Permit List for Trail Running, Trekking, and Peak Climbing in Nepal
Complete 2025 Guide
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 2025.
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
Identification and tracking for non-restricted routes where not superseded by conservation permits. Valid for a single trek with stated entry/exit.
| Category | Cost (2025) |
| Foreign (FIT) | USD 20 |
| Foreign (Group via registered agency) | USD 10 |
| SAARC | NPR 600 |
Note: In many popular regions, conservation/park permits replace separate TIMS requirements. Verify current rules pre-departure.
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 (2025) |
| Foreign | NPR 2,000 (~USD 17) |
| SAARC | NPR 1,000 (+13% VAT) |
| Nepali | Free |
Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park
Applies to EBC, Gokyo, Three Passes, Everest View. Separate Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee also applies.
| Visitor | Fee (2025) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 (~USD 26–30) |
| SAARC | NPR 1,500 |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
Khumbu local permit: NPR 3,000 per person (since Sep 2024).
Langtang National Park
Covers Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, Tamang Heritage, Helambu.
| Visitor | Fee (2025) |
| Foreign | NPR 3,000 (~USD 26) |
| SAARC | NPR 1,500 |
| Nepali | NPR 100 |
MCAP — Manaslu Conservation Area
Required for Manaslu region in addition to RAP.
| Visitor | Fee (2025) |
| Foreign | NPR 2,000 (~USD 17) |
| SAARC | NPR 1,000 |
| Nepali | Free |
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 1,000 | Free |
Restricted Area Permits (RAP)
Rules: agency-issued only, licensed guide mandatory, typically minimum two persons, date- and day-count based fees.
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 2,000).
- Often ACAP needed on southern approach.
Upper Mustang RAP
| Period | Fee |
| First 10 days | USD 500 per person |
| Each additional day | USD 50/day |
- ACAP also required.
- Guide + agency mandatory; min two persons.
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 / USD 10 per day |
| Kanchenjunga (selected valleys) | USD 20/week | USD 20/week | Per week basis |
| Humla / Limi Valley | USD 50/week | USD 50/week | USD 7/day |
NMA Trekking Peaks (≈5,500–6,500 m)
27 peaks in two groups. Team size limit 15. Garbage deposit USD 500 refundable with compliance. Park/conservation permits for approaches still required.
Group A (examples)
- Mera Peak 6,476 m
- Island Peak (Imja Tse) 6,189 m
- Lobuche East 6,119 m
- Pisang Peak 6,091 m
- Chulu West 6,419 m; Hiunchuli 6,441 m
| Season | Fee (up to 4) | Addl. member |
| Spring / Autumn | USD 250 | USD 50 |
| Winter / Summer | USD 125 | USD 30 |
Group B (examples)
- Yala Peak 5,732 m (Langtang)
- Chulu East 6,584 m
- Tent Peak / Tharpu Chuli 5,663 m
- Paldor 5,928 m; Kwangde Ri 6,011 m
| Season | Fee (up to 4) | Addl. member |
| Spring / Autumn | USD 150 | USD 30 |
| Winter / Summer | USD 75 | USD 20 |
Additional Requirements
- Licensed climbing guide/Sherpa standard for most peaks.
- Team liability/medical insurance mandated.
- Environmental bond and waste certificates for refund.
Expedition Peaks (> 6,500 m)
Department of Tourism permits; higher costs, liaison officer, bonds, insurance. Processing windows longer.
8,000 m Class (examples)
| Peak | Elevation | Spring/Autumn | Winter/Summer |
| Everest | 8,849 m | USD 15,000 | USD 7,500 |
| Kanchenjunga | 8,586 m | USD 5,000 | USD 2,500 |
| Lhotse / Makalu / Cho Oyu | 8,5xx–8,1xx m | USD 2,500 | USD 1,250 |
| Dhaulagiri / Manaslu / Annapurna I | 8,0xx–8,1xx m | USD 2,000 | USD 1,000 |
Everest permit slated to rise to USD 15,000 in 2026; some operators already quoting 2026 pricing for forward bookings.
6–7,000 m Class
| Peak | Elevation | Permit (Spr/Aut) |
| Ama Dablam | 6,812 m | USD 600 |
| Pumori | 7,161 m | USD 600 |
| Baruntse | 7,129 m | USD 500 |
| Himlung | 7,126 m | USD 500 |
- Garbage deposit: up to USD 4,000 (8,000 m), USD 3,000 others.
- Liaison officer mandatory; salaries/expenses extra.
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 (Bhrikuti Mandap): TIMS, info.
- Department of Immigration (Dillibazar): Restricted areas.
- Nepal Mountaineering Association (Naxal): NMA peaks.
- Registered trekking agencies: end-to-end processing.
Pokhara
- NTB Pokhara (Lakeside): ACAP, limited TIMS services.
- ACAP Office (near PN Campus): ACAP issuance.
Some park permits can be purchased at entry gates (e.g., Monjo, Dhunche, Jagat). Do not rely on gates for restricted areas or NMA peaks—obtain in advance.
Using Trekking Agencies
Mandatory for restricted areas and standard for peak permits.
- Service fees: typically USD 10–30 per permit type.
- Verify NTB registration 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 (2025)
| Permit | Foreign | SAARC | Nepali |
| ACAP | NPR 2,000 | NPR 1,000 (+13% VAT) | Free |
| Sagarmatha NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| Langtang NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| MCAP | NPR 2,000 | NPR 1,000 | Free |
| Makalu-Barun NP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 100 |
| TIMS | USD 20 (FIT) / USD 10 (Group) | NPR 600 | — |
| Restricted Area | Peak | Off | Basis |
| Upper Mustang | USD 500 (first 10 d) | USD 500 (first 10 d) | +USD 50/day |
| 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 15/10 per day |
| NMA Group | Spring/Autumn | Winter/Summer | Addl. member |
| Group A | USD 250 (up to 4) | USD 125 (up to 4) | USD 50 / USD 30 |
| Group B | USD 150 (up to 4) | USD 75 (up to 4) | USD 30 / USD 20 |
| Garbage Deposit | USD 500 | USD 500 | Refundable with compliance |
Expedition Peaks
Examples: Everest USD 15,000 (Spr/Aut), USD 7,500 (Win/Sum); Ama Dablam USD 600 (Spr/Aut). Garbage deposits and liaison officer costs apply in addition to permits.
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
- Off-season discounts on RAP/NMA (Dec–Aug).
- 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?
Conservation/TIMS: same day if documents complete. RAP: ~3–7 business days. NMA peaks: ~7–14 days. Expeditions: 2–4+ weeks.
Children?
Yes, permits required for all ages. Some areas discount under-10; policies vary.
No permits at checkpoints?
Expect fines (2–5× fee) and possible removal from route; future travel impacted.
Trail running vs trekking permits?
Identical. No separate running category.
Guide-free travel?
Allowed in open conservation areas with proper permits. Restricted areas require licensed guide and agency.
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?
Sun–Fri ~10:00–17:00; closed Saturdays and public holidays. 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 current for 2025; subject to change. Verify with NTB, Department of Immigration, NMA, and local authorities before departure.
Permit Processing
Single point routing for RAP, conservation entries, and peak permits.
Contact Trail and Trek Nepal