To make entry into Everest region, all trekkers must obtain the permits and carry those permits during the trek to avoid any problems. If not, fines are imposed by the government authorities.

After getting the permits, make sure you need to keep them safely until you complete your Everest Base Camp Trek. At every checkpoint during your hike, officials will ask you to show them, so be prepared for that. These permits are necessary for any tours or treks to Everest region. They act as licenses to trek into the Mount Everest.

The permits you obtain are called Everest Base Camp Trek permits, which cover Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality ( now it’s called Trek Card) and the Gauri Shankar Conservation Area.

Please note nowadays you don’t need a TIMS Card like before. All treks to the Everest region can be done without a TIMS Card. As per the updated policy of Ministry of Tourism effective from September 23rd, 2022, visitors trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) are required to obtain a Trek Card. It serves as a replacement of the previous municipality permit system issued by the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. It carries the same cost as the Municipality Permit. Please make sure you obtain the Trek Card for your Everest Base Camp Trek.

What is Trek Card?

The Trek Card serves as a digital permit to enter the Khumbu region and also acts as a visitor safety monitoring system. One of the notable advantages of the Trek Card is that it allows you to access information about the Everest region via your mobile phone by scanning or tapping the card.

How many permits are required and their cost?

To obtain permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek, you need the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Permit and Trek Card

Cost for Sagarmatha National Park Permit is as follows:

Foreigners: NPR 3000 per person

Residents of SAARC: NPR 1500 per person

Cost for Trek Card is NPR 2000 per person

The total cost for SNP Permit and Trek Card is 50 USD per person.

If you choose the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trail, you must obtain one more permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. This additional permit may be obtained directly from the Nepal Tourism Board or at the Shivalaya Checkpoint. This permit, if obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board, would have cost each participant around NPR 2000.

The cost doubles to NPR 4000 if you choose to pick it up from the Shivalaya checkpoint, though. For Indian people, the costs are always 50% less than the original, nevertheless. At the Shivalaya checkpoint, you must carry two passport-sized photos with you, and the officer may also ask you to fill out some paperwork.

In addition to the photographs, you also need to bring a photocopy of your Trek Card issued by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.

Where to Get the SNP Permit:

You can obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permits at the entry gate in Monjo.

Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter in Kathmandu (Bhrikuti Mandap). Alternatively, you can also get the SNP permit at the DNPWC counter in Kathmandu to avoid potential queues at the Monjo counter.

Required documents for Everest Base Camp Permits

In General, the documents required for obtaining the Everest Base Camp Permits are listed below:

* Passport original with six months validity

* Two passport photos

* Nepal entry Visa

* Cash for permit fees

* Travel insurance is highly recommended for rescue

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