Trekkers in Nepal are allowed to trek as FIT (Free Individual Trekker) or in a group of various sizes. However, there are certain trekking regions known as ‘Restricted Areas’ that are highly regulated by the Government of Nepal and hence FITs are strictly forbidden. Trekking in these areas is allowed only upon acquiring permit from the Department of Immigration. Interested trekkers should contact the authorized trekking agencies who then can apply for permits (on behalf of trekkers) at the Department of Immigration fulfilling all the necessary formalities. Trekkers should be trekking in a group (of minimum two persons) accompanied by licensed trekking guide. Individual trekker cannot apply for the permit. There are different rates (trekking Permit fees) applicable for different routes to acquire the Permits. Visit the link for detail. Permit fees are quoted in US dollars but payable in Nepali Rupees. Trekking permit is not issued beyond visa expiration date. Hence, trekkers must have valid visa for sufficient number of days covering their trekking schedule.
Conditions to be followed by Trekkers:
• Trekkers should respect local customs and traditions and must not indulge in any activity that goes against the established norms and culture of the society.
• Individual trekking in Restricted Areas is strictly forbidden. There should be minimum two trekkers.
• Daily remuneration, safety gears and appropriate clothes, Personal Accident insurance must be provided to Nepali citizen accompanying travel group as guide/porter/any other supporting roles.
• Trekkers should trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking Permit. They are not allowed to change route. Or concerned trekking agency/trekking guide accompanying the group must not let trekkers change the route.
• Trekkers should comply with instructions given by authorized Officials in trekking zone (Restricted Area).
• Mountaineers with expedition permit should get trekking permit as well if they have to pass through Restricted Areas to climb peaks. In this case, they do not need to pay fees for (Trekking) Permit.
Authorized agencies can apply for trekking permits along with NECESSARY REQUIRED documents.
Restricted Area of Nepal: District/Regions/VDCs and Permit Fee (USD) / Equivalent
1. Taplejung District: Kanchanjunga Region:(Olangchung Gola, Lelep, Papung and Yamphudin VDCs)
US$ 10 per person/Week (for the first 4 weeks)
US$ 20 per person/Week (beyond 4 weeks)
2. Sankhuwasabha: Kimathanka, Chepuwa, Hatiya and Pawakhola VDCs
US$ 10 per person / Week ( for the first 4 weeks)
US$ 20 per person / Week ( Beyond 4 weeks)
3. Solukhumbu: All the North West Regions of Chame (Namche VDC ) to Nangpala
US$ 10 per person/Week (for the first 4 weeks)
US$ 20 per person/Week (beyond 4 weeks)
4. Dolakha: Lamabagar Ward No.1 (Lepche) and Gaurishanker Ward No. 1 (Beding 9 and Chhorolpa lake) area
US$ 10 per person /Week
5. Rasuwa District: Thuman and Timure Region
US$ 10 per person /Week
6. Gorkha District: Manaslu Region (Lho, Samagaun, Prok, Bihi)
September – November
US$70/per person/Week (for a week or 7 days)
US$10/per person/Day (Beyond a week or 7 days)
December – August
US$50 per person/Week (for a week)
US$ 7 per person/Day (Beyond a week or 7days)
7. Gorkha District: Tsum Valley of Gorkha District: Areas of Chhekampar and Chunchet VDCs (Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chhhekampar- Nile-Chhule Area)
September – November
US$ 35 per person / 8 days
December – August
US$25 per person / 8 days
8. Manang: Thoche (North of Tilche village), Na, Phu VDCs
September – November
US$90 per person /Week
December – August
US$ 75 per person /Week
9. Mustang: Lhomanthang, Charang, Chhondup,Chhotsher, Surkhang, Ghami, Chhusang, Sangdagaun of Kagbeni VDC and way to Tilicho lake (Jomsom VDC)
US$500 per person (for the first 10 days)
US$ 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days)
10. Dolpa: Upper Dolpa: Bhijer, Saldang, Tinze, Chharka and Mukot
US$500 per person (for the first 10 days)
US$ 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days)
11. Dolpa: Lower Dolpa: All other 18 VDCs (out of 23) of Dolpa District
US$ 10 per person /Week
12. Mugu: Mugu , Dolpu, Pulu, Bhangri
US$90 per person (for the first 7 days or a week)
US$15 per person /Day ( beyond 7 days)
13. Humla: Simikot , Yari ,Limi and Muchu VDCs, Regions of Dharma VDC ( way to Tibet via Tangekhola)
US$50 per person (for the first 7 days or a week)
US$ 7 per person/Day (( beyond a week or 7 days)
14. Bajhang: Areas of Kanda, Saipal and Dhuli VDCs
US$ 90 per person ( For a week or seven days)
US$ 15 per person/Day ( Beyond a week or seven days)
15. Darchula: Areas of Byas VDC
US$ 90 per person ( For a week or seven days)
US$ 15 per person/Day ( Beyond a week or seven days)
Trekking Permits and National Park Fees
All trekkers require a trekking permit to visit Nepal’s interior regions, which are not connected by highways. Recently the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions have been declared “permit free”; the National Park or Conservation Area fees are still applicable. We process the trekking permits and national park entrances at immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Entry Fees:
S. No. Name of Protected areas Entry fees Rs.
01 Manaslu Conservation Area 2260.00
02 Annapurna Conservation Area 2260.00
03 Kanchenjungha Conservation Area 2260.00
04 Langtang National Park 3390.00
05 Sagarmatha National Park 3390.00
06 Rara National Park 3390.00
07 Shey-Phoksundo National Park 3390.00
08 Makalu Barun National park 3390.00
09 Khaptad National Park 3390.00
10 Shivapuri Water Shed Conservation Area 565.00
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented jointly by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) to ensure safety and security of trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations.
Trekking companies will be asked to furnish personal information of trekkers like their passport numbers, nationality and their contact address and their itinerary. The data will be uploaded in visitors’ database which can be accessed in case of accidents and/or natural calamities in order to inform the concerned institutions about the number of trekkers inside a certain trekking area.
TIMS cards should be collected by both Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) and trekkers taking the service of government authorized trekking agencies.
Past experiences have revealed that difficulties were seen while carrying out rescue operations during times of accidents and natural calamities. Due to the lack of proper record system of trekkers, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the missing trekkers. Based on the data collected through TIMS cards, however, it will be possible to know the position of a trekker in case a rescue operation is needed.
The provision of Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) came into effect on January 1, 2008. Since then, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) started recording trekkers’ details and began issuing TIMS Card to trekkers.
As per the recent MoU signed by NTB and TAAN, TIMS card is applicable in all trekking areas of the country including restricted areas. Group trekkers will have to pay Blue TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 1,000 per person, while FITs have to get Green TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 2,000. Similarly, group trekkers from SAARC countries have to pay Rs 300 for TIMS cards, while FITs from the SAARC region have to pay Rs 600 each.