Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

QUICK ANSWER

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

You need two permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: the ACAP (≈ USD 25) and a TIMS card (now issued only through an agency). As of 2026 a licensed guide booked through a registered agency is mandatory and guideless solo trekking is not allowed. Get your permits in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you start; there are none on the trail. Carry both in your daypack, and make sure your insurance covers helicopter evacuation to 6,000m.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek permits are one of the most important things to sort before you ever set foot on the trail. Get them wrong and you will be turned back at the first checkpoint. Get them right and one of the most spectacular mountain journeys in the entire Himalayas opens up in front of you.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Annapurna Base Camp Trek permits in 2026 and 2027, including what they are, how much they cost, where to get them, what documents you need, and the mistakes that catch trekkers out every single season.

What to Expect With Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, one of Nepal’s most carefully managed and protected trekking regions. Every trekker heading to Annapurna Base Camp must hold a valid Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a valid TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System card). Both must be carried at all times. There are checkpoints along the route where rangers and officials check your permits, compare them against your passport, and stamp them before letting you through.

Compared to restricted area permits like those required for the Manaslu Circuit or Upper Mustang, the Annapurna Base Camp permit process is refreshingly straightforward. You need a licensed guide to trek this route, and your permits will be arranged by your registered trekking agency.

That said, getting the details right still matters enormously. An incorrect name, a missing document, or an expired card can bring your trek to a complete stop.

Why Does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Require Permits

Conservation of the Annapurna Conservation Area

The entire Annapurna Base Camp Trek route passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area, established in 1986 and covering more than 7,000 square kilometres of diverse Himalayan landscape in Nepal’s Gandaki Province. This area is home to snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, red pandas, and over 1,000 species of flowering plants including Nepal’s national flower, the red rhododendron.

The permit fee goes directly into conservation programs that protect this ecosystem. Trail maintenance, waste management, wildlife protection, reforestation, and clean energy projects across the villages on the route are all funded in part by ACAP fees. When you pay for your permit, you are investing in the landscape you are about to walk through.

Supporting Local Communities Along the Route

The villages on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek route, including Jhinu Danda, Chhomrong, Sinuwa, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya Hotel, Deurali, and the base camp settlements, are home to Gurung and Magar communities whose livelihoods depend almost entirely on trekking tourism. The permit system helps regulate visitor numbers, track trekkers for safety, and ensure that tourism revenue reaches local communities rather than bypassing them.

Trekker Safety and Emergency Response

The TIMS card plays an important role in trekker safety. Your personal details, emergency contacts, trekking itinerary, and travel insurance information are all recorded when you register. In any emergency, whether altitude sickness above Deurali, an injury on the steep stone staircases near Chhomrong, or a weather event near Machapuchare Base Camp, rescue authorities have accurate data to work with.

How Many Permits Do You Need for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

You need exactly two permits.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is the primary conservation permit required for entry into the Annapurna Conservation Area. It applies across the full route from Jhinu Danda all the way to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 metres.

The TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) is a registration card issued by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). It registers your details in the national trekking database and serves as identification at checkpoints along the route.

Both must be obtained before you start the trek. Neither can be purchased on the trail, at Jhinu Danda, at Chhomrong, or anywhere else along the route.

Note for 2026: the old independent (“Green”) TIMS card has been discontinued. TIMS is now issued only through a registered trekking agency as part of your guided-trek paperwork. In the Annapurna region, checkpoints currently verify your ACAP permit and your guide’s credentials; TIMS is technically still on the books but is not always checked on this route. Your agency will advise whether to arrange it for your dates.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit Cost 2026 and 2027

ACAP Permit Cost

For foreign nationals from non-SAARC countries, the ACAP costs NPR 3,000, approximately USD 22 to USD 25.

For nationals from SAARC member countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan), the ACAP costs NPR 1,000, approximately USD 7 to USD 8.

For Nepali citizens there is no charge.

The ACAP fee is a one-time flat payment. It does not have a per-day or per-week structure. Your permit is valid for your trekking period and cannot be reused on a future visit.

TIMS Card Cost

The TIMS card is issued only through a registered trekking agency as part of your guided-trek paperwork; the old independent (“Green”) card has been discontinued. The agency-issued card costs roughly NPR 1,000–2,000 (USD 8–17). In the Annapurna region, checkpoints currently focus on your ACAP permit and guide credentials, so your agency will advise whether TIMS is needed for your dates.

Total Permit Cost Summary

Always verify current fees with the Nepal Tourism Board or your trekking agency before travel, as permit fees can be revised annually.

Where to Get Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits

One significant advantage of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is that you can collect permits in either Kathmandu or Pokhara. You are not restricted to the capital.

Getting Permits in Pokhara

Pokhara is the most convenient option for the vast majority of Annapurna Base Camp trekkers. Because the trek begins with a drive from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda and Chhomrong, collecting permits in Pokhara the day before you head to the trailhead is simple and efficient.

Permits are available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara and at the TAAN office in the Lakeside and Damside tourist areas.

Getting Permits in Kathmandu

Both the ACAP and TIMS card can also be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu. The office is open Sunday through Friday during regular government working hours and is closed on Saturdays and public holidays.

Trekkers who spend time in Kathmandu before flying or driving to Pokhara often collect permits there, particularly if they are booking through a Kathmandu-based agency.

You Cannot Get Permits at the Trailhead

There are no permit offices at Jhinu Danda, at Chhomrong, or anywhere on the trail. If you arrive at the first permit checkpoint without valid documents, you will not be allowed to continue. Do not rely on any unofficial arrangement or local fixer claiming to sort permits at the start of the trail.

What Documents Do You Need

Whether applying in Kathmandu or Pokhara, bring the following.

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your planned departure from Nepal. The name on your permit is copied exactly from your passport, so check every character carefully before leaving the office.
• Passport-sized photos, at least two colour copies. Some permit offices have photo booths nearby, but bringing your own saves time.
• A copy of your Nepal tourist visa, either the visa sticker in your passport or a printout of your e-visa receipt.
• A completed application form, provided at the office, covering your personal details, intended route, emergency contact information, and travel insurance details.
• Travel insurance details, including your insurance company name and policy number.
• Payment in Nepalese Rupees. Withdraw cash from an ATM in Pokhara or Kathmandu before going to the permit office.

How to Get Your Permits Step by Step

Step 1: Book a registered trekking agency and a licensed guide. Because a guide is now mandatory on this route, the agency will process your ACAP and TIMS permits as part of your package.

Step 2, gather your documents. Have your passport, photos, visa copy, and payment ready before visiting the office.

Step 3, visit the permit office in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Collect the application form and fill in your details carefully, spelling your name exactly as it appears in your passport.

Step 4, submit your application and pay. The officer verifies your details, processes payment, and issues your ACAP and TIMS card immediately at the window. The process takes 30 to 60 minutes on a normal day.

Step 5, check all details before leaving. Verify your name, nationality, and validity dates on both permits. Any error is simple to fix at the office and very difficult to resolve on the trail.

Step 6, store permits safely. Place both permits in a waterproof document pouch in your daypack. Take clear photographs of both permits on your phone and back those photos up to cloud storage or email them to yourself.

Step 7, present permits at every checkpoint. Show both permits at each checkpoint and wait while the officer stamps them and records your details.

Permit Checkpoints on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The standard Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins from Pokhara with a drive to Jhinu Danda, then climbs through Chhomrong, Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya Hotel, and Deurali before reaching Machapuchare Base Camp and finally Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 metres. Checkpoints are positioned throughout this corridor. Keep your permits in your daypack at all times, not in your main pack with your porter.

Do You Need a Guide for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Yes. As of the 2023 rule change, and fully enforced in the 2026 season, every foreign trekker in Nepal’s conservation areas including the Annapurna Base Camp route, you must be accompanied by a licensed guide booked through a government-registered, TAAN-affiliated trekking agency. Independent, guideless trekking is no longer permitted on this route, and checkpoints now scan your guide’s credentials alongside your permits.

Solo travellers can still trek and you do not need to form a group but you must be accompanied by a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. A good guide also adds real value: route knowledge, altitude-sickness awareness, and emergency response. Always confirm the current rule with the Nepal Tourism Board or your agency before departure.

Travel Insurance for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Travel insurance is not enforced at the permit checkpoints on this route in the same way it is for restricted area treks. But treating it as optional is a serious mistake.

Annapurna Base Camp sits at 4,130 metres above sea level. Emergency helicopter evacuation from the upper sections of the route, above Deurali or from near Machapuchare Base Camp, to Pokhara can cost between USD 3,000 and USD 6,000 without insurance. With the right coverage, that cost is handled.

Your travel insurance must explicitly cover emergency helicopter evacuation and medical treatment for high-altitude trekking to at least 6,000 metres. As of 2026, proof of this cover is required before your permit can be issued, so arrange it before you arrive. Some budget policies cap helicopter cover at 4,000m below base camp, so read the wording carefully.

Your policy should also cover medical treatment and hospital costs, trek cancellation or curtailment, and lost or damaged equipment. Carry a printed copy of your insurance policy and your insurer’s emergency phone number in your daypack throughout the trek.

Permit Rules You Must Know

• Carry both permits in your daypack at all times. Your main pack travels with your porter and will not always be with you at checkpoints.
• Your permit name must exactly match your passport. Middle names, hyphens, and every character must match exactly. A mismatch causes serious delays at checkpoints.
• Do not attempt to pass a checkpoint without presenting your permits. Even if a checkpoint appears unmanned, passing without a stamp is a violation that can cause problems further along the route.
• Permits must be obtained before entering the conservation area. You must have valid permits before reaching the first checkpoint.
• Permits are not transferable. The permit belongs to the named individual and cannot be used by anyone else.

Common Permit Mistakes to Avoid

Trying to get permits at Jhinu Danda or on the trail. There are no permit offices at the trailhead or anywhere on the route. This mistake ends treks before they begin every season.

Arriving without enough time to collect permits. Permit offices in Pokhara operate during daytime working hours only. Plan to arrive at least one full day before your trek start to collect permits without rushing.

Name mismatch between permit and passport. Always check your name against your passport before leaving the office. Correcting an error takes two minutes at the window but can stop your trek on the trail.

Getting only one permit. You need both the ACAP and the TIMS card. Neither alone is sufficient. Keeping permits in your main pack. Permits need to be immediately accessible at every checkpoint. Keep them in a waterproof pouch in your daypack.

Not photographing permits before the trek. Rain, river crossings, and spills can damage physical permits. A clear phone photo saved offline is your backup.

Quick Permit Checklist Before You Start

• ACAP permit in hand and checked for accuracy
• TIMS card in hand and checked for accuracy
• Both permits stored in a waterproof document pouch in your daypack
• Clear photographs of both permits saved on your phone
• Photos backed up to cloud storage or emailed to yourself
• Passport in your daypack, not in your main pack with your porter
• Travel insurance confirmed with helicopter evacuation coverage to at least 6,000m
• Printed copy of travel insurance policy and emergency contact number in your daypack

Never Leave Pokhara Without Your Permits

Forgetting your permits is not a minor inconvenience on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. It is a trek-ending mistake. The checkpoints from the trailhead onwards are actively managed and there is no way around them. Keep your permits safe, dry, and accessible from the moment you drive out of Pokhara to the moment you return.

The mountain is extraordinary. The paperwork is simple. Sort the paperwork first.

Understanding the Annapurna Conservation Area

To appreciate why the ACAP exists and why it matters, it helps to understand the area it protects. The Annapurna Conservation Area is the largest protected area in Nepal, covering more than 7,000 square kilometres and stretching across a remarkable range of altitudes and ecosystems. It was established in 1986 and is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.

This vast region is home to extraordinary biodiversity. The lower forests shelter langur monkeys, Himalayan black bears, and countless bird species. The higher reaches are home to elusive snow leopards, blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr. The forests burst with over 1,000 species of plants, including the rhododendron forests that turn the hillsides crimson and pink in spring. More than 100 species of mammals and over 470 species of birds have been recorded within the conservation area.

The ACAP is not just a fee. It is a contribution to one of the most successful conservation models in the world, one that balances the needs of local communities, the protection of wildlife and habitat, and the management of tourism. When you carry your ACAP permit, you are part of that conservation effort.

The Role of TAAN and the Nepal Tourism Board

Two organisations are central to the permit system, and understanding their roles helps clarify the process. The Nepal Tourism Board is the government body responsible for promoting and regulating tourism in Nepal, including the issuing of trekking permits. The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) is the umbrella body for registered trekking agencies, and it works alongside the Nepal Tourism Board in administering the TIMS card system.

When you obtain your permits, you are interacting with this system, whether directly at a permit office or through a registered agency that handles the paperwork on your behalf. Registered agencies are vetted and accountable, which is one reason booking through a reputable agency adds a layer of security and convenience to the permit process.

Permits for Different Types of Trekkers

The permit requirements are the same for everyone on the Annapurna Base Camp route; what differs is how you trek, since all foreign trekkers now book through a registered agency with a licensed guide.

Solo travellers trek as a party of one, accompanied by their own licensed guide. There is no minimum group size, so you do not need to find trekking partners; but you cannot trek guideless. Your agency arranges your ACAP and TIMS permits before you start.

Group trekkers share a licensed guide (one guide can now accompany up to seven trekkers) and benefit from streamlined processing, as the agency handles all permits for the group at once. Sharing a guide also usually lowers the per-person cost.

How Permit Fees Support the Region

It is worth understanding where your permit money goes, because it reframes the fee from a cost into a contribution.

The ACAP fees fund conservation and community development across the Annapurna Conservation Area. This includes trail maintenance and repair, which keeps the routes safe and walkable. It funds waste management and clean-up programs, which help keep the trails and villages free of litter. It supports wildlife protection and anti-poaching efforts, which preserve the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. It funds reforestation and environmental restoration projects. And it supports community development in the villages along the routes, including schools, health posts, and clean energy initiatives.

The TIMS card system funds the trekker safety infrastructure, including the database that allows authorities to track and assist trekkers in emergencies. Both permits, in different ways, make the trekking experience safer, cleaner, and more sustainable.

Timing Your Permit Application

Because permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are issued on the spot, you do not need to apply weeks in advance as you would for some restricted area treks. However, timing still matters for a smooth experience.

If you are arranging permits independently, plan to visit the permit office in Pokhara or Kathmandu at least one full day before your trek begins. This gives you a buffer in case of queues, missing documents, or office closures. Remember that government offices in Nepal are closed on Saturdays and public holidays, so plan around these.

If you are trekking with an agency, they will handle the timing, but you should provide your documents to them in good time before departure. A clear scan of your passport, your visa, and your travel insurance details, sent a few days in advance, allows the agency to prepare everything smoothly.

In the peak months of October and April, permit offices can be busy. Arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance of a quick turnaround and leaves the rest of your day free for final preparations.

What Happens at the Checkpoints

Knowing what to expect at the checkpoints helps the process go smoothly. At each checkpoint, an official will ask to see your permits and your passport. They will check that your name on the permit matches your passport, record your details in a register or scan your permit, and stamp or mark your permit before allowing you to continue.

The process is usually quick and straightforward. Have your permits and passport easily accessible in your daypack so you are not holding up the queue or rummaging through your bag. If you are trekking with a guide, they will often handle the interaction with the checkpoint officials, but you should still have your own documents ready.

The checkpoints serve an important safety function. By recording who is on the trail and where they are headed, they help authorities account for trekkers, which is invaluable in the event of a weather emergency, a search and rescue operation, or any other incident. Cooperating with the checkpoint system is part of trekking responsibly in the region.

FAQ: Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits

1. How many permits do I need for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

You need two permits, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS card. Both must be obtained before the trek begins and carried at all times on the trail.

2. How much do permits cost for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

The ACAP costs about NPR 3,000 (USD 25) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 (USD 8) for SAARC nationals, plus an agency-issued TIMS card (roughly USD 8–17). On top of the permits, a licensed guide is now mandatory and costs about USD 25–35 per day. Confirm exact fees with your agency before you travel.

3. Where do I get permits for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

At the Nepal Tourism Board office or the TAAN office in Pokhara, or at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. Pokhara is the most convenient option for most trekkers on this route.

4. Can I get permits in Pokhara rather than Kathmandu?

Yes. For the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Pokhara is a perfectly valid and very convenient place to collect your permits, especially since the trek begins with a drive from Pokhara to Jhinu Danda.

5. Can I get permits at Jhinu Danda or on the trail?

No. There are no permit offices at the trailhead or anywhere on the route. All permits must be obtained in Pokhara or Kathmandu before the trek begins.

6. Do I need a guide for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Yes. As of 2026, a licensed guide booked through a registered, TAAN-affiliated agency is mandatory on the Annapurna Base Camp route. Guideless, independent trekking is no longer permitted, and checkpoints scan your guide’s credentials. You can still trek as a solo traveller and there is no minimum group size but you must be accompanied by a licensed guide.

7. How long does it take to get permits?

ACAP and TIMS permits are issued immediately at the office window. The process takes 30 to 60 minutes on a normal day.

8. What documents do I need to get permits?

Your valid passport, two passport-sized colour photos, a copy of your Nepal tourist visa, and payment in Nepalese Rupees. You also fill in a simple application form at the office.

9. Do I need both the ACAP and the TIMS card?

Yes. Both are required. The ACAP is your conservation area entry permit, and the TIMS card registers your details in the national trekking safety database.

10. Are permit fees the same in all seasons?

Yes. Unlike some restricted area permits with peak and off-peak pricing, the ACAP and TIMS card fees are the same year-round.

11. What happens if my permit name does not match my passport?

A name mismatch is taken seriously at checkpoints and can prevent you from continuing. Always check your name against your passport before leaving the office.

12. Can my trekking agency arrange permits for me?

Yes. A registered agency typically handles the entire permit process. Always confirm in writing that both permits are included in your package.

13. Are permit fees included in trekking packages?

This varies by agency and package. Always confirm exactly what is included before booking to avoid surprise costs.

14. What is the difference between the ACAP and the TIMS card?

The ACAP is an entry permit for the Annapurna Conservation Area and its fee funds conservation. The TIMS card is a national trekker registration document for safety tracking.

15. What happens if I lose my permit on the trail?

A clear phone photo of your permits is accepted at most checkpoints as a backup. Always photograph permits before starting. For replacement, contact the Pokhara permit office through your agency.

16. Is travel insurance required for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Not enforced at checkpoints, but absolutely essential. Helicopter evacuation without insurance can cost USD 3,000 to USD 6,000 or more. Your policy must cover evacuation to at least 6,000 metres.

17. Where does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek start?

The trek starts from Pokhara with a drive to Jhinu Danda, then climbs to Chhomrong on the first day before continuing up the Modi Khola valley to base camp.

18. Can I trek Annapurna Base Camp solo in 2026?

Yes, but not alone on the trail. You can trek as a party of one (there is no minimum group size), however every foreign trekker must be accompanied by a licensed guide booked through a registered agency. “Solo” in 2026 means trekking without a group, not without a guide.