Key Takeaways
- Every Annapurna trekker needs an ACAP permit (NPR 3,000 / ~US$25) – no exceptions. It is checked at multiple checkpoints on every major trail.
- TIMS card is no longer enforced on standard Annapurna routes (ABC, Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal) in 2026. You only need it for restricted area treks like Upper Mustang or Nar-Phu.
- Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu Valley are restricted regions – you cannot apply for these permits yourself. A licensed trekking agency must process the Restricted Area Permit through the Department of Immigration.
- Solo trekking without a licensed guide has been illegal across all Annapurna routes since April 2023. This is enforced at checkpoints – it is a legal requirement, not a suggestion.
Table of Contents
The Nepalese government classifies all trekking zones into three types: open regions (Annapurna, Everest, Langtang), controlled regions, and restricted regions (Upper Mustang, Nar-Phu). Each type requires different permits. Trekkers who enter without the correct permit pay double fees at the first checkpoint.
Annapurna is an open trekking region – no mandatory agency booking – but every trekker requires a valid ACAP permit (NPR 3,000) before entering the conservation area. Restricted routes like Upper Mustang additionally require a Restricted Area Permit, processed exclusively through a licensed trekking agency verified by the Nepal Tourism Board.
Himalaya Hub processes Annapurna, Everest, Manaslu, and Mardi Himal trek permits and toor for 1,000+ trekkers annually. This guide follows the same verified process we use for every client. Call +977 1-5350784 for direct permit assistance.
The 3 Permits You Need to Understand
Before we get into costs by route, here is each permit type explained clearly. Understanding what each one is – and who needs it – makes everything else in this guide straightforward.
1. ACAP – Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The ACAP is mandatory for every trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) issued this permit. It covers one entry only – re-entering the conservation area requires a new permit.
Apply online through the NTNC official e-permit portal before departure, or collect in person at NTB or NTNC offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
| Who Needs It | Cost 2026 | Validity |
| All foreign trekkers | NPR 3,000 (~US$25) | Single entry |
| SAARC nationals | NPR 1,000 | Single entry |
| Children under 10 | Free (documents still required) | – |
Your ACAP permit is checked at every major checkpoint – Birethanti, Ghorepani, Chhomrong, Besisahar, Chame, Manang, and Jomsom. Always carry a printed copy. A phone screenshot is not accepted at any checkpoint.
2. TIMS Card – Trekkers’ Information Management System
Many websites still list TIMS as mandatory for all Annapurna treks. This is outdated for 2026. The current rule:
Standard Annapurna routes – ABC trek, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Sanctuary – TIMS are not enforced at trail checkpoints. Only the ACAP is checked.
Restricted area treks – Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu – TIMS remain required as part of the full permit package. Your agency includes it automatically when processing the RAP.
Verify current TIMS rules on the TAAN official permit page before your trek.
| Trekker Type | TIMS Cost (if needed) |
| Foreign independent trekker (Green TIMS) | NPR 2,000 (~US$17) |
| Foreign group trekker (Blue TIMS) | NPR 1,000 (~US$8) |
| SAARC independent trekker | NPR 600 |
| SAARC group trekker | NPR 300 |
3. RAP – Restricted Area Permit
Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu Valley require a Restricted Area Permit issued by Nepal’s Department of Immigration, Kathmandu. Individual trekkers cannot apply directly – the permit processes exclusively through registered, licensed trekking agencies.
Your agency submits all paperwork and fees to the Department of Immigration Nepal on your behalf. Booking through a registered agency is the only legal path for these routes.
- Minimum group size: 2 trekkers required. Solo RAP applications are not accepted for Upper Mustang.
- Licensed guide: A government-licensed guide must accompany you throughout the entire restricted area – not just part of it.
- Processing time: Allow at least 3 to 5 working days. Do not leave this to the last minute.
Exact Permit Costs for Every Annapurna Route (2026)
All costs are per person, verified against official 2026 government rates.
Annapurna Base Camp, Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal & Sanctuary
One mandatory permit covers all of these routes.
| Permit | Cost Per Person | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP Permit | NPR 3,000 (~US$25) | Yes – mandatory |
| TIMS Card | NPR 2,000 (~US$17) | Not enforced on trail in 2026 |
| Your Total | ~US$25 (ACAP only) |
Get the ACAP. Skip TIMS for standard routes unless your agency includes it. You save US$17 with zero impact on your trek.
Nar-Phu Valley Trek
Nar-Phu Valley is a restricted trekking zone north of the Annapurna Circuit. Permit costs vary by season.
| Permit | Peak Season (Sept–Nov) | Off-Peak (Dec–Aug) |
| ACAP Permit | US$25 | US$25 |
| Nar-Phu RAP – First week | US$100 | US$75 |
| Nar-Phu RAP – Each day after week 1 | US$15 / day | US$15 / day |
| TIMS Card | US$17 | US$17 |
| Example: 10-day trek (peak season) | ~US$167 per person |
Your agency submits the RAP to the Department of Immigration on your behalf. Allow 3 to 5 working days for processing. Book early.
Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Mustang is a restricted high-altitude desert region bordering Tibet. Nepal’s government updated the permit structure in 2026 – trekkers now pay US$50 per day instead of the old flat US$500 for 10 days.
This change benefits trekkers on 7-day itineraries by eliminating the mandatory 10-day minimum payment.
| Permit | Cost Per Person – 2026 Rate |
| ACAP Permit | US$25 |
| Upper Mustang RAP – New 2026 daily rate | US$50 per day (days inside only) |
| TIMS Card | US$17 |
| Example: 10-day trek | ~US$542 per person |
| Example: 7-day trek | ~US$392 per person – saves US$150 vs old system |
The new daily rate removes the forced 10-day minimum. A 7-day Upper Mustang trek now costs US$150 less than under the old flat-fee system.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Permits
Follow these 4 steps in order. Every client we send to the Annapurna region uses this exact process.
Step 1 – Decide Your Route
Your route determines which permits you need and how early to start.
- Standard routes (ABC, Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Sanctuary): ACAP only. Get it online in minutes or in person on arrival in the morning.
- Restricted area routes (Upper Mustang, Nar-Phu): ACAP + TIMS + RAP. Start the process at least 2 weeks before your trek date.
Step 2 – Gather Your Documents
Missing one document at a permit office means a wasted trip. Prepare everything before leaving your accommodation.
| Document | What You Need to Know |
| Valid passport | At least 6 months validity from trek start date |
| Passport-size photos | 2 copies for ACAP or TIMS. 4 copies for RAP. Some offices take photos on the spot. |
| Valid Nepal visa | Must be active. Indian nationals can use a voter ID card instead. |
| Payment | Carry Nepali cash (NPR). Cash is more reliable than cards. Keep all receipts. |
| Agency authorisation letter | RAP only – your trekking agency provides this. |
Step 3 – Choose How You Will Get Your Permit
Option A – Apply Online Before You Leave Home (Best for ACAP) The NTNC e-permit portal issues permits instantly after payment. International card accepted (2.9% gateway fee). Print your permit before departure – wardens do not accept phone screenshots anywhere on the trail.
Signal is poor across most of the Annapurna region. A printed permit means zero delays at every checkpoint.
Option B – In Person in Kathmandu (Most Popular) Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office, Pradarshani Marg, near Bhrikutimandap. Bring passport and 2 photos. Processing time: 10 to 20 minutes. TAAN office for TIMS is right nearby – do both in one morning.
Arrive at 9am. By mid-morning in peak season, queues build fast. Early arrival means 30 minutes total.
Option C – In Person in Pokhara (If You Fly Straight There) NTNC office or NTB Pokhara office, Lakeside area. TIMS available at TAAN Pokhara office nearby. Processing: under 30 minutes with documents ready.
Never get your permit at the trailhead checkpoint. Checkpoint permits cost double – NPR 6,000 instead of NPR 3,000.
Option D – Through a Registered Trekking Agency (Required for Restricted Areas) Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu require agency processing – no exceptions. For standard treks, agencies handle everything if you prefer convenience. Send your agency: passport scan, passport photo, trek dates, and route. They handle submission to the Department of Immigration.
Allow 3 to 5 working days for RAP processing. Contact your agency at least 2 weeks before your trek in peak season.
Read moe : What is the best season to trek Annapurna?
Step 4 – Carry Your Permits Correctly on the Trail
- Print two copies of every permit. Keep one in your daypack, one in your main bag. If one is lost or damaged, you have a backup.
- Do not laminate your permit. Wardens stamp permits at each checkpoint. Lamination prevents stamping.
- Keep permits accessible – not buried at the bottom of your bag. Fumbling at a checkpoint with a queue behind you is avoidable.
- For restricted area treks, keep your full permit folder together – RAP, ACAP, TIMS, and any agency letters. Wardens check all documents.
My Final Tips Before You Hit the Trail
- Sort permits before you leave home: The online ACAP e-permit takes 5 minutes. Do it during planning – not on arrival day.
- Always print everything: Phone screens crack, batteries die, signal disappears above 3,000m. Print two copies and keep them in separate bags.
- Peak season means plan earlier: March to May and September to November are the busiest months. Start the permit process at least 1 week before departure – 2 weeks for restricted area permits.
- For restricted areas, trust your agency: Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu involve Department of Immigration paperwork. Choose a registered, well-reviewed agency and let them handle it.
- Verify fees just before you go: Figures in this guide are verified as of February 2026. Confirm current rates through the NTNC portal a few weeks before your trek.
- Invest in a great guide: A licensed local guide delivers trail knowledge, teahouse access, weather awareness, and cultural context that no blog post can replicate.
Need Help With Your Annapurna Permits?
Himalaya Hub processes Annapurna, Everest, Manaslu, and Mardi Himal permits for 1,000+ trekkers every year. We handle ACAP, TIMS, and Restricted Area Permits – including Upper Mustang and Nar-Phu.
Call or WhatsApp: +977 1-5350784
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to trek solo without a guide. Is there any exception to the 2023 guide rule?
No exceptions exist. Since April 1, 2023, the Nepalese government prohibits solo trekking without a licensed guide across all high-altitude regions, including Annapurna. The rule followed a series of trekker disappearances and fatalities. Checkpoint wardens turn solo trekkers back. Book a government-licensed guide through a registered trekking agency before you go.
My child is exactly 10 years old. Do they need a permit?
Yes. Children aged 10 and above require the same permits as adults – ACAP and any route-specific permits. Only children strictly under 10 are exempt from permit fees. Identity documents and passport photos are required for children of all ages at checkpoints.
What if permit fees change between when I book and when I trek?
Nepal’s government reviews permit fees periodically, sometimes mid-season. If fees increase after you have paid your agency, reputable agencies absorb small differences or notify you of significant changes in advance. Confirm the current NTNC portal fee before finalising your budget, and verify rates with your agency at the time of booking – not months later.