Different 5 categories of Trekking Permits in Nepal:
1. Trekkers Information Management System 2008 January 1 (Old
TIMS).
1. Jointly implemented by (NTB and
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) to ensure trekkers' safety and security and control illegal trekking operations.
2. Trekking companies must collect the personal information of trekkers (passport numbers, nationality, contact address, and itinerary). The data will be uploaded to the visitors’ database, which can be accessed in case of accidents and/or natural
calamities to inform the concerned institutions about the number of trekkers
inside a certain trekking area.
3. TIM's cards should be
collected by both Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) and trekkers taking the service
of government-authorized trekking agencies.
4. Past experiences have revealed that
difficulties were seen while carrying out rescue operations during times of
accidents and natural calamities. Due to the lack of a proper record system of
trekkers, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the
missing trekkers. Based on the data collected through TIM's cards, however, it
will be possible to know the position of a trekker in case a rescue operation
is needed.
5. Came into effect on January 1,
2008. Since then, the TAAN and NTB started recording trekkers’ details and
began issuing TIMS cards to trekkers.
6. As per the recent MoU
signed by NTB and TAAN, TIM's card is applicable in all trekking areas of the
country including restricted areas. Group trekkers will have to pay for Blue
TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 1,000 per person, while FITs have to get Green
TIMS cards by paying a fee of Rs 2,000. Similarly, group trekkers from SAARC
countries have to pay Rs 300 for TIMS cards, while FITs from the SAARC region
have to pay Rs 600 each.
E-TIMS is currently known as the new Trekkers
Information Management System.
1. E-TIMs Card (New One) is the latest trekking
permit which came into effect from March 31,2023 where
E-TIMs permit is not available for Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) but for
group trekkers taking the service of government-authorized trekking agencies
only.
2. Jointly implemented by the NTB and TAAN to
ensure trekkers' safety and security and control illegal trekking
operations in Nepal.
3. In the past TIMs Permit was issued by the
Nepal Tourist Board to FIT directly by filling up the form available in the
Tourism office at Bhrikutimandap. Since the 1st of April 2023, the E-TIMS card has
been mandatory for all trekking areas of Nepal except the restricted areas
where trekkers received special permits from the Department of Immigration
Office.
4. TIMS cards costs NPR 2000 per person for non-SAARC and NPR 1000
for SAARC.
5. If any of the trekkers are found travelling on designated
trekking trails without a guide or TIMS card face a Rs12,000 fine.
Required documents for E-TIMS:
1. Online
application form for trekkers.
2. Copy of
Passport
3. A copy of a
valid Visa sufficient to cover trekking days
4. Name lists of trekkers,
guides and details of the trek route.
5. Program
Schedule of trekking.
6. Company
registration certificate.
7. Company
Permanent Account Number (PAN/VAT Certificate).
8. Tax
payment certificate.
9. License
Renewal Certificate issued by the Tourism Department/Regional Ministry.
10. TAAN's
renewed membership certificate.
11. Documents
relating to the insurance of the trekkers (foreign nationals) and Nepalese
staff accompanying the trekkers.
(Only government-registered trek agencies and TAAN members can
obtain the TIMs. Before applying for E-TIMS one agency should be registered on
a website called tims.ntb.gov.np/login then all the
documents should uploaded and online payment should be done while filling up
the online application form).
TIMS Card is compulsory for trekking in all trekking areas in the
country. However, TIM's cards aren’t required for the following:
1. Expedition members with mountaineering
permits issued by the government and Nepal Mountaineering Association.
2. Trekkers having special trekking permits
for any 15 restricted areas of Nepal issued by the Department of
Immigration
3. Foreign guests invited by the
Government of Nepal.
4. Authorities from the various diplomatic
missions present in the country, hold official letters and travel at their own
risk.
5. Visitors on certain missions recommended
by the concerned Governmental Department(s)
6. Foreign Nationals possessing a
residential visa.
7. Children below 10 years old.
8. Helicopter hike.
Advantages of TIM's card
1. Discouraged illegal operation in the trekking business.
2. Control the illegal activities in the trekking business.
3. Quick response operation during emergencies.
4. More employment opportunities for experienced guides and field
staff can be generated.
5. Easier to decrease pressure on trekking routes by diverting
trekkers to other routes.
2. Trekking Permit or Restricted Areas Permit (RAP).
1. There are 15 restricted areas in Nepal covering 29 rural municipalities of
13 districts. Upper Dolpa and Upper Mustang (USD 500
per person/day for the first 10 days, USD 50 per person/day beyond 10
days) are the most restricted areas of Nepal.
2. Trekkers in Nepal are allowed to trek as FIT (Free Individual
Trekkers) or in groups of various sizes. However, there are certain trekking
regions known as 'Restricted Areas' that are highly regulated by the Government
of Nepal and hence FITs are strictly forbidden.
3. Trekking in these areas is allowed only upon acquiring a
permit from the Department of Immigration.
4. Interested trekkers should contact the authorized trekking
agencies who then can apply for permits (on behalf of trekkers) at the
Department of Immigration fulfilling all the necessary formalities. Trekkers
should be trekking in a group (of a minimum of 2 persons) accompanied by a
licensed trekking guide. Individual trekkers cannot apply for the permit.
5. Trekking Permits or special permit fees are applicable for
different routes to acquire the Permits to trek in restricted areas. Permit
fees are quoted in US dollars but payable in Nepali Rupees. A trekking permit
is not issued beyond the visa expiration date. Hence, trekkers must have valid
visas for a sufficient number of days covering their trekking schedule.
Conditions to be followed by Trekkers:
- Trekkers
should respect local customs and traditions and must not indulge in any
activity that goes against the established norms and culture of the society.
- Individual
trekking in Restricted Areas is strictly forbidden. There should be a
minimum of 2 trekkers.
- Daily
remuneration, safety gear appropriate clothes, and Personal Accident
insurance must be provided to Nepali citizens accompanying the travel
group as guide/porter/any other supporting roles.
- Trekkers
should trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking
Permit. They are not allowed to change routes. Or concerned trekking
agency/trekking guide accompanying the group must not let
trekkers change the route.
- Trekkers
should comply with instructions given by authorized Officials in the
trekking zone (Restricted Area).
- Mountaineers
with expedition permits should get trekking permits as well if they have
to pass through Restricted Areas to climb peaks. In this case, they do not
need to pay fees for (Trekking) Permit.
Authorized agencies can only apply for
trekking permits along with the following 1. Online application form (trekkers)
1. Online application form (trekkers)
2. Copy of Passport
3. A copy of a valid Visa sufficient to cover trekking days
4. Name lists of trekkers, guides and details of trek route.
5. Program Schedule of trekking.
6. Guarantee letter of Agency
7. Agreement with Agency
8. Tax clearance Certificate of Trekking Agency
9. Documents relating to the insurance of the trekkers (foreign
nationals) and Nepalese staff accompanying the trekkers.
10. A license issued by The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
Civil Aviation to operate a trekking business.
11. A license issued by Nepal Rastra Bank allowing exchanging of
foreign currencies
12. Registration Certificate of Permanent Account Number
13. Voucher of Bank payment (fees) for permits.
(Only government-registered trek agencies and TAAN members are eligible
to obtain the trekking permit. Before applying for E-TIMS one
agency should be registered on a website called nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/trekking/login then
all the documents should uploaded and online payment should done while filling
up the online application form).
3. National
Park Permit
1. A national park permit is another permit that is required for
trekking in Nepal.
2. Total land of Nepal is 1,47,181 sq/km which covers 0.3
% of Asia,0.03% world's area 1.1% of the world's fauna and 3.2 % of the world's
flora. There are 12 National Parks, 1 hunting reserve, 1 wildlife reserve
and 13 buffer zones extending from lowland terai to high mountains covering
23.39% as protected land of the total country land. All these are monitored by
the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).
DNPWC was established in 2037 BS (1980 AD) to manage and conserve the wildlife
and biodiversity of Nepal.
3. These protected areas cover 80 out of 118 ecosystems of Nepal
and landscapes of the high mountain region, hilly region, and plain region of
the country.
4. National park permits are issued at Bhrikuti Mandap by the
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) located within
the Nepal Tourism Board building.
4. Conservation Area Permit
1. A conservation permit is similar to a national park permit
which is issued and managed by The National Trust for Nature
Conservation (NTNC).
2. NTNC was established in (2039 BS) 1982
AD under a Legislative Act to work in the field of nature conservation in
Nepal and is a not-for-profit organization.
3. There are 6 conservation areas in Nepal which are listed
below with their respective fee for trekking. All the visitors who are entering
these conservation areas require purchasing a Conservation permit before
starting their treks or tours.
4. Conservation permits are issued at Bhrikuti Mandap by the
National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) permit counter located within the
Nepal Tourism Board building.
5. Rural Municipality Trekking Permit
1. The Rural Municipality (RM) administrative division was
established in 2017 (2074 BS) and replaced the existing village
development committees.
2. There are currently 6 metropolitans, 11 sub-metropolitans,
276 municipalities 460 rural municipalities and 6743 wards in Nepal.
3. Since 2018 Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has
been the only local-level government among all the rural municipalities that
implemented the trekking permit rule for trekkers in the Khumbu region. Before
the TIMS Card permit was used carried by all trekkers in the Everest region.
4. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality costs NPR 2000 for Chinese and SAARC nationalities, and NPR 3000 for other nationalities.
12 National Parks,
6-Conservation Areas, 1- Wildlife Reserve and 1- Hunting Reserve Entrance Fees.
S.No. |
Name |
Category |
SAARC |
Foreigners |
Child
discount |
1 |
Chitwan
National Park (2030 BS/1973) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,000 per person per entry |
NRs.
2,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
2 |
Sagarmatha
NationalPark(2032 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
3 |
Rara
National Park (2032 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
4 |
Shey-Phoksundo
National Park (2040 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
5 |
Langtang
National Park (2032 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
6 |
Makalu-Barun
National Park (2049 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
7 |
Banke
National Park (2067 BS/2010) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
750 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
8 |
Bardia
National Park (2032 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
750 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
9 |
Shuklaphanta
National Park (2073 BS/2017) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
750 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
10 |
Parsa
National Park (2074 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
750 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
11 |
Khaptad
National Park (2042 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
500 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
12 |
Shivapuri-
Nagarjun National Park (2058 BS) |
National
Parks |
NRs.
600 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
13 |
Koshi
Tappu Wildlife (2032 BS) |
WildlifeReserve |
NRs.
750 per person per entry |
NRs.
1,500 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
14 |
Dhorpatan (2044
BS) |
Hunting
Reserve |
NRs.
1,500 per person entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
15 |
Kanchenjunga
Conservation Area (2054 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
500 per person per entry |
NRs.
2,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
16 |
Api
Nampa Conservation Area (2067 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
500 per person per entry |
NRs.
2,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
17 |
Blackbuck
Conservation Area (2065 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
500 per person per entry |
NRs.
2,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
18 |
Annapurna
Conservation Area (2049 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
1,000 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
19 |
Manaslu
Conservation Area (2055 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
1,000 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
20 |
Gaurishanker
Conservation Area (2066 BS) |
Conservation
Areas |
NRs.
1,000 per person per entry |
NRs.
3,000 per person per entry |
Below
10 yrs free |
*For Nepali, the entrance fee is NRs 100 per person per entry in
all protected areas except Chitwan NP (NRs150).
15 Restricted Regions Trekking Route and Permit Fee:
15 Regions of 29 Rural municipality |
Permit Fees. |
1. Taplejung-Province 1
|
USD 20 per person/week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person/week ( beyond 4 weeks) |
2. Sankhuwasabha -Province 1
|
USD 20 per person/ week (for the first 4 weeks) USD 25 per person /week ( beyond 4 weeks) |
3. Solukhumbu- Province 1: a.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) |
4. Rasuwa- Province 3: a.Gosaikunda Rural Municipality (All areas of Ward no. 1 and
some areas of Ward no. 2) |
USD 20 per person /week |
5. Dolakha-Province
3
|
USD 20 per person/ week |
6. Gorkha Manaslu Area-Province 4 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) |
7. Gorkha Tsum Valley Area- Province 4 Sirdibas-Lokpa-Chumling-Chekampar-Nile-Chule
|
*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) |
8. Manang- Province 4
|
*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) |
9. Upper Mustang- Province 4
|
USD500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person
/Day ( beyond 10 days) |
10.Upper Dolpa- Province 6
|
USD500 per person (for the first 10 days) USD 50 per person /Day ( beyond 10 days) |
11. Lower Dolpa Area – Province 6
|
USD 20 per person/week USD 5 per person /day ( beyond 1 week) |
12. Humla- Province 6
|
USD 50 per person/week USD 10 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
13. Mugu- Province 6: Mugumakarmarong Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1 to
9) |
USD 100 per person/week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |
14. Bajhang- Province 7: 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) |
15.Darchula- Province 7: Vyas Rural Municipality (All areas of ward no. 1) |
USD 90 per person/week for the first week USD 15 per person/day (beyond 1 week) |