Which trekking permits you need in Nepal, region by region
Three categories cover almost every trek: conservation area, national park and restricted area. Once you know which one you're in, every rule you meet makes sense.
By the Lakeshore team · 6 min read · Updated 5 October 2026
Nepal's trekking permits look random until you see how they're organised, and then they're simple. Almost every trek falls into one of three categories, and the category tells you the cost, the paperwork and whether you can walk it alone.
We've chosen not to print a fee table. Permit prices and the rules on guiding have changed more than once in recent seasons, and a page of confident numbers is worse than no page at all once it goes out of date.
This page covers the structure, which doesn't change. For this season's numbers, message us and we'll tell you what's current, whether or not you book with us.
Category one, conservation areas
The Annapurna Conservation Area covers everything we run from Pokhara, from Poon Hill, Ghandruk and Mardi to Annapurna Base Camp, the Circuit, Khopra, Sikles, Kapuche, Kori and the rest. For all of them you need an ACAP entry permit.
Manaslu and Kanchenjunga have their own conservation area permits on the same broad lines. These are run by a conservation trust, not the national park service, and the fee pays for conservation and local development in the area you're walking through. In practice it's one permit, issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara and checked at posts along the trail. Keep it where you can reach it, not at the bottom of your duffel.
Category two, national parks
Everest sits inside Sagarmatha National Park, and the Khumbu also charges a local rural municipality fee, so that trek needs two payments instead of one.
Langtang National Park covers Langtang and Gosaikunda. Chitwan and Bardia charge a daily park entry for wildlife activities, not trekking.
The pattern to remember is that national parks tend to add a local municipal charge on top of the park fee. If a quote for Everest looks lower than everyone else's, that second fee is usually what's missing from it.
Category three, restricted areas
Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Dolpo and parts of Kanchenjunga are restricted. They need a special permit that costs a good deal more, is priced per person for a fixed window with a daily rate after that, and can't be issued to an individual.
You have to go through a registered agency, with a licensed guide, and there's a minimum group size, often two trekkers. A solo traveller can't legally trek these areas, however experienced.
This is national policy, not an operator upsell, and it's enforced at checkposts. It's also why these regions stay quiet, which is most of their appeal.
The guide question
The rules on whether you need a licensed guide outside the restricted areas have changed more than once in recent seasons, and enforcement has varied by region and by year.
We won't state a rule here that might be wrong by the time you read it. Instead, we'll tell you what is being enforced on your route in the week you arrive. For restricted areas the answer has been consistent and isn't in doubt: guide and agency, always.
How we handle it
Permits are included in every trek we sell, and they appear as their own line on your quote, so you can see what is government fee and what is us. We think that should be standard, and it isn't.
If you're trekking independently and just need the paperwork sorted, we do that as a separate service. Bring two photos and your passport, and we queue for the ACAP and TIMS, show you where the checkposts are and send you off with a laminated route map. It takes an afternoon, and the government fees stay separate from our fee.
Either way, send us the route and your dates and we'll confirm what you need before you commit to anything.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
Can I get permits myself?
For conservation areas and national parks, yes. Offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara issue them. For restricted areas, no, because those only go through a registered agency.
How long does it take?
Conservation and park permits are usually same-day or next-day. Restricted-area permits take longer and need your passport details in advance, so give us notice.
What if I lose my permit?
Tell your guide straight away. You can get a replacement, but it means a trip to an office, so keep a photo of the permit on your phone as a backup.
Do children need permits?
Usually yes, often at a reduced rate, or free below a certain age, depending on the area. We'll confirm for your route and your children's ages.
Are permit fees refundable if I cancel?
Generally not once they're issued, which is why they appear separately on your quote. If you cancel before we buy them, you aren't charged for them.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates, and we'll tell you whether Permits & TIMS Service is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830