Nepal protects its mountain regions with a small stack of permits. On our expeditions they are all arranged before you arrive, but it helps to know what they are, because they explain a lot about how the routes work.

ACAP

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit covers the whole Annapurna region, which includes the Kali Gandaki valley to Jomsom and Muktinath as well as the Marsyangdi valley to Manang. Every route we run needs it, and the fee goes toward conservation and community projects in the villages you ride through.

TIMS

The Trekkers’ Information Management System card registers travellers in the region so that authorities know who is where in the event of an emergency. It is issued alongside ACAP and is included in all of our itineraries.

Restricted Area Permit for Upper Mustang

Everything north of Kagbeni is a restricted area. The Restricted Area Permit is issued per person for a minimum of ten days and requires a registered guide, which is one reason Upper Mustang is only offered as a guided expedition. It is checked at Kagbeni on the way in and out. The permit is the single largest fixed cost on the Upper Mustang trips, and it is included in the price you see on our expedition cards.

What you need to send us

A clear scan of your passport and a passport photo, plus your travel insurance details. We lodge the applications in Kathmandu a few days before your arrival, and the guide carries the paperwork for the whole convoy so there is nothing for you to do at the checkpoints except enjoy the view.