No permits at checkpoints?
Fines apply. ACAP and MCAP permits issued at a checkpost cost double, and entering a restricted area without a permit risks legal action.
Trail running vs trekking permits?
Identical. No separate running category.
Guide-free travel?
Not on most routes. Since 1 April 2023 a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card are mandatory in most national parks and conservation areas, and in restricted areas. The Everest (Khumbu) region is the exception.
Extend RAP mid-route?
Possible via agency/office; impractical in remote zones. Plan buffer days.
Garbage deposit refund (NMA)?
Refunded with waste compliance certificates and inspection.
Do permits include rescue?
No. Helicopter evacuation is insurance, not permit-funded.
Office hours/closures?
Government offices: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 (09:00 to 16:00 from early November to late January), closed Saturdays and Sundays since April 2026. The Department of Immigration opens 11:00 to 13:00 for trekking permits on public holidays other than Saturdays. Do not plan critical processing on closures.
System Trends
- Digital issuance, QR permits, e-checkpoints expanding.
- Gradual fee adjustments; seasonal differentiation.
- Stricter waste and safety compliance for peaks.
Validate current fees and rules near your travel date.
Conclusion: Execute Permit Prep Precisely
- Identify route → list permits → confirm costs.
- Secure restricted/peak permits via registered agencies.
- Carry documents; register at all checkpoints; retain receipts.
- Respect area rules; your compliance funds conservation.
Fees and regulations checked against official sources on 8 October 2026 and subject to change. For current figures see immigration.gov.np, ntb.gov.np and the Department of Tourism (tourismdepartment.gov.np), plus NMA for trekking peaks.
Permit Processing
Single point routing for RAP, conservation entries, and peak permits.
Contact Nepal Trail Running