Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Permits Required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Before you book flights or start breaking in your boots, there's one piece of admin that decides whether you're even allowed on the trail: permits. The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek passes entirely through the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected region, and every foreign trekker who enters it needs the correct paperwork. Get this sorted before you leave home — or at least before you leave Kathmandu or Pokhara and the rest of the trek runs smoothly. Get it wrong, and you risk being turned back at a checkpoint days into your trip.
Yes. Every foreign national trekking to Annapurna Base Camp needs two things before setting foot on the trail:
There is no way to legally trek to ABC without these. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) lists the Poon Hill–ABC route by name among the trails where a guide and an agency-issued TIMS card are compulsory (Nepal Tourism Board – TIMS Card). This has been the rule since a policy change on March 31–April 1, 2023, and it remains fully in force for the 2026 trekking season.
If you're still deciding on your route and dates, our Annapurna Base Camp Trek package page and Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek guide are good starting points before you lock in permit paperwork.
What it is: ACAP is the entry permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), a 7,629-square-kilometre protected zone that covers the entire ABC route, from Nayapul and Ghandruk up through the Modi Khola valley to the Annapurna Sanctuary. It's issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), which manages the ACA on behalf of the Government of Nepal.
Why it's required: The fee funds conservation, trail maintenance, waste management, and community programs across the Annapurna region. It's a legal entry requirement, not an optional donation — you cannot enter the conservation area without it.
💰 Current ACAP fee (August 2026):
Note : The fee is fixed regardless of how many days you spend on the trail — a 5-day itinerary and a 12-day itinerary cost the same. It's a single-entry permit for that trip; if you leave the conservation area and want to re-enter later in the same visit, you'll need a new one.
Who needs it: Every non-Nepali trekker entering the ACA, with no age exemption above 10 years old.
Where and how to obtain it: ACAP is issued at NTNC/Nepal Tourism Board counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara, or arranged through a registered trekking agency. Buying it at a trailhead checkpoint instead of in Kathmandu or Pokhara typically costs more, so it's worth sorting out in advance.
What it is: TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) is a trekker registration system that records your basic details, itinerary, and emergency contact information — used primarily for safety and search-and-rescue coordination.
Is it currently required for ABC trekkers? Yes. Under the Revised TIMS Provision effective March 31, 2023, the Annapurna region including the Poon Hill–ABC route is one of the protected areas where a TIMS card and a licensed guide are mandatory. The Nepal Tourism Board's official trekking-region list names "Poon Hill-ABC Trek" specifically (Nepal Tourism Board – TIMS Card).
Independent vs. guided trekkers: Before 2023, solo trekkers could buy an independent ("Free Individual Trekker") TIMS card themselves. That option was discontinued. As of 2026, TIMS cards for the Annapurna region can only be issued through a registered trekking agency, and issuance is tied to having a licensed guide. There is no over-the-counter TIMS purchase for unguided solo trekkers on this route anymore.
💰 Current TIMS fee:
Where it can be obtained: Through any government-registered trekking agency — not directly by individual trekkers. If you're booking with an operator, this is normally bundled into your package.
For the standard ABC route (Nayapul/Kimche or Ghandruk to Annapurna Base Camp and back), ACAP plus TIMS cover everything. You do not need a separate national park permit, since the ACA is managed under its own conservation-area framework rather than the national park system.
Additional permits only come into play if you extend or combine your trip:
If you're combining ABC with a longer regional itinerary, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek page, since some circuit extensions do cross into RAP territory.
How Much Do Annapurna Base Camp Permits Cost?
| Permit | Foreign Fee | SAARC Fee | Under 10 | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACAP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | Free | NTNC/NTB counters (Kathmandu or Pokhara) or via a registered agency |
| TIMS Card | NPR 2,000 | NPR 1,000 | Included with guardian's TIMS | Registered trekking agency only (online portal) |
| Total | ≈ NPR 5,000 (~US$38) | ≈ NPR 2,000 (~US$15) | Free | — |
Note: Exchange rates fluctuate, so treat the USD figures as approximate — always check the live NPR rate before budgeting. These are permit fees only and don't include guide fees or agency service charges.
In Kathmandu: ACAP and TIMS arrangements can be made through the Nepal Tourism Board / NTNC counters, or handled entirely by your trekking agency before you travel to Pokhara.
In Pokhara: Pokhara is the more common departure point for ABC, and there's a dedicated ACAP/NTB permit counter there. Most trekkers finalize permits in Pokhara the day or two before starting the trek.
Through a trekking agency: Since TIMS can no longer be issued to unguided individuals, arranging your permits through a registered agency is now the practical route for the vast majority of trekkers, not just a convenience.
Note : If you're applying independently rather than through a full package, bring cash in Nepali Rupees, since permit counters generally don't accept card payments for these fees.
Expect your ACAP and TIMS documents to be checked at several points along the standard route, including:
Note : Keep both permits accessible for the entire trek, not just at the first checkpoint.
No — not legally, and not practically either. Trying to trek without ACAP and TIMS carries real consequences:
In short: there's no meaningful way to "trek around" the permit system on this route in 2026. Sort the paperwork first.
| Factor | Independent (Pre-2023 style) | Guided (Current 2026 Rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status on ABC route | Not permitted | Required |
| TIMS card | Previously self-issued | Issued only via registered agency |
| Guide | Optional | Mandatory |
| Route flexibility | High | Set with guide, generally flexible day-to-day |
| Safety net | Trekker's own judgment | Local guide's experience plus agency support |
| Cost | Lower on paper | Slightly higher, guide cost now fixed for everyone |
Note : What you can still control is how much else you book. If budget is the main driver, our Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost guide breaks down where the real savings are once a guide is a fixed cost for everyone.
Q. Do I need a permit for Annapurna Base Camp?
➤ Yes. You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card, and you must trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency.
Q. Is ACAP mandatory for ABC?
➤ Yes, without exception for foreign trekkers over the age of 10. It's the core entry permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area, which the entire ABC route runs through.
Q. Is TIMS required for Annapurna Base Camp?
➤ Yes. The Nepal Tourism Board specifically lists the Poon Hill–ABC trek among the routes requiring a TIMS card and a licensed guide, current for the 2026 season.
Q. How much do ABC trekking permits cost?
➤ As of August 2026: ACAP is NPR 3,000 and TIMS is NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals — roughly NPR 5,000 (about US$38) total.
SAARC nationals pay less, and children under 10 are exempt from ACAP.
Q. Can I get permits in Pokhara?
➤ Yes. Pokhara has an ACAP/NTB permit counter, and it's the more common place for ABC trekkers to finalize paperwork. TIMS, however, must go through a registered agency rather than an individual counter application.
Q. Can Orbit Nepal Adventure arrange my permits?
➤ Yes. As a registered trekking agency, we handle ACAP and TIMS arrangement, along with your licensed guide, as part of booking an ABC trek with us.
Q. Do children need trekking permits?
➤ Children under 10 are exempt from the ACAP fee. TIMS registration for minors trekking with a guardian is typically handled through the same agency application — check with your operator for the specific process.
Q. What happens if I trek without a permit?
➤ You'll be turned back at the first checkpoint (typically Birethanti), may face fines, and since TIMS now requires a licensed guide, there's no legal path to trek the route without both a guide and valid permits in 2026.
Q. Can I trek to Annapurna Base Camp without a guide?
➤ No, not as of 2026. The guide requirement introduced in April 2023 remains in force for the Annapurna region, and TIMS cards cannot be issued to unguided individual trekkers on this route.
Q. Where can I get Annapurna Base Camp permits?
➤ Through NTNC/NTB counters in Kathmandu or Pokhara for ACAP, or more practically — through a registered trekking agency, which arranges both ACAP and TIMS together along with your guide.
Ready to walk into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary?Contact Orbit Nepal Adventure today for customized itineraries for easier and adventurous trek.
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