Nepal Trekking Permit Offices: Kathmandu & Regional Directory

Nepal Trekking Permit Offices: Kathmandu & Regional Directory

Knowing where to go — and what to bring — is half the battle when collecting Nepal trekking permits. Kathmandu has multiple permit-issuing offices spread across different parts of the city, each responsible for different permit types. Pokhara has its own permit counters for Annapurna-region treks. Regional parks have entry gates where certain permits can be purchased on arrival. Navigating this system without guidance wastes time, causes missed permits, and can delay your trek start.

This directory is a practical reference. Each office entry includes the address, what it issues, hours, what to bring, and tips from trekkers who have used these offices recently. Bookmark it, print it, and share it with your agency when confirming your permit plan.

Table of Contents

1. How to Use This Directory
2. Nepal Tourism Board — Kathmandu
3. Department of Immigration — Kathmandu
4. Nepal Tourism Board — Pokhara
5. ACAP Counter — Pokhara
6. Regional Park Entry Gates
7. Permit Summary by Trek
8. What to Bring to Any Permit Office
9. Processing Times and Lead Times
10. Tips for Efficient Permit Collection
11. Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use This Directory

Before visiting any permit office, determine exactly which permits your specific trek requires. For a complete breakdown of permit types by trek, see our Nepal trekking permits explained guide. The short version:

• TIMS card → Nepal Tourism Board (Kathmandu or Pokhara)
• National park permits (Sagarmatha, Langtang, etc.) → Nepal Tourism Board counter
• Conservation area permits (ACAP, MCAP, KCAP, etc.) → Nepal Tourism Board counter
• Restricted area permits (Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Kanchenjunga) → Department of Immigration, Kathmandu only

All TIMS cards and conservation/national park permits can be obtained at the NTB counter in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Restricted area permits can only be obtained from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu — not in Pokhara, not at the trailhead.

Nepal Tourism Board — Kathmandu

This is the primary permit office for the majority of Nepal trekking permits. Most trekkers spend 30–60 minutes here collecting TIMS cards and national park / conservation area permits.

Location

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Complex Pradarshani Marg (also called Exhibition Road) Near Bhrikutimandap (also known as Bhrikuti Mandap exhibition grounds) Kathmandu, Nepal

Landmark: The NTB complex is adjacent to the Bhrikutimandap exhibition hall and opposite the Nepal Tourism Board's main office building. If arriving by taxi, tell the driver "Bhrikutimandap" — every driver knows it. From Thamel, it is a 10–15 minute walk or a short taxi ride.

GPS coordinates (approximate): 27.7038° N, 85.3199° E

What Is Issued Here

Hours

Processing Time

• TIMS card: Same day (usually within 30 minutes)
• National park and conservation area permits: Same day

What to Bring

• Passport (original or clear photocopy of information page)
• 2 passport-sized photographs per permit (35mm x 45mm)
• Completed application form (forms available at the counter)
• Trekking route name — Know exactly which permit(s) you need
• Emergency contact details — Name, relationship, phone number, email
• NPR cash — Fees are paid in Nepali Rupees at this counter

Queue and Logistics

Peak season (October, November, March, April) can see queues of 20–40+ minutes. Arrive early — by 9:00–9:30 AM — to avoid the mid-morning rush. Off-season waits are minimal.

The NTB permit counter is typically staffed by 3–5 officers. They work efficiently but paperwork must be complete before you reach the counter — fill out application forms while waiting in the queue.

Department of Immigration — Kathmandu

This office issues all restricted area permits. It is a separate government department from the NTB and handles the more complex restricted area permit applications.

Location

Department of Immigration Kalikasthan Kathmandu, Nepal

Landmark: Located in the Kalikasthan area, northwest of Thamel. Ask your taxi driver for "Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan" — it is a well-known government building. From Thamel, it is approximately 10–15 minutes by taxi.

GPS coordinates (approximate): 27.7215° N, 85.3105° E

What Is Issued Here

Hours

Note: The Department of Immigration has a lunch break that may affect service. Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM for the most efficient processing.

Processing Time

• Off-season (December–August): 1 working day
• Peak season (September–November): 1–3 working days
• Holidays or application errors: additional time required

What to Bring

1. Passport original — Officers will verify the original
2. Passport photocopy — Clear copy of information page
3. 3 passport-sized photographs — 35mm x 45mm
4. Agency documentation — Your trekking agency submits this: agency registration, TAAN membership, booking confirmation
5. Detailed trek itinerary — Day-by-day, specifying dates in the restricted zone
6. Travel insurance documentation — Proof of coverage; must include helicopter evacuation
7. Permit fee — USD cash or equivalent NPR (rates vary by restricted area)
8. Emergency contact information — Required on the application form

Agency Submission

Critically: Most restricted area permit applications are submitted by your trekking agency, not by the trekker directly. Your agency attends the Department of Immigration on your behalf with the full application package. Individual trekkers rarely need to appear in person — confirm this with your specific agency.

Nepal Tourism Board — Pokhara

The Pokhara NTB office serves trekkers who base their permit collection in Pokhara rather than Kathmandu. This is particularly convenient for Annapurna-region trekkers who fly directly to Pokhara.

Location

Nepal Tourism Board — Pokhara Office Lakeside (Bardghat area), Pokhara Near the Pokhara Regional Museum and Lakeside main strip

Landmark: The NTB office in Pokhara is on the main Lakeside road. It is less prominent than the Kathmandu office — ask locally or at your guesthouse for the current exact location, as the office has relocated in recent years.

What Is Issued Here

Hours

Processing Time

• TIMS and conservation permits: Same day

What to Bring

Same documents as the Kathmandu NTB counter:

• Passport or clear photocopy
• 2 passport-sized photographs per permit
• NPR cash for fees
• Emergency contact details

ACAP Counter — Pokhara

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has its own dedicated permit counter at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara and at the start of Annapurna-region trailheads.

Location

Integrated at the NTB Pokhara office (Lakeside, Bardghat).

A secondary ACAP counter also operates at Nayapul — the traditional start of the Annapurna Circuit and the Ghandruk approach. Some trekkers purchase ACAP permits at Nayapul directly, though Pokhara is more reliable.

What Is Issued Here

Trailhead ACAP Counters

ACAP entry counters also operate at key trailheads:

• Besisahar — Start of Annapurna Circuit
• Nayapul — Poon Hill and ABC trekking approach
• Jagat / Dharapani — Upper Manang approach

These trailhead counters are convenient for trekkers who forgot to obtain ACAP permits in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Hours are typically 7:00 AM–5:00 PM on trekking days.

Regional Park Entry Gates

Many of Nepal's national parks and conservation areas have entry gates on the trail where permits can be purchased or verified. This section lists the primary gate locations for major trekking regions.

Sagarmatha National Park — Monjo Gate

Location: Monjo village (2,835m), approximately Day 3 from Lukla on the standard Everest Base Camp route.

What happens here: This is the primary Sagarmatha National Park entry checkpoint. All EBC trekkers pass through. Officers verify the national park permit and TIMS card. Permits can be purchased here, but the Kathmandu NTB counter is the standard and recommended approach.

Hours: Staffed approximately 7:00 AM–5:00 PM during peak season. May have reduced hours in off-season.

Tip: Arrive at Monjo checkpoint with your permits already obtained and in a waterproof document pouch. Having to purchase the permit here creates a queue and paperwork delay that holds up your hiking group.

Langtang National Park — Dhunche / Syabrubesi Gate

Location: Dhunche (1,950m) or the park entry gate near Syabrubesi on the Langtang Valley approach.

What happens here: Entry permits are checked before entering the Langtang Valley. Permits must be obtained in Kathmandu or can sometimes be purchased at the gate.

Practical note: The 2015 earthquake severely damaged sections of the Langtang National Park area. Trail conditions and checkpoint staffing should be confirmed with your agency before departure.

ACAP Entry — Besisahar and Nayapul

Besisahar (Annapurna Circuit start): ACAP permit counter at the bus station/entry point. Operates during business hours on trekking days.

Nayapul (Poon Hill/ABC approach): ACAP counter at the bridge start. Reliable during peak season.

Shey Phoksundo National Park — Suligad Gate

Location: Suligad, approximately 2–3 days' walk from Juphal Airport on the Lower Dolpo approach.

What happens here: This is the primary entry checkpoint for Shey Phoksundo National Park (Lower Dolpo). Foreign national entry fees ($30 USD or equivalent NPR) can be purchased here if not obtained in Kathmandu. Bring Nepali Rupees — card payments not available.

Makalu Barun National Park — Num/Seduwa Gate

Location: Near Num village (approximately 1,560m) on the approach from the Arun Valley.

What happens here: Conservation area entry checkpoint. The Makalu Barun permit ($30 USD) can theoretically be purchased here, but staffing is inconsistent. Obtaining the permit in Kathmandu is strongly recommended for this remote park.

Manaslu — Jagat Checkpoint

Location: Jagat village (1,340m), approximately 2–3 days from Soti Khola on the Manaslu Circuit.

What happens here: This is the restricted area entry checkpoint, not a permit purchase point. The Manaslu restricted area permit, conservation permit, and TIMS card must all have been obtained in Kathmandu. Officers at Jagat conduct thorough verification of all three permits and the agency paperwork. No permits can be purchased here.

Permit Summary by Trek

This table provides a quick reference for which offices to visit for popular treks.

KTM = Kathmandu; PKR = Pokhara; NP = National Park

What to Bring to Any Permit Office

Prepare this standard kit before visiting any Nepal permit office. Having everything ready avoids wasted trips.

Universal Checklist

• Passport (original) — Bring the original to every office visit
• Passport photocopies — 3–4 clear copies of the information page
• Passport photos — 5–6 photos (35mm x 45mm). Bring more than you think you need.
• NPR cash — National park and conservation area fees are NPR-denominated
• USD cash — For restricted area permits (Department of Immigration accepts USD or equivalent NPR)
• Emergency contact details — Written down: name, relationship, phone, email
• Trek name and dates — Know exactly what you're applying for
• Insurance documentation — For restricted area permit applications at Department of Immigration
• Pen — To fill out application forms

Where to Get Passport Photos in Kathmandu

Photocopy and passport photo shops are abundant on:

• Pradarshani Marg (the road outside the NTB office) — convenient for same-visit photos
• Thamel main streets — Multiple shops; rates approximately NPR 150–300 for 6 prints
• New Road — Cheaper rates, slightly further from main tourist areas

Photos are printed within minutes. Do not pay hotel business centre rates when street-level shops charge a fraction of the cost.

Processing Times and Lead Times

Same-Day Permits (NTB Counter)

These permits are issued while you wait, typically within 30–60 minutes of application:

• TIMS card (individual or group)
• Sagarmatha National Park permit
• Langtang National Park permit
• ACAP entry permit
• Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) permit
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit
• Makalu Barun National Park permit

Multi-Day Processing (Department of Immigration)

Restricted area permits require advance submission and processing time:

Build in 3 buffer days in Kathmandu for any trek requiring a restricted area permit. This accounts for public holidays, processing backlogs, and document error corrections.

Nepal's Many Public Holidays

Nepal has numerous public holidays throughout the year (Dashain, Tihar, Holi, various Buddhist and Hindu observances, national holidays). Government offices — including the Department of Immigration and the NTB — close on these days. Arriving during a major festival period without awareness of office closures is a common planning error.

Ask your agency to flag any public holidays in the 5-day window before your trek start date. Nepal's public holiday calendar uses a combination of lunar and solar calendars, so dates shift annually.

Tips for Efficient Permit Collection

1. Use Your Agency

A reputable trekking agency handles all permit collection on your behalf. This saves significant time and prevents errors. If your agency quotes a price excluding permits, add the permit costs separately — do not skip permits to save money.

2. Prepare Documents at Home

Print multiple passport copies before leaving home. Bring 8–10 passport-sized photos — they are used across multiple permits and you rarely have "too many." Store copies separately from your original passport in case of theft.

3. Visit Early

Both the NTB counter and Department of Immigration are busiest between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM during peak season. Arriving at 9:00 AM opening time cuts wait times significantly.

4. Know Your Trek

Officers ask which trek you are doing and verify permit types. Know the official name of your trek ("Sagarmatha National Park permit for the Everest Base Camp route" rather than "the Everest permit"). For restricted areas, know the area name precisely.

5. Check All Details Immediately

Before leaving any permit office, check: your name (spelling), passport number, permit dates, trek name, and agency details. Errors discovered later — especially after you reach the trailhead — cannot be corrected remotely.

6. Keep Permits Accessible and Protected

Purchase a small waterproof permit pouch or use a zip-lock bag inside your day pack. Nepal's weather — river crossings, rain, humidity — can destroy paper permits. Carry permits on your person, not in your main duffel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Permit Guides