Mardi Himal Trek Permits: ACAP, TIMS & Rules
The Mardi Himal trek needs two permits, the ACAP and a TIMS card, costing about NPR 5,000 for foreign nationals. There is no restricted-area permit. Here is exactly how to get them.
The Two Permits You Need
The Mardi Himal 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 and no restricted-area 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 Annapurna region. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals pay less.
It is checked at entry posts and at points along the route (for example around Forest Camp), so keep it accessible with your passport and dry. 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, which matters on Mardi Himal because the upper ridge is quiet and the summit section is exposed. For foreign nationals it costs around NPR 2,000 (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 Mardi Himal) 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 Mardi Himal.
- In practice, hiring a licensed guide (and optionally a porter) is now the standard, safest and most reliable way to trek Mardi Himal.
- A guide matters more here than on busier trails, they handle route-finding in cloud on the ridge, secure the limited high teahouses, and judge conditions on the exposed final section.
- 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 Mardi Himal cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits do I need for the Mardi Himal trek?
Two: the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, ~NPR 3,000) and the TIMS card (~NPR 2,000), together about NPR 5,000 for foreign nationals. There is no climbing permit and no restricted-area permit. SAARC nationals pay less.
Where do I get Mardi Himal 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 Mardi Himal trek?
Effectively yes. Since 2023 the Annapurna region requires a licensed guide, ending solo independent trekking. A guide adds real value here for navigation in cloud, the exposed final ridge and the limited high teahouses. Confirm the current rule before you travel.
Is there a restricted-area permit for Mardi Himal?
No. Mardi Himal is not a restricted area, so you only need the ACAP and TIMS card. This keeps it cheaper and simpler than restricted treks like Upper Mustang or Manaslu.
How much do Mardi Himal permits cost in 2026?
About NPR 3,000 for the ACAP and NPR 2,000 for the TIMS card, roughly NPR 5,000 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 July 1, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
Nepal Trip Planning Tools
Estimate your costs and trekking permits in seconds, built on real, current Nepali prices.
💰 Trip Cost Calculator
🎫 Trek Permit Calculator
Estimates only, fees and prices change with season and policy. Confirm with a registered agency and the Nepal Tourism Board before you travel.
Plan & Book Your Mardi Himal Trip
Booking links may be affiliate partnerships, they help keep BriefNepal free and never change the price you pay.
Nepal Currency Converter
Live exchange rates for the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) against every world currency, handy for budgeting the prices in our guides.
Live mid-market rates. For information only, banks and exchanges apply their own margins.
Planning a trip to Nepal?
Join the BriefNepal Travel list for seasonal tips, new guides and our free Nepal trip-planning checklist. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
