ACAP Permit Guide (2026 Rules)

• Permit Name: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
• Managed By: National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)
• Foreigner Fee: NPR 3,000 (~USD 23) per person
• SAARC National Fee: NPR 1,000 (~USD 8) per person
• Documents Required: Passport copy, 2 passport-sized photos, cash in NPR
• Validity: Single entry, valid for the duration of the trek
• Where to Buy: Nepal Tourism Board offices — Kathmandu or Pokhara
• Online Option: Partial pre-registration is available, but physical checkout is required.

The ACAP permit is the entry authorization required to trek inside the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in central Nepal. It is one of the two most commonly required trekking permits in the Annapurna region.

ACAP Stand For: ACAP stands for Annapurna Conservation Area Project — the conservation initiative that manages and protects the entire Annapurna region. The full permit name is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, often shortened simply to ACAP permit.

The Annapurna Conservation Area spans 7,629 square kilometers of mountain terrain, including forests, rivers, glaciers, and high-altitude grasslands across the Gandaki Province of Nepal. It was established in 1986 and remains the largest protected area in the country.

Who Manages the ACAP Permit System? The ACAP permit is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), a government-affiliated autonomous organization responsible for nature conservation in Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board handles permit distribution at its offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Together, NTNC and Nepal Tourism Board ensure that every trekker entering the conservation area is registered, and that permit revenues are channeled back into the protection of the region.

Which Areas Does the Permit Cover? Your ACAP permit gives you legal access to the entire Annapurna Conservation Area. This covers all the major trekking routes that fall within the ACA boundary, including:

• Annapurna Circuit Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek (Annapurna Sanctuary)
• Mardi Himal Trek
• Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
• Khopra Ridge Trek
• Mohare Danda Trek

The ACAP permit exists for reasons that go well beyond bureaucracy. The fees collected directly fund the conservation, safety infrastructure, and community systems that make responsible trekking possible in this region.

Environmental Conservation Funding: The Annapurna Conservation Area receives several hundred thousand trekkers annually. Without active management, that kind of foot traffic would cause serious environmental degradation. Permit revenues fund trail maintenance, forest conservation efforts, waste management programs, and the restoration of high-altitude ecosystems.

Trekker Registration and Safety Monitoring: Every ACAP checkpoint along the trail records your permit number, name, and nationality. This creates a live tracking system that conservation area administrators and rescue teams can use if a trekker goes missing or requires emergency assistance in a remote area.

Local Community Development: A meaningful share of ACAP permit revenue is allocated directly to local community development projects within the conservation area. This includes funding for mountain village schools, primary health clinics, infrastructure improvements, and community training programs.

Understanding the fee structure before you arrive avoids confusion at the permit office. Fees are charged per person, not per group, and must be paid in Nepalese Rupees (NPR).

Do Children Need an ACAP Permit? Children under the age of 10 are generally not required to obtain an ACAP permit. Children aged 10 and above are typically subject to the same permit fee as adults, depending on their nationality.

Payment Note: Fees must be paid in Nepalese Rupees (NPR) cash at the permit office counter. Foreign currency is not accepted. Make sure to withdraw NPR from an ATM in Kathmandu or Pokhara before visiting the permit office.

Any person — regardless of age, nationality, or trekking style — who enters the Annapurna Conservation Area is legally required to hold a valid ACAP permit. There are no exemptions based on trek length or purpose.

Independent Trekkers: If you are trekking without a guide or as part of a self-organized trip, obtaining your ACAP permit is entirely your responsibility. You must visit the Nepal Tourism Board permit office in Kathmandu or Pokhara and complete the application yourself before your trek begins.

Guided Trek Participants: If you have booked a trek through a registered trekking operator, your agency will typically arrange the ACAP permit as part of your package.

The ACAP permit application process is straightforward when you know what to bring and where to go. Most travelers complete the process within 30 to 60 minutes at the permit office.

Step-by-Step ACAP Permit Application Process:

1. Prepare your documents: Gather your passport copy (data page), two passport-sized photographs, and your Nepal visa copy.
2. Withdraw NPR cash: Go to an ATM and withdraw the required fee amount in Nepalese Rupees cash.
3. Visit the Nepal Tourism Board permit office: Go to either the Kathmandu or Pokhara office during working hours.
4. Complete the form: Fill in your personal details, trekking route, and entry date.
5. Submit and pay: Hand your completed form, passport copy, photos, and NPR cash to the counter staff.
6. Receive your permit: Permits are typically issued on the same day, often within 30 minutes of submission.
7. Store safely: Keep it in a waterproof document pouch. You will need to show it at multiple checkpoints during your trek.

ACAP permits are issued by the Nepal Tourism Board at two main locations. You cannot purchase a valid permit at trailheads, guesthouses, or from private vendors.

ACAP Permit Office in Kathmandu: Nepal Tourism Board Office, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal. (Near the Tourist Service Center, accessible from Thamel).

ACAP Permit Office in Pokhara: Nepal Tourism Board Office, Damside (Pardi), Pokhara, Nepal. (Near Phewa Lake waterfront area). We recommend this office for trekkers starting Annapurna-area treks from Pokhara.

Permit Office Opening Hours: Both permit offices operate Sunday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Saturdays and Nepali public holidays).

As of 2026, partial online functionality exists through the Nepal Tourism Board's digital portal, but end-to-end paperless processing is not fully operational. Physical checkout and printing are still required at NTB offices in most cases.

Any trekking route that passes through the Annapurna Conservation Area requires a valid ACAP permit:

• Annapurna Circuit Trek: Enforced at checkpoints throughout the 12 to 21-day route.
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Enforced at Ghandruk and Chhomrong checkpoints before entering the Sanctuary.
• Mardi Himal Trek: Required for the ridge ascent.
• Khopra Ridge Trek: Mandatory without exception. Runs through Ghorepani, Swanta, and Khayer Lake (4,500m). We manage this as a community-owned eco-trek and arrange permits as part of all package itineraries.
• Poon Hill Trek: Enforced at Birethanti checkpoint before beginning the ascent toward Ghorepani.

Your permit will be verified and registered at several checking stations along the trail to ensure trekker safety:

• Birethanti Checkpost (Trail Entry): The first place your permit is checked and registered.
• Ghandruk Verification Checkpoint: Located in Ghandruk village, a major route junction.
• Ghorepani Exit Checkpoint: Serves as the checkpoint for Poon Hill and Khopra Ridge routes.

Carry Your Permit at All Times: Keep your permit in a waterproof pouch carried on your person, not buried deep in your backpack, to prevent delays at checkpoints.

The ACAP permit is a conservation area entry permit issued by the NTNC. The TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System card) was historically a separate identification and tracking card.

Important 2026 Update: Under recent government rules consolidating trekking permits, the ACAP permit functions as the primary registration document for most Annapurna routes, and a separate TIMS card is often no longer required for group-guided packages. Independent trekkers should confirm current dual-permit rules for their specific route with the Nepal Tourism Board or their operator before departure.

Validity: The ACAP permit is a single-entry permit valid for the duration of your trek within the conservation area. If you exit the conservation area and wish to re-enter later, a new permit must be purchased.

Non-Transferable:Permits are issued in your name and tied to your passport details. Using another person's permit is a serious violation and will result in confiscation.

Trekking without a valid permit is a significant mistake. If you arrive at checkpoints without one, you will be turned back to the nearest permit office, or forced to pay a double fee penalty. There is no financial benefit to attempting the trek without a valid permit.

• Forgetting Passport Copies: Bring printed photocopies of your passport data page and visa. NTB offices do not have walk-in photocopiers.
• Carrying Only Foreign Currency: The permit counter only accepts Nepalese Rupees (NPR) cash. Exchanging or withdrawing NPR before arrival is essential.
• Losing the Permit: Keep your permit in a waterproof sleeve to prevent damage from rain or river crossings.
• Expecting Trailhead Purchase: Permits cannot be purchased at trailheads. They must be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Guided Operators: Registered operators handle ACAP permit and TIMS registration logistics before you depart. This is highly recommended for first-time visitors or anyone with limited time.

We arrange all permit logistics as part of our Annapurna packages, ensuring your paperwork is cleared in Pokhara before departure.