Which Permits Do You Need for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
For foreign trekkers, the two documents are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card; they serve different purposes and are arranged through different systems.
ACAP: Entry into the Annapurna Conservation Area
- ACAP is the entry permit issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and it covers access to the conservation area through which the Annapurna Circuit passes.
- You can obtain it through NTNC’s official online portal or permit counters, or have your trekking agency arrange it.
TIMS: Trekker Registration Through an Agency
TIMS records trekker, guide, and route details, and Nepal Tourism Board’s published rules list the Annapurna Circuit among routes requiring a licensed trekking guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. The current agency application system generates an electronic card with a QR code after payment.
Buying ACAP online yourself therefore does not settle the separate guide and TIMS requirements. Below, we explain the conflicting TIMS information.
Could Your Route Require Additional Permits?
Extensions into designated restricted areas require additional permission from the Department of Immigration. Before adding a side trip, give your agency the full route so it can confirm the required paperwork. An ACAP permit alone does not authorize entry into every restricted area within Annapurna.
How Much Do Annapurna Circuit Trek Permits Cost?
The standard adult Annapurna Circuit permit cost is NPR 5,000 for foreign nationals outside SAARC, combining ACAP and TIMS. Foreign SAARC nationals pay a combined NPR 2,000 under the published fee schedules.
| Trekker category |
ACAP entry permit |
TIMS card |
Combined base fees |
| Foreign nationals outside SAARC |
NPR 3,000 |
NPR 2,000 |
NPR 5,000 |
| Foreign SAARC nationals, including Indian citizens |
NPR 1,000 |
NPR 1,000 |
NPR 2,000 |
Note: These totals cover the two documents only. Guide services, agency processing charges and payment fees are separate.
Are There Any Additional Charges?
The published ACAP fee already includes tax. However, NTNC applies a 2.9% payment gateway charge when you pay online. An ACAP permit priced at NPR 3,000 therefore costs NPR 3,087 through the online payment option. Counter payments have no additional gateway charge.
Arrange ACAP before entering the trekking area: NTNC states that permits issued at checkpoints cost twice as much.
What About Nepali Trekkers and Children?
Nepali citizens pay NPR 100 per person per entry for the Annapurna Conservation Area. Children under ten do not require an ACAP permit. This exemption concerns ACAP; confirm any separate registration requirements when arranging a family trek.
Before purchasing anything separately, check your trekking package’s inclusions to avoid paying twice for permits already covered.
Is TIMS Still Required, and Do You Need a Guide?
According to Nepal Tourism Board’s published rules, foreign trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit need a licensed trekking guide and an agency-issued TIMS card and the revised provision took effect on 31 March 2023, and the Annapurna Circuit remains explicitly listed among the covered routes.
Why Do Some Websites Say TIMS Is Not Required?
- Some trekking operators report inconsistent or absent TIMS checks on Annapurna trails, which may explain why travelers describe different experiences. However, reports about checkpoint enforcement do not establish that the published requirement has been formally withdrawn.
- For trip planning, follow the official requirement and ask your registered trekking agency to confirm arrangements before departure and avoid treating another trekker’s experience at one checkpoint as permission to leave required documents behind.
Can You Arrange TIMS Yourself?
The Nepal Tourism Board's current application system is for trekking agencies. Your agency submits the trekker, guide, and route details, then receives a TIMS card with a QR code after successful payment. Although you can purchase ACAP directly through NTNC’s online portal, TIMS follows this separate agency process.
How Do You Apply Online or in Kathmandu and Pokhara?
You can arrange ACAP online or through an NTNC permit counter. Your registered trekking agency processes TIMS separately.
Apply for ACAP Online
- Visit the official NTNC e-permit portal and choose Online Payment.
- Select ACAP, complete the requested details, and upload a recent photograph.
- Check your information carefully, then pay using Visa or Mastercard.
- Retrieve the issued permit from your email or the portal and print a copy for your trek.
A successful online payment lets you receive the permit without visiting an office. Keep an offline digital backup alongside your printed copy.
Collect ACAP at a Permit Counter
- Choose Counter Pay on the same portal and complete the application. Take the resulting Permit Request Application, your valid identification, and cash to an NTNC entry-permit counter to pay and collect the permit.
- Counters are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara; use NTNC’s official counter directory for locations and contact details, and confirm opening hours before visiting.
If your trekking package includes permits, send the requested documents to your agency instead of submitting a duplicate application.
What Documents Do You Need for Annapurna Circuit Permits?
Prepare the following before applying for ACAP or sending your details to your trekking agency:
- Valid identification: A passport for foreign applicants. For Indian citizens, NTNC also accepts Aadhaar or Voter ID for the ACAP application.
- A recent digital photograph: Required for ACAP applications paid online. NTNC states that a photograph is not required for its counter-payment option.
- Personal details: Your full name, nationality, date of birth, gender, occupation, and contact information.
- Your confirmed trekking route and dates: Share these with your agency so it can complete the registration. The TIMS system records trekker, guide, and route details.
Check names and identification numbers carefully before payment. Match them to the document you will carry, and tell your agency about any planned route extensions before they issue permits.
Are Trekking Permits Included in Outfitter Himalaya’s Packages?
Yes. All Trekking permits are included in the published package prices for all Annapurna Circuit itineraries below. You do not need to purchase these separately when booking the listed package.
- Send the requested identification and trip details to our team before departure, and we can arrange the paperwork. Check the issued documents against your identification before starting the trek.
- These inclusions apply to the published itineraries, and if you customize the route or add a restricted-area extension, confirm any additional permits and charges when finalizing your booking.
Permit Validity, Checkpoints and Route Extensions
Can You Reuse Your ACAP Permit?
ACAP is valid for a single entry into the conservation area. It is also non-transferable and non-refundable. If your travel dates or itinerary change after purchase, contact NTNC or your agency to confirm what needs updating.
What Happens at Permit Checkpoints?
Keep your permit accessible throughout the trek and register at the checkpoints along your route, as NTNC requires. Protect the printed copy from rain and retain a digital backup in case it is damaged or misplaced.
Do Nar Phu or Upper Mustang Extensions Need Extra Permits?
Yes. Extensions into Nar Phu or the restricted Upper Mustang area require additional permits from the Department of Immigration. ACAP does not replace this permission; it provides your agency with the full extension itinerary before departure so it can confirm the applicable fees and arrange the required documents.
FAQS on Annapurna Circuit Treks
How Long Does It Take to Get an ACAP Permit Online?
NTNC states that it processes permits immediately after you submit the form and pay. Complete the application before traveling to the trailhead, and allow time to fix incorrect details or payment issues.
What If I Paid but Did Not Receive My Permit?
Use NTNC's permit retrieval page, select the conservation area, and enter your passport number and date of birth. If retrieval fails, contact NTNC with your payment confirmation before attempting another payment.
Can One Person Apply for a Whole Group?
Yes. NTNC's application lets you add multiple visitors through the "Add More" option. Enter each traveler's details separately; a group application does not replace the individual permits required for eligible travelers.
Do Indian Citizens Need Annapurna Circuit Trek Permits?
Yes. Indian citizens pay the SAARC rate: NPR 1,000 for ACAP and NPR 1,000 for TIMS under the published fee schedules. NTNC accepts Aadhaar or Voter ID for the ACAP application, in addition to the passport option. These are permit application requirements, separate from documents needed to travel to Nepal.
Are Permits Cheaper for a Short Annapurna Circuit Trek?
No. ACAP is charged per entry, rather than per trekking day, while the published TIMS fee varies by nationality. Choosing a shorter itinerary therefore does not reduce these standard permit fees. Check your package inclusions before budgeting for them separately.
Final Permit Checklist Before Your Trek
- Before leaving for the Annapurna Circuit, confirm that:
- Your issued permits match your identification.
- Your agency has confirmed the guide and TIMS arrangements.
- You have accessible permit copies and offline backups.
