Annapurna Permits and Entry Fees

Spread in the Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, Kaski and Lamjung districts of Nepal, Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1992. Similarly, this conservation area covers an area of 7,629 square kilometers making it the largest conservation area of Nepal. About 120,000 visitors explore this Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Meanwhile, it is expected to increase the number of travellers in the coming years. 

Some of the highest peaks in the world lie inside this national park of Nepal including the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Tilicho Peak. Besides being the deepest george of the world, the Kali Gandaki gorge also lies inside the  Annapurna region of Nepal. Besides being the largest conservation area of Nepal, It is also the first conservation area of Nepal. 

Located in the Gandaki provenance of Nepal some of the rare species of flora and fauna are found inside this conservation area. About 22 different forest types are seen inside this conservation area of Nepal. Meanwhile, 1226 different species of plants are recorded inside this conservation area. Similarly, 101 species of mammals are also recorded till now.

Annapurna region is gaining a lot of popularity in recent days. Not only the domestic but also the numbers of international visitors are growing rapidly inside this conservation area. The changing landscape and the marvellous views of the mountain ranges are the main highlights of Annapurna region of Nepal. Besides that you will also get to experience the local culture as well as the traditions of the locals. Here is the list of all of the Annapurna permits and entry fees required to trek in the ACAP region. 

Before making it the conservation area of Nepal, Annapurna region was one of the unexplored regions of Nepal. With the aim of growing the tourist flow and to conserve the local tradition and culture Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1992. After declaring it the protected area of Nepal every trekkers travelling through this conservation area need to pay Annapurna Conservation Area Permit also known as the ANCAP permit.

The fees collected are invested in the local regions inside the Conservation area. As of now many trekking routes are being established inside the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Besides that, the previous trials are being developed and many sign boards are also kept in different parts of the trekking trails. All of the Annapurna permits and the entry fees are managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Because of that some portions of the fees go to this trust for conserving this area.

Permit Cost

The cost of the Annapurna Conservation Area permit varies according to the nationality of the trekkers as well as the travellers. 3,000 Nrs is charged for the foreign national. Similarly, Nrs 1,500 is charged for the nationals of the SAARC countries. You can get this national park permit in the tourism board office in Kathmandu or in Pokhara. Besieged that any trekkers 10 years old do not need a trek permit to explore the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal.

Terms and Conditions For ACAP Permit

• The permit holders can enter any designated places within the conservation area and are valid for single entry.

• The permit is non transferable and non refundable.

• Persons entering the conservation area should abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 B.S. and the regulations made under the act. 

• The permit should be carried throughout the trip and should be shown if the concerned authority wants to check.

TIMS card or the Trekker’s Information Management System is mandatory to trek in any region of Nepal. The basic concept of the TIMS car is to record the details of the trekkers. Jointly implemented by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the main purpose of this card is to ensure the safety as well as the security of the trekkers. Meanwhile, it is also used to control the illegal trekking operation all over Nepal.

Started on January 1 2008, the personal details of the trekkers such as the passport number, nationality and their contact number are needed. Similarly, the rough itinerary of the trekkers are also required to get this card. All of this information is collected so that the trekkers can be easily spotted and can be rescued during any accidents as well as the natural calamities. This cald will help a lot during this time as the information can easily be passed to the concerned institutions. 

As of now TIMS card is also required for the trekkers travelling to the restricted area of Nepal. There are two types of TIMS cards issued by the Nepal Tourism Board. The first one is the Blue TIMS card which is issued for the organized trekkers. Similarly, the next one is the Green TIMS card which is issued for the Free Individual Trekkers. 

Permit Cost

The cost of the TIMS card depends upon the nationality of the trekkers. Similarly, it also depends upon the types of the trekkers. The organized trekkers are charged less than that of the Free Individual Trekkers. The trekkers must carry their TIMS card throughout the trek . 

Some of the major TIMS counters around the Annapurna region are at Besisahar, Dhampus, Birethanti and Tatopani. Besides that, this permit can be checked by any concerned authorities in any part of the Annapurna region during the trek. Similarly, the TIMS card is usable for a single entry only. If you exit the Annapurna region of Nepal and still want to do another trek then you must get another TIMS card. However, you can stay as long as you want inside the Annapurna region with a single permit.

Terms and Conditions For TIMS Card

• Keep the TIMS card with you throughout the trek

• Present this card to TAAN/NTB officials, National Parks, Conservation Areas, and Police check posts on request.

• Keep a copy of your passport along with this card for verification

• This card is non transferrable, non refundable and valid only for prescribed area and duration

Nepal Immigration issued the restricted area permit for the trekkers willing to trek in the special region or the restricted area. Meanwhile, this special permit is issued to the organized trekkers only. The individual trekkers do not get a restricted area permit of Nepal. Because of that no solo visitors are accepted inside the restricted area of Annapurna region. 

This restricted permit can be issued at Kalikasthan, Kathmandu. Similarly, you can also get the restricted area permit for the Nepal Tourism Board. At least 2 visitors are required to get the restricted area permit which was opened in 1991. A restricted permit is mandatory to explore the Nar Phu valley and the Upper Mustang of the Annapurna region.

Permit Cost

The restricted area permit cost is charged according to the area you are visiting. Different permits are issued to explore different restricted areas of Nepal. There are two restricted areas inside the Annapurna region of Nepal. The most popular is the Upper Mustang. Similarly, the next one is the Nar Phu Valley.

Terms and Conditions for Restricted Area Permit

• The trekkers should keep the restricted area permit throughout the trek.

• The trekking permit must be shown to any concern employees or police on request

• You will have to pay a certain fine if you overstay in the restricted area.

• You should have an authorized trekking guide.

• The number of trekkers must be above two to get the permit.

• Filming in restricted areas without permission is strictly prohibited.

• Entry permits application form

• Two copies of recent passport

• 4 passport size photos

• Detailed itinerary of your trek

• Nepali currency to pay the form

• Emergency local contact number

• Emergency contact number of family

• Entrance and exit point of your trek

• Entry and Exit points of the trek

• Insurance number and coverage information

You can get all three types of permits for the Annapurna region from the Nepal Tourism Board. The Nepal Tourism Board is situated in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Similarly, you can also get the permits from Nepal Tourism Board of Pokhara that lies about 15 minutes walk from Lakeside. 

Similarly, you can also get the TIMS card from Trekking Agency Associations of Nepal (TAAN). TAAN office is located in different parts of Nepal and you can get the TIMS card from any of the TAAN secretariat. There are two offices of TAAN in Kathmandu. The head office is at Maligaon and another one is at Saat Ghumti, Thamel. Similarly, you can also get the TIMS card from the Pokhara office. Similarly, you can also get the ACAP permit at Besisahar.

1. To conserve the natural resources and culture of ACAP for the benefit of present and future generations.

2. To bring sustainable social and economic development to the local people.

3. To develop tourism in such a way that it will have a minimum negative environmental impact.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for any trip or trek in Nepal. Most of the trekkers negelate this part of the trek. But as of now the Nepal government has made strict rules about travel insurance. Besides that, you wont get any of the trek permits without travel insurance. 

There are many benefits of having travel insurance. One of these is that it can be used in case of emergency. Besides that, travel insurance also ensures the safety and security of the traveler.