Every trekker heading to Annapurna Base Camp needs the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 22–25) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Children under 10 trek free. The older TIMS card was officially discontinued for the Annapurna region on April 1, 2023, and has been replaced by a mandatory licensed guide requirement — every foreign trekker must now travel with a guide from a registered agency instead of registering independently. If you book through Annapurna Encounter, both your permit and your licensed guide are arranged for you before you leave Kathmandu or Pokhara.
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That's the short version. Below is everything else you'll want to know before you go.
Why the ABC Trek Requires a Permit at All
The entire Annapurna Base Camp route runs through the Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected zone of roughly 7,600 square kilometers managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) on behalf of the Government of Nepal. It was established in 1986 as Nepal's first conservation area, and it remains one of the only protected areas in the world run largely by the local communities living inside it.
The permit fee isn't a formality — it directly funds trail maintenance, drinking water systems, forest and wildlife protection, and community development in villages like Ghandruk, Chhomrong, and Sinuwa that you'll pass through on the way to base camp. Trekking without one isn't just against the rules; it also means the trail infrastructure you're relying on (bridges, signage, lodges, rescue coordination) loses the funding that keeps it running.
ACAP Permit: Cost, Purpose & How It Works
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is the one document every trekker must have before setting foot on the ABC trail. Here's what to know:
- Cost (2026): NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (~USD 22–25), NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, and free for children under 10 (though their details still need to be registered)
- Issued by: The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), under the Government of Nepal
- Validity: Single entry, valid for the full duration of your trek — no renewal needed on the trail
- Where to apply: Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu, the Tourism Office in Pokhara (Damside), or through a registered trekking agency
- Currency: Fees are payable in Nepali Rupees only — foreign cards and currency are not accepted at the counter
Fees stay the same year-round, whether you trek in the busy autumn season or the quiet monsoon months. Ghandruk, one of the villages on the standard route, also collects a small separate rural municipality entry fee — your guide or agency will handle this for you.
Do You Still Need a TIMS Card for Annapurna Base Camp in 2026?
This is where a lot of outdated blog posts get it wrong, so it's worth being precise: no, you do not need a standalone TIMS card for the Annapurna Base Camp trek in 2026.
The Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card was introduced in 2008 to track independent trekkers for safety purposes. As of April 1, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board discontinued the requirement for the Annapurna region and replaced it with a different safety mechanism: a mandatory licensed guide. Instead of registering your route on a paper card, your presence, itinerary, and emergency contacts are now recorded through your guide's registered trekking agency — which achieves the same safety-tracking purpose TIMS used to serve.
Practically, this means:
- Independent, guideless trekking is no longer permitted in the Annapurna Conservation Area
- ACAP is the only permit checked at trail checkpoints such as Birethanti and Chhomrong
- Some agencies still mention "TIMS" in their cost breakdowns out of habit — if you see a separate TIMS fee quoted, it's worth asking exactly what it covers
The Mandatory Guide Rule (Since April 2023)
Since April 1, 2023, the Nepal government requires every foreign trekker in the Annapurna Conservation Area to trek with a licensed guide from a registered trekking agency. This rule was introduced after a string of solo-trekker rescue incidents and is now strictly enforced at ACAP checkpoints — trekkers without a guide can be turned back before they reach the trailhead.
This is also, in practice, why booking with a registered operator like Annapurna Encounter simplifies your entire permit process: your ACAP, your licensed English-speaking guide, and your checkpoint paperwork are bundled into one arrangement rather than something you have to piece together yourself in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit Cost 2026 — Full Breakdown
| Nationality | ACAP Permit Fee | TIMS Card | Guide Requirement | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign nationals | NPR 3,000 (~$22–25) | Not required (discontinued 2023) | Mandatory licensed guide | ~$25–30 in permits + guide fee |
| SAARC nationals | NPR 1,000 (~$7–8) | Not required | Mandatory licensed guide | ~$8–10 in permits + guide fee |
| Children under 10 | Free | Not required | N/A | Free (registration still required) |
| Nepali citizens | NPR 100 (nominal) | Not required | Not required | Negligible |
Beyond the permit fee itself, budget a small amount for extras: passport-sized photos (get these printed cheaply in Thamel before you travel), a photocopy of your passport, and — if you're arranging things independently rather than through an agency — transport to and from the permit office.
Where to Get Your ABC Trek Permit
You can apply for the ACAP permit at two official locations:
- Kathmandu — Nepal Tourism Board office, Bhrikutimandap
- Pokhara — Tourism Office, Damside (the more convenient option if you're starting your trek from Pokhara, as most ABC itineraries do)
Documents you'll need:
- Original passport
- One passport-sized photo (some offices ask for two)
- The permit fee in Nepali Rupees, cash only
If you're trekking with an agency, none of this falls on you — your guide or the office team handles the paperwork, the queue, and the payment before your trek begins, and hands you the printed permit at your pre-trek briefing.
Where Your Permit Gets Checked on the Trail
Carry your ACAP permit with you at all times once the trek begins. It's verified at multiple checkpoints along the route, most notably at:
- Birethanti, right at the start of the trail near Nayapul
- Ghandruk entry checkpoint
- Chhomrong, before the trail climbs toward the sanctuary
Keep a photo of your permit on your phone as a backup in case the physical copy is damaged or misplaced — checkpoint staff generally accept this if the original was genuinely lost, though it's best not to rely on it.
What Happens If You Trek Without a Permit
Trekking without a valid ACAP permit is not a minor technicality. If you're stopped at a checkpoint without one, you can expect:
- An on-the-spot fine, often double the standard permit fee
- Being turned back until you obtain the correct permit
- Denial of entry into the conservation area altogether
Since guideless trekking is also no longer allowed in the region, independent trekkers without an agency-arranged guide face the same risk, regardless of whether they're carrying a permit.
How Annapurna Encounter Handles Your Permits
At Annapurna Encounter, permit arrangement is built into every Annapurna Base Camp Trek package — Budget, Standard, and Premium alike. That means:
- Your ACAP permit is processed before you set foot on the trail
- You're matched with a licensed, English-speaking guide, satisfying the mandatory guide requirement
- You only need to provide a digital passport photo and a copy of your passport — no queuing at government offices
- Your guide carries and presents your permit at every checkpoint along the route
If you're comparing options for your Annapurna Base Camp trek in 2026, you can see the full day-by-day itinerary, group pricing, and what's included at each package level on our Annapurna Base Camp Trek page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek? Yes. Every trekker needs the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals in 2026.
Is the TIMS card still required for Annapurna Base Camp? No. The TIMS card was officially discontinued for the Annapurna region on April 1, 2023, and replaced by a mandatory licensed guide requirement.
How much does the Annapurna Base Camp trek permit cost in 2026? The ACAP permit costs NPR 3,000 (about USD 22–25) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Children under 10 trek free.
Can I get the ACAP permit myself, or do I need an agency? You can technically apply in person at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. However, since a licensed guide is now mandatory for all foreign trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation Area, most trekkers arrange both the guide and the permit through a registered agency.
Where do I get the Annapurna Base Camp trek permit? At the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu, the Tourism Office in Pokhara (Damside), or through a licensed trekking agency that processes it on your behalf.
Can I trek to Annapurna Base Camp without a guide? No. Since April 2023, all foreign trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide from a registered agency to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area.
What documents do I need for the ABC trek permit? Your original passport, one passport-sized photo, and the permit fee in Nepali Rupees (cash only).
Are children exempt from the ABC trek permit fee? Yes. Children under 10 do not pay the ACAP fee, though their details still need to be registered.
Planning your trek? Browse the full Annapurna Base Camp Trek itinerary, cost breakdown, and package options with Annapurna Encounter, where permits and your licensed guide are arranged for you from day one.
