If you're trekking in the Annapurna region — Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, or any variation — you need two permits: ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System). This guide covers exactly what each one is, what they cost, how to get them, and what happens if you trek without them.
ACAP: The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project is one of the world's largest community-managed conservation initiatives. Covering 7,629 square kilometres of central Nepal, ACAP is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and funded almost entirely by the entrance fees that trekkers pay.
Your ACAP permit fee funds:
- Trail maintenance and signage
- Waste management infrastructure (kerosene depots, microhydro projects)
- Reforestation and wildlife protection
- Community development projects in villages along trekking routes
- Visitor information centres and educational programmes
Cost: NPR 3,000 per person (~USD 23). Children under 10 are free. SAARC nationals pay reduced fees.
Validity: Single entry, used until you exit the conservation area. There is no expiration date as long as you remain inside ACAP boundaries on a single trek.
What you'll need to obtain it:
- Passport (original)
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Completed application form (provided at the issuing office)
- Cash in Nepali Rupees
TIMS: Trekkers' Information Management System
TIMS is a safety registration system jointly run by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). Its purpose is to keep a database of all trekkers in the country, so that in case of emergency, search and rescue teams can locate you.
When you register for TIMS, you provide:
- Your planned itinerary
- Emergency contact (home country)
- Trekking company details (if applicable)
- Insurance information
This information is stored at TAAN headquarters and shared with relevant authorities throughout your trek.
Cost:
- NPR 2,000 per person (~USD 15) for Free Individual Trekkers (FITs)
- NPR 1,000 per person (~USD 8) for trekkers booked through registered Nepal trekking companies
- SAARC nationals pay reduced fees
Note: As of April 2023, the Free Individual Trekker (FIT) category has been largely eliminated in conservation areas — all trekkers must be accompanied by a registered guide. The cheaper "group TIMS" rate applies to anyone trekking with a guide.
Where to obtain ACAP and TIMS
Both permits can be obtained at:
Kathmandu — Nepal Tourism Board Office
- Address: Bhrikuti Mandap, Exhibition Road (near Khulamanch)
- Hours: Sunday–Friday, 10am to 5pm (closed Saturdays and public holidays)
- Processing time: Roughly 30 minutes if there's no queue
Pokhara — Damside Permit Office
- Address: Damside area, near the Pokhara Tourism Board
- Hours: Sunday–Friday, 10am to 5pm
- Processing time: Similar to Kathmandu
At checkpoint: Some trekkers attempt to get permits at the trailhead checkpoints (Besisahar, Nayapul). This is not officially supported and rarely works. Always get permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start walking.
Using a trekking company
If you've booked your trek through a registered Nepal trekking operator (like us), the permit process is entirely handled on your behalf. You provide:
- A photocopy of your passport (or scan via email)
- Two digital passport photos
- Your insurance details
Your operator submits the application, pays the fees, and presents you with completed permits at the pre-trek briefing. This is one of the practical reasons many trekkers book through an operator even when not legally required — it removes a full day of administrative running around at the start of your trip.
Permit checkpoints on the trail
Your permits will be checked at multiple points throughout the Annapurna region:
Annapurna Circuit:
- Besisahar — entry checkpoint
- Chame — main administrative checkpoint
- Manang — pre-pass-crossing registration
- Muktinath — western entry to the circuit
- Nayapul — exit checkpoint
Annapurna Base Camp:
- Nayapul — main entry
- Chhomrong — Sanctuary entry
- ABC itself
Poon Hill:
- Nayapul — entry
- Birethanti — checkpoint
- Ghorepani — Poon Hill area entry
Each checkpoint will stamp your permit and record your entry. If you don't exit through an expected checkpoint within a reasonable time, ACAP authorities will alert relevant rescue services.
Lost or damaged permits
Your ACAP and TIMS permits are essentially passports for the conservation area. Losing them is a serious inconvenience. If you lose your permits on the trail:
- Inform your guide immediately
- Continue to the next checkpoint and report the loss
- Photographs of your permits (kept on your phone) help significantly
- Worst case, you'll have to return to Kathmandu or Pokhara to obtain replacements
We recommend: take a photo of both permits with your phone before you leave Kathmandu. Keep the originals in a waterproof zip-lock bag in your daypack. Keep a photocopy in your duffel bag as backup.
What happens if you trek without permits
It is illegal to trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area without an ACAP permit. Penalties:
- First offence: Fined double the permit fee
- Second offence: Significant fine, possibly deportation
- Repeat offences: Banned from trekking in Nepal
The enforcement is real. ACAP rangers and TAAN representatives stop and check permits at every major village checkpoint. You will not pass through Chame, Manang, or Chhomrong without showing your ACAP. Don't try to skip the system — the savings are minimal and the consequences are serious.
Additional permits for nearby areas
If your trek extends beyond the standard Annapurna routes, you may need additional permits:
- Upper Mustang: Restricted Area Permit, USD 500 for 10 days, plus ACAP
- Nar-Phu Valley: Restricted Area Permit, USD 100/week (Sept–Nov), USD 75/week (Dec–Aug), plus ACAP
- Tsum Valley (from Manaslu side): Different conservation area permit (MCAP), plus restricted area permit
Always check your specific itinerary with a Nepal-registered operator before assuming you have all required permits. The permit landscape changes occasionally as the government adjusts categories and pricing.
Practical advice
If you're planning your first Annapurna trek, build a full day into your Kathmandu schedule for permits. This way, if there's any delay (unexpected queue, missing paperwork, photocopy machine issues), you have buffer before you fly to Pokhara or drive to the trailhead.
Carry enough Nepali Rupees in small denominations to pay both fees. The total per person is around NPR 5,000 — bring a few thousand extra for tea, snacks, and unforeseen costs.
Photographs for permits should be standard passport size (35x45mm) with white or off-white background. Many trekkers bring 6–8 photos to Nepal to cover multiple potential needs.
And finally: keep your permits dry. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and a sodden permit is one fewer thing you need to deal with on a difficult trail day.
