Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits
The Annapurna Base Camp permit question sounds simple — and for the most part, it is. One primary permit, one conservation area, one checkpoint at the trailhead. But the TIMS card situation has made this more confusing than it should be, because the official regulatory position and what actually gets enforced at Annapurna checkpoints in 2026 are not the same thing, and a lot of the information online either doesn’t acknowledge this gap or was written before the most recent updates.
This guide covers what you genuinely need, what you’ll actually be asked for at each checkpoint, where to get everything, what it costs, and how to carry it correctly so no checkpoint on the trail creates a problem.
The ACAP Permit: The One You Unquestionably Need
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit — ACAP — is the non-negotiable, always-enforced permit for the ABC trek. The ACAP is issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and is required for anyone entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, which covers the entire Annapurna Base Camp trail. The fee goes directly toward conservation projects, trail upkeep, and supporting local communities throughout the region.
Cost:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22-25 at current rates)
- SAARC nationals (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan): NPR 1,000
- Nepali citizens: no charge
- Children under 10 years do not pay permit fees, though their details still need to be registered at the permit office.
What it covers: Single-entry access to the Annapurna Conservation Area. After leaving the Annapurna Conservation Area, the permit will not be valid anymore. When your travel schedule re-enters the region after leaving, you will be required to renew your permit. For most standard ABC itineraries that enter and exit through the same or nearby trailheads, a single ACAP covers the entire trek.
Does it expire? The ACAP is valid for the duration of your stay within the conservation area on a single continuous entry. It does not have a fixed calendar expiry date — it expires when you exit the area.
Fees are flat year-round: Permit fees are fixed and do not vary by season. Whether you trek in peak seasons (Spring and Autumn) or in off times (Monsoon and Winter), the rates are the same.
The TIMS Card: The Honest, Complicated Answer
The Nepal Tourism Board’s official position, as stated on the NTB website, is that as per Revised TIMS Provision effective from March 31, 2023, specific Protected Areas of Nepal need trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide and carry a trekking agency-issued TIMS Card, and Annapurna Base Camp routes are listed among those areas.
The on-the-ground enforcement reality is different. TIMS is no longer enforced in the Everest or Annapurna regions. Checkpoints in Khumbu and Annapurna now verify conservation area permits only. Multiple sources confirm this: in actual practice, checkpoints verify ACAP permits only. TIMS is not enforced on Annapurna trails.
What this means in practice for 2026: The ACAP is what Annapurna checkpoints — including Birethanti, Chhomrong, and the upper trail checkpoints — are actively checking. TIMS is officially listed as required by the NTB but is not being verified at trail checkpoints.
The practical recommendation: Get the ACAP without fail — it is checked at every checkpoint. On the TIMS question, consult your registered trekking agency immediately before your trek departure, since this is a regulatory situation that can change. If your agency arranges both, carry both. If you are booking independently, the ACAP is the permit you cannot be on the trail without.
TIMS cost (if required through your agency): NPR 2,000 for individual trekkers, NPR 1,000 if booked through a registered agency.
The Mandatory Guide Requirement
The 2023 regulatory change that introduced mandatory licensed guides for Nepal’s protected trekking areas applies to the Annapurna region, including the ABC trail. Since 2023, a licensed guide is mandatory for ABC and other treks in Nepal
The 2023 regulatory update also introduced new guidance recommending that foreign trekkers use licensed guides on many trekking routes across Nepal, including the Annapurna region. That said, enforcement in the Annapurna region has been inconsistent in practice — independent trekkers with a valid ACAP permit are still regularly seen on the ABC trail.
The honest position on guide enforcement for ABC in 2026: stricter enforcement applies in national parks (Sagarmatha/Everest, Langtang) than in the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is managed separately by NTNC rather than the Department of National Parks. However, the regulation exists, checkpoints do have the authority to verify guide credentials, and enforcement is tightening year on year. Booking through a registered agency with a licensed guide is both the legally correct and logistically safest approach.
A licensed guide must be employed through a TAAN-registered trekking agency — private, informal hiring of a friend to “guide” does not meet the regulatory requirement.
Where to Get Your ACAP Permit
There are three options, each with practical trade-offs.
Option 1: Nepal Tourism Board office, Kathmandu
Location: Bhrikutimandap, near Pradarshani Marg
Office hours: Sunday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Closed on Saturdays and public holidays.
Process: In person, same-day. Bring your passport, one or two passport-sized photographs, and the fee in Nepali rupees. The process typically takes under 30 minutes.
Option 2: NTNC office, Pokhara
Location: Lakeside, near the Tourist Police Station
Same hours and same requirements as the Kathmandu office. For most trekkers whose ABC trek begins in Pokhara, this is the most convenient option — get your permit the morning before you depart for the trailhead.
Option 3: Through your registered trekking agency
Agencies can arrange the ACAP on your behalf as part of your package, typically with a small service fee of NPR 500-1,000. This saves you the queue and is the standard arrangement for package trekkers.
At the Birethanti checkpoint (trailhead): Do not wait until you reach the trail. Permits issued at checkpoints along the route are charged at double the standard fee. Obtain your ACAP in Kathmandu or Pokhara before departure.
Documents needed:
- Passport (original, not a photocopy)
- One to two passport-sized photographs
- Payment in Nepali rupees (cash only at the offices; some agencies accept card payment for combined packages)
Online Application
An online ACAP application option exists through the official NTNC portal, allowing trekkers to begin the application process before arriving in Nepal. For permit charges, the fee was set to NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals and NPR 2,000 for other foreign applicants, with payment accepted online only.
In practice, many trekkers still use the in-person office option because it is fast, reliable, and produces a physical permit on the day. The online system works but requires advance planning and can have processing delays during peak season. If you are organizing your trek from abroad and want to confirm permits before departure, the online route is worth exploring — verify current online application availability directly with the NTNC website before relying on it.
Permit Checkpoints on the Trail
The ACAP is checked at multiple points along the ABC route — not just at entry. Knowing where to expect these checks helps you keep your permit accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your pack.
- Birethanti: The primary trailhead checkpoint for all routes approaching from Nayapul. This is where permits are first checked and sometimes purchased. Arrive with your ACAP already in hand.
- Tikhedhunga / Ulleri area: A secondary checkpoint for upward-bound trekkers.
- Chhomrong: A major checkpoint higher on the route, where ACAP is verified again as you enter the upper conservation area section.
- Upper checkpoints (Himalaya, Deurali, ABC area): Spot checks by conservation area staff occur at several points on the upper route. These are less formal than the main checkpoints but do happen, particularly in peak season.
Always carry a physical copy of your ACAP permit, even if you have a mobile copy, as mobile reception is not available in the mountains. Digital photographs from your phone are not accepted at many checkpoints — the physical permit document is what checkpoint staff expect to see.
Additional Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits for Specific Route Variations
The standard ABC trek via Nayapul-Birethanti-Chhomrong requires only the ACAP (and TIMS per the official requirement, though not actively enforced). No restricted area permit is needed. However, certain extensions or variations do trigger additional requirements.
- Trekking peaks in the Annapurna region: If you are combining the ABC trek with a peak climb — Tent Peak (Tharpu Chuli), Fluted Peak, or Pisang Peak — a separate NMA trekking peak permit is required in addition to the ACAP. These are obtained through a registered agency or directly from the Nepal Mountaineering Association in Kathmandu.
- Drone photography: Drones are strictly prohibited within the Annapurna Conservation Area unless prior approval has been granted by the concerned authorities. This is a genuinely enforced rule — approval must be obtained from NTNC before bringing a drone on this trek.
- Documentary or commercial filming: Documentary filming requires a special permit from the Ministry of Information and Communication, plus approval from NTNC.
- Restricted area extensions (Nar-Phu Valley): If your itinerary extends into the Nar-Phu Valley from the Annapurna Circuit approach, the Nar-Phu Restricted Area Permit is required in addition to the ACAP — a separate permit arranged through a registered agency as covered in the Nar Phu Valley Trek guide.
What the Permit Fees Fund
The ACAP was established with specific conservation mandates, and it is worth briefly understanding what the fee supports — both because it contextualizes the cost and because it matters for why the system exists.
The Annapurna Conservation Area covers 7,629 square kilometers, making it the largest protected area in Nepal. The ACAP was established to preserve the region’s biodiversity, fund trail maintenance, support local communities, and protect the natural environment that makes this trek so special. The NTNC uses permit revenue to maintain trails and bridges, support community development projects in the 40+ villages within the conservation area, manage wildlife corridors for species including snow leopard and red panda, and fund education and training for local conservation rangers.
The fee is modest relative to the total trip cost, and the infrastructure it maintains — the stone-paved trail sections, the suspension bridges, the checkpoint system itself — is directly visible on the trek.
Final Summary of Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits
Required Annapurna Base Camp trek permits for the standard ABC trek:
- ACAP: NPR 3,000 (foreigners), NPR 1,000 (SAARC), free (Nepali). Definitively required, verified at all checkpoints. Get this in Kathmandu or Pokhara before the trailhead.
- TIMS Card: NPR 2,000 (individual), NPR 1,000 (group via agency). Officially required per NTB; not being enforced at Annapurna checkpoints in 2026. Consult your agency on current status before departure.
- Licensed guide: Required under 2023 regulations, enforcement inconsistent on ABC in practice. Legally the correct approach; book through a TAAN-registered agency.
- Where to get ACAP: NTB/NTNC office in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) or Pokhara (Lakeside), or through your agency. Sunday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Closed Saturdays and public holidays.
- Documents: Passport (original), one to two passport-sized photographs, Nepali rupees in cash.
- Carry: Physical permit document — digital copies not accepted at most checkpoints.
Frequently Asked Questions about Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits
- How many permits do I need for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The ACAP is the one permit definitively required and enforced at all checkpoints. The TIMS card is officially listed as required by the NTB but is not being enforced at Annapurna trail checkpoints in 2026. A licensed guide is legally required under 2023 regulations. - How much does the ACAP permit cost in 2026?
NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (approximately USD 22-25), NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, free for Nepali citizens. Fees are the same year-round regardless of season. - Do I need a TIMS card for ABC?
The NTB officially lists it as required. In practice, Annapurna checkpoints are verifying ACAP only and not enforcing TIMS. Confirm with your registered trekking agency immediately before departure, as this regulatory situation is subject to change. - Can I get the ACAP at the trailhead?
Technically yes, but permits purchased at the Birethanti checkpoint cost double the standard fee. Get your ACAP in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start. - Do I need a guide for the ABC trek?
Under 2023 regulations, yes — a licensed guide through a TAAN-registered agency is legally required. Enforcement on the Annapurna Conservation Area routes is currently less strict than in national parks, but the regulation applies and is tightening. Book through a registered agency. - Does my ACAP cover the Poon Hill/Ghorepani section?
Yes — a single ACAP covers all trekking within the Annapurna Conservation Area. If you are combining ABC with Poon Hill and Ghorepani on a single continuous itinerary, one ACAP is sufficient. - Can I get Annapurna Base Camp trek permits on arrival in Nepal, or should I arrange in advance?
ACAP can be obtained on the day from the NTB offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara — no advance booking required. For peak season trekking (October especially), arriving at the office early in the morning avoids the longest queues. - Is the ACAP required for children?
Children under 10 do not pay the permit fee, but their details still need to be registered at the permit office. Children 10 and above pay the full standard fee. - What documents do I need to apply for the ACAP?
A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining, two passport-sized photos, and payment in Nepali rupees or card depending on the office. If you’re applying through a registered agency, they typically handle the paperwork and only need your passport copy and photos in advance. - Is the ACAP valid for a fixed number of days, or does it cover the whole trek regardless of length?
The ACAP itself isn’t time-limited to a specific day count — it covers your entry into the conservation area for the duration of a single continuous trek, however many days that takes. It’s tied to entry and exit rather than a ticking daily rate, unlike restricted area permits such as the RAP for Manaslu or Nar Phu. - What happens if I lose my ACAP permit during the trek?
Report it to your guide or the agency immediately, since checkpoints along the route record entry details and can generally verify your permit was issued even without the physical card in hand. Carrying a photo of the permit on your phone as backup is a simple precaution most agencies now recommend. - Do I need a separate permit for the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda?
No — Jhinu Danda falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area, so your ACAP already covers entry to that section of the trail, including the side trip down to the hot springs. There’s typically a small separate entrance fee charged locally for the hot spring pools themselves, which is unrelated to trekking permits. - Are permit checkpoints only at the start of the trek, or are they along the whole route?
There are multiple checkpoints along the ABC route, not just at the trailhead — commonly at Birethanti, Chhomrong, and near the base camp approach itself. Each checkpoint logs your permit details, which is part of how the conservation area tracks visitor numbers and trail usage across the season. - Do porters and guides need their own permits too?
Yes — Nepali guides and porters require their own ACAP, though at the Nepali citizen rate rather than the foreign national fee. This is arranged as part of the group permit application through your trekking agency rather than something trekkers need to organize separately. - Will permit costs or requirements change again after 2026?
Permit fees and enforcement policies in the Annapurna Conservation Area have shifted more than once in recent years, including the TIMS enforcement gap currently in effect. It’s worth having your agency reconfirm the current requirements shortly before departure rather than relying on any fixed list, since this is one of the more fluid areas of Nepal’s trekking regulations.
