Nepal Trekking Permits and Cost

From the legendary Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit to remote trails in Upper Mustang and Kanchenjunga, the country offers diverse landscapes with lush valleys, rugged Himalayas, and ancient cultural trails. Trekking in Nepal is not just about adventure; it’s an immersion into rich Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung cultures, with monasteries, prayer flags, and warm hospitality along the way.

However, Nepal’s fragile ecosystems and remote regions require regulated tourism to ensure environmental protection, cultural preservation, and trekker safety. This is where trekking permits come into play.

Trekking permits in Nepal serve multiple purposes:

  • Environmental Conservation: Fees from permits fund trail maintenance, waste management, and national park upkeep.

  • Safety & Security: The permit helps track trekkers in case of emergencies.

  • Cultural Protection: Restricted area permits (e.g., Upper Mustang) control tourism to preserve indigenous traditions.

  • Legal Requirement: Trekking without permits can lead to fines, deportation, or denied entry to checkpoints.

Understanding permit rules ensures a smooth, legal, and responsible trekking experience while supporting Nepal’s sustainable tourism efforts.

Types of Trekking Permits in Nepal

Trekking in Nepal requires various permits depending on the region, with regulations designed to protect the environment, support local communities, and ensure trekker safety. The two main categories of permits are National Park & Conservation Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits (RAP), each serving different purposes and applying to specific zones.

National Park and Conservation Area Permit Prices

Nepal’s protected areas, including national parks and conservation regions, mandate entry permits for trekkers. These permits help fund conservation efforts, trail maintenance, and local community projects. Some of the most common permits in this category include:

SN.

National Parks/ Wildlife Reserve/ Conservation Areas

Nepali

SAARC

Foreigners

Child discount

National Parks that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites

1

Chitwan National Park

NRs. 150 per person per entry

NRs. 1,000 per person per entry

NRs. 2,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

2

Sagarmatha National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

Other National Parks

3

Banke National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 750 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

4

Bardia National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 750 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

5

Khaptad National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 500 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

6

Langtang National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

7

Makalu-Barun National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

8

Parsa National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 750 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

9

Rara National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

10

Shey-Phoksundo National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

11

Shivapuri- Nagarjun National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 600 per person per entry

NRs. 1,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

12

Shuklaphanta National Park

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 750 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

Wildlife Reserve

13

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 750 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

Conservation Areas

14

Api Nampa Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 500 per person per entry

NRs. 2,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

15

Annapurna Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,000 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

16

Blackbuck Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 500 per person per entry

NRs. 2,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

17

Gaurishanker Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,000 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

18

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 500 per person per entry

NRs. 2,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

19

Manaslu Conservation Area

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,000 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

Hunting Reserve

20

Dhorpatan

NRs. 100 per person per entry

NRs. 1,500 per person per entry

NRs. 3,000 per person per entry

Below 10 yrs free

These permits are generally easier to obtain and are available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or at entry points to the respective regions. They do not require a guide in most cases (except for certain areas like Manaslu and Upper Mustang).

Restricted Area Permits (RAP)

Some remote and culturally sensitive regions in Nepal are designated as Restricted areas, requiring special permits to control tourism and preserve local heritage. These permits are more strictly regulated, often requiring trekkers to go through a registered agency and hire a licensed guide. Key restricted zones include:

S.No.

Regions/VDCs

Permit Fee

1.

Upper Mustang

  1. Lomanthang Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)

  2. Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)

  3. Baragung Muktichetra Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 3 and Satang Village of ward no.5)

USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days)

USD 50 per person /day (beyond 10 days)

2.

Upper Dolpa

  1. Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4 to 6)

  2. Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7)

  3. Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6)

USD 500 per person (for the first 10 days)

USD 50 per person /day (beyond 10 days)

3.

Gorkha Manaslu Area

  1. Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4)

September – November

USD 100 per person/week

USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week)

December – August

USD 75 per person/week

USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)

4.

Humla

  1. Simikot Rural Municipality (All areas of wards 1, 6, and 7)

  2. Namkha Rural Municipality (All areas of wards 1 to 6)

  3. Changkheli Rural Municipality (All areas of wards 3 to 5)

USD 50 per person/week

USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week)

5.

Taplejung

  1. Phantanglung Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 6 and 7)

  2. Mikwakhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)

  3. Sirijunga Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8)

USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks)

USD 25 per personweek (beyond 4 weeks)

6.

Lower Dolpa Area

  1. Thulibheri municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11)

  2. Tripurasundari municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 11)

  3. Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality (All areas of wards no. 1 to 3)

  4. Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 8 and 9)

  5. Jagdulla Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 6)

  6. Mudkechula Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9)

  7. Kaike Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 7)

USD 20 per person/week

USD 5 per person week (beyond 1 week)

7.

Dolakha

  1. Gaurishankhar Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 9)

  2. Bighu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)

USD 20 per person/week

8.

Gorkha Tsum Valley Area

Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule

  1. Chumnubri Rural Municipality (All areas of ward nos. 3,6, and 7)

September – November

USD 40 per person/week

USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week)

December – August

USD 30 per person/week

USD 7 per person/day (beyond 1 week)

9.

Sankhuwasabha

  1. Bhotkhola Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)

  2. Makalu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 4)

USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks)

USD 25 per person/week (beyond 4 weeks)

10.

Solukhumbu

  1. Khumbu Pasang Lahmu Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 5)

USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks)

USD 25 per person/week ( beyond 4 weeks)

11.

Rasuwa

  1. Gosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 and some area of ward no. 2)

USD 20 per person /week

12.

Manang

  1. Narpa Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)

  2. Nasho Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 6 and 7)

September – November

USD 100 per person / week

USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

December – August

USD 75 per person / week

USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

13.

Bajhang

  1. Saipal Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 5)

USD 90 per person / week for the first week

USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

14.

Mugu

  1. Mugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to 9)

USD 100 per person / week

USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

15.

Darchula

  1. Vyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1)

USD 90 per person / week

USD 15 per person / day (beyond 1 week)

 

Unlike standard national park permits, Restricted Area Permits (RAP) have stricter rules, including mandatory guides, fixed itineraries, and a minimum number of trekkers (in some cases). These regulations help manage tourism sustainably while supporting local economies.

Understanding these permit categories ensures trekkers comply with Nepal’s legal requirements and contribute to responsible tourism in the Himalayas.

How and Where to Obtain Permits?

Trekkers can obtain National Park and Conservation Area Permits from several authorized locations across Nepal, depending on their starting point and trekking route. In Kathmandu, the primary issuing center is the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Office located in Bhrikuti Mandap, which handles permits for major trekking regions like Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna.

For those beginning their journey in Pokhara, the NTB Office in Pardi (near Lakeside) is the go-to place for permits related to the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) and treks in the Mustang region.

In some cases, local area permits can also be secured at entry points to national parks and conservation areas. For example, trekkers heading to the Everest region can obtain their permit in Monjo, and trekkers going for Manaslu can obtain their local area permit in Jagat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a permit to trek in Nepal?

Yes, most trekking regions require permits, either a National Park/Conservation Area Permit or a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

Can I trek without a guide in Nepal?

Yes, in most areas (e.g., Everest, Annapurna, Langtang), but Restricted Zones (e.g., Upper Mustang, Manaslu) require a licensed guide.

Are permits checked on the trail?

Yes, at checkpoints in national parks and restricted zones. Fines apply if you’re caught without one.

How long are permits valid?

Most are valid for one entry during a single trekking season. Restricted permits have fixed durations (e.g., 10 days for Upper Mustang).

How can I reduce permit costs?

Combine treks in the same region, like Annapurna + Poon Hill, Manaslu Circuit with Annapurna Circuit, or Mardi with Khumai, and many more.

Can I extend my Restricted Area Permit?

Yes, but only through your agency in Kathmandu (extra fees apply).