Nepal’s permit system has changed more between 2023 and 2026 than in the previous decade. Trekkers arriving with information from older blogs are being turned back at checkpoints. The rules around TIMS, mandatory guides, digital permits, and restricted area access have all shifted, and the gap between what outdated sources describe and what checkpoints currently enforce is wide enough to derail a trip before it starts.
This covers the current state of permits by region, what has changed, and how Glacier Safari Treks handles the paperwork so you do not have to navigate it alone.
The Single Most Important Change: Mandatory Licensed Guides
The most significant regulatory change in recent Nepali trekking history took full effect in 2023 and is rigorously enforced in 2026. All foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas must be accompanied by a licensed guide from a TAAN-registered trekking agency.
Search and rescue operations for unguided foreign trekkers increased by nearly 40 percent between 2015 and 2025. The Government of Nepal responded with sweeping regulatory changes starting in April 2023, with full enforcement now in place.
Permit checkpoints on Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Manaslu routes actively verify guide credentials. Any cost estimate that does not include a guide fee describes an approach that is no longer legal.
TIMS, ACAP, NATT: What Applies Where
The TIMS Situation in 2026
TIMS has been the source of more trekker confusion in 2026 than any other permit category, largely because information online varies by how recently it was written.
The current position by region:
- TIMS is no longer enforced in the Everest or Annapurna regions. Checkpoints in Khumbu and Annapurna now verify conservation area permits only.
- TIMS remains required in Langtang, Manaslu, far-western Nepal including Rara Lake, and some other regions.
- The Green Independent TIMS card, previously available directly from the Nepal Tourism Board for solo trekkers, no longer exists. All trekkers must apply through their registered agency.
- The e-TIMS permit now uses QR codes that can be scanned at checkpoints, allowing real-time location tracking of each individual trekker.
ACAP: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The ACAP permit is required for the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, and Mardi Himal. It covers the largest protected area in Nepal at 7,629 square kilometres.
The TIMS card is not enforced for Annapurna treks despite being mentioned in outdated online sources. ACAP permits must be arranged before entry and are checked on-site at the trailhead.
Current ACAP fee: NPR 3,000, approximately USD 22, and it is the only permit actively checked on Annapurna trails.
Everest Region Permits
The Everest region now operates on a different permit structure from what most older guides describe.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit costs NPR 3,000, approximately USD 23, for the first four weeks. The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs NPR 3,000 plus 13 percent VAT, approximately USD 28.
The Khumbu municipality permit is checked at Monjo, just before Namche Bazaar. It funds local infrastructure including trail maintenance, waste management, and community services in the Khumbu villages. Companies that include all permits in their package price should include this.
Langtang Permits
Permits in Langtang are only issued to registered agencies with a guide contract. TIMS remains technically required and is more consistently enforced in this region than in Everest or Annapurna.
Restricted Area Permits: Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo, and Beyond
Restricted area permits operate under a separate framework from the conservation area permits above. Several significant changes apply in 2026.
The Solo Trekker Rule Change
With updated regulations effective March 22, 2026, solo trekkers can now obtain permits for restricted areas. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal has officially removed the previous requirement of a minimum of two trekkers per group. Individual trekkers can now book and undertake restricted area treks provided they are accompanied by a licensed trekking guide and obtain the Restricted Area Permit through a registered agency.
This is a meaningful change for solo travellers who previously had to find a second person to meet the minimum group requirement for Upper Mustang, Manaslu, and Dolpo.
Restricted Area Permit Fees
Current restricted area permit fees for the routes GST operates:
- Upper Mustang: USD 50 per day
- Manaslu Circuit Restricted Area Permit: USD 100 per week in peak season, USD 75 per week off-season. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit: USD 15 to 22.
Dolpo and Tsum Valley permit fees are available on request through the GST team, as these vary by season and itinerary length.
How Restricted Area Permits Are Obtained
Restricted area permits cannot be self-applied. They must be obtained through a registered trekking agency. GST handles the full restricted area permit process for all clients on Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Dolpo, and Nar Phu itineraries. The permit is tied to your passport number and is verified at multiple checkpoints along the route.
Digital Permits and Checkpoint Technology
Nepal has fully transitioned to digital permit tracking. Checkpoints now use QR code scanners to monitor trekker movements and ensure environmental compliance. A specialised environmental levy, often referred to as the Green Fee, is now integrated into most conservation area permits, with funds directly supporting waste management and trail restoration projects.
Permits can now be applied for online using your Nepali visa number. International applicants can pay fees in advance using an Application Submission ID.
The practical implication is that physical paper permits are being replaced by digital documents with scannable QR codes. Physical copies remain advisable as a backup, but the checkpoint infrastructure now operates on digital verification.
What Happens If You Trek Without the Right Permits in Nepal
If caught trekking without a permit at any checkpoint in Nepal, the on-site fine is USD 120. If trekking in a restricted area without the correct documentation, trekkers may be removed from the trail immediately, permits revoked, and deportation issued. Additionally, trekking without proper documentation means travel insurance will likely not cover costs associated with helicopter evacuation.
That last point connects directly to the insurance requirement. A permit gap can void the insurance coverage that covers an evacuation. The two systems are linked in ways that make cutting corners on either expensive.
How GST Handles All Permits for You
The permit landscape in 2026 involves multiple documents, different issuing authorities, regional variations in enforcement, and ongoing changes that individual trekkers cannot reasonably track in real time. GST’s permit handling covers the full process for every client across every route.
GST submits permit applications when the booking is confirmed. Restricted area permits for Upper Mustang and Dolpo require lead time and are processed ahead of departure to avoid delays.
Let us handle the paperwork. You focus on the trail. Contact the GST team to confirm the permit requirements for your specific route and departure date.