Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits: ACAP, TIMS & Rules
The ABC trek needs two permits, the ACAP and a TIMS card, costing about NPR 5,000 (USD 38) for foreign nationals. Here is exactly how to get them.
The Two Permits You Need
The Annapurna Base Camp trek lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal's largest protected area. It is a teahouse trek, not a mountaineering expedition, so there is no climbing permit, just two documents.
| Permit | Foreign nationals | SAARC nationals | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACAP | ~NPR 3,000 | ~NPR 1,000 | Conservation-area entry |
| TIMS card | ~NPR 2,000 | ~NPR 1,000 | Trekker safety registration |
Figures are 2026 estimates; confirm current rates with the Nepal Tourism Board or your agency before you travel.
ACAP, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
The ACAP is the main entry permit, issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the National Trust for Nature Conservation, whose fees fund conservation and local development across the region. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals pay less.
It is checked at entry posts such as Ghandruk and at points along the route, so keep it accessible with your passport. The permit is single-entry for your trek and non-transferable.
TIMS, Trekkers' Information Management System
The TIMS card registers you in a central database so authorities can locate and account for trekkers in an emergency. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 2,000 (a higher individual-trekker rate has sometimes applied; SAARC nationals pay less). The card records your route and emergency contacts, and is checked alongside the ACAP.
Where & How to Get Them
Both permits are issued in Pokhara (the most convenient base for ABC) or in Kathmandu, at the Nepal Tourism Board offices and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN).
You will need:
- Your passport (and a photocopy).
- 2–4 passport-sized photos.
- The fees in Nepali rupees (cash).
- Your itinerary and emergency contact details.
If you book through a trekking agency, they routinely arrange both permits as part of the package, you simply hand over your passport details and photos. Allow a little time in Pokhara before you start; permits cannot be obtained on the trail.
The Licensed-Guide Rule
Since 2023, Nepal's Tourism Board has required trekkers in many national-park and conservation areas, including the Annapurna region, to be accompanied by a licensed guide, ending the era of fully solo, independent trekking on routes like ABC.
- In practice, hiring a licensed guide (and optionally a porter) is now the standard, safest and most reliable way to trek ABC.
- A guide also handles permit logistics, navigation, lodge bookings and altitude/avalanche judgement.
- Rules and enforcement continue to evolve, confirm the current requirement with a registered agency or the NTB before you travel.
Guide costs are covered in the ABC cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits do I need for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Two: the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, ~NPR 3,000) and the TIMS card (~NPR 2,000), together about USD 38 for foreign nationals. There is no climbing permit, ABC is a teahouse trek. SAARC nationals pay less.
Where do I get ABC trek permits?
In Pokhara or Kathmandu, at the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN offices. Bring your passport, 2–4 passport photos and the fees in Nepali rupees. If you book through an agency, they arrange both permits for you.
Do I need a guide for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Effectively yes. Since 2023 the Annapurna region requires a licensed guide, ending solo independent trekking on ABC. Rules keep evolving, so confirm the current requirement before you travel, but plan on hiring a guide.
Can I get ABC permits on the trail?
No. Both the ACAP and TIMS must be obtained in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you start, and are checked at entry posts such as Ghandruk. Allow time in town before heading to the trailhead.
How much do ABC permits cost in 2026?
About NPR 3,000 for the ACAP and NPR 2,000 for the TIMS card, roughly USD 38 total for foreign nationals. SAARC nationals pay less. Treat these as estimates and confirm current rates before travel.
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated June 22, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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