How to get an Annapurna Trekking Permit

Wondering how to go about getting an Annapurna trekking permit? You’re in the right place! In this guide, I share an easy step by step guide, including everything you’ll need to secure a permit.

Most trekking routes within the Annapurna region, including Annapurna Base Camp, are located within the Annapurna Conservation Area. 

To this end, all hikers are required to obtain a trekking permit along with a TIMs card before trekking here. 

After deciding that we would complete the Annapurna Base Camp circuit without a guide or agency, it was down to us to prepare all the documentation we needed to trek. 

We found that getting an Annapurna Trekking Permit is straightforward; however, there are some things you will need to consider.

Everything you need to know is all here in this blog post. So let’s get into it.

How to get an Annapurna Trekking Permit in 2022

1. Organise your travel insurance
2. Decide on your trek and itinerary
3. Trekking alone or with a guide
4. Locate your nearest tourist centre
5. Prepare what you need for the application
6. TIMs and Annapurna trekking permit cost
7. Complete the application forms
8. Time to prepare for your trek

Step 1:  Organise your Travel Insurance

Most standard travel insurance packages do not include high altitude trekking. It’s usually something you need to include as an add-on.

But since the risks of trekking at a high altitude are significant, it’s highly recommended that you get cover. 

We saw many people having to be helicoptered down due to altitude sickness or injury. Helicopter rescue cost is $2500, so unless you can afford that, be sure to get suitable cover.  

World Nomads are our favoured travel insurers as they make it super easy to make changes to your policy. 

We contacted them the day before we were due to start our trek, and a simple add on gave us cover right away. Get a quick quote from World Nomads using the button below.

Step 2:  Decide on your trek and plan your itinerary

There are numerous treks to choose from within the Annapurna region. 

From the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp treks to the shorter and less challenging trails – there’s a trek to suit everyone

When you apply for your Annapurna Trekking Permit and TIMs card, they will want to know which trekking route you are planning to take. 

They will also want to know when you plan to start and finish the trek.  It doesn’t have to be entirely accurate, but having an idea of your itinerary will help with the application.

If you don’t want to bother with permits and TIMs cards, you could try a permit free hike like the Pikey Peak Trek.

Step 3:  Decide if you will trek alone or with a guide

Whether you decide to trek in an organised group, with a guide, or independently will determine the next steps of this process. 

If you organise your trek through an agency or a guide, they will usually take care of the documentation for you.  Just be sure to check in advance if they will organise your permit and TIMs card.

While the popular treks within the Annapurna region do not require that you trek with a guide, many trekkers still choose to hire them. 

There are some advantages to having a guide; however, we wouldn’t say it is necessary on the busier trails.  That being said, I can only speak from experience on the Annapurna Base Camp trek.  

Step 4:  Locate your Nearest Tourist Centre

• Kathmandu: Nepal Tourism Board, Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu 44617, Nepal
• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday.  10am – 5pm (Closed Saturdays)

• Pokhara: ACAP Office, Pokhara 33700, Nepal
• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday.  10am – 5pm (closed Saturdays)

Step 5:  Prepare what you need for the application

Here is a list of everything you will need to take with you to the tourist centre when applying for your permits.

• Passport
• 4 x Passport Photos  (In Pokhara, they took these free of charge at the tourist centre)
• Trekking Route (Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp etc.)
• Entrance & exit points of your trek
• Trekking Itinerary (Approximate start and end date)
• Emergency Contact Information Local (Can be your hotel or guesthouse)
• Emergency Contact Information Family
• Fees in local currency  (more information below)
• Travel Insurance Details (see step 1)

Step 6:  TIMs & Annapurna Trekking Permit Cost

• ACAP (Annapurna Trekking Permit) Foreigners: 3,000 NPR ($25/£19)
• TIMS permit (with a guide): 1,000 NPR ($9/£6) 
• TIMS permit (without a guide): 2,000 NPR ($18/£13)

For more information on trekking permits and TIMs cards, you can visit the official tourism website of Nepal.

Step 7:  Complete the Application Forms

Once you’ve gathered everything required for your application, head to your nearest tourism centre and complete the relevant application forms. 

They shouldn’t take you long to complete if you have followed the steps above. 

Once you have handed everything over to the staff, and so long as everything is in order, you will have both your TIMs and Annapurna trekking permit in around 15 minutes.

Step 8:  Time to Prepare for your Trek!

Now you have the relevant permits it’s time to prepare for your trek.  Be sure to check out the following articles that will help ensure you a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable trek in Nepal: 

• Complete the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in 7 Days 
• Ultimate Packing List for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• How we trekked to Annapurna Base Camp on less than £20 a Day
• A beginners guide to the Annapurna Circuit Trek
• Poon Hill – The best short trek in Nepal

Thank You For Reading!

Well, that concludes our step by step guide to getting your Annapurna Trekking Permit.  

If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comment section below.

Stay Adventurous & Happy Trekking,

Charlotte & Natalie x

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