Annapurna Base Camp Permit 2026 — Cost, Online Application & Rules

You need only one permit to trek to Annapurna Base Camp in 2026: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. The TIMS card is no longer required. And the biggest change most guides haven't caught up with: you can now get your permit entirely online through the official NTNC portal — pay by card, receive it by email, and skip the office queue completely.

If you have read elsewhere that you need two permits, or that a guide is mandatory, that information is out of date. This guide gives you the current, official position — taken directly from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), the body that actually issues the permit.

Key Takeaways:

• You need one permit only — the ACAP, costing NPR 3,000 (foreign) or NPR 1,000 (SAARC).
• The TIMS card is not required for Annapurna Base Camp.
• You can now apply fully online and receive your permit by email (a 2.9% card charge applies).
• Buying your permit at a check-post costs double — always get it before you start.
• A guide is not compulsory — NTNC "strongly recommends" one, but the permit does not require it.
• The permit is single-entry, non-refundable, and non-transferable — get your dates right.

Quick Facts — Annapurna Base Camp Permit 2026

What Permits Do You Need for Annapurna Base Camp?

You need exactly one permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). It is issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation and grants you legal entry to the Annapurna Conservation Area, which covers the entire ABC trail.

That is the complete requirement. No second permit, no national park fee, no TIMS card.

The ACAP fee funds trail maintenance, waste management, wildlife conservation, and community projects across the 7,629 km² conservation area — so the money goes directly back into the landscape you have come to walk through.

If you are trekking into a restricted area instead (Upper Mustang, Nar Phu), you need additional special permits from the Department of Immigration. But for the standard Annapurna Base Camp trek — including via Ghorepani and Poon Hill — the ACAP alone is all you need.

Do You Still Need a TIMS Card? (The Honest Answer)

No. The TIMS card is not required for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. This is the single most confusing point in Nepal trekking, because a large share of the trekking blogs and even some agency websites still tell you that you need one.

Here is the honest picture:

• The TIMS requirement was dropped for the Annapurna region and is no longer enforced on the ABC trail
• The official NTNC permit system does not mention TIMS at all — the application asks only for the ACAP
• Checkpoints on the trail check your ACAP, not a TIMS card
• Websites still quoting you "ACAP + TIMS = NPR 5,000" are working from outdated information

We are being direct about this because trekkers regularly arrive in Kathmandu having budgeted for two permits, or worse, waste half a day queuing at a second office for a document they do not need. One permit. That is it.

Annapurna Base Camp Permit Cost

The ACAP permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, with tax included. These are the official rates set by NTNC and they do not change by season — you pay the same in peak October as you do in monsoon July.

Two things to budget for beyond the fee itself: if you pay online, a 2.9% payment gateway charge is added; and if you need passport photos, expect a small cost for those in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Nepali citizens should check current rates directly at the counter, as domestic pricing is handled separately.

The headline point is that this is a genuinely cheap permit by world standards — around USD 23 for access to one of the great trekking regions on Earth.

How to Get Your ACAP Permit Online (The New Way)

You can now get your Annapurna Base Camp permit entirely online through the official NTNC e-permit portal — no office visit, no queue, no cash. You fill in the application, pay by Visa or Mastercard, and the permit arrives by email. This is the single biggest improvement to Nepal's permit system in years, and it is still not widely known.

The official portal: Epermit

How it works:

1. Go to the portal and read the terms
2. Choose Online Payment (Visa or Mastercard accepted)
3. Complete the application with your passport details, trek route, and entry/exit dates
4. Pay the fee — a 2.9% payment gateway charge is added for online payments
5. Your permit is emailed to you — print it and carry it on the trek

You do not need to visit the permit counter if you pay online. For trekkers arriving on a tight schedule, this alone can save you half a day in Kathmandu.

One important note: carry a printed copy. Connectivity on the trail is unreliable, and checkpoints may not accept a permit shown on a phone screen.

Counter Payment — Kathmandu & Pokhara Offices

If you prefer to pay in cash, you can apply online and select Counter Payment, then collect and pay for your permit in person. There is no gateway surcharge on counter payment.

Where to go:

• Kathmandu: the permit counter at the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap
• Pokhara: the permit counter at Damside (near the Tourist Police / Immigration office)

Bring your passport or valid identification to collect the permit. The process usually takes well under an hour if you arrive with your documents ready, though queues build in peak season — mornings are quieter.

Honest advice: if you are pressed for time or arriving during October or April, just do it online. The 2.9% surcharge on a NPR 3,000 permit is under a dollar, and it buys you a free morning in Kathmandu.

Documents Required

The ACAP application is simple, and you do not need a detailed day-by-day itinerary — a general route outline is enough. Here is what to have ready.

• Passport (original, for counter collection; details for online)
• Photocopy of your passport photo page
• Passport-sized photos (bring a couple; useful for other paperwork too)
• Your trek route — a general outline, not a rigid schedule
• Entry and exit dates for the conservation area
• Emergency contact details
• Guide and porter details — only if you are using them (these fields are optional)

Make sure every detail matches your passport exactly. The permit is checked against your passport at the checkpoints, and a mismatch causes problems on the trail.

Never Buy Your Permit at a Check-Post — It Costs Double

Permits issued at a check-post are charged at double the standard fee. This is stated explicitly by NTNC. If you turn up at Birethanti without a permit, you will pay NPR 6,000 instead of NPR 3,000.

Get your permit before you leave Kathmandu or Pokhara — either online (fastest) or at the counter. There is no advantage whatsoever to leaving it until the trail, and it is one of the easiest ways to waste money on this trek.

The same logic applies to timing: the permit is non-refundable and non-transferable, so if your dates change after purchase, you cannot swap it. Buy it once you are confident in your start date.

Where Permits Are Checked on the ABC Trail

Your ACAP permit is checked at official checkpoints along the route by conservation authorities, and you must carry it with you for the entire trek. NTNC also asks trekkers to register at check-posts, which helps them monitor visitor numbers and — importantly — improves your chances of rescue in an emergency.

The main checkpoints on the ABC trail:

• Birethanti (1,025 m) — the first and main entry check-post, near Nayapul
• Ghorepani — if you trek the Poon Hill route
• Chhomrong (2,170 m) — the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary

Random additional checks can happen higher up. Keep your printed permit accessible — not buried at the bottom of your duffel. If you trek with us, your guide handles all permit check-in and check-out at every post.

Permit Rules You Must Know

The ACAP comes with a set of official conditions that most trekkers never read — and one of them catches people out badly.

• Single entry only — the permit covers one entry into the conservation area
• Non-transferable and non-refundable — plan your dates carefully before you buy
• Must be carried at all times and shown to conservation staff on request
• Drones are strictly prohibited unless you have prior approval from the authorities — this catches out photographers and content creators every season
• Hunting is prohibited; fishing requires a separate local permit
• Register at check-posts along the route
• Collecting scientific specimens requires NTNC approval

The drone rule deserves emphasis, because it is genuinely enforced and very few blogs mention it. If you are planning to fly a drone in the Annapurna Conservation Area, you need prior approval — turning up with one and hoping is a real risk to your gear.

Does One ACAP Cover Multiple Treks?

Yes — one ACAP permit covers your entire stay within the Annapurna Conservation Area, not just a single trail. If you plan to combine Annapurna Base Camp with Ghorepani Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, or another route inside the conservation area, the same permit covers all of it.

To make this work smoothly:

• List all the routes you plan to trek on your application
• Give an accurate entry date and expected exit date
• The permit remains valid until you exit the conservation area

This is genuinely useful if you are combining treks — for example, Mardi Himal plus ABC, or ABC via Ghorepani Poon Hill. One permit, one fee. Note that this does not extend to restricted areas like Upper Mustang or Nar Phu, which need their own special permits.

Do You Need a Guide for Annapurna Base Camp? (Official Answer: No)

A guide is not compulsory for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The official NTNC permit application lists guide and porter details as optional — the form states them as applying only "in case using services from a guide or porter," and describes trekking with a certified guide as "strongly recommended," not required. You can legally obtain an ACAP and trek to ABC independently.

We are saying this plainly because several agency websites claim a guide is legally mandatory for ABC. That is not what the official permit system says.

That said, NTNC recommends a guide for good reasons, and after years on this trail, so do we — not because of the paperwork, but because of what actually goes wrong up there:

• Altitude judgment — a guide notices the early signs of altitude sickness before you do
• Teahouse booking — in October and April, the few lodges at MBC and ABC fill by mid-afternoon
• Weather and trail conditions — snow, landslides, and closures change fast
• Emergency response — coordinating an evacuation from Deurali is not something to figure out for the first time when you need it

So: trek independently if that is what you want, and do it legally. But make the choice knowing what a guide actually adds — which is not a stamp on a form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits do I need for Annapurna Base Camp?

Only one — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), costing NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. The TIMS card is not required.

How much does the Annapurna Base Camp permit cost?

NPR 3,000 (about USD 23) for foreign nationals, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Children under 10 do not need a permit. Buying at a check-post costs double.

Do I still need a TIMS card for ABC?

No. TIMS is not required for the Annapurna Base Camp trek and is not checked on the trail. Websites still listing TIMS as mandatory are out of date.

Can I get the ACAP permit online?

Yes. Apply through the official NTNC portal at epermit, pay by Visa or Mastercard, and the permit is emailed to you. A 2.9% payment gateway charge applies. Print it and carry it on the trek.

Where do I get the ACAP permit in Kathmandu?

At the permit counter at the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap. In Pokhara, the counter is at Damside. Bring your passport. Or skip the queue entirely and apply online.

Is a guide mandatory for the Annapurna Base Camp trek?

No. The official NTNC permit application lists guide and porter details as optional and describes a certified guide as "strongly recommended," not required. You can legally trek ABC independently with a valid ACAP.

What happens if I trek without a permit?

You will be stopped at the Birethanti checkpoint and turned back, or forced to buy a permit at double the standard fee. There is no way around the checkpoints — permits are checked and matched to your passport.

Does one ACAP permit cover Mardi Himal and Poon Hill too?

Yes. A single ACAP covers your whole stay in the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you can combine ABC with Poon Hill or Mardi Himal on one permit. Just list all your intended routes on the application.

Can I fly a drone on the ABC trek?

No — drones are strictly prohibited in the conservation area unless you have prior approval from the authorities. This is officially enforced, so do not assume you can fly one.

Conclusion — One Permit, Ten Minutes Online

The permit side of the Annapurna Base Camp trek is far simpler than the internet makes it look. One permit — the ACAP. NPR 3,000. No TIMS. No mandatory guide. And now you can get it online in a few minutes without ever visiting an office.

The three things worth remembering: get your permit before you reach the trail (a check-post permit costs double), carry a printed copy (connectivity fails, and checkpoints want paper), and get your dates right (the permit is non-refundable).

If you trek with us, none of this is your problem — we arrange your ACAP before you arrive, handle every checkpoint check-in on the trail, and you never see a form.

→ See our 14-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek — permits, guide, and teahouses all arranged
→ The 9-day ABC Express Trek — for those short on time
→ Read our ABC trek difficulty guide — how hard is it really?
→ Trekking in October? Read our October guide