Trekking in the Annapurna Circuit is a thrilling experience as it takes you to one of the highest passes, Thorong La Pass (5,416 m), which provides you with views of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri range, and Mount Manaslu. But you know what is not thrilling? Not having even the slightest idea about the necessary trekking permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Acquiring a permit is an integral part of the preparation phase for the trek. But why should trekkers know about the permits? It’s simple; they should know about it because they cannot trek without a permit.
But why is a permit required in the first place? The permits have two major purposes: 1) They ensure the trekkers are safe along the trail. In case of emergency, a permit like a TIMS card provides the trekker’s location to the rescue team. 2) Permits are excellent ways to monitor and regulate tourism in protected areas that are home to endemic and endangered flora and fauna. Moreover, the permits’ funds contribute to the conservation area’s maintenance and trekkers’ evacuation in an emergency, both of which are expensive. Now, let us explore the types of permits required for the Annapurna Circuit Area Trek.
On March 31st, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), made it mandatory to have the Trekkers’ Information Management System Card (TIMS Card) for individuals or groups of trekkers to trek in the Annapurna region and other parts of Nepal. TIMS card is used to mitigate the adverse incidents that trekkers might encounter, like being lost en route, having health issues, and/or experiencing natural disasters.
Having a TIMS permit during the Annapurna Circuit Trek allows trekkers to receive professional support in case of emergencies. Additionally, the card tracks trekkers and will help address the challenges faced during rescue situations. Trekkers can get the E-TIMS card from an official Nepal Tourism Board portal. The price of the TIMS card for Annapurna Circuit Trek is;
| Nationality | Cost per person |
| Non- SAARC | NPR 2,000 |
| SAARC Nationals | NPR 1,000 |
As the name suggests, a conservation area in Nepal is a protected area. Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), where the Annapurna Circuit Trek lies, is one of six such areas and the largest protected area in Nepal. The ACA is diverse in its form of vegetation and wildlife. It contains 1,352 types of plants, 518 types of birds, and 348 types of reptiles. This biodiversity must be protected, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is one way to do it.
An entry permit is mandatory for Nepalese or foreigners to enter the protected area. The ACAP permit does two things: it helps regulate and monitor tourism in the area, and it helps in the conservation and management of the endemic plants, animals, and environment with the funds received. Trekkers can obtain the entry permits in the following ways;
Important Note:
The prices for ACAP are in the table below.
| Nationality | Cost per person |
| Non- SAARC | NPR 3,000 |
| SAARC Nationals | NPR 1,000 |
| Nepalese | NPR 100 |
Annapurna Circuit Trek doesn’t cover any of the restricted areas. However, places like Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley are closer to the Annapurna circuit trek, and if anyone wants to explore it, they will need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). The government tightly controls restricted areas to safeguard these places’ unique culture and history. You can obtain the RAP from the Department of Immigration through your agency.
The cost of RAP depends on the location. Here are the prices for RAP in Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Valley, which are closer to the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
| Region | Permit Cost per person |
| Nar Phu Valley | September – November USD 100 for 1 week USD 15 per day (after 1 week) December – August USD 75 for 1 week USD 15 per day (after 1 week) |
| Upper Mustang | USD 500 (for first 10 days) USD 50 per day (after 10 days) |
You will need to provide the following documents to your trekking agency to obtain the Annapurna Circuit Trek permits;
Besides these documents, you must provide your emergency contact information and an itinerary explaining your trekking days, route, and entry/exit point.
Here are a few things that you should consider about TIMS and ACAP permits before getting them;
Trekkers must provide their passport, visa, travel insurance, and passport-sized photographs to obtain the permit. While forgetting the documents is not a grave mistake, it does delay the process. Trekkers should remember to carry the necessary documents and permits during the trek. They should carry them and present them to the authorities when requested.
There are only certain places where you can obtain the permits from. You can obtain the TIMS either from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) or the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). You can obtain ACAP from tourist service centers, NTB or National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), or from the entry gate of the conservation area. So, you shouldn’t waste your time looking for other places to obtain the permits. For convenience, you can get the permit from the agencies you hired for the trek.
TIMS and ACAP are two different permits and serve different purposes. While TIMS ensures your safety, ACAP regulates and monitors tourism and ensures the conservation area’s safety. You need both permits to trek anywhere in the Annapurna Region, including the Annapurna Circuit. Do not consider them the same permit and secure both before starting the trek.
Annapurna Conservation Area entry permit is also available at the entry point. Hence, many trekkers might ignore securing it in Kathmandu or Pokhara, hoping to get it at the entry point. However, this step might invite unwanted hassles in the future. What if they don’t have all the documents at the entry point? Therefore, they should not delay getting the permit.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, or TIMS, has regulations that trekkers must abide by. Trekkers must know about these rules and, hence, read them beforehand. They shouldn’t make the mistake of neglecting the guidelines because not following one can result in legal action. You can also ask your agency to brief you on it.
Since April 1st, 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) have made it mandatory for international trekkers to obtain the TIMS card through a registered trekking agency. Hence, you will need a trekking agency to obtain your trekking permits.
This is where many of the trekking agencies, including Core Treks, come in. We save you from the hassle of going through the tedious process of obtaining the permits. Not only that, we will also take you through the rules you need to follow during your trek.
In conclusion, you need two trekking permits for the Annapurna Circuit Trek: Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Card and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Trekkers can obtain both permits from the authorized agency. Besides, an extra permit (Restricted Area Permit) is necessary if trekkers decide to include a trek to restricted areas like the Upper Mustang or Nar-Phu Valley of Manang in their itinerary. It is of utmost importance that they carry the permits with them all the time and present them at checkpoints upon request.
Dear trekkers, acquiring permits will allow you legal access to protected areas, contribute to the conservation of the environment, and ensure your safety. After knowing about the types of permits, their importance, and how to obtain them, you are only one step away from becoming a responsible trekker.
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