Most treks from Pokhara enter the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP entry permit and a TIMS card. A trekking agency can arrange both before you start, and you should carry them with your passport.
What you need
For the Annapurna region you need a TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) entry permit. Some short routes outside the conservation area, or in other zones, have different rules, so check your route.
Fees on our guides
Our permit pages list ACAP entry at NPR 3,000 for most foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, including Indians, and TIMS at NPR 2,000 for others and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Fees and rules can change, so confirm them before you travel.
Where to get them
Permits are issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara, usually through a registered trekking agency. Bring your passport and passport photographs. Agencies can usually process both in a day.
Do you need a guide?
Rules on guides have changed in recent years, and the situation can vary by route. A guide is a good idea on many routes, especially in the shoulder seasons and on less-travelled trails. Ask your agency what applies to your dates.
Checkposts
You will be asked to show permits at checkposts along the way, and officials record your name. Keep digital and printed copies in a waterproof sleeve.
Insurance
Permits are not insurance. Buy a policy that covers trekking to the highest point of your route and helicopter evacuation. See our insurance and evacuation guide for the checklist.
Documents to bring
Bring your passport, two or more passport-size photographs, and the name and contact details of your agency. Indian travellers should carry the identity document that is accepted at the border, and a copy of it. Keep copies on your phone and in a waterproof sleeve.
If you change your plan
Permits are issued for a specific area. If you decide to extend your trek into another zone, ask the agency before you go, because a new permit may be needed. Do not rely on being able to buy one at a checkpost.
Avoiding problems
Always use a registered agency and keep receipts. If an official asks for a payment that you do not recognise, ask for a receipt and tell your agency. Respect closed zones, and do not enter restricted areas without special permits.
Plan it
Compare options in treks from Pokhara and check getting to the trailheads.
