13 Jul 2024 Nabin Baniya
Trekking to the Everest region is among the most popular adventures in Nepal. Particularly the trek to Everest Base Camp tops the list of the popular treks. However, if you plan on trekking then you need to acquire the necessary Everest Base Camp Trek permit.
Since the Everest Base Camp lies in the Sagarmatha National Park, obtaining the national park permit along with the other essential permits is mandatory. Here, we’ll guide you through all the details regarding the Everest permits, their costs, and where to obtain them.
Permits Essential for Everest Base Camp Trek
When trekking to any destinations in Nepal, trekkers need to obtain essential permits. Likewise, the trek to Everest Base Camp requires permits to enter the specific areas of the Everest region of Nepal. The necessary permits required for the trek are discussed below:
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
The Everest trail passes through the Sagarmatha National Park, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The national park provides shelter to diverse flora and fauna existing in a beautiful harmony.
Due to this, trekkers must obtain a national park permit to reach the Everest Base Camp. The permit is issued by the committee of the national park supervised by Nepal’s government.
Where It Can Be Acquired
Trekkers can obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit at two different locations. You can obtain it either at Monjo at the entry gate or from the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter situated in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.
When you try to obtain the permit from Monjo, you might go through a long queue. So, it’s highly recommended to obtain in Kathmandu before the start of your trek. This saves time and ensures a convenient trek onwards.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit Cost
The cost of acquiring the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit varies for different nationalities. The following provides the cost of the permit.
- For foreigners, it costs NPR 3000 per person
- For SAARC citizens, it costs NPR 1500 per person
- For Nepalese, it costs NPR 100 per person
- The permit cost is free for children under 10 years of age.
Note: Make sure to get the recent updates on the permit cost before taking the journey to Everest Base Camp. For this, you can visit the official website of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit is the newly introduced permit in the Everest region. It was started after Nepal was decentralized into 7 provinces replacing the TIMS Card.
Where It Can Be Acquired
This permit cannot be obtained in Kathmandu. It is only issued in the two locations of the Khumbu region. You can acquire the permit in Lukla if you are traveling to Everest with a flight to Lukla. But if you take the route through Jiri or Salleri, trekkers can obtain in Monjo at Sagarmatha National Park Counter.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit Cost
The cost for Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is mentioned under the following points:
- for the first 4 weeks, it costs NPR 2000 per person
- beyond 4 weeks, it costs NPR 2500
Remember that the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit Cost
is the same for all foreign citizens including SAARC nationals. Furthermore, it can only be paid via Nepalese currency. So, make sure to exchange your currencies in Kathmandu.
Everest Trek Card
From the 23rd of September 2022, a Trek Card is mandatory for the Everest Base Camp Trek. It is a digital permit that has the feature of a safety monitoring system and allows you to enter the Khumbu region.
The Trek Card can be issued at the registration center in Lukla. But make sure to bring a color photocopy of your valid passport.
As for the cost, after paying the fee for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, you won’t need to pay a fee for a Trek Card.
What are the Trekking we can do with the Everest base camp trek Permit?
The flowing Trekking is possible with an Everest base camp Trek Permit. Here is the list of the Treks:
- Everest base camp Trek
- Everest base camp Yoga Trek
- Everest base camp Luxury trek
- Pikey peak trek
- Gokyo lakes trek
- Everest view Trek
- Amadablam base camp Trek
- Gokyo Everest base camp Trek
- Renjo la pass trekking
- Everest base camp Trek via Jiri & many more in Everest regions.
Extra Permit Required for Jiri to Everest Base Camp
A Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit is needed for the Everest Base Camp Trek when you travel via Jiri. This permit can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu for the cost of NPR 3000 per person.
Essential Documents for Obtaining the Permits
When applying for the Everest Base Camp Trek permits, trekkers must submit essential documents. So, here are the required documents necessary for obtaining the permits:
- Passport sized photos
- Passport with at least six months of validity
- Valid visa
Common Questions:
Since the newly introduced Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card is not required. The rural municipality card has replaced the TIMS Card from the 1st of October in 2018.
No, you cannot pay the Everest Base Camp Trek permit fees in any foreign currency. It can only be paid in Nepalese Currencies. It’s best to exchange the related foreign currencies in Kathmandu.
No local guides need to acquire permits to enter the Khumbu region of Nepal. instead of that guide need to pay 1500 Nepali rupees to guide inside the park. This amount guide has to be paid every year.
If you are going to trek through Jiri then you must get a permit here in the nepal tourism board in Kathmandu. There are lots of check posts along the way before Monjo so you must do it in Kathmandu.
No, You must take permits while doing the Everest base camp helicopter tour or any other helicopter tours in the Everest region. For the Everest base camp helicopter tour they will make you buy permits in the Everest View hotel landing So while doing the helicopter tour carry cash with you.
Process of getting Everest base camp Trek Permit
The first method is can obtain Everest base camp trek permits from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. The second is we will get it done in Monjo on the second day of the trek. Here we are describing the process of doing it in Monjo.
Time needed: 5 minutes
Getting a Sagarmatha National Park permit
- Be on the Line
On reaching the Monjo entrance point you will see lots of people doing the permits so be on the line. It is advised not to cross the line and don’t allow others to mess up the line.
- Give the passports to the Authority
When you reach the top of the line the authority will ask for your passport. you need to provide the passport copy or the original one.
- Pay the Amount for the Permits
The authority will let you know the amount you need to pay for the permits so count slowly and pay the amounts.
- Receive the permits
After payments are done the authority will provide you with the permits so keep it safe and continue your journey to Namche where you need to show permits.
- Read the pieces of information provided by the National park
After you finish taking the permit you will have time to read some of the best information and advice that is mentioned by the national park authorities which is so important to know.
Final Thoughts
There you go. All the permits mentioned above are the key to starting your journey to the Everest trekking trails in Nepal. Without these permits in hand, you’ll be penalized and restricted to trek further in the region.
Make sure to obtain these permits before your trek and carry them at all times throughout the trek. So what are you waiting for? Book your Everest Base Camp Trek, acquire your permits, and gear up for the adventure to the Khumbu region.
Nabin is a seasoned trekking and hiking guide, and the proud operator of Magic Himalaya Treks, Nepal’s premier company for Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, and other thrilling adventures. With a wealth of experiences and valuable insights, Nabin’s website offers comprehensive information on trekking in Nepal.