Everest Three Passes Trek Permits: Sagarmatha, Khumbu & Rules

The Two Permits You Need

The entire Three Passes circuit lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Khumbu (Solukhumbu). Despite crossing three high passes, it is still a teahouse trek in a non-restricted area, so there is no climbing permit and no restricted-area permit, just two documents. Unlike the Annapurna region, the Khumbu does not use a TIMS card, a local-government permit replaced it.

Figures are 2026 estimates; confirm current rates with the Nepal Tourism Board or your agency before you travel.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

The Sagarmatha National Park entry permit is the main permit, required to enter the protected Khumbu region. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals pay less. The fees fund conservation and local development.

You buy it in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office, or at the Monjo park entrance on the trail. It is checked at Monjo and at points along the route, so keep it accessible with your passport. The permit is single-entry for your trek and non-transferable, and it covers the whole loop including the Gokyo and Bhote valleys.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is a local-government fee that replaced the old TIMS card for this region. The revenue goes to the local municipality for trails and services. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 2,000 per person.

Crucially, this permit is only issued locally, you obtain it at Lukla on arrival or at Monjo, not in advance in Kathmandu. A small additional fee may apply for the longer stays typical of the 18-21 day Three Passes itinerary. If you book a guided package, your operator handles it for you.

No Restricted-Area Permit Needed

A common question: does linking three high passes and the Bhote valley require a special restricted-area permit? No. Unlike Manaslu, Upper Mustang or Nar Phu, the Everest Three Passes route is not in a restricted area. The two standard permits above cover the entire circuit, including Kongma La, Cho La, Renjo La, Gokyo and Thame.

• No restricted-area permit (which would be charged in USD per day).
• No peak-climbing permit, you cross passes but do not summit peaks.
• No TIMS card, the Khumbu permit replaced it.

So the permit cost is the same modest ~NPR 5,000 as the standard Everest Base Camp trek, see the cost guide.

The Licensed-Guide Rule

Since 2023, Nepal has required trekkers in its national parks and protected areas, including Sagarmatha (Everest), to be accompanied by a licensed guide, so fully independent, solo trekking is officially no longer permitted here.

• On the Three Passes, a licensed guide is essential regardless of the rule, for route-finding over glaciers and moraine, weather judgement on the passes, and altitude management.
• A guide handles permit logistics, the Lukla flight, lodge bookings and, crucially, watches you for early signs of altitude sickness at the 5,000 m-plus altitudes.
• Rules and enforcement continue to evolve, confirm the current requirement with a registered agency or the NTB before you travel.

Carry your passport and several passport photos, and keep permits handy for the checkpoints at Monjo and elsewhere. Guide costs are covered in the cost guide.