Nepal Trekking Permits 2026: EBC, Annapurna & Mustang
Nepal quietly rewrote its trekking permit rules over the past year, and most of the internet hasn't caught up.
The short answer
Nepal quietly rewrote its trekking permit rules over the past year, and most of the internet hasn't caught up. The headline changes for 2026: Upper Mustang's famous $500 permit is gone, replaced by a $50-per-day system — and as of March 2026, solo trekkers can get restricted-area permits again. Meanwhile TIMS, the card every guidebook tells you to buy, is no longer even checked in the Everest and Annapurna regions.
We've been trekking Nepal for over twenty years — Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the walled kingdom of Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang. See our Nepal destination page. Here's what you actually need in 2026, route by route.
The 2026 Permit Picture, Route by Route
Everest Base Camp
No TIMS required. You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee, both payable en route (Lukla or Monjo). Straightforward — the harder currency on the EBC trail is lodge beds in October.
Annapurna (Circuit, Sanctuary, Poon Hill)
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP — NPR 3,000, roughly $30) has replaced TIMS at checkpoints. Buy it in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start.
Upper Mustang — the big change
The old rule was a flat $500 for 10 days, a price that kept Lo Manthang among the least-visited great destinations in the Himalaya. Since late 2025 it's $50 per person per day — same money for ten days, but shorter trips are suddenly affordable, and longer explorations scale fairly. You still need three pieces of paper: the Restricted Area Permit ($50/day), ACAP ($30), and a TIMS card ($20) — yes, TIMS survives here. And one non-negotiable: a licensed guide is mandatory in Upper Mustang, checked rigorously at posts along the route.
Langtang, Manaslu & far-western Nepal
TIMS remains required here, and Manaslu carries its own restricted-area permit with a guide requirement. Rules differ trek by trek — ask before you plan.
At a glance
| Trek | What you need (2026) | Guide required? |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Sagarmatha NP permit + Khumbu municipality fee | No (recommended) |
| Annapurna routes | ACAP (~$30) | No (recommended) |
| Upper Mustang | RAP $50/day + ACAP + TIMS ($20) | Yes — mandatory |
| Manaslu Circuit | Restricted permit + MCAP/ACAP + TIMS | Yes — mandatory |
| Langtang | Langtang NP permit + TIMS | No (recommended) |
The honest caveat: Nepal's permit rules have changed three times in three years. Treat any article — including this one — as a snapshot, and confirm current rules when you book. We re-verify with every departure.
Why Upper Mustang Is the One to Watch
The permit change matters because Upper Mustang is the closest thing to old Tibet that remains fully open to travelers: a walled capital at Lo Manthang, cave monasteries, arid canyons behind the Annapurna rain shadow — trekkable even in monsoon season, when the rest of Nepal drips. At $500 flat, it filtered out everyone but the committed. At $50/day, a 7-day taste is now $350 in permits — expect visitor numbers to climb. If Lo Manthang has been on your list, 2026–27 is the window before the word fully gets out.
Mustang trips
When to Go
- October–November: the classic season everywhere — stable air, sharp peaks, busy trails. Book lodges early.
- March–May: rhododendron forests in bloom on Annapurna and Everest approaches; warmer, hazier afternoons.
- June–September (monsoon): the secret season for Upper Mustang and other rain-shadow treks, which stay dry while the south drenches.
- December–February: cold, clear, quiet. Lower treks shine; high passes close.
Independent vs. Guided: An Honest Take
On EBC and Annapurna, independent trekking is legal and thousands do it happily. What a guide changes: route flexibility when weather closes a pass, lodge relationships in peak season, a margin of safety at altitude, and — the part we care most about — the connection to the places you walk through. On restricted routes (Mustang, Manaslu) the question is moot: the guide is required, so the real choice is between an operator who processes paperwork and one who has walked these trails for twenty years and knows which cave monastery the caretaker will actually open.
FAQ
Do I still need a TIMS card in Nepal?
How much is the Upper Mustang permit in 2026?
Can I trek Nepal solo in 2026?
What permits do I need for Everest Base Camp?
When is the best season for Upper Mustang?
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Plan Your Trek
Whether it's the classic walk to Everest Base Camp or the newly affordable road to Lo Manthang, we'll tell you exactly what paperwork your route needs this season — because we're re-checking it anyway for our own departures.
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