Trekking Permits in Nepal: TIMS & Special Permit
Trekking in Nepal is a life-changing experience that many people dream of, which is why it is important to have complete information on what is required before embarking on a trek.Trekking in Nepal requires one or more permits, depending on the destination you are trekking for.
It might get confusing on what permit is required as there are many. You can buy some on the spot, while some take longer to process. To know more about different types of permits and fees, keep up with the article.
TIMS CARD
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card is mandatory for every trekker to ensure the safety and security of trekkers in the general trekking areas. In case of emergencies like natural disasters and accident, TIMS card information helps to carry out search and rescue operation for trekkers. You need to a copy of the passport, and two passports sized photo to obtain the card along with the fee amount.
For Organized Trekkers
Organized trekkers get a blue TIMS card and can obtain the TIMS card form the following locations.
-TAAN Secretariat in Maligaun, Kathmandu
-TAAN Counter in Saatghumti, Thamel, Kathmandu
-TAAN Secretariat, Pokhara
For Free Individual Trekkers
For those individuals who want to embark on the trek on their own can obtain this card from following locations after filling a TIMS application form. TIMS card for individual trekkers is green.
-Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu and Pokhara
-TAAN Pokhara Secretariat
Fee Structure
Organized Trekkers: NRs 1000 per person
Individual Trekker: NRs 2000 per person
Group Trekkers from SAARC countries: NRs 300
Opening Office Hour
-At TAAN Secretariat TIMS Counter opens from office hour of 10 am to 5 pm and remains closed on Saturday and public holidays.
-TIMS Counter of Thamel opens from 7 am to 6 pm. Also, it opens on Saturday and public holiday from 10 am to 1 pm.
-Nepal Tourism Board opens from 10 am to 5 pm and remains closed on Saturday and public holiday.
SPECIAL TREKKING PERMIT
Special Trekking Permit is required while trekking in restricted or controlled areas apart from Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, and Helambu. The special permit is needed to be obtained in advance, and they can be only obtained through an authorized trekking or travel agency. Following are the conditions you must meet to obtain:
-Must have a valid visa.
-Must get this permit through an authorized local travel agency in Nepal.
-Must have an authorized guide.
-Must be at least a group of two.
-Must have a planned itinerary and can’t overstay on restricted areas.
Restricted Areas and Fees for trekking permit
Kanchenjunga Area Trek permit: USD 10 per person week (Restricted areas Olangchungola, Lelep, Papung, and Yamphuding)
Makalu Base Camp: USD 20 per person per week (Restricted areas Kimathangka, Chepuwa, Hatiya, and Pawakhola.)
Gaurishanker Chhorolpa Lake area: USD 10 per person per week
Langtang Region: USD per person per week (Restricted area Thuman and Timure region). However, regular classical Langtang Valley trek doesn’t require a special permit.
Manaslu Trekking Permit: USD 70 per person per week from September to November and added USD 10 per day after a week completion. USD 50 per person per week from December to August and added $7 per day after completing a week.
Tsum Valley: USD 35 per for the first eight days from September to November. USD 25 per person for the first eight days from December to August.
Mustang Trekking Permit: USD 500 per person for ten days and added USD 50 per person in case of extension.
Narphu Valley Trek permits USD 90 per person per week from September to November. USD 75 per person per week from December to August.
Lower Dolpo: USD 10 per person per week
Upper Dolpo: USD 500 per person for 10 days and USD 50 per person per day for added days.
Simikot and Yari in Humla: USD 50 per person per week and an additional USD 7 per person if days are extended. (Limi, Muchu, and Dharmakhola are restricted areas.)
Mugu Region: USD 90 per person per week and USD 15 for added days. (Mugu, Dolpo, Pulu, and Bhangri are the restricted areas.)
Bhajang District: USD 90 per person per week and USD 15 for additional days. (Kanda, Saipal, and Dhuli are the restricted areas.)
Darchula District: USD 90 and USD 15 for extended days. (Byas is the restricted region.)
MOUNTAINEERING PERMIT
Scaling the peaks is another popular adventure in Nepal, which requires permits, and you have to pay a certain amount of royalty for it. Remember, it is not allowed to apply individually; you must arrange it through a travel agency.
To obtain this permit, first of all, you will need to fill in a bio-data form and give it to your agency. This can be done online and later when you land in Kathmandu; you can add signature and photograph to the form.
To know the detailed royalty structure, visit the official site of the Department of Tourism.
(Note: -For extending permission, an additional 25% charge of the total amount of initial feel will be levied for each extra week.
-In case of cancellation of permission by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) or failure to embark on an expedition, the fees paid won’t be refunded.
-NMA is authorized to issue trekking peak climbing permit for 33 peaks up to 6500 meters except for Mera Peak, while for other peaks Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation gives the permission.)
NATIONAL PARKS, WILDLIFE RESERVES AND CONSERVATION AREAS PERMIT
Trekking within the periphery of protected areas like national parks and conservation area requires another permit. It is more like a fee that acts as a permit for entering the park. You will need two passport size photo while applying for the permit.
National Park Fees (For Foreigners)
-Sagarmatha National Park: NRs 3000 per person
-Chitwan National Park: NRs 2000 per person
-Bardiya National Park: NRs 1500 per person
-Banke National Park: NRs 1500 per person
-Khaptad National Park: NRs 1500 per person
-Langtang National Park: NRs 3000 per person
-Makalu-Barun National Park: NRs 3000 per person
-Parsa National Park: NRs 1500 per person
-Rara National Park: NRs 3000 per person
-Shey Phuksundo National Park: NRs 3000 per person
-Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park: NRs 1000 per person
-Shuklaphanta National Park: NRs 1500 per person
Wildlife Reserve Fees (For Foreigners)
-Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: NRs 1500 per person
Hunting Reserve Fees (For Foreigners)
-Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve: NRs 3000 per person
Conservation Areas Fees (For Foreigners)
-Annapurna Conservation Area: NRs 3000 per person
-Manaslu Conservation Area: NRs 3000 per person
-Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: NRs 2000 per person
-Api Nampa Conservation Area: NRs 2000 per person
-Gaurishanker Conservation Area: NRs 3000 per person
-Blackbuck Conservation Area: NRs 2000 per person
(Note: For SAARC National, the fee is half of what is charged above. Also, children below ten years don’t require any fees to pay. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.)
You can have the permit at following locations:
-Tourism Board Office, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu (For all National Parks and Conservation Areas.)
-National Tourism Board at Pokhara (For Annapurna region only.)
The information have been sourced from government websites of Nepal.
