Your Complete Guide to Visas, Permits, and Insurance for Trail Running in Nepal

Introduction: Touchdown, Trails, and Paperwork

Before you clip on your trail shoes for an Annapurna Trail Running adventure or lace up for a high-altitude push through Manaslu's Tibetan villages, there's one critical checkpoint you can't skip - visa, permits, insurance, and other related paperwork. They're the foundation of a safe, legal, and stress-free Himalayan running experience.

This guide breaks down everything you need: how to obtain your visa, which permits are required specific region, and what insurance actually protects you on Nepal's remote trails at 4,000+ meters. By the end, you'll know exactly what documents to carry, where to get them, and how Trail and Trek Nepal can simplify the entire process so you can focus entirely on the run.

Nepal Visa Guide for Trail Runners 

Nepal welcomes international visitors with a straightforward visa system designed for travelers just like you. Here's exactly what you need to know before arrival.

Tourist Visa On Arrival

The simplest option for most trail runners and trekkers is the Tourist Visa on Arrival, available at Tribhuvan International Airport. 

Duration Options & Current Fees (2025):

• 15 days: US$25
• 30 days: US$40
• 90 days: US$100

What You Need:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity remaining)
• One passport-sized photo (4×6 cm)
• Completed Tourist Visa application form (provided at the airport)
• Cash (USD or equivalent Nepali rupees—most counters accept cards, but carry cash as backup)

Processing Time: 10–15 minutes in short queues; allow 30–45 minutes during peak hours (early morning or afternoons during September–November and March–May seasons).

Pro Tip: Keep your visa receipt and take a digital photo of your stamped visa page. You'll need proof of a valid visa for permit applications.

Pre-Arranged Visa (e-Visa)

Nepal also offers an electronic Tourist Visa (e-Visa), which you can arrange online before departure.

Advantages:

• Fast processing (typically approved within 3 hours)
• No airport queue needed
• Can be printed and presented on arrival
• Ideal for runners joining organized Pokhara Trail Running events or tight schedules

Limitations:

• Available only at Tribhuvan International Airport and specific land borders
• Not available for 90-day visas
• Valid for 15 days (US$25) or 30 days (US$40)

Pro Tip: If you're arriving during peak season (September–November, March–May), pre-arranging an e-Visa saves valuable time, stress, and potential queue delays.

Visa Extensions

Already in Nepal and need more time for recovery or additional trail routes? Tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (and select regional offices in Pokhara and other towns).

Extension Costs:

• Per day: US$2 per day
• 15-day extension: ~US$30
• Maximum extension: Up to 150 days total stay

Processing: Same-day or next-day, depending on the office and timing.

Trail Running Permits in Nepal: TIMS, Parks, and Restricted Areas

This is where your trail running destination determines what you need. Whether you're planning an Annapurna Trail Running expedition, a Manaslu Trail Running challenge, or exploring Dhorpatan Trail Running routes, different regions require different permits. Let's break it down by category.

TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)

The TIMS card is mandatory for all trekking and trail running routes in Nepal's mountains and designated trekking areas. It's not optional—you'll be asked to show it at checkpoints and lodges throughout your journey.

What It Is: A registration system managed by the Nepal Trekking Association and the Tourism Board. It identifies you as a legitimate trail runner, helps authorities track safety patterns, and assists rescue operations if needed.

Cost:

• Independent trekker/runner: 2,000 Nepali Rupees (approximately US$15)
• Group member (with agency): 2,000 Nepali Rupees per person

Validity: Typically, one year from issue date.

Where to Obtain:

• Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (Bhikuti Mandap)
• Authorized trekking agencies like Trail and Trek Nepal
• Select offices in Pokhara and other major towns

What You Need:

• Valid passport copy
• One passport photo
• Completed TIMS form (provided on site)

Processing Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

National Park and Conservation Area Permits

Most major trail running regions in Nepal fall within protected areas. Entry to these zones requires specific permits that vary by region.

Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) 

• Fee: 3,000 NPR (US$23) for foreigners
• Duration: 7 to 30 days (you specify expected stay)
• Obtained: ACAP office in Pokhara or through authorized agencies like Trail and Trek Nepal
• Purpose: Funds community-based conservation, local education, and trail maintenance
• Ideal For: Annapurna Trail Running packages; covers Annapurna Base Camp routes and Poon Hill trails

Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA)

• Fee: 2,000 NPR (US$15) for foreigners
• Duration: 7 to 30 days
• Obtained: Through authorized trekking agencies in Kathmandu or Gorkha
• Ideal For: Manaslu Trail Running adventures; stunning alpine terrain

Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park

• Fee: 3,000 NPR (US$23) for foreigners
• Duration: Valid for the entire trekking season (typically 30 days)
• Obtained: Sagarmatha National Park office in Namche Bazaar or pre-arranged through operators
• Unique Aspect: Higher elevation; stricter regulations on waste management and environmental impact
• Note: Some runners combine this with Pokhara Trail Running base training before attempting the Everest region routes

Langtang National Park

• Fee: 2,000 NPR (US$15) for foreigners
• Duration: Valid for the length of your trek
• Obtained: Langtang National Park office (Syabrubesi) or via authorized agencies
• Access: Closest protected area to Kathmandu; excellent for acclimatization runs

Restricted Area Permits (RAP)

Certain regions require special permits due to geopolitical or environmental sensitivity. If your trail runs venture into these zones, plan well in advance.

Manaslu Region (8,163m peak)

• Special Permit Required: Yes (in addition to MCA entry permit)
• Fee: US$75–$125 per person (varies seasonally; September–November is peak)
• Duration: 7–30 days
• Requirement: Must be with a registered guide
• Processing Time: 3–7 days; submit applications well in advance
• Contact: Nepal's Ministry of Tourism or authorized agencies

• Note: Our Manaslu Trail Running packages handle all permit logistics

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

• Permit Required: Yes
• Fee: Varies; approximately US$20–$30
• Duration: 7–30 days
• Requirement: Guide recommended for navigation
• Best For: Dhorpatan Trail Running – less-traveled, pristine wilderness routes

• Note: Fewer runners, pristine trails, excellent for off-season adventures

Upper Mustang (Restricted Area)

• Special Permit Required: Yes
• Fee: US$500 for 10 days (US$50 per additional day)
• Requirement: Registered guide mandatory
• Duration: Typically 10–16 days
• Note: Rarely used for trail running but possible for ultra-distance expeditions

Kanchenjunga Region

• Special Permit Required: Yes
• Fee: US$20 per day
• Duration: 7–30 days
• Requirement: Registered guide; limited daily trekker quotas

Pro Tip: If your trail running itinerary includes restricted areas, apply for permits 2–4 weeks in advance through a registered trekking agency. This prevents last-minute delays and ensures you have ample time for acclimatization.

Sample Permit Costs by Region (Quick Reference)

Real Trail Running Scenario: What It Looks Like

Imagine you're running the Annapurna Trail Running circuit early one morning, heart pumping, legs humming with effort. You arrive at the ACAP checkpoint in a valley. You hand the ranger your phone (digital copy) plus your original permit card. The ranger nods approvingly—they see international runners regularly—checks your TIMS, stamps your receipt, and waves you through. You keep the receipt (critical for re-entry).

Later, as altitude builds and you cross ridgelines into the Manang region, you're now in Restricted Area territory. You present your Restricted Area Permit and transition smoothly because your agency (Trail and Trek Nepal) arranged everything in advance. That seamless progression, from valley trail to alpine ridge, was only possible because you secured all necessary permits ahead of time.

Why Region-Differentiation Matters for Runners

Trail running often means covering large distances, sometimes entering less-traveled zones, perhaps in training mode or event mode. Some regions allow self-supported runs; others require a guide, especially in restricted zones. Knowing your region's rules ahead of time ensures you won't be stuck at a checkpoint or risk being barred from an area mid-run. This is why we customize our Trail and Trek Nepal packages by region.

Insurance Essentials for High-Altitude Trail Running

For trail runners in Nepal, comprehensive insurance is not an optional extra—it's essential. Especially when you're running in remote valleys and at elevations where altitude sickness, injury, or sudden weather can shift from manageable to critical in minutes.

What Makes Trail Running Insurance Different

Most standard travel policies exclude:

• Trail running, mountaineering, or extreme sports
• Activities above 3,000 meters
• Helicopter evacuation from remote terrain

• Sports injuries or high-exertion emergencies

Trail runners need coverage specifically designed for high-altitude exertion in remote landscapes.

Key Coverage Areas You Must Have

1. Altitude Coverage (4,000+ meters) Your policy must explicitly cover activities and emergencies above 4,000 meters. Many standard policies cap at 3,000 meters or exclude high-altitude activities entirely. For Annapurna Trail Running routes reaching 5,416m or Manaslu Trail Running routes approaching above 5,000m, this is non-negotiable.

2. Emergency Evacuation and Helicopter Rescue This is absolutely critical. If you suffer acute mountain sickness (AMS), severe dehydration, injury, or other emergencies in a remote valley hours from medical care, helicopter evacuation could cost US$15,000–$30,000 out of pocket. Quality insurance includes unlimited helicopter rescue within coverage limits—often the difference between life and serious consequences.

3. Medical Expenses in Nepal Covers hospital treatment, medication, and doctor consultations in Nepal's private clinics (where quality care is available). Emergency clinics in Kathmandu and regional hubs provide excellent care once you're evacuated.

4. Trip Cancellation and Interruption If you need to cancel due to illness or injury before departure, or return home early due to emergencies, this covers non-refundable costs—flights, package deposits, permits.

5. Repatriation to Home Country In severe cases, medical repatriation ensures you're flown home for advanced care if needed—with full coverage. Critical for runners with underlying health conditions.

Recommended Coverage Limits

Where to Get Comprehensive Coverage

International Providers (Recommended):

• World Nomads (popular with adventure travelers; covers sports-specific activities)
• Allianz Global (comprehensive high-altitude coverage; widely available)
• IMG Global (excellent for extreme sports; widely used by mountaineers)
• Adventure Life Insurance (specialized for trekking and trail running)

• Outdoor Insurance Companies (often include trail running explicitly)

Nepal-Based Providers:

• Nepal Insurance and United Insurance (basic coverage; verify altitude limits carefully)
• Arrangement through local trekking agencies like Trail and Trek Nepal (often bundled with permits and guide services)

Cost Estimate: US$200–$800 for 2–4 weeks of comprehensive high-altitude coverage, depending on age, trip duration, and region selected.

Critical Questions Before You Buy

• Explicit altitude coverage: Does it include 4,000m+? Is there a cap? (Check small print—many say "up to 3,500m")
• Sport-specific exclusions: Are trail running and self-supported runs explicitly covered, or only casual trekking?
• Evacuation inclusion: Is helicopter rescue included in the base policy, or is it an expensive add-on? (Always include this.)
• Geographic scope: Does coverage extend throughout Nepal and surrounding regions (Tibet, India)?
• Pre-existing conditions: Are altitude-related health conditions covered?
• Activity verification: Does your policy require proof of guide/organized activity, or does it cover independent runners?

Pro Tips: Organizing Your Travel Documents

You've secured your visa, permits, and insurance. Now, how do you manage them on the trail for weeks at a time? Here's a practical checklist that keeps documents safe and accessible.

Digital Backups (Essential)

• Store in the cloud: Photograph every critical document (visa, permit, insurance policy, passport ID page, TIMS card) and upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. These are recoverable even if your phone is damaged, lost, or stolen.
• Email to yourself: Send a copy of key documents to your personal email account for quick access from any device.

• Offline copies: Use apps like Moon+ Reader or Adobe Acrobat to download PDFs of permits and insurance certificates for offline viewing in areas without connectivity.

Physical Copies (Equally Important)

• Print key documents: At minimum, print your permit confirmations, TIMS card, and a copy of your insurance policy face page (with policy number and emergency contacts visible).
• Laminate if possible: Water-resistant copies last far longer on multi-day runs through variable weather.
• Keep in waterproof pouch: Use a small dry bag (available in any Kathmandu outdoor store for US$5–$10) to keep permits dry and readable at checkpoints. River crossings, monsoon rain, and stream splashes happen.

Emergency Contact Information Card

Create a small, laminated card with:

• Your full name and home emergency contact number
• Insurance provider phone number (and policy number)
• Nearest embassy or consulate in Kathmandu
• Your guide or operator contact (Trail and Trek Nepal provides this with all packages)
• Blood type (helpful if known)

Keep this card in your pack pocket, not buried in your base layer.

Checkpoint Protocol: What to Expect

You'll encounter checkpoints at park boundaries and major villages. Have your TIMS card and park permit readily accessible in your pack (not deep inside). Rangers are accustomed to international runners and simply need to verify your documentation. A friendly smile, passport copy (if requested), and organized documents smooth the entire process. Most rangers speak some English and are impressed by prepared runners.

Why Documentation Matters for Trail Runners

Most guides treat permits and insurance as box-ticking exercises. For trail runners in Nepal, they're something far deeper.

Legal Clarity & Respect

Running the trails of Nepal isn't just about personal achievement. It's about respect—for the mountains, for the local communities, and for your own safety. When you present a permit at a conservation checkpoint or cross into a restricted zone, you're demonstrating legal entry and accountability. A missing document can mean delays, fines, or even being escorted off the trail mid-run.

Environmental Stewardship

Every permit you carry tells a story—one that connects you to Nepal's mountains, culture, and conservation efforts. When you pay for a National Park entry fee or a Restricted Area Permit, that money directly funds local rangers, trail maintenance, and community development in the regions you'll be running through. You're not just gaining legal access; you're becoming part of a sustainable tourism cycle that protects these incredible places for future runners.

Safety & Accountability

Trail running at altitude in remote terrain carries inherent risks—altitude sickness, injuries, sudden weather changes, or the need for emergency evacuation. Proper travel insurance with high-altitude and helicopter rescue coverage isn't optional; it's your safety blanket. When you're 10 kilometers from the nearest road and your body isn't responding as expected, that insurance coverage transforms from a policy into a lifeline. Permit tracking systems like TIMS also ensure that rescue authorities know who's on the mountain and where you should be.

Peace of Mind & Freedom

Finally, having your documentation in order means one less thing to worry about. Prepare properly, and you can focus entirely on the run—the rhythm of your feet, the views, the experience. That's why we designed our Trail and Trek Nepal packages to handle all logistics, so you arrive focused and ready.

Let Us Handle It for You: Trail and Trek Nepal's Complete Support

Here's the truth: managing visas, permits, and insurance across multiple government agencies—each with different timelines, requirements, and office hours—is exhausting. You're training for months to be fit for Nepal's mountains; you shouldn't spend weeks wrestling with paperwork.

That's exactly why Trail and Trek Nepal exists.

Our team handles everything:

Visa Consultation: We guide you through on-arrival or e-visa options and arrange pre-registration if needed. No airport queues. No confusion.

Permit Acquisition: We secure TIMS cards, park permits, and restricted-area permits well in advance, ensuring zero delays on arrival. We know every office, every timeline, every local contact.

Insurance Coordination: We recommend providers with proven high-altitude coverage and help you select the right policy for your specific route—whether it's Annapurna Trail Running, Manaslu Trail Running, or Dhorpatan Trail Running.

Document Organization: We provide a pre-departure checklist, laminated permit copies, emergency contact cards, and digital backups organized and ready to go.

On-Trail Support: Our guides carry backup permit copies, know every checkpoint on your route, and can handle any administrative issues that arise mid-run.

The Result?

You arrive in Nepal stress-free, focused entirely on your training and the run ahead. We've eliminated the paperwork; you've eliminated the worry. Check out our Trail and Trek Nepal packages to see how we customize logistics for each region.

FAQ: Trail Running Documents in Nepal

Do I need a special permit specifically for trail running in Nepal?

No separate permit exists for trail running alone. You'll need the same permits as trekkers, TIMS, and applicable park or restricted area permits, depending on your route. However, if your run is organized as a competitive event or race, check with organizers. Some competitive events require additional sanctioning from the Nepal Athletic Association. For self-supported runs, standard permits apply.

What type of visa do I need for a trail running trip to Nepal?

A Tourist Visa (on arrival or e-Visa) for 15, 30, or 90 days. This covers all trail running activities and self-supported runs. You can extend your visa if needed; extensions are quick and affordable (US$2 per day). For race events, 30 days is typically sufficient unless you're combining multiple regions.

Can I get permits on arrival in Kathmandu?

Yes, absolutely. TIMS cards and National Park permits can be obtained same-day or next-day through authorized agencies like Trail and Trek Nepal. For Restricted Area Permits (e.g., Manaslu Trail Running routes), plan for 3–7 days of processing. This is why we recommend arranging these in advance, no surprises, no delays.

Does my travel insurance cover high-altitude running?

Most standard travel policies don't. You need adventure-specific insurance that explicitly covers activities above 4,000 meters and includes helicopter evacuation. Check your policy details before purchase—read the small print carefully. If it doesn't mention "trail running" and "4,000m+," it likely won't cover you.

How much do trail running permits cost in Nepal?

Costs vary significantly by region:

• TIMS: ~2,000 NPR (US$15)
• National Park/Conservation Area: 2,000–3,000 NPR (US$15–$23)

• Restricted Area Permits: US$75–$500, depending on region

Total permit cost typically ranges from US$30–$150, excluding restricted areas. For budget planning on our packages, we include all permit costs transparently.

Can I extend my visa if I decide to stay longer?

Yes. Extensions are available at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (or Pokhara) and cost US$2 per day. Processing is usually same-day or next-day. This is why many runners opt for 30-day visas initially; it gives flexibility without committing to 90 days upfront.

What happens if I run without a permit?

Trail running without required permits can result in:

• Subject to legal trouble like fines or escorted off the trail mid-run
• Complications with future visa applications or re-entry
• Undermining conservation efforts that protect the trails you love

It's simply not worth the risk, both legally and ethically. Plus, permits are inexpensive compared to flights and training time.

Start Planning Your Trail Running Adventure Today

Whether you're dreaming of Annapurna Trail Running routes, Pokhara Trail Running base training, Manaslu Trail Running challenges, or exploring Dhorpatan Trail Running wilderness, proper documentation is your ticket to a safe, legal, and unforgettable Himalayan adventure.

Ready to run Nepal's trails with full confidence and zero paperwork stress?

Contact Trail and Trek Nepal today. Our team will manage your visa, permits, insurance, and logistics—so you can focus entirely on what you love: running.

Explore our Trail and Trek Nepal packages or read more on our blog for region-specific guides and trail running stories from other runners.

Let's get you on the trail.