Planning an alpine trek in Nepal requires navigating official government permits, protected park fees, and mandatory guide regulations. This guide summarizes statutory rules and schedules enforced by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the Department of Immigration, and conservation authorities for 2026.
Key Statutory Facts (Direct Sources)
- Mandatory Guide Rule: Foreign trekkers in NTB-notified mountain areas must hire a licensed guide via a government-registered agency (NTB TIMS Guidelines).
- TIMS Card Fee: NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals; NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals (tims.ntb.gov.np).
- Conservation Area Permits (ACAP / MCAP): NPR 3,000 per person per entry for foreigners; NPR 1,000 for SAARC. Children under 10 free. Double fee applies if issued at field check-posts (NTNC e-Permit System).
- Upper Mustang Permit Schedule: Statutorily set at USD 50 per person per day (Department of Immigration Fee Schedule and NTB Trekking Permit Schedule).
- High-Elevation Health Guidance: Above 3,000 meters, limit sleeping elevation gain to ≤500 meters per day with an acclimatization rest day every 3–4 days (CDC Yellow Book; Himalayan Rescue Association).
1. Do You Need a Guide?
Under the Nepal Tourism Board directive (ntb.gov.np), foreign independent trekkers (FIT) cannot trek solo in designated conservation areas and national parks. Trekkers must obtain services of a licensed trekking guide through a government-registered agency. The Everest (Khumbu) region administers its entry independently under the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality framework and does not require the central TIMS card.
2. TIMS and Conservation Permits
Trekkers heading to routes like the Annapurna Circuit or Langtang require both a TIMS card (tims.ntb.gov.np) and conservation area permits. Permits for the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) and Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP) cost NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals when acquired through the National Trust for Nature Conservation portal (epermit.ntnc.org.np). Permits purchased at field checkpoints incur a double fee.
3. Restricted Area Permit Schedules
Restricted trekking areas require special permits administered by the Department of Immigration. Statutory fee schedules published by the Department of Immigration (immigration.gov.np) and the Nepal Tourism Board (ntb.gov.np) define the permit fee for Upper Mustang strictly as USD 50 per person per day. Applications for restricted-area permits must be processed through an authorized trekking agency.
4. High-Elevation Travel Guidance
Ascent above 3,000 meters requires structured acclimatization to mitigate altitude illness. Travelers should limit net sleeping elevation increases to 500 meters daily and include rest days (CDC Yellow Book). The Himalayan Rescue Association (himalayanrescue.org) operates seasonal medical aid posts in Manang (3,540m) and Pheriche (4,240m) to provide health consultations and evacuation coordination.
