Planning the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and wondering which ABC Trek permit you actually need?
Two documents matter. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) lets you enter the protected area. The Trekkers’ Information Management System card (TIMS) registers you with the tourism authorities. For foreign nationals the ACAP costs NPR 3,000 and the TIMS card NPR 2,000. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 for each.
There is a condition attached. Under rules effective March 31, 2023, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) lists the Poon Hill-ABC route among treks that need a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. You buy the ACAP yourself. You cannot buy the TIMS yourself.
Do You Need a Permit for the ABC Trek?
Yes. The whole route sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. Everyone entering needs an ACAP, except children under 10.
The TIMS card is also required for foreign trekkers on this route. NTB’s TIMS page names “Poon Hill-ABC Trek” in its list of Annapurna treks covered by the 2023 provision. The same page states that such treks require the trekker to be accompanied by a licensed guide and to carry a TIMS card issued through a registered agency.
You do not need a restricted-area permit. The standard ABC route is not a restricted area. That category covers places like Upper Mustang and Nar Phu, where the Department of Immigration issues special permits.
Two distinctions to keep straight:
- Nationality changes the price, not the requirement. SAARC nationals pay less for both documents.
- Independent and organized trekkers now follow one process. Because TIMS is sold only through agencies, the agency route is effectively the official one.
What Permits Do You Need for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
| Document | Required? | Purpose | Official fee | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACAP | Yes, all except children under 10 | Entry to the Annapurna Conservation Area | NPR 3,000 foreign, NPR 1,000 SAARC (tax included) | NTNC online portal or NTNC counter |
| TIMS | Yes, on routes NTB lists, which includes Poon Hill-ABC | Trekker registration and tracking | NPR 2,000 foreign, NPR 1,000 SAARC | Registered trekking agency, issued online by NTB |
| Licensed guide | Required on listed routes under the 2023 provision | Safety and accountability | Set by agency, not a government fee | Registered trekking agency |
| Restricted-area permit | No | Only for restricted areas | n/a | Department of Immigration |
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
ACAP is a conservation entry permit, not a climbing or restricted-area permit. NTNC runs the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and issues the permit.
From the NTNC e-permit portal:
- Foreign nationals pay NPR 3,000. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000. Both figures include tax.
- Children under 10 do not need a permit.
- The permit is single-entry, non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Online payment adds a 2.9% gateway charge and the permit arrives by email.
- Counter payment is cash, with no extra charge. Bring your passport or valid ID.
- A permit issued at a check-post costs double.
- You must carry it for the whole trip and show it when staff ask.
Because you cannot refund or transfer it, check your passport spelling and dates before paying.
At check-posts, staff record who passes through. The portal asks trekkers to register at each one along the route. The stated reason is practical: it helps NTNC monitor visitor numbers and improves rescue chances in an emergency.
TIMS Card for ABC Trek
TIMS stands for Trekkers’ Information Management System. NTB and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) introduced it in 2008. It records passport details, nationality, route and itinerary so rescuers know where to start looking.
For years there were two cards: green for independent trekkers, blue for agency groups. The revised provision effective March 31, 2023 changed that. NTB’s page now says an agency must buy the card. The agency completes a registration form with details of trekkers, guides and routes, pays online, and the system generates an e-card with a QR code for each trekker.
NTB lists the charge as NPR 2,000 for most nationalities and NPR 1,000 for citizens of South Asian countries, payable online.
Older websites still describe NPR 1,000 and NPR 2,000 tiers for group and independent trekkers, plus separate SAARC rates of NPR 300 and NPR 600. TAAN’s own “About TIMS” page still carries those figures. They belong to the pre-2023 system.
One practical point: TIMS records your guide’s details. That is one reason it can no longer be issued to someone walking alone.
ABC Trek Permit Cost
Official permit fees
| Foreign nationals | SAARC nationals | |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| TIMS | NPR 2,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Combined | NPR 5,000 | NPR 2,000 |
Add 2.9% if you pay the ACAP online, which makes NPR 3,087 for a foreign national. Paying at a check-post doubles the ACAP.
Agency and service charges are separate. Guide costs, transport, lodging and any processing fee are set by the agency, not the government. A package that says “permits included” has folded the ACAP and TIMS into its price. Ask for the permit line item if you want to see it.
Fees are set in rupees, so the dollar value moves. NPR 3,000 has recently been quoted at roughly USD 22 to 25.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Permit Cost for Different Nationalities
Fees differ by passport.
| Category | ACAP | TIMS |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign nationals | NPR 3,000 | NPR 2,000 |
| SAARC nationals, including Indian citizens | NPR 1,000 | NPR 1,000 |
| Children under 10 | No permit needed | Ask your agency |
Indian citizens fall under the SAARC rate for both documents. The NTNC page lists foreigners and SAARC nationals only. Operators report that Nepali citizens pay no ACAP fee, and the 2023 guide provision is described in the US Embassy’s notice as applying to foreign trekkers. I did not find either point stated on an official page, so confirm at the counter.
Where Can You Get the ABC Trek Permit?
ACAP, online. The NTNC portal takes Visa and Mastercard.
ACAP, at a counter. Fill in the online form first, then pay cash at an NTNC entry permit counter. NTNC’s support page lists counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara. It gives Kathmandu hours of 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday, and Pokhara hours of 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday to Thursday. The same page lists two further counters, at Simpani and Ghasa, which sit away from the ABC approach. Hours can change, so check the page before you plan around them.
TIMS. Through a registered trekking agency only. NTB’s page is explicit that agencies buy the card.
I have not listed street addresses. The NTNC support page gives the Annapurna project’s address in Hariyokharka, Pokhara, but I did not find verified counter addresses.
Documents Required for ABC Trek Permit
Confirmed by official sources
- Passport or other valid ID, to collect a counter-paid ACAP
- Accurate application details entered on the NTNC form
- For TIMS, trekker details, guide details and route, which the agency submits with a scanned photo of the trekker
Commonly requested, not stated as requirements on the official pages
- Printed copies of your permit
- Emergency contact details
- Travel insurance information
Insurance is not an ACAP condition on the NTNC page. Cover that includes high-altitude evacuation is still sensible. That advice comes from me, not from a permit rule.
Can You Get the ABC Trek Permit in Pokhara?
For the ACAP, yes. NTNC lists a Pokhara entry permit counter, and online payment means you can skip it entirely.
For TIMS, no, not by yourself. Under NTB’s current procedure the agency registers you and pays online. If you are starting from Pokhara with an agency, they handle it before you walk.
If you plan to use the counter, note it is closed Friday and Saturday according to NTNC’s listed hours, so a Thursday evening arrival can cost you a day.
Can You Trek ABC Without a Guide?
The official position is no, for foreign trekkers on the listed route.
NTB’s page states that the listed treks need a trekker accompanied by a licensed guide. The US Embassy’s alert from March 2023 described the same change as requiring solo and independent foreign trekkers to use a local guide or porter in official national parks and protected areas, effective April 1, 2023.
Some points of context:
- Not banned everywhere. The rule applies to specified protected areas and routes. Walks outside them, such as day hikes near Pokhara or Kathmandu, are not covered.
- The March 2026 change does not affect ABC. That update removed the two-person minimum for restricted-area permits. It did not alter the guide provision.
- Enforcement is reported unevenly. The US Embassy noted in 2023 that media reports said some regions did not intend to comply. Operators today describe both strict and inconsistent checks on Annapurna trails. I found no official statement on how ABC checkpoints currently enforce it.
- Penalties are not published in a form I could verify. The Embassy says non-compliance with TIMS rules may bring fines or removal from protected areas, and that similar consequences are expected for the guide rules.
Planning to trek without a guide means planning to break a published rule. The practical case for a guide also stands without the rule: altitude, trail conditions and a person who knows the route.
ABC Trek Permit Checkpoints
Check-posts along the route record trekkers and check permits. The NTNC portal asks you to register at each one.
I have not named specific checkpoints. Operators mention several villages, but I could not match those names to an official list, and the brief asked me not to invent one. Your guide will know where to stop.
Keep your permit, passport and agency documents where you can reach them. A phone photo is a decent backup. It does not replace the permit itself.
What Happens If You Trek ABC Without the Required Permit?
The one officially stated consequence is financial: an ACAP issued at a check-post costs double, so NPR 6,000 for a foreign national instead of NPR 3,000.
For TIMS and the guide requirement, the US Embassy says fines or removal from protected areas may follow non-compliance. I did not find an official fine schedule, and some online figures cannot be traced to one, so I am not quoting any.
Enforcement varies by season and checkpoint. Paying double is the mild outcome. Being turned back is also possible.
How to Get an ABC Trek Permit Through a Trekking Agency
Because TIMS and licensed guides run through registered agencies, this is the standard path.
An agency typically:
- collects your passport details and a scanned photo
- registers you, your guide and your route on the NTB system
- pays for and issues the TIMS e-card
- arranges your ACAP, or tells you to pay it online yourself
- briefs you on check-posts
Agencies are not required for the ACAP itself, since you can pay on the NTNC portal. They are the only route to TIMS.
If you would rather focus on the trail than on permit paperwork, Nepal Adventure Trail can arrange the required trekking documents, guide support, transport and other logistics as part of an organized ABC Trek.
ABC Trek Permit vs Other Annapurna Trek Permits
“Annapurna permit” is not one document for every route.
- Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Annapurna Circuit: ACAP, and NTB’s TIMS list names Poon Hill-ABC, Mardi Himal and Annapurna Circuit among covered treks.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill on its own: not named on NTB’s list. Confirm before assuming TIMS and a guide are or are not required.
- Nar Phu Valley and Upper Mustang: restricted areas with special permits from the Department of Immigration, on top of the ACAP where it applies.
Do Permit Rules Change for Different ABC Trek Routes?
The ACAP covers the whole conservation area on a single entry, so route choice inside the area does not change the permit. NTNC’s own portal groups the Annapurna Sanctuary (ABC) trek, the Circuit and surrounding areas under one ACAP.
TIMS is where route names matter. NTB’s list says “Poon Hill-ABC Trek.” I did not find guidance on whether an approach from Ghandruk or Jhinu Danda counts under that name. Ask your agency to confirm in writing which trek name they are registering you under.
Combining ABC with a restricted area, or stretching it into the Circuit, adds requirements. Describe your full route before you pay for anything.
Best Time to Arrange Your ABC Trek Permit
Arrange it before you leave for the trailhead. Online ACAP payment can be done from home. TIMS needs an agency, so book that early.
In spring and autumn, offices are busier. I found no evidence that permits sell out, so I will not say they do. Leave a spare day if you rely on a counter, since the listed hours are Sunday to Thursday.
ABC Trek Permit: Independent vs Guided Trek
| Factor | Independent trekker | Guided trek |
|---|---|---|
| ACAP | Pay online or at counter | Agency arranges or you pay online |
| TIMS | Not sold to individuals; agency only | Agency issues e-card |
| Guide | Required on the listed route under NTB’s 2023 provision | Included |
| Paperwork | You manage ACAP, and need an agency for the rest | Agency handles it |
| Checkpoints | You register yourself | Guide registers the group |
| Practical convenience | Highest effort, highest compliance risk | Lowest effort |
Why You May See Different ABC Permit Information Online
Rules changed in 2023 and a related permit rule changed again in March 2026. Many pages predate both. You will still find an ACAP price of NPR 2,000, a two-tier TIMS system with green and blue cards, and statements that TIMS is “discontinued.” The NTB page contradicts that last claim for this route.
Many authors also sell treks, so their wording follows what they offer. Check NTNC for the ACAP and NTB for TIMS and the route list.
Practical Tips Before Starting the ABC Trek
- Pay the ACAP before the trailhead. A check-post permit costs double.
- Check name and dates on the application. The permit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Ask your agency which trek name they register you under.
- Carry the permit itself, your passport, and a phone photo of both.
- Carry insurance details that cover high-altitude evacuation.
- Treat old blog prices as history.
- Recheck NTB’s TIMS page a few weeks before you fly. The 2026 restricted-area change shows rules can move with little notice.
Making ABC Permit Arrangements Easier
The permit side of this trek is a coordination problem: your ACAP, your TIMS e-card, your guide’s licence details and your route name all have to agree. Nepal Adventure Trail handles those together for ABC departures, so a message with your dates and nationality is enough to start.
Conclusion
The ABC Trek permit comes down to a short list. Pay the ACAP, which NTNC sets at NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. Get your TIMS card through a registered agency, at NPR 2,000 or NPR 1,000. Expect a licensed guide, because NTB’s list includes the route. Carry everything for the whole trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a permit for ABC Trek?
Yes. The route is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP. Children under 10 are exempt. On the route NTB lists as Poon Hill-ABC, foreign trekkers also need a TIMS card and a licensed guide. No restricted-area permit is required.
2. How much does the ABC Trek permit cost?
For foreign nationals, the ACAP is NPR 3,000 and TIMS is NPR 2,000, so NPR 5,000 in total. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 for each. Online ACAP payment adds 2.9%. An ACAP bought at a check-post costs double.
3. What permits are required for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The ACAP, issued by NTNC, and a TIMS card issued through a registered trekking agency. NTB’s TIMS page lists Poon Hill-ABC among Annapurna treks that also require a licensed guide. A restricted-area permit is not part of the standard route.
4. Do I need TIMS for ABC Trek?
According to NTB’s current TIMS page, yes, for the Poon Hill-ABC route. Agencies buy it online for each trekker. Some operators say checkpoints rarely ask for it. That is a report about enforcement, not a change in the rule.
5. Is ACAP required for ABC Trek?
Yes. NTNC requires it for entry to the Annapurna Conservation Area. You must carry it throughout the trek and show it on request. It is single-entry, so leaving the area ends its use.
6. Where can I get an ABC Trek permit?
The ACAP is available on the NTNC e-permit portal or at an NTNC counter in Kathmandu or Pokhara. TIMS comes only through a registered trekking agency. An agency can also handle the ACAP for you.
7. Can I get ABC Trek permits in Pokhara?
The ACAP, yes. NTNC lists a Pokhara counter open Sunday to Thursday. TIMS is not sold to individuals under NTB’s procedure, so it comes through your agency. Online ACAP payment avoids the counter entirely.
8. Can I trek ABC without a guide?
NTB’s page says the listed treks need a trekker accompanied by a licensed guide. That includes the Poon Hill-ABC route. Reports on enforcement vary. The safest plan is a licensed guide hired through a registered agency.
9. What documents are required for ABC Trek permits?
For the ACAP counter, your passport or valid ID. For TIMS, the agency submits your details, guide details, route and a scanned photo. Insurance, itinerary copies and emergency contacts are commonly requested but not listed as official ACAP requirements.
10. Are ABC Trek permits different for SAARC nationals?
Yes. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 for the ACAP and NPR 1,000 for TIMS, against NPR 3,000 and NPR 2,000 for other foreigners. Indian citizens fall under the SAARC rate. Nepali citizens are handled separately, so confirm at the counter.
11. Can a trekking agency arrange my ABC permits?
Yes, and for TIMS it is the only route. Registered agencies register you and your guide, pay for the TIMS e-card online and can arrange the ACAP. Ask for permit costs itemized so you can separate official fees from service charges.
12. What happens if I trek ABC without the required permit?
The officially stated result for the ACAP is double the fee at a check-post. The US Embassy says non-compliance with TIMS rules may bring fines or removal from protected areas. I found no official fine schedule, so I do not quote amounts.