The short answer
You need an entry permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area, and for many routes a trekkers' registration card as well. Your operator can arrange both in Kathmandu or Pokhara in a day or two.
Key facts
- Conservation area permit
- Required for the ACAP region
- Registration
- Trekker registration, required on most routes
- Where
- Kathmandu or Pokhara offices
- You need
- Passport copy and photos
How it works
- Share passport detailsSend a clear passport scan to your operator at least a week before arrival.
- Collect at the officePermits can be collected in Kathmandu or Pokhara; allow half a day.
- Carry copiesCheckposts along the trail may ask to see them.
What the permits are for
The Annapurna Conservation Area is a protected region managed to protect the landscape and local communities, and entry fees help fund trail upkeep and conservation. Most routes also ask you to register as a trekker so that your plan is known in case of an emergency.
You will usually need your passport, passport-size photos and your route details. Permit names, offices and requirements are updated from time to time, so ask your operator which ones apply to your route and season.
Getting them without stress
The easiest way is to let a registered operator arrange the permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara, which normally takes a day or two. Keep the original receipts and copies on you, because checkpoints along the trail ask to see them.
Restricted areas, such as Upper Mustang, need a special permit and a licensed agency, and group rules apply. Do not buy permits from unofficial sellers, and ask for a clear list of what is included in your price.
Insider tip
Rules and fees change often, and they differ for restricted areas such as Upper Mustang. Ask your operator for the up-to-date list before you pay.
Avoid this
Get permits through the official counters or a registered agency, and carry the receipts at checkpoints.
Related questions
Is the permit refundable?
Usually not. Treat the fee as a sunk cost once issued.
Do I need a guide?
Rules vary by route and may change; ask when you book.
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