We explain the current Annapurna Conservation Area Permit cost, required paperwork, and office procedures for your trek.
Understanding current Annapurna conservation area permit cost and requirements
Securing the correct paperwork for the Annapurna region requires two distinct documents: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card. When our teams lead groups toward the Annapurna Base Camp or the high passes, we handle these filings directly at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Fees change periodically, and understanding the precise documentation needed saves valuable hours before stepping onto the trail at Besisahar or Nayapul.
We advise all prospective travellers to sort these permits at least one working day prior to departure. Our lead guides collect your original passport, passport-sized photographs, and insurance details to process the paperwork smoothly through the government desks.
Official fee structure and breakdown
The financial contribution for entering the Annapurna region directly supports local conservation projects, trail maintenance, and community development across villages like Chhomrong, Manang, and Jomsom. Below is the standard fee schedule our team encounters at the permit counters:
| Permit Type | Cost per Person | Issuing Authority | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACAP (Foreign Nationals) | NPR 3,000 | NTB Kathmandu / Pokhara | Single Entry (No limit on duration) |
| ACAP (SAARC Nationals) | NPR 1,000 | NTB Kathmandu / Pokhara | Single Entry |
| TIMS Card (Group Trekker) | NPR 1,000 | TAAN / NTB Desk | Duration of trek |
| TIMS Card (Free Independent) | NPR 2,000 | TAAN / NTB Desk | Duration of trek |
When evaluating routes, trekkers often weigh the region against alternative itineraries such as the Langtang Valley trek, where similar conservation fees apply.
Step-by-step permit acquisition process
Obtaining your paperwork requires a systematic approach. Our office staff follows a strict protocol when visiting the Nepal Tourism Board in Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu, or the Lakeside office in Pokhara. Here is how we complete the process for every trekker:
- Submit original passport with at least six months validity remaining.
- Provide two recent passport-sized photographs for the ACAP registration.
- Fill out the official ACAP entry form with your itinerary details, emergency contacts, and entry/exit checkposts.
- Pay the applicable fees in Nepalese Rupees (NPR) at the designated bank counter inside the tourism board building.
- Present the payment voucher back to the permit officer to print and laminate your ACAP card.
- Proceed to the adjacent TIMS counter to register your trekking route and receive your green or blue registration card.
If you are comparing this route with eastern trails, you can review our notes on the Everest Base Camp permit cost to see how Sagarmatha National Park fees differ from Annapurna.
Required documents and practical tips
To ensure your paperwork is accepted without delay, our guides inspect every trekker's file before leaving the hotel. Missing documents cause frustrating bottlenecks at the checkpoint gates in Dharapani or Birethanti.
- Original passport valid for six months beyond your trip dates.
- Four physical passport-sized photographs (bring extras from home as photo booths near the Kathmandu office can have long queues).
- Travel insurance policy number and 24/7 emergency assistance contact details.
- Exact cash in Nepalese Rupees, as credit card machines at the permit counters frequently experience connectivity drops.
- Detailed day-by-day itinerary showing your expected entry and exit village gates.
- A waterproof pouch to keep your laminated ACAP and TIMS cards dry during sudden afternoon monsoon showers.
We always remind participants that these permits are checked at multiple official checkpoints along the trail. Losing your card results in having to repurchase the permit at full cost on the mountain.
