To visit Restricted Areas in Nepal. a Trekking Permit must be obtained from the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
B) Restricted areas which have been opened for Group Trekking
The following restricted areas are open only for group trekkers. And a trekking permit will not be issued to individual trekkers for such areas. The areas and required fees are as follows:
With the distinction of Nepal as a trekking destination and its growing charm, a provision of the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented to ensure safety and security of the trekkers and to control illegal trekking operations.
As a trekker entering a protected area in Nepal, you will be asked to provide some information about the dates of your trip, the itinerary, and a contact number. These data will be inserted in the visitors’ database, where they can be accessed for park management purposes or in case of accidents and/or natural calamities, in order to inform the concerned institutions about the trekkers inside the park at anytime.
Past experiences have revealed that difficulties were seen while carrying out rescue operations during times of accidents and natural calamities. Due to the lack of proper record system of trekkers, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the missing trekkers. Based on the data collected through TIMS cards, however, it will be possible to know the position of a trekker in case a rescue operation is needed.
The provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) came into effect on January 1, 2008. Since then, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) started recording trekkers’ details and began issuing TIMS Card to trekkers.
NTB and TAAN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 18, 2010 to implement the TIMS system in a new format from April 1, 2023 and 42 trekking route compulsary implement TIMS . NTB and TAAN have introduced organized groups.Travelling in groups need to have Blue TIMS cards by paying Nepali currency NRS 2000 per person. Trekkers taking the service of trekking agencies can pay fee for TIMS card in US dollars as well .
Where and how to obtain a TIMS Card?
Organized Trekkers:
Trekking companies will collect trekkers’ data and enter it in the central database and will provide trekkers with a TIMS card after paying fee prescribed above.
Opening Hour/s:
- Trekking company open 24 hrs
Documents Required:
- To obtain TIMS Card you need copy of:
a) Passport
b) two (2) Passport-size Photographs.
Why is TIMS Necessary?
The following considerations have been taken into account in the process of issuing TIMS:
All important details regarding trekkers and trekking routes shall be maintained in a computerized Database Management System, which can be useful for the trekkers’ safety and security. In order to help carry out search and rescue operations for trekkers in case of natural calamities and other accidents by means of Authentic Information Service. To maintain a record system that includes personal details of trekkers, trekking area, trekking routes, handling agencies, duration, etc. The data generated from the system will be useful to all concerned stakeholders such as tourism organizations, Government agencies, diplomatic missions, tour operators, research institute, etc.
Unauthorized trekking operations will be controlled, thus, resulting in better management of trekking services, which will not only benefit trekkers and field staff, but also trekking companies and Government agencies. Occasional untoward incidents will also be better prevented. Plus, TIMS will upgrade the service standard and will contribute to better management of sustainable mountain tourism development in Nepal.
TIMS will not be required for:
- Expedition members permitted to climb the mountains
- Foreign guests invited by the Government of Nepal
- Authorities from the various diplomatic missions present in the country, who hold official letter/s and travel at their own risk
- Visitors on certain missions recommended by the concerned Governmental Department(s);
- Foreign Nationals possessing a residential visa.
Note:
National park And conservation fee Increse 13% VAT Since March 2015.
Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years of age.
This entry permit is valid for one Conservation Area. Trekkers visiting both the Conservation Areas will require obtaining individual Entry Permits for each Conservation Area.
Two passport size photographs are required while applying for each Entry
Entry permit can be obtained from EncountersNepal.com Office in Thamel, Kathmandu
Terms and Conditions
This Entry Permit is valid for single entry only and is non refundable, non-transferable. The permit holder can enter the designated places within the Conservation Area.
Person entering the Conservation Area shall abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 B.S. (1973, Nepal) and the Regulations made under this Act.
This Entry Permit must be carried during the entire trip and should be shown if concerned personnel of the Conservation Area want to check it.
Entry permits to this are a will be issued only from the entry permit counters. Entry Permits will not issued from any check posts along the routes of those areas. Therefore, all visitors are requested to obtain entry permit before entering those areas.
