Everest Base Camp Trek Permits: Costs, Requirements & Where to Obtain

For the Everest Base Camp Trek, two types of permits are necessary, namely the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. These permits will enable the trekkers to access the national park and pass through the Khumbu region en route to the Everest Base Camp.

For 2026, the cost of the two permits is NPR 6,000 for most foreigners and NPR 3,500 for nationals of SAARC countries. The entry permit to the Sagarmatha National Park can be acquired in Kathmandu as well as at the gate of the Sagarmatha National Park near Monjo village. In contrast, the permit from the Khumbu municipality is acquired locally, mainly at the Tourist Information Center in Lukla.

Trekkers need to know about the above permit regulations before embarking on their journey, as the two permits are issued by separate authorities. The guide presents the latest information on the Everest Base Camp Trek permit prices, where to get permits, documents, application procedures, TIMS card requirements, and other permits for alternative routes.

Everest Base Camp Trek Permit Costs in 2026 

The fee for the Everest Base Camp Trek permit depends on the nationality of the trekker. Non-SAARC foreigners have to pay NPR 3,000 for both permits individually. Nationals of SAARC countries get reduced rates, and Chinese nationals get reduced rates for their Khumbu municipality permit.

Permits are charged separately because both the national park permit and the municipality permit are issued by separate entities. The former is concerned with the conservation of the national park, while the latter concerns those who visit Khumbu administrative zone.

This is the fee for the base permit as of November 2026. The trekkers should be aware that there may be additional taxes or fees associated with the collected fee. The permit fees are separate from transport, accommodation, food, guide, porter, and travel insurance costs, among others. 

Permits Required for the Everest Base Camp Trek

The conventional route to Everest Base Camp involves traversing the Khumbu area and Sagarmatha National Park. Hence, it is mandatory to obtain permits from the concerned municipal authority as well as the national park authority. While both permits are mandatory for the same trip, there are significant differences between them. 

• The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit helps visitors access Sagarmatha National Park, which is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO and is located in the Everest region. Sagarmatha National Park is an area spanning about 1,148 square kilometers that contains many mountainous landscapes, forests, wildlife, and natural sites around Mount Everest. Trekking through Sagarmatha National Park to Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, and Everest Base Camp requires passing through Sagarmatha National Park.

The entrance fee is NPR 3,000 for most foreigners and NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals. Nepali nationals are charged NPR 100 as per the Nepal Tourism Board’s park entrance fee schedule, while children under 10 years old are exempt. The entrance permit is issued for one time use and cannot be transferred and refunded. It is available for purchase at the Nepal Tourism Board’s Tourist Service Center in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, and at the entrance of the national park near Monjo.

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit: Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is also referred to as Local Trek Card and is provided by the local administration of Khumbu region. It concerns trekkers visiting the area and proceeding to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, Namche Bazaar, and any other location for trekking in the area. The fee is collected by the local administration as part of their tourism administration and management system.

The fees for the Local Trek Card are NPR 3,000 for foreign citizens of countries not included in SAARC and China, and NPR 2,000 for nationals of the two mentioned countries. On the official website of the municipality, the Tourist Information Center in Lukla is mentioned as the office for issuing the permit, and passport is listed as a document that needs to be provided.

Where to Obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permits

The permits for Everest Base Camp trekking can be purchased from the respective offices found in Kathmandu and in areas where trekking is done. This depends on the type of permits you require and how your trek starts, either by air or through other entry points.

Those who start the trek via flight to Lukla can easily obtain both permits within the first two days of the trek. However, trekkers who would like to complete part of the process prior to leaving Kathmandu can buy the Sagarmatha National Park permit in advance.

The standard way to get the Lukla path permit is to obtain the municipal permit in Lukla and the national park permit in Monjo. Other trekkers need to determine the local place where the permit is acquired before traveling.

Getting the national park permit in Kathmandu

The Nepal Tourism Board operates the Tourist Service Center at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. Tourists can go to the national park permit issuing counter along with a copy of their passport and the appropriate fee. This is an easy method for tourists who have few days in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla for their trekking journey.

Getting the municipality permit in Lukla

Lukla is the primary place for starting the famous Everest Base Camp Trek. Tourists can acquire the Khumbu municipality Trek Card from the Tourist Information Center after landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport. The time mentioned in the municipality services information is about 15 minutes. However, this might vary due to the arrival of several trekking groups.

Getting the national park permit at Monjo

Monjo is a village situated on the path connecting Phakding and Namche Bazaar. This is a village close to the main entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park, where trekkers can show or buy their national park entry permit. According to most schedules, it takes two days of trekking from Lukla to arrive at this point. The trekkers need to have their passports and money handy, as the entry permits will be verified here.

How to Get Everest Base Camp Trek Permits: Step-by-Step Process

Getting permits for Everest Base Camp is quite easy if one follows the normal route. The primary condition that must be fulfilled is the possession of identification documents, payment of the fees and obtaining the permits from the right offices. It is not necessary to have a lengthy application process for the two major entry permits.

Step 1:Prepare your travel documents

Make sure that you have valid passports and Nepal visas before you leave Kathmandu. Save a digital copy of your passport and travel documents on your mobile phone. It is best to have your trekking itinerary with the estimated start date, trekking route, and date of return handy with you.

Step 2: Arrange the national park permit

Trekking permits can be purchased from Kathmandu even before the start of the trekking trip or can be purchased directly from the Monjo entry checkpoint. If you are trekking in an arrangement with an agency, make sure whether the agency obtains your permit or if you need to get your permit during the trip.

Step 3: Travel to Lukla and obtain the local Trek Card

Once you land in Lukla, head towards the Tourist Information Center where you can get the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek Card. Provide your passport information and pay the required amount of money.

Step 4: Present the national park permit at Monjo 

The trekking trail continues from Phakding to Monjo, where, if you have already bought the Sagarmatha National Park permit from Kathmandu, you will have to present it. If you haven’t yet purchased it, purchase it from the respective counter.

Step 5: Carry both the permits throughout the entire trek

Once you have both the permits, keep them in a waterproof pouch or somewhere else that is easily accessible. At any point along the way, they might be asked by the officials. While a trekking agency or guide can take care of such documents, it is important for the trekkers to know their whereabouts.

Documents Required for Everest Base Camp Trek Permits

The trekker does not require a lot of documentation for the two principal Everest Base Camp permits. Nevertheless, completing all the required documentation prior to departure from Kathmandu will prevent any problems with obtaining the permits.

The following documents and information are useful:

• Valid passport: Primary ID required in Khumbu Municipality.
• Nepal tourist visa: Immigration clearance document that is essential for foreign visitors who visit Nepal.
• Passport copy: Can be either in the form of a photocopy or digital copy.
• Trekking plan: Simple information regarding trekking plan, such as route and dates of trekking.
• Emergency contacts: Contacts of relatives, travel mates, or trekking company.
• Money: Adequate amount of money that will be required for permit payments.
• Details of travel insurance: Could come in handy, especially when help is needed.

Passport is the official requirement for the Trek Card. The other items listed above can be seen as recommendations that would help trekkers prepare for their trips, not necessarily mandatory documents to be provided at all permit counters.

Is a TIMS Card Required for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The TIMS card stands for Trekker’s Information Management System Card and is one of the registration forms issued in Nepal. It includes data on the trekking group and their planned routes to assist in the administration of trekking activities and monitoring safety. In 2023, TIMS cards and guide arrangements were updated in some trekking areas in Nepal.

However, in the Everest area, things are different compared to other areas in Nepal. First, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has developed its own Trek Card registration process, and trekkers using the Lukla to EBC standard route often use this locally created card rather than getting a TIMS card.

There is a crucial distinction between local practice and national guidelines. The TIMS information provided by the Nepal Tourism Board in its publication on TIMS even mentions that Everest Base Camp Trek is included in the list of trekking routes requiring its revised TIMS and licensed guide system. Since the two different systems are mentioned by the authorities in their own way, it is recommended to find out beforehand if there is a separate TIMS card required for a specific itinerary.

In case a TIMS card is needed for an itinerary, the Nepal Tourism Board mentions that the fee under the revised TIMS system is NPR 2,000 for non SAARC nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.

Is a Licensed Guide Mandatory for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The requirements for licensed trekking guides in Nepal were updated in 2023 by the Nepal Tourism Board, as new trekking rules were introduced for many trekking areas. According to the new national guidelines, tourists who hike along the routes specified by the board are expected to hire a licensed trekking guide and get a TIMS card issued by a trekking agency. Everest Base Camp is one of such routes.

Nevertheless, the Khumbu area has been maintaining its own local trekking registration system, and individual trekkers could usually hike along the typical Everest Base Camp trail according to the local system. Thus, it is important to determine the existing rule rather than rely on either of them unthinkingly.

Despite the requirement for a guide on the specified journey, it may be important to have an experienced local guide on your side. First of all, Everest Base Camp is situated at an altitude of approximately 5,364 meters, and the trek is characterized by high altitude, many hours of walking, changeable weather conditions, and distant mountain tracks. With the help of a guide, trekkers can plan acclimatization days, learn about local culture and customs, get accommodation and receive necessary assistance in case of getting ill during the trek. Nevertheless, trekkers should remember that permits will not make high altitude travel safe.

Are Additional Permits Required for Alternative Everest Base Camp Routes?

The permits that have been discussed above would be adequate for the conventional trekking route to Everest Base Camp starting from Lukla, but there may be certain other routes that would pass through more conservation areas before arriving at the Khumbu region.

Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri

The traditional Jiri Trek starts with a walk from Kathmandu, followed by walking in the lower Himalayas for several days and then continuing with the main trail for Everest Base Camp trekking. Depending on the selected trails, trekkers might cross the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, for which a special permit for the conservation area is needed.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the entry permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area costs NPR 3,000 for most foreign tourists, NPR 1,000 for SAARC tourists, and NPR 100 for Nepali citizens.

Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri or Phaplu

Other possible entry points for trekkers who wish to enter the destination using the overland route are Salleri and Phaplu. This will mean crossing through lower Solukhumbu villages and then linking up with the main routes to Everest treks. The permits that one needs vary based on the chosen route, particularly whether the route passes through other conservation areas.

It is important for the trekkers to be aware of the route they are taking, which may not be consistent with conservation area boundaries in some cases.

Everest Three Passes and Gokyo routes

In addition to this trek, the Everest Three Passes Trek and Gokyo Lakes Trek pass through the Khumbu region and the Sagarmatha National Park. They usually follow the same two major permits as those required on the normal Everest Base Camp Trek. Trekkers need not buy a separate permit for the national park just because they trek to Gokyo Lakes or over Cho La Pass or take some other paths within the same protected area in one single entry.

Nevertheless, the physical challenges are different. High-altitude passes such as Cho La, Renjo La, and Kongma La would call for extra preparation, proper weather conditions, and proper route planning as well.

How Long Are Everest Base Camp Trek Permits Valid?

The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is valid for one entry into the protected region only. It is not a daily ticket, which means that trekkers usually do not have to pay the national park fee each day when trekking towards Everest Base Camp and coming back along the same path.

However, if trekkers leave the national park region and enter it again, the entry permit may have to be renewed due to the fact that it is valid for one entry only. Moreover, the entry permit is non-transferable and non-refundable, which means that it cannot be transferred to other tourists or refunded after purchase. In the case of the Khumbu municipality Trek Card, trekkers must check the validity and re-entry conditions, especially if they plan a unique itinerary or make several entries into the region.

Can You Get Everest Base Camp Permits Online?

Both Everest Base Camp permits are managed independently and hence cannot be mixed up with other online trekking permit systems for Nepal. Khumbu Municipality offers a Trek Card registration form and registration QR code. Nevertheless, it describes the issuing office for such permits as the Tourist Information Center in Lukla. Trekkers are advised not to confuse online registration with the issuance of the permit.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit is available officially from the counter in Kathmandu or from the entrance gate of the national park. It is advisable to use information from the official government website or a registered trekking agency, not unofficial sites promising sale of all permits for Nepal online.

Can a Trekking Agency Arrange Everest Base Camp Permits?

The registered trekking agency can assist travelers in preparing their papers and going through the process of getting permits during the Everest Base Camp Trek. This comes as a convenience to travelers who may not be familiar with the checkpoints or do not wish to organize all aspects of obtaining permits.

Although the trekking packages cover the cost of the permits, sometimes this does not happen. There may be some trekking agencies offering trekking packages without including permits, local taxes, and other conservation area fees. It is important to find out what kinds of permits are included in your trekking package before you go there. Despite the involvement of the trekking agency in preparing the necessary documents, trekkers are supposed to have their papers with them at all times.

Important Permit Rules and Regulations for Everest Base Camp

Sagarmatha National Park, being a protected zone, requires that not only do tourists have to carry proper entry permits, but they also need to follow some park guidelines that will help prevent the extinction of the plant and animal life in the area.

Some important regulations include:

• Bring an authorized permit to enter the park and show it when asked.
• Stick to the marked routes and heed instructions of the park authorities.
• Do not pick up, destroy, or disturb any flora or natural resources that are protected.
• Do not interfere with any wildlife within the park.
• Dispose of litter properly and do not litter any plastic material on the route.
• Respect the monasteries, religious places, and their culture.
• Special permission is required to film and use drones within the park.
• Do not walk inside the park at night.

Such conduct will help protect the Everest region for both the residents of the area and future trekkers. It is equally important that trekkers respect local traditions and avoid making noise at religious sites.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Obtaining Everest Base Camp Permits

Permits are normally easy to get, but sometimes people end up facing delays due to a lack of information or understanding of the various agencies involved. It is best to have everything ready before embarking on the trek.

Confusing the two main permits

The Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Khumbu Municipality Trek Card are not identical permits. The payment for one permit does not necessarily include the other. Trekkers planning to use the usual route need to ensure that they have both permits before heading toward Namche Bazaar.

Assuming both permits are available in Kathmandu

Only the Sagarmatha National Park Permit can be obtained at the designated government counter in Kathmandu. However, the Khumbu municipality Trek Card is handled locally and primarily from Lukla. Trekkers cannot obtain both permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office.

Not carrying enough Nepali currency

As the local permit counters can have limited payment methods, carrying adequate Nepali Rupees is the best thing to do. Travelers should not rely entirely on their international cards or foreign currencies to pay the fees.

Following outdated permit information

The older travel guides might list old municipal fees, old permit arrangements, and TIMS requirements. The trekkers need to confirm everything before the start of their trip.

Forgetting to check what the trekking package includes

Trekking packages may contain accommodation, meals, guides, porters, and transportation services while excluding government permits. Travelers should be aware of what is included and excluded in the trekking packages.

Conclusion

Obtaining permits is one of the first things that a tourist should take care of prior to heading out to the Everest Base Camp. In most cases, foreigners trekking along the conventional route to the camp through Lukla require both the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, which will collectively cost NPR 6,000 as per the schedule announced for the year 2026. It may be quite easy for one to obtain both permits after they know where they can acquire each of the permits. The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit may be acquired in Kathmandu/Monjo, and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit in Lukla.

Check out our Everest Base Camp Trek package, which contains the itinerary, price, and all the details you need about the logistics of your trek to Everest Base Camp. We can also guide you through the process of getting your permits and preparing for your journey to the Everest region. 

Frequently Asked Questions( FAQs)

How much do Everest Base Camp Trek permits cost in 2026?

There are two primary permits required to visit the Everest Base Camp Trek. The first permit requires NPR 3,000 each for the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. This totals NPR 6,000 for most foreign nationals. However, for SAARC nationals, it comes to NPR 3,500 only.

Where can I obtain Everest Base Camp Trek permits?

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be acquired either from Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or from the entry point in Monjo itself. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is usually obtained from the Tourist Information Center in Lukla. Both permits can be arranged either on your own or through your trekking agency.

Is a TIMS card required for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Those trekking the conventional route to Everest Base Camp generally prefer to get the Trek Card issued by the Khumbu Municipality rather than a separate TIMS card. The TIMS guidelines of Nepal. However, do include Everest Base Camp in their list of trails. It is always advisable to check the latest requirements from the Nepal Tourism Board or a trekking agency.

Can I trek to Everest Base Camp without a guide?

Independent treks have been permitted by local agreements in Khumbu, while national regulations include Everest Base Camp within those that require the hiring of licensed guides. Trekkers are advised to check these regulations before making their trip. The use of licensed guides is encouraged for managing altitude-related risks, understanding the route, and receiving assistance during emergencies.

Are Everest Base Camp Trek permits included in trekking packages?

The Everest Base Camp Trek packages of many trekking organizations will include the permit fee for Sagarmatha National Park as well as Khumbu Municipality fee. Some packages may not include these charges. Travellers must verify from the packages offered by the agency which charges are included in the package.

Do I need additional permits to visit Kala Patthar or Gokyo Lakes?

There is no need for any other permit to visit Kala Patthar and Gokyo Lakes when going there as part of the same continuous journey within Sagarmatha National Park. However, different ways of reaching these places via different conservation areas will involve other permits.

How long are Everest Base Camp Trek permits valid?

The entry permit for the Sagarmatha National Park is applicable for only one entry to the protected area. For trekkers to undertake their regular trekking, there is no need to pay additional fees every day as far as the entry permit is concerned. However, if trekkers leave the national park and return, another permit may be necessary.

Can I get Everest Base Camp Trek permits online?

There is an online registration process for the Trek-Card in Khumbu Municipality, but one needs to check whether payment and permit issuance need to be done at the office in Lukla. The Sagarmatha National Park permit can be acquired via physical counters in Kathmandu or Monjo.

Do children need Everest Base Camp Trek permits?

Children under 10 years old do not need to pay for the Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit. Nevertheless, Khumbu Municipality has its own rules concerning the permits, and parents are advised to ensure that their children are exempt from paying for it.

What happens if I lose my Everest Base Camp Trek permit?

In case of the loss of your permit to trek, contact your guide or the nearest permit office. Keep a photograph of the permit as well as the receipt for payment, as it might be of great assistance in the verification process of your details by the authorities.