Every trekking route in Nepal requires some combination of permits, and the rules differ by region. Here’s what each one actually is, which trek needs which permit, and why none of it is something you need to arrange yourself when you book with us.
TIMS card
The Trekkers’ Information Management System card records who is on the trail, which route, and with which operator, mainly as a safety and search-and-rescue measure. It’s required for independent trekking on most routes, and is included in the price of our Everest Base Camp Trek.
Sagarmatha National Park permit
Everest, officially Sagarmatha, sits inside a national park, and entry requires this permit, checked at Monjo on the way up to Namche Bazaar. It funds park conservation and ranger staff along the route. It’s included in both our Everest Base Camp Trek and the longer Everest Three High Passes Trek.
Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee
A separate local entry fee for the Khumbu region, named for the first Nepali woman to summit Everest, collected alongside the park permit and used for local infrastructure rather than the national park itself. Also included in both Everest treks above.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The Annapurna region is managed as a conservation area rather than a national park, with its own entry permit funding community-based conservation projects across the region. It’s required for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and included in the price.
What’s not covered by any permit
Your Nepal entry visa is separate from every trekking permit above and is arranged on arrival at Kathmandu airport for most nationalities, typically around 50 USD for a 30-day visa, though you should check the current rate for your passport before you fly. It’s excluded from every trek we run, the same as your international flights and personal travel insurance.
Why this matters when you compare prices
Some operators quote a lower headline price and add permits as a line item once you’ve already committed. Every permit, park fee and TIMS card is inside the number we quote from the start, on every trek, whatever the group size. For the full breakdown on our most-booked route, see what you’re actually paying for on Everest Base Camp.
Verifying who arranges them
Permits are processed by our office using our government registration and TAAN membership, both published on our licences and registration page so you can check them before you book rather than taking our word for it. If you have questions about what a specific route requires, ask us directly before you travel.