Trekking Permits in Nepal: TIMS, ACAP and Restricted Area Permits Explained

Nepal requires trekking permits for almost every route, and the type you need depends entirely on the region. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what each permit is for.

TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)

A general registration card required on most open trekking routes, used for trekker safety records. Issued through a registered agency like TrekVibe Nepal — we handle this for every guest automatically.

National Park and Conservation Area Permits

Routes passing through a protected area require an entry permit, with fees supporting conservation work. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) covers Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Annapurna Circuit and Mardi Himal; the Sagarmatha National Park permit plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit cover the Everest region; and the Langtang National Park permit covers Langtang and Gosaikunda.

Restricted Area Permits

Some regions near the Tibet border or in remote, culturally sensitive areas — Manaslu, Upper Mustang and Dolpo among them — are classified as restricted areas. These require a special permit issued only through a registered trekking agency, a licensed guide at all times, and a minimum group size of two trekkers. Restricted area permits are priced per day and are considerably more expensive than open-route permits, which is reflected in the higher package cost of those treks.

• Everest region: Sagarmatha National Park permit + Khumbu Rural Municipality permit
• Annapurna region: ACAP (covers ABC, Poon Hill, Circuit, Mardi Himal)
• Langtang region: Langtang National Park permit
• Manaslu: Restricted Area Permit + MCAP + ACAP
• Upper Mustang: Restricted Area Permit + ACAP
• Dolpo (Upper & Lower): Restricted Area Permit + Shey Phoksundo National Park permit

Every TrekVibe Nepal package includes the correct permits for your route as standard — you will never need to queue at a permit office yourself.