Travel Tips
Nepal Accommodation and Trekking Permits: What You Need to Know
Nepal trekking permits, TIMS cards, and conservation area fees are closely tied to the accommodation system. This guide explains what you need, where you get it, and how lodges interact with the permit system.
The Mandatory Guide Requirement (April 2023 Update)
Since April 2023, solo trekking without a registered guide is prohibited in most of Nepal's protected trekking areas, including the Annapurna Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park, Langtang National Park, and Manaslu Conservation Area. All permits must now be obtained with a guide registered under a licensed trekking agency. This change fundamentally affects how independent travellers plan accommodation.
Types of Permits and Where to Get Them
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): Required for most trekking routes. Issued at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Thamel (Kathmandu) or Damside (Pokhara). Cost: NPR 2,000 for individual trekkers or NPR 1,000 when booked through an agency.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Required for all Annapurna region treks including Poon Hill. Issued at the same offices. Cost: NPR 3,000.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: Required for the Everest region including EBC trek. Issued at the Department of National Parks office in Kathmandu. Cost: NPR 3,000.
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Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: Required for the Manaslu Circuit. More expensive and requires a registered agency — cost starts at USD 70 per week.
How Lodges Interact with Permits
Teahouses and lodges on official trekking routes are required to record trekker permit details at check-in. Carrying your original TIMS card and national park permit (not just photocopies) is essential — lodge owners must record the permit number. Some lodges in restricted areas refuse entry to trekkers without current permits and a registered guide.
Park checkpoints (common at key junctions on all major routes) verify both permits and accommodation registration. If your permit does not match the route you are walking, you will be turned back.
Planning Accommodation Around Permit Validity
Most permits are issued for a specific area rather than a specific duration within that area, but restricted area permits (Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo) have strict day limits. Plan your accommodation schedule to ensure you can exit the restricted area within the permitted timeframe. Overstaying generates fines.
Teahouses and the New Guide Requirement
The mandatory guide requirement means that teahouse stays on popular routes are now almost always booked or managed through your guide or agency. Your guide calls ahead to arrange beds in peak season, handles permit paperwork at checkpoints, and mediates any accommodation issues. Independent walk-in trekkers without a guide will be stopped at the first national park checkpoint.
Budget Impact
The mandatory guide requirement adds approximately USD 25 to 40 per day to trekking costs (guide salary plus food and accommodation for the guide). This is in addition to accommodation, food, and permit fees. Trekkers should include this in their total trip budget.
FAQ
Can I still trek without a guide in Nepal?
Very limited off-permit areas exist where no permit is required and guiding is not yet mandatory — some valleys in the mid-hills and a few short day hikes from Pokhara. The major trekking routes all require a guide now.
Do lodges check permits at check-in?
Yes, on all major permitted routes. Having your permits accessible in your daypack (not buried in a main bag at the bottom of a porter's load) saves significant time at check-in.
