ABC Permits 2026: Complete Annapurna Base Camp Permit Guide

Introduction to ABC Permits

If you’re planning the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you’ve probably found conflicting information about ABC Permits 2026. Many blogs still quote outdated rules, while others contradict each other about the TIMS for ABC Trek and Annapurna Base Camp permit requirements. This guide explains the latest ABC Trek permits, ACAP permit, and Annapurna Base Camp permit cost 2026 so you can prepare with confidence.

Here’s what’s actually required for 2026: one mandatory permit and one that’s no longer enforced.

Permit rules have changed more in the last three years than in the two decades before that. The mandatory-guide rule came in 2023, TIMS has been phased down on standard routes, and restricted-area permits opened up to solo trekkers in early 2026.

This guide covers exactly what’s required today, how much it costs, where to get it, and which “requirements” you’ll read elsewhere are simply outdated.

What Permits Do You Need for the ABC Trek in 2026?

You need one permit for the ABC Trek in 2026: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

The TIMS card is not consistently checked or required on standard Annapurna routes in 2026. This suspension began in 2023 and remains in effect for the 2026 trekking season.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is the only mandatory permit for the ABC Trek. Every trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area needs this permit — no exceptions.

The permit covers the entire ABC route from the entry point at Birethanti through the Modi Khola gorge and into the Annapurna Sanctuary.

What the ACAP Fee Funds

Your NPR 3,000 ACAP fee goes directly to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and funds:

• Trail maintenance and reforestation

• Community development programs

• Wildlife protection and conservation

• Waste management across the 7,629 km² Annapurna Conservation Area — Nepal’s largest protected area 

The ACAP model is internationally recognized as one of the most effective conservation funding systems in Asia.

ACAP Cost in 2026

Permit Validity

• Single-entry — if you exit the conservation area and re-enter, you’ll need a new ACAP 

• No fixed expiry date — valid for the duration of your single-entry trek 

• No daily fee — whether your trek is 5 days or 21 days, the ACAP cost stays the same 

Do You Need TIMS for ABC Trek in 2026?

No — TIMS is not enforced on standard Annapurna routes.

The TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card was originally introduced to track trekker movements and support search-and-rescue coordination. For years it was sold as mandatory alongside ACAP. That’s no longer accurate for standard trails.

What the TIMS Suspension Means for You

• No TIMS card purchase required for ABC in 2026

• No NTB office visit for TIMS registration

• No NPR 2,000 TIMS fee per person

• No TIMS-related paperwork at all 

The suspension applies across every Nepal trekking route — ABC, Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp, Langtang, Manaslu. Checkpoints along the core Annapurna routes are primarily verifying the ACAP permit.

Why Was TIMS Suspended?

The mandatory-guide requirement introduced in April 2023 effectively absorbed much of the tracking and safety function TIMS was originally designed for. Since every trekker’s movements are now tied to a registered agency and licensed guide, the independent tracking system became redundant.

Could TIMS Be Reinstated?

TIMS could theoretically be reinstated before your trek. Should that happen, expect:

• Cost of approximately NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals

• Green card for independent trekkers (NPR 2,000)

• Blue card for guided groups (NPR 1,000)

Most 2026 sources confirm TIMS is not being checked or required on standard Annapurna routes. If reinstatement is announced, registered trekking agencies like Merriment Treks are notified immediately and will arrange it for you.

Where Can You Get ABC Permits?

1. Online (Recommended for Convenience)

Apply directly through the official NTNC portal: epermit.ntnc.org.np 

• Pay by Visa or Mastercard

• Receive your permit by email — no office visit required

• Additional 2.9% payment gateway charge applies 

2. Nepal Tourism Board Office — Kathmandu

Location: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu
Hours: Sunday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Closed Saturdays and public holidays 

3. Nepal Tourism Board Office — Pokhara

Location: Damside, near Lakeside, Pokhara
Hours: Sunday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Closed Saturdays and public holidays

This is the most convenient option for most ABC trekkers since Pokhara is the main gateway.

4. Through a Trekking Agency

The easiest and most reliable method is through a registered trekking agency:

• Provide your passport copy, photos, and trek dates

• The agency handles everything — forms, queues, and delivers permits to your hotel

• Saves 2-4 hours of your time

• Service fee: NPR 500–1,000 (well worth it for first-time trekkers) 

Important: Don’t Wait Until the Trail

You cannot get permits anywhere on the Annapurna trail. There are no permit offices at Nayapul, Ghandruk, Chhomrong, or any other point on the route.

Double fee warning: Permits issued at checkpoints along the route are charged at double the standard fee if available at all. Get your permit in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start.

What Documents Do You Need?

For ACAP Permit Application

• Valid passport — original and photocopy of the photo page

• Passport-sized photos — 2 copies 

• Nepal visa — valid for your travel dates

• Trek itinerary — route and expected dates 

• Travel insurance details — recommended and sometimes checked 

At Checkpoints

Carry your original passport in your daypack top pocket throughout the trek — checkpoint officers verify identity against the original passport, and a photocopy is not accepted.

Where Are ABC Permits Checked?

What Happens at Checkpoints

At each checkpoint, a guard will:

1. Examine your ACAP permit

2. Verify your name against your passport

3. Record your entry in their log

4. Stamp your permits 

The process takes 2-5 minutes when everything is in order. Keep your permits in an accessible pocket as you approach each checkpoint.

Guide Requirement for 2026

Since April 2023, Nepal requires all foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide on standard trekking routes — including the ABC Trek.

What This Means for You

• Solo trekking without a guide is not allowed

• Your guide must be licensed and booked through a registered agency

• The guide’s license is checked at entry checkpoints 

• One licensed guide can lead up to 7 trekkers 

This is a separate requirement from the ACAP permit. The mandatory guide adds approximately $25-40 per day to your total cost.

Practical Implications

Since the mandatory guide rule means most trekkers need a guide anyway, permit arrangements are typically handled as part of a package. Your guide carries all documentation and presents it at checkpoints .

Can You Trek Solo or Without a Guide?

No — since 2026, a licensed guide booked through a registered agency is mandatory.

The permit system is now digital and agency-linked. Checkpoints at Birethanti and Chhomrong verify that permit data is linked to a registered agency and licensed guide in real time. Trekkers caught without proper agency-linked permits are turned back. Some have faced fines.

What Happens If You Trek Without Permits?

Some trekkers consider skipping permits to save money, but this is illegal:

• Fines start at NPR 10,000 ($75)  and can reach NPR 50,000 ($375) or more 

• You can be forced to return to Pokhara to obtain permits, losing precious trek days

• In serious cases: police involvement, deportation, and blacklisting from future trekking in Nepal 

The permits themselves cost ~$23. The minimum fine alone is double that .

Self-Arranged vs Agency-Arranged Permits

Since the mandatory guide rule means most trekkers need a guide anyway, permit arrangements are typically handled as part of a package.

Common ABC Permit Mistakes

1. Believing you need TIMS

TIMS is not enforced for 2026. Some guides will tell you otherwise — they’re working from old information. Only the ACAP is required .

2. Not carrying the original passport

Checkpoint officers verify identity against the original passport — photocopies are not accepted .

3. Waiting until the last day to get the permit

Permit offices close on Saturdays and public holidays. Apply at least one full day before departure .

4. Keeping the permit in checked luggage or porter’s duffel

You need the permit at checkpoints before you reach your accommodation. Keep it in your daypack .

5. Assuming children under 10 don’t need to be registered

Even if the fee is waived, children’s details should still be registered .

How Merriment Treks Can Help

Merriment Treks arranges all necessary permits as part of their standard ABC Trek package. Here’s what they handle:

• ACAP permit — arranged before departure, with all documentation prepared

• Guide coordination — licensed guide provided for the full trek (mandatory for 2026)

• Checkpoint assistance — guides handle all paperwork at checkpoints

• Document verification — ensures your passport, photos, and insurance are in order

• Current 2026 updates — automatic notification of any permit changes 

Merriment Treks monitors TAAN and NTNC communications and notifies clients immediately if permit requirements change. No independent monitoring is required .

Since the mandatory guide rule means you need a guide anyway, booking through Merriment Treks simplifies the entire permit process — and you won’t be stuck in a permit office queue on your last day in Pokhara .

ABC Permit Checklist Before Leaving Pokhara

• ACAP permit obtained
• Original passport in daypack
• Passport validity check (minimum 6 months)
• Nepal visa valid for trek duration
• 2 passport-sized photos (extra copies recommended)
• Guides arranged (mandatory for foreigners)
• Permit fees paid
• Agency confirmation if arranging through a trekking company
• Current TIMS status verified

Frequently Asked Questions about ABC Permits

1. Do I need a permit for the ABC Trek?

Yes. Every trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area needs an ACAP permit — no exceptions .

2. How much does the ACAP permit cost?

NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals, NPR 100 for Nepali citizens, and free for children under 10 .

3. Do I need TIMS for ABC Trek in 2026?

No. TIMS is not enforced on standard Annapurna routes in 2026 .

4. Can I get the permit in Pokhara?

Yes — the NTNC office in Lakeside, Pokhara, issues ACAP permits .

5. Can I get the permit online?

Yes — through the official NTNC portal at epermit.ntnc.org.np .

6. What documents do I need for the ACAP permit?

Valid passport (original), passport photocopy, 2 passport-sized photos, Nepal visa, and trek itinerary .

7. Are permits checked on the trail?

Yes — at Birethanti, Chhomrong, and occasional spot checks in the upper sanctuary .

8. Do SAARC nationals pay less for the permit?

Yes — SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 instead of NPR 3,000 .

9. Do children need a permit?

Children under 10 are free. Children 10 and older pay the standard fee based on nationality .

10. Is the ACAP a single-entry permit?

Yes — if you exit the conservation area and re-enter, you’ll need a new ACAP .

11. Can I get the permit at the trailhead?

No — there are no permit offices on the trail. Get it in Kathmandu or Pokhara beforehand .

12. Do I need a guide for the ABC Trek?

Yes — since April 2023, all foreign trekkers on standard routes must use a licensed guide .

13. What happens if I don’t have a permit?

Trekking without a permit is illegal — fines start at NPR 10,000 ($75) and can reach NPR 50,000 ($375) or more .

14. What if TIMS is reinstated before my trek?

Your trekking company will arrange it and notify you. The cost would be approximately NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals .

15. Can I trek solo without a guide?

No. Since 2026, a licensed guide booked through a registered agency is mandatory . Solo permits for restricted areas opened up in early 2026, but standard routes like ABC still require a guide .

Final Thoughts on ABC Permits

The ABC permit process for 2026 is simpler than it has been in years.

One permit required: ACAP at NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals

One permit not enforced: TIMS — not required on standard routes

One requirement: A licensed guide for all foreign trekkers 

Get your ACAP permit in Pokhara or Kathmandu before you start, carry your original passport, and let your guide handle the checkpoints. The permit fee directly supports one of Asia’s most successful conservation programs — protecting the landscapes and communities that make the ABC Trek one of the world’s great walks.