Trekking Permits & TIMS

Trekking TIMS and Permit

All trekkers require a trekking permit to visit Nepal’s interior regions, which are not connected by highways. Recently the Annapurna, Langtang, and Everest regions have been declared “permit-free" areas; but National Park or Conservation Area fees are required... We process the trekking permits and national park entrances at immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Two photographs and a copy of the passport are required with the application. 

The Everest region is preserved and managed by Sagarmatha National park, a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. Everyone doing trekking in the Everest region needs to obtain a national park entry permit, which is obtainable in Kathmandu and costs USD 15. Children below 10 years are free.

TIMS Card 

Nepal, aptly, has been called a Trekkers' Paradise'. Its high-standing mountains, scenic hills, and luxuriant Terai offers some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. Passing through the diverse culture and nature, trekking in Nepal is a lifetime experience that involves a certain degree of physical risks owing to the rugged topography. 

With the distinction of Nepal as a trekking destination and its growing charm, a provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has been implemented to control illegal trekking operations and ensure the safety and security of the trekkers in general trekking areas through the mechanism of Prompt Information Service as and when required. 

The past experiences have shown that difficulties have been faced while carrying out rescue operations promptly during times of accidents and natural calamities. Because of the lack of a proper record system of trekkers, their exact whereabouts, and the information about trekking routes, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the trekkers missing. 

The provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has come into force from Jan 01, 2008. Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) have started recording trekkers' detail and issuing TIMS Card to trekkers. 

Nepal Immigration Update

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 the fee prescribed above.

TIMS Card is compulsory to trek in all the trekking areas in the country. However, TIMS cards aren’t required for the following:

• Expedition members with mountaineering permits issued by the government and Nepal Mountaineering Association.
• Visitors to controlled areas having permits issued by the Department of Immigration
• 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)0
• Foreign Nationals possessing a residential visa.

Documents Required: 

To obtain TIMS Card you need a copy of:

• Passport Photocopy.
• 2 Passport-size Photographs.

Opening Hours: 

• TIMS counter at Government registered trekking Companies will remain open 12 hours a day seven days a week round the year,
• TIMS counter at TAAN/NTB Office will follow government working hour/days.
• To obtain TIMS Card you need a copy of your Passport and two copies of 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 institutes, 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 REGULATORY PROVISIONS 

• Every trekker has to compulsorily obtain a TIMS Card before they enter any of the prescribed trekking regions and routes.
• A Free individual trekker (FIT) or organized group trekkers are required to keep TIMS along with them throughout their treks.
• TIMS has to be shown to TAAN / NTB authorities, national park check posts, conservation area check posts, and police check posts on demand.
• Trekkers are required to keep their copies of passports along with them for verification during trekking.
• TIMS shall be non-transferable, non-endorsable, and valid only for a single entry.