The short answer
Most routes need a conservation or national park permit and a local entry fee; restricted areas need a licensed agency. Guide rules have been announced and revised, so check current requirements with a registered operator before you book.
Key facts
- Annapurna
- ACAP permit
- Everest
- Sagarmatha park and local fee
- Restricted
- Agency-arranged permits
- Guide
- Licensed guide advised
How it works
- Identify the regionEach region has its own permits and offices.
- Check the latest rulesGovernment rules on guides, TIMS and local fees have changed in recent years.
- Prepare documentsPassport copies, photos and insurance details.
- Use a registered agencyThey handle permits and meet legal requirements.
- Keep receiptsYou may be asked to show permits at checkposts.
How permits work
Most trekking regions are inside conservation areas or national parks, and each has its own entry permit and local fee. Some areas also ask you to register at a checkpoint. Restricted areas need a special permit arranged by a licensed agency, usually for groups.
Rules and fees change, so ask your operator for the current list for your route and season. Carry passport copies and photos, and keep receipts, because checkpoints may ask to see them.
Guides and agencies
Guide rules have been announced and revised over time, and a licensed guide is advisable on most routes for safety, route knowledge and help in an emergency. A registered agency can arrange guides, porters and permits in one package.
Ask who buys each permit and whether it is in your price. Use official counters or a registered agency, and keep the paperwork together in a waterproof pouch.
Insider tip
Ask your operator to list every permit, who buys it and whether it is in the price.
Avoid this
Do not buy permits from unofficial sellers.
Related questions
Is a guide mandatory?
Rules have been announced and revised. Ask a registered operator for the latest requirement for your route.
Can I get permits in Kathmandu?
Yes, at official offices, but an agency can do it faster.
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