Most Annapurna treks now involve three pieces of paperwork: an Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit, a TIMS card issued through a registered trekking agency, and a licensed trekking guide. The rules are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm the details with your agency before you pay.
Which routes are covered
Under the revised provision effective from 31 March 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board lists the following Annapurna-region routes as requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card: the Annapurna Circuit, the Nar Phu and Annapurna Circuit combination, the Mesokanto and Tilicho pass trek, the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trek, Khopra, Mardi Himal and the Sikles area trek.
TIMS card
An agency registers the trekker, guide and route and pays online, after which an electronic card with a QR code is generated for each trekker. The listed fee is NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, including India, and NPR 2,000 for other nationalities.
Annapurna Conservation Area permit
The conservation area charges an entry fee per person per entry. The Nepal Tourism Board lists NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, with children under ten free. It can be paid at the Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu or at an entry point.
Adding it up
For most foreign nationals the two official fees come to NPR 5,000, and for SAARC nationals to NPR 2,000. Guides, porters, transport, lodging and meals are separate costs.
Nar Phu and other restricted sections
Some valleys within the region, such as Nar Phu, carry additional restricted-area fees. See the page on the Nar Phu valley for the rates in the current schedule.
What to carry
- Your passport or accepted identification and spare photographs.
- Paper or digital copies of your TIMS eCard and conservation area receipt.
- Your insurance details and emergency contact number.
Book through a registered agency
Because the TIMS card has to be issued through an agency, trekking independently on these routes is not possible. Ask the agency to confirm that the guide is licensed and that all fees are included in your quote or listed separately.
Why the paperwork matters
The permits protect the conservation area and help the authorities know who is in the mountains. Fees contribute to trail maintenance, conservation and community projects. The requirement for registration and for travelling with a licensed guide on listed routes is aimed at improving safety, particularly at altitude. Accept the system as part of responsible trekking and plan time for it before your trip.
How the process works in practice
Your operator normally collects copies of your passport and photographs and then obtains the TIMS card and the conservation area permit in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You should receive copies of the documents before you begin walking, and the guide carries the originals for the checkpoints. If you book a trek that crosses more than one permit zone, such as the Circuit with Tilicho, ask which permits are needed and which are included in the price.
Differences by nationality
Fees vary by nationality, with a lower rate for citizens of SAARC countries including India. Carry proof of nationality, such as a passport or an accepted identity card, and check with the operator which documents are required. Do not rely on information you read years ago, because both the fees and the rules have been revised in recent years.
Final checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
- Passport-size photographs for the permits.
- A written breakdown of which permits and fees are included in your quote.
- Photocopies and photos of every permit, stored separately from the originals.
What our guests say
Excerpts from guest reviews of Himalayan Wonders, our parent company, on Tripadvisor.
“They took utmost care of our group of 5 friends from Kathmandu airport upto the completion of the trek”
