By A restricted area trekking permit in Nepal costs from US$20 a week up to US$350 a week, depending on the region, and the fee follows the ward you walk through, not the name of the trek. The Department of Immigration in Kathmandu issues the permit, and the Nepal Tourism Board lists 15 regions. Upper Mustang is the most expensive at US$50 a day, which is US$350 for a week. Manaslu costs US$100 for the first week in autumn. Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit are not on the list. This guide gives the full fee table, worked examples for common trek lengths, and the mistakes we see travellers make.
Restricted area permits at a glance
- Who issues it: the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
- Currency: US dollars, per person.
- Upper Mustang: US$50 per day, so US$350 for 7 days and US$500 for 10 days.
- Manaslu: September to November, US$100 for the first week, then US$15 per day. December to August, US$75, then US$10 per day.
- Nar Phu (Manang): September to November, US$100 for the first week, then US$15 per day.
- Tsum Valley: September to November, US$40 for the first week, then US$7 per day.
- Not restricted: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang.
Last checked: 8 November 2026. Every fee and rule below comes from the Nepal Tourism Board’s trekking permit and TIMS pages, which pass on the Department of Immigration’s fees. The page shows no issue date, and fees change by government notice, so confirm before you pay. The worked examples are our own arithmetic, and the route advice is our guiding experience.
In this guide: Full fee table | One week compared | Worked examples | Autumn vs rest of year | Which treks need no permit | Rules | Ward traps | How we apply | FAQ
Restricted area trekking permit fees: all 15 regions
The Nepal Tourism Board lists the following regions. Fees are in US dollars per person. “Week 1” means the first seven days.
| # | Region (area named by the board) | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Upper Mustang (Lomanthang, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda, Baragung Muktichetra) | US$50 per day |
| 2 | Upper Dolpa (Dolpo Buddha, Shey Phoksundo, Charka Tangsong) | US$50 per day |
| 3 | Gorkha Manaslu (Chumnubri, wards 1 to 4) | Sep to Nov: US$100 for week 1, then US$15 per day. Dec to Aug: US$75 for week 1, then US$10 per day |
| 4 | Humla (Simikot, Namkha, Changkheli) | US$50 for week 1, then US$10 per day |
| 5 | Taplejung (Phantanglung, Mikwakhola, Sirijunga) | US$20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then US$25 per week |
| 6 | Lower Dolpa (several municipalities) | US$20 for week 1, then US$5 per week |
| 7 | Dolakha (Gaurishankhar ward 9, Bighu ward 1) | US$20 per week |
| 8 | Gorkha Tsum Valley (Sirdibas to Chule area, Chumnubri wards 3, 6, 7) | Sep to Nov: US$40 for week 1, then US$7 per day. Dec to Aug: US$30 for week 1, then US$7 per day |
| 9 | Sankhuwasabha (Bhotkhola, Makalu ward 4) | US$20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then US$25 per week |
| 10 | Solukhumbu (Khumbu Pasang Lahmu, ward 5) | US$20 per week for the first 4 weeks, then US$25 per week |
| 11 | Rasuwa (Gosaikunda, ward 1 and part of ward 2) | US$20 per week |
| 12 | Manang (Narpa, Nasho) — Nar Phu | Sep to Nov: US$100 for week 1, then US$15 per day. Dec to Aug: US$75 for week 1, then US$15 per day |
| 13 | Bajhang (Saipal, wards 1 to 5) | US$90 for week 1, then US$15 per day |
| 14 | Mugu (Mugumakarmarong, wards 1 to 9) | US$100 for week 1, then US$15 per day |
| 15 | Darchula (Vyas, ward 1) | US$90 for week 1, then US$15 per day |
For Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa, the board gives the fee as “USD 50 or equivalent convertible currency” per person per day. If you read older fee tables online, you may see lower Manaslu fees or “US$500 for the first 10 days” for Upper Mustang. Use the current permit page; the Mustang figure works out the same at US$50 a day, but the Manaslu and Nar Phu fees have risen.
One week in each region: the quick comparison
Because the board prices regions in different ways, it helps to compare the same seven days everywhere. A week in Upper Mustang costs 3.5 times as much as a week in Manaslu in autumn.
| Region | 7 days, Sep to Nov | 7 days, Dec to Aug |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | US$350 | US$350 |
| Upper Dolpa | US$350 | US$350 |
| Manaslu | US$100 | US$75 |
| Nar Phu (Manang) | US$100 | US$75 |
| Mugu | US$100 | US$100 |
| Bajhang | US$90 | US$90 |
| Darchula | US$90 | US$90 |
| Humla | US$50 | US$50 |
| Tsum Valley | US$40 | US$30 |
| Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu | US$20 | US$20 |
| Rasuwa (Gosaikunda area), Dolakha, Lower Dolpa | US$20 | US$20 |
The gap widens on a long trek. Fourteen days in Upper Mustang costs US$700, against US$205 for fourteen days in Manaslu in autumn.
What your trek will cost in permits: worked examples
We calculated these from the board’s table. They assume you count every day spent inside the restricted area, and that “per day after week 1” applies from day 8. Check with us before you rely on them.
| Region | Days inside the area | Sep to Nov | Dec to Aug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | 7 days | US$350 | US$350 |
| Upper Mustang | 10 days | US$500 | US$500 |
| Upper Mustang | 12 days | US$600 | US$600 |
| Upper Mustang | 14 days | US$700 | US$700 |
| Manaslu | 8 days | US$115 | US$85 |
| Manaslu | 10 days | US$145 | US$105 |
| Manaslu | 14 days | US$205 | US$145 |
| Nar Phu (Manang) | 10 days | US$145 | US$120 |
| Nar Phu (Manang) | 14 days | US$205 | US$180 |
| Tsum Valley | 10 days | US$61 | US$51 |
| Tsum Valley | 14 days | US$89 | US$79 |
| Humla | 14 days | US$120 | US$120 |
| Rasuwa (Gosaikunda area) | 7 days | US$20 | US$20 |
These are permit fees only. Park or conservation-area entry, TIMS cards, guide, porters, transport and lodging are separate. For the permits that cover popular routes, see our Annapurna permits and TIMS guide.
Autumn vs the rest of the year
Three regions charge more from September to November: Manaslu, Nar Phu (Manang) and Tsum Valley. Upper Mustang has no seasonal split. For a ten-day Manaslu trek, autumn costs US$40 more than winter or spring, and for Nar Phu US$25 more. That is small next to flights and guides, so weather should decide your month, not the permit. Our autumn treks guide shows which month suits each route.
Which treks need no restricted-area permit?
| Trek | On the restricted list? | Permits that apply |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Three Passes | No | Park entry and TIMS; licensed guide route (Nepal Tourism Board) |
| Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp | No | Conservation area entry and TIMS; licensed guide route for the Circuit |
| Langtang Valley | No | Park entry and TIMS; licensed guide route |
| Upper Mustang | Yes | Restricted-area permit plus TIMS; licensed guide route |
| Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley | Yes | Restricted-area permit plus TIMS; licensed guide route |
| Nar Phu | Yes | Restricted-area permit plus TIMS; licensed guide route |
| Gosaikunda | Partly | Park entry and TIMS; the board also lists a US$20 weekly permit for part of the area |
The Nepal Tourism Board’s TIMS page lists Upper Mustang, Manaslu Circuit, Manaslu-Tsum, Tsum Valley, Nar Phu and Sarebung Pass among the routes that need a licensed trekking guide, and says TIMS cards come through a government-registered agency. TIMS costs NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 2,000 for others.
The rules, from the permit page
- Where to apply: the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu issues restricted-area permits.
- Stay on the route: the board states that trekking in any area or on any route other than the one specified is a violation of law.
- Carry it: keep the permit with you the whole time you trek.
- Show it: immigration staff or police can ask to see it.
Ward traps: where travellers get caught out
The board lists restricted areas by ward and municipality, not by trek name. That causes three common mistakes, from our experience:
- Add-on side trips. A Nar Phu extension from the Annapurna Circuit crosses into a restricted ward. The Circuit permit does not cover it.
- Passes between regions. A pass can start in one fee zone and end in another, such as Saribung, which the board lists with the Mustang routes. Ask which wards you cross.
- Lake and monastery days. The board lists part of Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, so a lake trip may need a small permit. Check your route.
Our rule is simple: before booking, we list every ward your route crosses and check it against the board’s table. See Manaslu vs Annapurna Circuit, our Muktinath trek guide and Gokyo vs Gosaikunda for routes that sit near these zones.
How we apply for your permit
- You choose the route and dates. We confirm which wards it crosses.
- You send passport details. We ask for a clear scan after your booking.
- We apply in Kathmandu. Our team handles the Department of Immigration permit and your TIMS card.
- You carry the permit. Your guide keeps a copy and checks it at each checkpoint.
The board’s permit page lists one fee per person and shows no separate SAARC rate. If you hold an Indian passport, ask us how the fee applies to you before you pay.
FAQ
How much is a restricted area trekking permit in Nepal? It ranges from US$20 a week to US$350 a week, depending on the region. Upper Mustang is US$50 per day, which is US$350 for a week, and Manaslu in autumn is US$100 for the first week.
Who issues restricted area permits? The Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
How much is the Upper Mustang permit? US$50 per day per person, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. That is US$350 for 7 days, US$500 for 10 days and US$700 for 14 days.
How much is the Manaslu permit? From September to November, US$100 for the first week and US$15 per day after. From December to August, US$75 for the first week and US$10 per day after.
Is there a Nar Phu permit fee? Yes. The board lists Manang (Narpa, Nasho) at US$100 for the first week from September to November and US$75 from December to August, then US$15 per day.
How much is the Tsum Valley permit? From September to November, US$40 for the first week and US$7 per day after. From December to August, US$30 for the first week, then US$7 per day.
Does Everest Base Camp need a restricted area permit? No. It is not on the restricted list, though it needs park entry, a TIMS card and a licensed guide.
Does the Annapurna Circuit need a restricted area permit? No. It needs conservation area entry and TIMS, and the board lists it as a licensed guide route.
Are the fees different in autumn? For Manaslu, Nar Phu and Tsum Valley, yes. They cost more from September to November.
Can I trek in a restricted area without a guide? No. The board lists these routes as needing a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card.
What happens if I trek outside the permitted route? The board says trekking in any area or on any route other than the one specified is a violation of law.
Can Base Camp Hikes arrange my restricted area permit? Yes. We check the wards your route crosses, apply to the Department of Immigration, and arrange your TIMS card.
Plan a restricted-area trek with Base Camp Hikes
Tell us your route, dates and passport nationality, and we will list the permits you need and what they cost. Message the team on WhatsApp or phone at +91 932 595 1234 (9 am to 7 pm IST), write to info@basecamphikes.com, or use our enquiry form.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking permit (restricted-area regions, fees, rules; permits issued by the Department of Immigration)
- Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card (TIMS fees, licensed-guide routes, effective 31 March 2023)
