Langtang Valley Trek Permits: National Park, TIMS & Rules
The Langtang trek needs two permits, the Langtang National Park entry permit and a TIMS card, costing about NPR 5,000 (USD 38) for foreign nationals. It is not a restricted area, so no special permit is needed. Here is exactly how to get them.
The Two Permits You Need
The Langtang Valley trek lies inside Langtang National Park in Rasuwa district. It is a teahouse trek, not a mountaineering expedition, and crucially it is not a restricted area, so there is no climbing permit and no special restricted-area permit, just two documents.
| Permit | Foreign nationals | SAARC nationals | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langtang National Park entry | ~NPR 3,000 | ~NPR 1,500 | National-park 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.
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
The National Park entry permit is the main document, with fees funding conservation and local development across the park. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals pay less.
It is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu, and is checked and registered at the park entry post near Dhunche or Syabrubesi as you reach the trailhead, as well as at points along the route. 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 (SAARC nationals pay less) and is arranged through a registered trekking agency. The card records your route and emergency contacts, and is checked alongside the park permit.
Where & How to Get Them
Both permits are most easily arranged in Kathmandu before you set off, at the Nepal Tourism Board offices, with the park permit also checked and registered at the Dhunche or Syabrubesi entry post on the way in.
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. Sort the paperwork in Kathmandu before you leave; permits cannot be obtained on the trail.
The Licensed-Guide Rule
Since 2023, Nepal's Tourism Board has required trekkers in most national-park and conservation areas, including Langtang, to be accompanied by a licensed guide, ending the era of fully solo, independent trekking on routes like this.
- In practice, hiring a licensed guide (and optionally a porter) is now the standard, safest and most reliable way to trek Langtang.
- A guide adds real value here, both for the cultural context of the Tamang and Tibetan-Buddhist villages and for sharing the story of the valley's recovery after 2015.
- 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 Langtang cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits do I need for the Langtang Valley trek?
Two: the Langtang National Park entry permit (~NPR 3,000) and the TIMS card (~NPR 2,000), together about USD 38 for foreign nationals. Langtang is not a restricted area, so no special restricted-area permit or climbing permit is needed. SAARC nationals pay less.
Where do I get Langtang trek permits?
Most easily in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board, with the park permit also checked and registered at the Dhunche or Syabrubesi entry post on the way in. Bring your passport, 2–4 passport photos and the fees in Nepali rupees. Agencies arrange both permits for you.
Do I need a guide for the Langtang Valley trek?
Effectively yes. Since 2023 Langtang National Park requires a licensed guide, ending solo independent trekking. Rules keep evolving, so confirm the current requirement before you travel, but plan on hiring a guide, who also adds cultural insight.
Is Langtang a restricted area?
No. Langtang Valley sits inside Langtang National Park but is not a restricted area, so you do not need a special restricted-area permit. You only need the National Park entry permit and a TIMS card, plus a licensed guide.
How much do Langtang permits cost in 2026?
About NPR 3,000 for the National Park entry permit 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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