Between the visa, the trekking permits, and any region-specific restricted-area paperwork, first-time visitors to Nepal often have more questions about documentation than about the trek itself. Here's what's actually required, broken down by what most trekking and climbing trips need.
01Nepal Visa
Most nationalities can obtain a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, or in advance through a Nepali embassy/consulate. On-arrival visas are typically available for 15, 30, or 90-day durations, paid in cash (USD) or by card where accepted at the airport kiosk.
What you'll need:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date
- A passport photo (some travelers pre-fill the online form linked from the Department of Immigration site to speed up the arrival process)
- Visa fee payment (check current rates before travel, as these are adjusted periodically)
Always confirm current visa fees and eligibility for your specific nationality directly with Nepal's Department of Immigration before travel, as policies and rates are updated from time to time.
02TIMS Card (Trekker's Information Management System)
For treks in non-restricted areas, most trekkers need a TIMS card, which exists primarily for safety and search-and-rescue tracking purposes. TIMS cards come in two categories:
- Individual trekkers: for those trekking without a licensed guide/agency
- Group trekkers: for those trekking through a registered agency (typically a lower rate)
Since HOP treks are guided, TIMS registration for our trips is arranged as part of your booking you won't need to sort this independently.
03Region-Specific Permits
Beyond TIMS, many of Nepal's most popular trekking regions require an additional area permit:
- ✓Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): required for any trekking in the Annapurna region, including the Annapurna Circuit.
- ✓Sagarmatha National Park Permit: required for trekking in the Everest/Khumbu region, including the Everest Base Camp Trek.
- ✓Manaslu Restricted Area Permit: Manaslu requires a special restricted-area permit rather than a standard park permit and unlike Annapurna or Everest mandates trekking with a licensed guide rather than independently. This permit is typically priced per person per day and varies by season, with autumn (peak season) usually costing more than the shoulder months. Manaslu Circuit Trek
- ✓Far-west restricted area permits (API, Saipal, Upper Dolpo, Kanchenjunga): Nepal's more remote far-west and far-east regions carry their own restricted-area permit requirements, generally with similarly mandatory guide requirements. These are arranged as part of your trek package rather than something to pursue independently, given the additional paperwork and regional coordination involved. API Trek, Saipal Basecamp Trek, Upper Dolpo Trek and Kanchenjunga Trek.
04Climbing Permits (Expeditions)
Peaks above trekking-permit territory require separate climbing permits issued by Nepal's Department of Tourism, with fees that vary significantly by peak, season, and route. "Trekking peaks" like Island Peak fall under the Nepal Mountaineering Association's permit system, while major expedition peaks (Ama Dablam, Manaslu, Everest) require permits directly through the Department of Tourism, with costs that scale with the mountain's altitude and season.
Climbing permit logistics along with liaison officer requirements where applicable are handled as part of any HOP expedition booking.
05What HOP Handles For You
If you're booking a guided trek or expedition with HOP, the practical takeaway is simple: TIMS registration, park/conservation permits, restricted-area permits, and climbing permits (where relevant) are all arranged as part of your trip package. You'll need your own visa sorted independently, along with a valid passport everything else on this list is handled on your behalf once you book.
06Before You Travel: A Quick Checklist
- ✓Passport valid 6+ months beyond entry date
- ✓Visa arranged (on-arrival or pre-approved, per current Nepal immigration policy)
- ✓Passport-sized photos (a few spares are useful for permit paperwork)
- ✓Confirm with your operator which permits are included vs. need independent arrangement
- ✓Travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking/climbing and evacuation
Let us handle the paperwork
Get in touch with any visa or permit questions before you book.
