The single most important thing to know when planning a trek to Everest Base Camp is that you must obtain the appropriate permits before you can enter this area of the Himalayas. Your permits are not just pieces of paper, but rather tools to preserve the environment of the Himalayan region by protecting the mountains, providing funds for local communities and ensuring the safety and organisation of trekking for all people in the area.
Most likely, if you are undertaking this trek, you'll want clear and concise answers to questions such as:
Do you need to have the appropriate permits?
Where will you obtain said permits?
How much will you need to pay in order to obtain the appropriate permits?
This guide provides you with quick and easy answers using simple language and straightforward instructions. Additionally, our staff has included many useful tips so that you will be sure of your knowledge, as well as not being confused.
While most people who are out in the mountains don't have any problems obtaining their permits, there can be a small number of minor errors that may delay the issuance of your authorization. Such an error could be having an incorrect size picture, forgetting to provide your passport number, or arriving at the wrong location to submit your application for an authorization, which can all decrease the amount of time it takes to receive your permit.
For this reason, treat your authorization process like the first part of your trip. Prepare appropriately, verify your information, and keep your authorization safe.
Keep this in mind as well. There can be changes to the regulations. Changes in pricing exist. Be sure to check the most current information shortly before your start date. In addition, should you travel with our guide services, we will confirm with you about the current steps/process of confirmation in order to make your traveling experience as smooth as possible.
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Two permits are required for the Classic EBC Trek.
The Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit costs approximately NPR 3000.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit costs between NPR 2000 and 3000.
You generally will not require a TIMS Card for your EBC hike, but you should verify this shortly before your departure.
You must bring your passport, some cash in Nepalese Rupees, and some spare passport-sized photographs.
Be sure to keep your permits waterproof and in an easily accessible location in order for them to be able to be inspected during random checks.
Permits Required for Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekkers reaching Everest Base Camp with all permits arranged by View Nepal Treks
For the Everest Base Camp permit topic, you should think in a very practical way. The EBC trekking path falls under the area of the national park and the area of the local rural municipality. Therefore, you will need two types of permits to trek to Everest Base Camp.
To put it very simply, the permits required to trek to EBC generally include the following.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
These two permits will cover the most common trekking path from Lukla to other places like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, and then finally to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
If you hear different names, do not panic. People use different names. They use short forms. Some people say Everest Base Camp Permit, and they are referring to both permits. Others say National Park Permit and still refer to both permits.
If you are trekking with our team, we can guide you on the permit plan step by step. If you are trekking alone, you can also follow the same process if you follow the right steps and produce the right documents:
To make it easy for you to plan quickly, we are giving you the following checklist:
A passport that is valid for the travel period
A few passport-sized photographs, although these are not always required
Nepal visa, if you require one for your entry
Some cash in Nepali rupees because cards are not always accepted
Copy of your passport photo page that comes in handy if the offices are too busy
Trekking route plan so that you can answer the questions correctly if someone asks
For the classic Everest Base Camp trek route, you won’t require extra permits other than the two we mentioned earlier. If you are trekking a different route or going into a restricted area, then you might require extra permits.
Trekkers entering Sagarmatha National Park through the Monjo gate on the way to Everest Base Camp
The Sagarmatha National Park permit is a major document you'll need to have with you while trekking to the Everest Base Camp. Sagarmatha is the Nepalese name for Mt. Everest, and the park includes a large chunk of the upper Khumbu area. The rangers and some police stations located along the trail can request to see your permit, so keep it safe and dry.
What the Sagarmatha National Park permit covers?
Your permit grants you access to travel through and trek within the national park boundary. It contributes to the practical functions of the park. It assists in the funding of operational maintenance, waste control, plant and animal protection, and park operations employees. Also, it is useful for the management of visitor numbers, which is very important in a region with a large number of trekkers, who trek during each season. You can also benefit from this type of organization, because the trek will be more organized; the environment will be better cared for; and the area will be beautiful for you and future trekkers.
Sagarmatha permit cost
The cost of the Sagarmatha National Park (Everest National Park) Entry Permit is about NPR 3000 for foreign trekkers. Sometimes you can see differences in permits and fees based on location or updates. Just to be safe, carry some buffer money.
Where you get the Sagarmatha National Park permit?
Normally, permits are available in close proximity to the entrance of the park, where most trekkers get the permit from the trailhead. This is likely purchased at the point you are getting ready to start, about permit checks that will be conducted on the course to the base camp of Everest while traveling the most frequently used route through Lukla.
What is important is not what building to look for but how that building will operate. Arrive at a government office ticket counter, show the officer your passport, pay the fee, and collect your permit paper/card.
For trekkers using our guides, we assist in providing you with the quickest method of obtaining the permit based on your trek plan. For trekkers without our guides, obtaining the permit will be fairly easy as long as you arrive during hours of operation with appropriate items.
What you need to bring for the permit?
Bring the following information to save you time.
A passport.
Nepalese rupees cash.
If the counter asks for your passport photo, bring that as well.
Offices don't typically require you to submit a photo to obtain your permit; having extra photos with you will likely help you in other areas of your trip. A small item can relieve much of your pressure to find photos if you need them.
How checkpoints use this permit during your trek?
When you are on the EBC trail, there are several checkpoints that may request to see the national park's permit. When you approach the checkpoint, the staff will ask to see the permit, and you will show it to them. Once you show them your permit, you will be allowed to continue on your Everest Base Camp Trek trip. There is nothing to be embarrassed about showing the permits; it is just like showing an airline ticket to the airline staff when entering a terminal at the airport.
Our guide will remind you to put your permit where it is easy to get to. We suggest using a waterproof pouch that is placed in your daypack. You should not leave your travel checks in the large duffel bag. When it is cold and windy, it is important to have your permit easily accessible; you do not want to spend a long time searching for it.
Practical tips to avoid permit problems
Store your permit in a waterproof zip pouch
Keep a photocopy of the permit in a separate pocket.
Don’t roll too many times, because paper tears easily!
Do not leave permits in lodge rooms with side hikes
If you are trekking as a family or group, don’t combine and mix those pairs of passes together.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
The Local Entry Permit (also known as the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is just as important as the Nepal National Park Entrance Permit; however, the term for this permit is often confused with “Municipality Permit”. The difference in how the two permits are referred to may create some confusion, but remember that the purpose of the permit in Nepal is the same. An Entrance Fee is charged to visitors entering and travelling throughout the Khumbu region, utilizing resources managed by the local government.
This permit exists for the benefit of the local area and allows for continued management of local services and trail systems; therefore, providing support to local communities that accommodate trekking opportunities and strained resources (waste, overcrowding & infrastructure) Upon purchasing the local permit; visitors help to sustain the community, as they will travel through villages, accommodate local establishments, drink local water, and utilize trek route; therefore benefitting from that system.
Cost of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is around NPR 2000 to 3000; however, it can change according to the current rules and the office at the time. It’s best to have enough cash on hand so that you won't have to search for an ATM to pull more out.
You will usually be able to get the permit at one of the entry points in Khumbu, where the local permit collection happens. Most trekkers will get the permit at either Lukla or very close to where their trekking route starts, depending on how they enter the area.
It is a very simple process that includes the following four steps:
Go to the official permit counter
Show your passport
Pay your fee in cash
Receive your permit confirmation
You will assuredly have an easy time of it when we're prepared and everything here is in order, as we've organized our work properly and prepared the papers ahead of time. If you are doing this alone, you will probably want to get there early and have your papers in order.
Do You Need a TIMS Card for the Everest Base Camp Trek: Yes or No?
When searching online for whether or not a ‘Tim’s card is needed to do the EBC trek, many people find conflicting information; this is due to changing regulations and the fact that different areas in Nepal have slightly different regulations.
Most trekkers doing EBC don’t actually require a TIMS, as they will be focusing on the two main permits: the national park permit and the Khumbu local municipality permit.
That being said, don’t assume this is a long-term rule applicable to all seasons/locations; if, for example, you do a different route, originate from a different starting point or if local regulations have changed, you could have to complete the TIMS process to register for your treks.
What is a TIMS card
The Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) is a way for trekkers to register their trek and ensure that trekkers have safety support while on their trek, as well as allowing authorities to know who will be on which trekking trail. TIMS was created to help create better management solutions for trekking.
When people check if they need a TIMS permit, they usually want to figure out if they need to purchase one and where they can get a TIMS permit.
With the use of older travel advice still being circulated online, currently operated regions still use TIMS in an assisted way and using TIMS as a standard way for referring to different trekking registration systems in the area of trekking, people get confused.
What you should do right now
Assume that you will need a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit as well as a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
Confirm your own Trekking Information Management System (i.e., TIMS) Permit only if your route/guide/agency requires TIMS for your specific trip.
Ask your trekking company, etc., what is currently required for your route.
Have a larger supply of photographs & copies so that you can submit forms when questioned quickly.
If you're trekking with us, your permits will be confirmed prior to the start of your trip (in case any permits are required). We also do our best to keep you from..booling.pay for incorrect permits. You shouldn't feel obligated to purchase additional documents unless there is very good evidence proving that you need to buy the extra items.
Extra guidance from our team for a smoother permit day
Everest Base Camp for foreign nationals
Getting permits sounds easy, but the little decisions you make can determine how your permitting experience starts out as either a pleasant event or a chaotic event. The better you can prepare, the less chaos you will experience.
First, you should organize your papers the evening before your permitting process. Put everything you need for the permitting process into one pouch. Your passport, cash, photos of yourself, and a pen. You should also have your hotel name in Kathmandu written down, along with the name of your starting point for the trek, in case you need to ask the permitting officer for directions.
This will allow you to speak clearly to the permitting officer and thus complete your sale quickly at the counter. Energy is a big factor because you will be trekking shortly thereafter.
If you arrive in Lukla excited, you may want to hurry. Slow down for five minutes and do the permitting process correctly. If you are digging through your bag looking for papers, you are blocking others from receiving their permits. You will also leave those papers to chance in the wind.
If you are hiking with our guides and local travel agency in Nepal, we make this easy for you. We remind you of what to carry. We keep you in the right line. We verify that your name and passport number seem right. We’ll also remind you where to carry permits so that you don’t lose them when switching jackets or backpacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What permits do you need for Everest Base Camp trek
There are two main permits you’ll want to secure in order to trek the classic Everest Base Camp route. You will require the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
2. What is the total Everest Base Camp permit cost
You’ll have to pay around NPR 3000 for the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and around NPR 2000 – 3000 for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. In total, this usually ends up being between 5000 and 6000 NPR, depending on current local pricing.
3. How to get permit for Everest Base Camp trek
You obtain the permits at official counters along the way to the Khumbu region and near the system for entering the national park. You present your passport, you pay in Nepali rupees cash, and you pick up the permit papers. If you are trekking with our guides, we will take you to the right counter and assist.
4. Can you get the Everest Base Camp permit in Kathmandu
While some trekkers prefer to obtain all permits in Kathmandu, most trek permits are available at least one door closer to the entrance to the Khumbu. As this location is always changing, you should plan on obtaining permits on your way to your trek, and plan extra time on your first day.
5. Do you need a guide to get permits for EBC trek
No, you can obtain the permits yourself if you’re travelling with your passport and have the necessary fees ready. A guide can speed the process and make it easier particularly in busy trekking times of year but it is not always necessary to buy a permit with one.
6. Is TIMS card required for Everest Base Camp trek
In most of the classic EBC trekking itineraries, you will only require Sagarmatha National Park and a local municipality permit for Khumbu, and never have to buy a TIMS card at all for the EBC trail. You’ll want to verify close to your date of travel, too, because rules can change.
7. What documents do you need for permit cost payment and forms
You will need a passport for identification; however, you should also be carrying cash in Nepalese currency. You may need additional photographs (preferably 2x2 in size) to submit for permits or just for record-keeping purposes at the office.
8. Where do they check your permits during the trek
Checkpoints are located along the trail, but mostly in entrance corridors to the park or in major villages along the route, so be prepared for this at any time. Park and local authorities will want to see your Sagarmatha park permit as well as your Khumbu local permit; however, have them readily available in your daypack so they can easily be found for inspection purposes.
9. What happens if you trek without the permits
You risk delays, fines and checkpoint pullbacks. You also cause stress for yourself and lodge owners and guides who follow the local rules. You are supposed to get the proper permits before you go much further on the trail, though.
10. Do children need permits for Everest Base Camp trek
Children typically require permits also because these are tied to entry into the PA/ local area. The age and nationality rules might make a difference to your exact fee category, so check at the permit counter, or get your trekking agency to check for you and your family.
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