Last updated on February 12th, 2025 at 08:21 am
Before embarking on a trek of a lifetime in the Annapurna region, obtaining the necessary permits is a crucial step to ensure your trek goes smoothly and complies with local regulations when hiking in Nepal.
In Pokhara, a popular starting point for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, you’ll need to secure two essential permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card. This Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary trek, helps preserve the Annapurna region and ensure your safety along Nepal’s most popular trail.
In this guide to obtaining your Annapurna Base Camp Trek permits, we’ll walk you through (pun intended!) the process of obtaining your trekking permits in Pokhara, including where to go, how much they cost, and all the necessary steps involved.
While it’s possible to book a multi-day Annapurna Base Camp trek, including trekker permits, through an agency or with a guide, this post focuses on our own experience of obtaining the trekker’s permits for the Annapurna region independently, step by step.
#1 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Where to Get Your Trekkers Permit
The first step in obtaining your permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek is knowing where to go. The ACAP Entry Permit Counter in Pokhara issues the TIMS card and the ACAP Trekker’s permit.
The office address is: Tourist Police Office and Permit Office, Damside Road, Near Nepal Immigration Office, Damside, Pokhara, 33700.
Plenty of signs will be on the street indicating where the ACAP Pokhara office is located, just keep an eye out for the markers below.
#2 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Get Your Documents Ready
To get your trekker permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you need to present the following documents at the ACAP Pokhara office:
- Two passport-size photos.
The passport-size photo can be taken at the permit office, but to avoid the queues and save time, we recommend bringing two passport-sized photos with you. We obtained our passport-size photos for 150 rupees ($1) per person only 200 meters from the ACAP permit office at Mantari Mobile Rastrabank Chowk. - A photocopy of your passport (take the original along too)
- Fee for the Annapurna trekkers permit
Also, have the following information ready to fill in the Annapurna entry permit application form:
- Your entry and exit points for the Annapurna trek
- Entry and exit dates for your Annapurna trek
- Emergency contact in Nepal and your home country.
- Your insurance policy number. While we read that travel insurance is required for trekking, we were never asked for this information when applying for the Annapurna trekker’s permit. However, we strongly recommend having travel insurance in place, just to be safe – after all, who wouldn’t want coverage when embarking on an adventurous trek in Nepal?
#3 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: What are Pokhara’s ACAP Permit Office Hours
At the time of writing, the ACAP permit office in Pokhara remains open from 10 AM to 5 PM on working days (Monday-Saturday) except for national and international holidays. The lunch hours are between 1330 to 1400.
Travel Tip: During peak season, Pokhara’s ACAP permit office can get crowded, and you may face long lines if you go during the day. To save time, it’s best to arrive early in the morning and line up before the office opens. This way, you’ll be among the first to get your permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek and avoid wasting time in a queue.
Check out our 13 best tips to know when visiting Nepal
#4 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: What are the Permits Needed to Trek the Annapurna Region?
The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card are both required for trekking in the Annapurna region, but they serve different purposes:
ACAP Permit: This permit is issued by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and is required to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area, which includes the Annapurna Base Camp and other trekking routes in the region. The ACAP permit helps to preserve the area’s natural beauty and biodiversity, with the trekking permit fees contributing to conservation efforts.
TIMS Card: The TIMS card is a registration system designed to track trekkers for safety reasons. It helps authorities keep a record of trekkers in the region, which is especially important for rescue operations in case of emergencies.
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#5 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: What are the Permits Fees to Trek the Annapurna Region?
Here’s what you’ll pay for trekker permits to do any of the Annapurna Conservation Area treks including your permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
ACAP permit fees: The cost of the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is NPR 3,000 (USD 22) for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 ($7) for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC countries).
TIMS card fees: Additionally, the TIMS card costs NPR 2,000 (USD 17) for foreign nationals and NPR 1000 for SAARC trekkers.
| Permit | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| TIMS card | US$17 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area permit | US$22 |
| Total cost: | US$39 |
Note: Just like your passport, keep the TIMS card safe and intact at all points. These get checked multiple times at checkpoints located on the Annapurna Base Camp trail.
The ACAP Permit office in Pokhara only accept payment in Nepalese Rupees (NPR), so it’s best to have the exact amount in cash when you apply for the permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
#6 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Do You need a Guide to Trek in the Annapurna Region?
The question of whether or not a guide is required to trek in the Annapurna Region has caused great confusion to trekkers lately.
Starting on April 1st, 2023, new regulations require all international trekkers to have a licensed guide for most trekking routes in Nepal, including the Annapurna Circuit. If you’re planning your Annapurna trek, be sure to choose a reliable, licensed guide to comply with the new rules.
Happy Irish Wanderers set off on a 6-day Annapurna Base Camp trek in October 2024. When filling out the application form for the ACAP trekker’s permit, we left the section asking for guide information blank – see the ACA entry permit application form above.
Thankfully, no questions were asked, and we received our permits to trek to the Annapurna Base Camp within just 10 minutes.
Check out the video below to watch exactly how we got on at each stage of our multi-day Annapurna Base Camp trek:
#7 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: How Long Will the ACAP Permit Application Take?
The entire application process to obtain our permit for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, from arriving at the ACAP office to receiving our trekker permits took no more than one hour. The staff at Tourist Permit Office in Pokhara were very friendly and helpful and it was all very smooth and efficient.
These times may vary depending on the time, day, and season, so please allow flexibility.
Once you receive your ACAP permit to trek in the Annapurna Region, you are all set to explore the majestic Himalayas and take on Nepal’s most popular hike.
#8 Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Can You Apply Online For the ACAP Permit?
Yes, you can now apply for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP permit) online through the official website.
Please note that there is an additional 2.9% fee for online payments. However, for its convenience, we believe applying for your ACAP permit online is worth the extra cost, particularly if you are short on time.
Finally, don’t forget to print your ACAP permit before heading off on your Himalayan trekking adventure!
Permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Summary
Show the required documents, fill out the form given to you, pay the fees, and get the Annapurna trekker’s permit. Pretty straightforward right?!
Check out all the information you need to embark on your 6-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, from packing essentials, food, accommodation, budget, and much more.
Let us know how you get on and if there have been any changes in the process since our visit to the ACAP permit office in Pokhara.
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Slán go fóil
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