The Annapurna Base Camp trek permits are the simplest of any major Nepal trekking route — one active permit required, all included in the Mountain Hike Nepal package, and your guide handles every checkpoint presentation from Birethanti to the sanctuary. The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) is the only permit currently required. Furthermore, TIMS cards are suspended across all Nepal trekking routes until further notice from TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal) — this affects EBC, Langtang, Annapurna Circuit, and every other route equally, not just ABC. Consequently, the total ABC permit cost runs approximately USD 23 per person — the lowest of any major Himalayan trekking route in Nepal — and every trekker’s only action is carrying the original passport for identity verification at two checkpoints.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Permits Required — 2026 Summary
- ACAP Permit — Full Details
- TIMS Card — Current Status
- Checkpoint Locations on the Route
- Guide Requirement 2026
- ABC Permits vs Other Nepal Treks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits — 2026 Summary
| Permit | Status | Cost Per Person | In Package? | Where Issued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | ✅ Required | NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) | ✅ Yes — included | NTB office Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Birethanti checkpoint |
| TIMS Card | ⚠️ Currently suspended | USD 0 | N/A | Not required until further TAAN notice |
| Restricted Area Permit | Not required | USD 0 | N/A | Annapurna Conservation Area is open — no RAP needed |
| NMA Trekking Peak Permit | Not required | USD 0 | N/A | ABC is a trekking route — no peak climbing permit applies |
Why the Annapurna Base Camp trek permits are simpler than most trekkers expect
The Annapurna Base Camp trek permits consist of a single active permit — the ACAP — at NPR 3,000 per person. No NMA mountaineering permit, no Restricted Area Permit, no special government clearance. Furthermore, TIMS is suspended across all Nepal trekking routes in 2026 — saving every trekker NPR 2,000 regardless of which route they choose. Consequently, ABC has the lowest permit cost of any major Nepal trekking destination and zero independent application requirements from the trekker at any point.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits — ACAP in Detail
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit covers the entire ABC route from the entry point at Birethanti through the Modi Khola gorge and into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Every trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area needs this permit — no exceptions, no age exemptions, no annual subscription system.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cost | NPR 3,000 per person (approximately USD 23) |
| Validity | Valid for the duration of the trek — no daily limits or expiry within normal trekking period |
| Where issued | Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara — or at Birethanti checkpoint on the trail |
| Documents needed | Original passport — photocopy not accepted at Birethanti checkpoint |
| Checked at | Birethanti (main ACAP entry) and Chhomrong checkpoint on the trail |
| In Mountain Hike Nepal package? | Yes — arranged before departure, guide carries all documentation |
Mountain Hike Nepal arranges the ACAP in Kathmandu before departure day — your guide carries the documentation and presents it at both checkpoints. Furthermore, the checkpoint officer verifies identity against the original passport, so carry your passport in the daypack top pocket throughout the trek — not in the porter’s duffel. Consequently, the ACAP process requires no independent action from the trekker beyond passport availability at checkpoints.
What the ACAP fee funds
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project uses ACAP revenue directly for conservation, trail maintenance, community development programmes, and environmental monitoring across the 7,629 km² Annapurna Conservation Area — the largest protected area in Nepal. Furthermore, the ACAP model is internationally recognised as one of the most effective conservation funding systems in Asia — the permit fee directly supports the communities and environments that make the ABC trek what it is. Consequently, the NPR 3,000 permit fee is one of the best-value contributions any international trekker makes on any Nepal trip.
TIMS Card — Current Status for 2026
The TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card is currently suspended until further notice from TAAN. This suspension began in 2023 and remains in effect for the 2026 trekking season.
What TIMS suspension means for all Nepal trekkers in 2026
TIMS is suspended across every Nepal trekking route — not just ABC. EBC, Langtang, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu, and all other routes operate without TIMS in 2026. No TIMS card purchase, no NTB office visit for TIMS registration, and no NPR 2,000 TIMS fee per person on any route. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal monitors TAAN communications and notifies all booked clients immediately if reinstatement is announced before departure. Consequently, any trekker booking with Mountain Hike Nepal receives automatic notification of any permit change across all routes — no independent monitoring required.
If TIMS reinstates before your departure
Should TAAN reinstate the TIMS requirement before your trek, Mountain Hike Nepal arranges it as part of the standard pre-departure permit process. Furthermore, the cost would return to approximately NPR 2,000 per person and Mountain Hike Nepal includes it in the package price without adjustment. Consequently, no trekker faces an unexpected permit cost regardless of when reinstatement occurs.
Permit Checkpoints on the ABC Route
| Checkpoint | Location | Day | Altitude | Permit Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birethanti ACAP entry | Birethanti — 20 min from Nayapul | Day 2 | ~1,025m | ACAP permit + passport identity |
| Chhomrong checkpoint | Chhomrong village | Day 3 | 2,170m | ACAP verification + registration |
| Upper sanctuary spot checks | Various above Chhomrong | Days 4–6 | 2,310–4,130m | Occasional ACAP spot checks |
What happens at checkpoints
Your Mountain Hike Nepal guide presents all permit documentation and handles the checkpoint process completely. The officer verifies your identity against the original passport and records your permit number and destination — a process that takes 2–5 minutes per trekker. Furthermore, occasional spot checks occur above Chhomrong where rangers verify permits on the upper gorge trail. Consequently, carry the original passport in the daypack top pocket throughout the trek — accessible within 10 seconds at any unexpected checkpoint, not buried in the porter’s duffel.
Guide Requirement 2026
Since April 2023, Nepal’s trekking regulation requires all foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide on all standard trekking routes — including the entire ABC route from Nayapul to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Solo or independent trekking without a licensed guide is no longer permitted under current Nepal government regulation regardless of nationality, experience level, or group size.
Furthermore, this regulation applies on every ABC trail variation — the standard Ghandruk route, the Poon Hill extension, and the Ghorepani approach all fall under the same guide requirement. Consequently, Mountain Hike Nepal includes a licensed, experienced English-speaking guide on every ABC departure as a standard inclusion — not an optional add-on. For more on independent trekking and the guide regulation: ABC Trek Without Guide — What You Need to Know →
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permits vs Other Nepal Treks
| Trek | Permits Required | Total Permit Cost | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Base Camp | ACAP only (TIMS suspended) | ~USD 23 | Lowest — single permit |
| Everest Base Camp | SNP + Khumbu Pasang Lhamu (TIMS suspended) | ~USD 38 | Two permits — all included in package |
| Langtang Valley | Langtang National Park (TIMS suspended) | ~USD 23 | One permit — simple |
| Manaslu Circuit | MCAP + MSTBZ + Tsum Valley (if applicable) | USD 175–350+ | Restricted area — complex |
| Annapurna Circuit | ACAP only (TIMS suspended) | ~USD 23 | Same ACAP — same simplicity as ABC |
| Upper Mustang | Restricted Area Permit | USD 500+ | Complex — quota-controlled |
The Annapurna Base Camp trek permits table makes the advantage clear — a single ACAP permit at USD 23 is the lowest permit cost on any major Nepal trekking route. Furthermore, no Restricted Area Permit, no NMA trekking peak permit, and currently no TIMS make ABC the most permit-straightforward major Himalayan trek available. Consequently, with TIMS suspended across all routes in 2026, ABC and Annapurna Circuit sit at the lowest permit cost of any Nepal trek at USD 23 — and the comparison with Manaslu and Upper Mustang makes the ABC financial advantage particularly clear for trekkers deciding between routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
One permit — the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) per person. The TIMS card is currently suspended until further TAAN notification and no TIMS purchase is required in 2026. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal includes the ACAP in every package price and arranges it before departure. Consequently, the Annapurna Base Camp trek permits process requires zero independent action from the trekker beyond carrying an original passport for checkpoint verification.
No — Mountain Hike Nepal arranges the ACAP before departure as part of standard pre-departure logistics. The guide carries all documentation and presents it at every checkpoint on the route. Furthermore, no independent NTB office visits, no separate applications, and no permit queue management are needed from the trekker at any point. Consequently, your only permit-related action is carrying your original passport in your daypack throughout the trek for checkpoint identity verification.
No — the TIMS card is currently suspended until further notice from TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal). This suspension remains in effect for the full 2026 trekking season. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal monitors TAAN announcements and notifies all booked clients immediately if reinstatement occurs before departure. Consequently, no trekker faces an unexpected TIMS cost on any 2026 ABC departure with Mountain Hike Nepal.
Related Planning Guides
- ABC Trek Package — Full 10-day expedition with ACAP included from USD 597
- ABC Trek Cost 2026 — Full budget including permit costs
- Day-by-Day Itinerary — Checkpoint locations on each day
- Trek Route and Map — Full route with checkpoint positions
- Trek Without a Guide — Guide regulation and what it means for independent trekkers
- How Hard Is the ABC Trek? — Full route difficulty guide
- Best Time to Trek — Season guide for 2026
One Permit. Zero Complications. Fully Handled.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek permits in 2026 are the simplest of any major Nepal trekking route — one ACAP permit at USD 23, no TIMS, no Restricted Area complexity, all arranged before departure, all presented by the guide at every checkpoint. The most permit-efficient Himalayan sanctuary trek available. Mountain Hike Nepal handles the paperwork so you can focus on the preparation that actually matters: training the knees, breaking in the boots, and booking the bus to Pokhara well in advance.
Mountain Hike Nepal has managed ABC permit logistics since 2018 as a licensed local operator in Kathmandu. When you contact us, you speak directly with the team that handles this paperwork every season. Consequently, any question about permits, the TIMS status, checkpoint procedures, or documentation requirements gets a real answer before departure day.
The full package starts at USD 597 per person for groups of 8–10, USD 659 for 4–6, USD 798 for 2–3, and USD 899 for solo trekkers. ACAP permit included. All transport included. No domestic flight required.
View the full Annapurna Base Camp Trek package →
Questions about permits, the TIMS situation, documentation, or what to carry at checkpoints? We respond within 12 hours and give straight answers.