Picture this: you have finally booked your flights, packed your trekking boots, and lined up your permits for the Himalayas. Then someone mentions the TIMS card Nepal system and your planning comes to a sudden halt. What is it? Do you need one? How much does it cost? Do not worry. You are about to get every answer you need.
The Trekkers’ Information Management System, known universally as the TIMS card Nepal, is a mandatory registration document for most trekkers entering Nepal’s protected trekking corridors. Since its introduction, it has become one of the most important pre-trek formalities alongside your national park permits and visa.
Whether you are heading for Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, or the remote Langtang Valley, the TIMS permit requirements apply to you. This complete 2026 guide covers the TIMS card cost in Nepal, the full application process, where to get it, and the practical tips that save you time, money, and stress on the ground.
| Quick Overview • TIMS card Nepal cost: NPR 2,000 (individual trekker) or NPR 1,000 (organised group) • Required for: nearly all major trekking routes in Nepal • Where to apply: Kathmandu (TAAN House, Maligaon) or Pokhara (TAAN office) • Processing time: same day, typically under 30 minutes • Best paired with: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) or Sagarmatha National Park Permit |
What Is the TIMS Card Nepal and Why Do You Need It?
The TIMS card Nepal is a permit issued under the Trekkers’ Information Management System, a joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Its primary purpose is trekker safety: the system logs your personal information, trekking route, and emergency contacts so that search-and-rescue teams can locate you quickly if something goes wrong in the mountains.
Before the system existed, trekkers disappeared on remote trails with no formal record of where they had planned to go. Today, the trekking tims database means that officials know exactly how many people are on each route and can track overdue trekkers efficiently. It is one of the most practical safety nets in high-altitude adventure tourism worldwide.
Beyond safety, the TIMS card Nepal generates data that helps the government manage tourism sustainably, allocate resources to busy corridors, and plan infrastructure improvements along popular trails. Your tims price also contributes directly to trail maintenance funds, which benefits every trekker who follows you.
If you are planning to trek independently, make sure you also read our guide on how to find a female trekking guide in Nepal for safety and cultural insights that every solo trekker should know.
Who Must Apply for Trekking TIMS?
Almost every foreign national trekking in Nepal is required to apply tims before beginning their route. The rule applies regardless of your nationality, the season you travel, or whether you are trekking solo or in a group. Specifically, you need a TIMS card Nepal if you plan to walk any of the gazetted trekking routes managed by the NTB and TAAN.
The key exemptions are trekkers entering areas that already have separate restricted-area permits, such as the Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Kanchenjunga regions. In those zones, a special restricted area permit replaces the standard TIMS requirement. For virtually every other popular route, including the Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions, you must obtain your trekking tims before setting off.
| Pro Tip: Always carry your TIMS card and national park permit in a waterproof document wallet. Checkpoint officers along the trail will ask to see both documents, and a damaged or unreadable card can cause delays. |
TIMS Permit Requirements: Everything You Must Prepare
Meeting the TIMS permit requirements is straightforward, but you need to prepare the right documents before visiting the office. Arriving unprepared means a second trip, which wastes precious trekking days. Here is everything you need to apply tims without complications.
The fundamental TIMS permit requirements include a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a completed TIMS application form, two recent passport-sized photographs (typically 35mm x 45mm), your Nepal visa (affixed in your passport or on a separate document for VOA holders), and the applicable fee in Nepali Rupees. Most applicants find that gathering these materials takes less than an hour and that the actual office visit is quick and efficient.
If you are trekking with a registered agency, the agency often handles the application on your behalf, which is one reason many first-time trekkers prefer to book a guided trip. Independent trekkers must visit the TAAN office in person or, in some cases, apply through their trekking agency if they have hired a licensed guide but not a full package.
Green TIMS Card vs Blue TIMS Card: Which Do You Need?
There are two versions of the TIMS card Nepal, and choosing the correct one is essential. The Green TIMS Card is issued to trekkers who are hiking independently, without a registered Nepali trekking company. The Blue TIMS Card is for trekkers who have booked a trek through a TAAN-registered or NTB-licensed agency and are accompanied by a certified guide.
The tims price differs between the two. Independent trekkers pay NPR 2,000 for the Green Card, while organised group trekkers pay NPR 1,000 for the Blue Card. This pricing structure encourages trekkers to use licensed local guides and agencies, which supports Nepal’s professional guiding community.
If you plan to trek solo, be honest on your application. Using a Blue Card when you have no registered agency behind you is considered fraudulent and can result in serious complications at checkpoints. Rangers cross-reference your card against agency records, particularly on popular routes.
| Pro Tip: The cheapest way to trek Nepal is often through a small registered agency that pairs you with a licensed local guide. You get the Blue TIMS card at half the cost, local expertise, and a safety net if conditions change. |
Planning to trek the Annapurna region? Start with our detailed Annapurna Circuit trekking guide for 2026 before finalising your permit list.
TIMS Card Cost Nepal: Full 2026 Fee Breakdown
Understanding the TIMS card cost Nepal before you arrive saves you from scrambling for cash at the last minute. Fees are collected in Nepali Rupees only, and offices do not accept card payments or foreign currency. Here is the full 2026 breakdown of what you will pay and what is included in that fee.
The standard tims price structure has two tiers. Individual trekkers on the Green TIMS card pay NPR 2,000. Group trekkers on the Blue TIMS card pay NPR 1,000 per person. SAARC nationals (citizens of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan) receive a significant concession: NPR 600 for individual and NPR 300 for group trekkers. These fees are reviewed periodically by the NTB and TAAN, so always confirm the current tims price at the office before joining a queue.
The TIMS card cost Nepal does not include your national park or conservation area permit. Those are separate fees. For example, if you are trekking the Annapurna Circuit, you will also pay for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) at NPR 3,000 for most foreign nationals. For the Everest region, the Sagarmatha National Park entry fee applies on top of your trekking tims cost.
| Trekker Type | Card Colour | Fee (NPR) |
| Independent foreign trekker | Green | 2,000 |
| Group foreign trekker (agency) | Blue | 1,000 |
| Independent SAARC national | Green | 600 |
| Group SAARC national (agency) | Blue | 300 |
| Pro Tip: Exchange enough Nepali Rupees before visiting the TIMS office. The offices in both Kathmandu and Pokhara are cash-only, and the nearest ATM may not always be functional. Bring slightly more than the fee to cover any minor administrative charges. |
How to Get TIMS Card in Nepal: Step-by-Step Application Guide
How to get TIMS card in Nepal is one of the most common questions new trekkers ask, and the good news is that the process is simpler than most people expect. You do not need an appointment, you do not need to apply online in advance, and the entire process from queue to completed card usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes during normal office hours.
The process to apply tims involves visiting a TAAN office in person, submitting your documents, completing the application form, paying the fee, and receiving your card on the spot. There is no online portal as of 2026, and cards cannot be purchased at trailheads or checkpoints, so you must sort this out before you leave Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before you leave your hotel, collect your original passport, two passport-sized photographs (35mm x 45mm, white background), a photocopy of the photo page of your passport, and a photocopy of your Nepal visa page. If you are booking through an agency, your agency representative may carry a letter confirming your group booking. Have the name of your trekking destination ready, as the form asks for your planned route and estimated return date.
Step 2: Visit the Right TIMS Office
There are two primary TIMS offices where you can apply tims: the TAAN office at Maligaon in Kathmandu (near the Department of Tourism) and the TAAN office in Pokhara’s Lakeside area. Office hours are typically Sunday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in peak trekking season. Offices are closed on Saturdays and public holidays, which catch many trekkers off guard.
If you are in Kathmandu, reach Maligaon by taxi from Thamel in roughly 15 minutes. If you are based in Pokhara and heading for an Annapurna route, use the Pokhara office for efficiency. There is no advantage to obtaining your card in a different city than your departure point.
Step 3: Complete the TIMS Application Form
At the office, you will receive a TIMS application form to fill in on-site. It asks for your full name as it appears on your passport, nationality, passport number, Nepal visa number, the trekking route you plan to follow, your expected start and end dates, your emergency contact details (name, phone, and email), and the name of your trekking agency if applicable. Fill in every field accurately. Incomplete forms are returned for correction, which adds time.
Step 4: Pay the TIMS Card Cost Nepal and Collect Your Card
Once your form is submitted and checked by the officer, you will be directed to pay the applicable TIMS card cost Nepal at the cashier counter. Pay the exact amount in Nepali Rupees and collect your receipt. Your TIMS card is printed and laminated on the spot. Double-check that your name, nationality, passport number, and route details are all correct before leaving the counter, as corrections after the fact require a return visit.
| Pro Tip: Arrive at the TIMS office before 11:00 AM to avoid the mid-morning rush, particularly during peak trekking seasons (October and March). The queue can build significantly by midday, especially in Kathmandu. |
Heading to Everest? Read our complete guide on Everest Base Camp trekking for beginners to understand all the permits you will need for the Khumbu region.
Where Is TIMS Card Required? Major Trekking Routes Covered
Your TIMS card Nepal is valid across the entire gazetted trekking network, but checkpoint officers record your card number only along the specific route you have declared. Understanding where the trekking tims requirement applies prevents surprises at remote checkpoints and ensures your card is valid for your chosen trail.
The four major trekking regions where the TIMS card Nepal is mandatory are the Annapurna region (including the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit, and Poon Hill), the Everest region (including Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, and the Three Passes route), the Langtang region (including Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, and Helambu), and the Manaslu Circuit. On all these routes, you will encounter multiple checkpoints staffed by TAAN-affiliated officials who log your card details in a register.
In addition to these major corridors, the TIMS card is required on most shorter and lesser-known trails in the Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, and Rara regions, unless those areas have their own restricted permit scheme. When in doubt, always obtain your trekking tims. No office will penalise you for having it when it turns out not to be strictly required, but you can be turned back at checkpoints if you do not have it.
Exploring the remote western reaches? Our Mustang trekking guides explain the separate Upper Mustang restricted-area permit system in full detail.
For the northern valleys, browse our Langtang trekking content including the classic Langtang Valley route and the Gosaikunda circuit.
TIMS Checkpoints: What to Expect on the Trail
Every major trekking route in Nepal has a series of TAAN-managed checkpoints, typically located at key junctions or the entrance to national park and conservation area zones. At each checkpoint, a uniformed officer will ask to see your TIMS card Nepal, your conservation area or national park permit, and your passport for identity verification.
The officer records your card number, the date, and your direction of travel in a physical register and sometimes a digital system. This data is how Nepal tracks trekker safety and counts tourism statistics. Never be tempted to bypass a checkpoint, even if the detour seems faster. Bypassing is considered an offence under the Tourism Act and can result in fines and confiscation of your trekking permits.
| Pro Tip: Photograph your TIMS card and all other permits with your phone the moment you receive them. If your physical card is lost or damaged mid-trek, the digital copy and your receipt number help the nearest TAAN checkpoint issue a replacement or verify your registration. |
TIMS Card Nepal for Different Nationalities: Special Rules
While the TIMS permit requirements are broadly the same for all foreign nationals, there are a few nationality-specific rules worth knowing before you apply tims. Indian nationals, in particular, have a different documentary requirement compared to other foreign trekkers.
Indian passport holders can enter Nepal without a visa, but they still require a TIMS card Nepal to trek in gazetted areas. Instead of a visa copy, Indian nationals submit a copy of their passport or their Voter Identity Card (if entering via land border without a passport). The tims price for Indian nationals follows the SAARC concession rate: NPR 600 for individual trekkers and NPR 300 for organised group trekkers.
Citizens of all other SAARC member states, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Afghanistan, also qualify for the reduced SAARC trekking tims rate. All other foreign nationals pay the standard rate. There are no additional concessions for children, students, or senior citizens beyond the SAARC discount.
For a broader picture of Nepal’s travel regulations, visit the official Nepal Tourism Board website for the latest updates on permits, fees, and travel advisories.
What If I Trek Without a TIMS Card?
Trekking without a valid TIMS card Nepal is a serious regulatory offence. At every checkpoint, officers are trained to identify trekkers who have not obtained their trekking tims. If caught, you will typically be asked to pay an on-the-spot fine, which is substantially higher than the original tims price. In more serious cases, you may be escorted back to the nearest town to obtain the card before being permitted to continue.
Beyond the financial penalty, trekking without a TIMS card means you are invisible to Nepal’s search-and-rescue infrastructure. If you become lost, injured, or overdue, no one is looking for you specifically. This is a genuine safety risk in high-altitude terrain where weather can change without warning and injuries can occur far from help.
| Pro Tip: Always double-check that your TIMS card reflects your actual trekking route. If you change your plans mid-trek, report to the nearest TAAN checkpoint and update your registration. This keeps the safety system accurate and protects you. |
TIMS Card Nepal and Other Essential Trekking Permits
The TIMS card Nepal works alongside, not instead of, other mandatory trekking permits. Understanding how all the permits interact prevents costly mistakes and ensures you are fully legal at every checkpoint you encounter. Most popular routes require at least two to three separate documents.
For the Annapurna region, you need your trekking tims plus the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). For the Everest region, you need your TIMS card plus the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, and if you plan to enter the Khumbu region via Lukla, no additional permits are needed beyond those two. For the Langtang region, the Langtang National Park entry permit accompanies your trekking tims. For Manaslu, a special Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and a restricted area permit for certain sectors replace or complement the standard TIMS card.
National park and conservation area permits are purchased at the respective park offices or in Kathmandu and Pokhara. They are not available at the TIMS office, so plan your permit run to cover both stops if you are collecting everything on the same day.
Planning an Annapurna trek? Our comprehensive Annapurna section includes full permit guides, itineraries, and packing lists for every major route in the massif.
Heading to Everest Base Camp? Browse our Mount Everest guides for everything from permit costs to the summit, altitude sickness advice, and gear recommendations.
Where to Get National Park Permits in Kathmandu
Most national park and conservation area permits can be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board Tourist Service Centre in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, which is open Sunday to Friday during regular office hours. The ACAP and Sagarmatha National Park permits, along with the Langtang National Park permit, are all available at this office. You can obtain your TIMS card at the TAAN office at Maligaon on the same day if you time your trip efficiently.
In Pokhara, the ACAP permit is also available from the ACAP office in Damside, and the TIMS office at Lakeside issues the trekking tims for both independent and group trekkers. Most trekkers who depart from Pokhara towards the Annapurna region find it most convenient to collect all permits in Pokhara on the day before or the morning of departure.
| Pro Tip: Write out a permits checklist for your specific route before leaving home. Pack it with your travel documents and tick off each permit as you obtain it. This simple step has saved countless trekkers from expensive returns to Kathmandu mid-trek. |
Practical Tips for a Smooth TIMS Application Experience
Having guided hundreds of trekkers through Nepal’s permit system, I know exactly where things go wrong and how to avoid the most common pitfalls. These field-tested tips make your trekking tims application as smooth as possible.
First, go early in the season if possible. Peak trekking months (October and March) see the longest queues at both TIMS offices. Arriving even two or three days before the main crowd allows you to collect your documents without stress. Second, bring extra passport photos. The standard requirement is two, but having four gives you a buffer if a photo is rejected for quality reasons or if you need extras for national park permits on the same day.
Third, verify the office opening schedule before you go. Nepal observes a six-day work week (Sunday to Friday), and public holidays follow the Bikram Sambat calendar, which does not align with the Gregorian calendar most travellers use. A quick check with your hotel or trekking agency the evening before saves a wasted journey. Fourth, keep your original receipts for all permits. Checkpoint officers occasionally ask for receipts alongside the physical card, particularly for national park entries.
Can I Renew or Extend a TIMS Card?
The TIMS card Nepal is valid for the duration of the trek you declared on your application. It does not have a fixed calendar-year validity like some permits. If your trek extends beyond your declared return date, you are expected to report to the nearest checkpoint and update your registration, or contact your trekking agency.
There is no formal renewal process for the trekking tims. If you plan a second, separate trek on a different route during the same Nepal visit, you will need to apply tims again for that route at the TAAN office. Each trek requires its own card, and the tims price applies each time. Plan your trekking itinerary carefully to consolidate routes where possible and minimise repeat applications.
Looking for more Nepal travel guidance? Our Nepal travel guide section covers everything from visa applications to domestic flights and regional transport tips.
For city-based planning before your trek, our Kathmandu city guide will help you navigate the capital’s permit offices, gear shops, and logistics hubs.
| Pro Tip: If your trekking agency arranges your TIMS card as part of a package, ask to see the physical card yourself before departure and verify that all details are correct. Some agencies make data entry errors that only become apparent at remote checkpoints. |
Frequently Asked Questions About the TIMS Card Nepal
Is the TIMS card Nepal mandatory for every trekker?
Yes, the trekking tims is mandatory for virtually all foreign nationals trekking on gazetted routes. The only exceptions are trekkers entering zones covered by separate restricted-area permits, where the restricted permit replaces the standard TIMS requirement. When in doubt, obtain the card. It is better to have it and not strictly need it than to be turned back at a remote checkpoint.
Can I apply tims online?
As of 2026, there is no fully functional online system for independent trekkers to apply tims remotely. Applications must be made in person at a TAAN office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Some trekking agencies offer to handle the application as part of a package, which is the closest equivalent to a remote application process for organised trekkers.
What happens if I lose my TIMS card on the trail?
If you lose your TIMS card Nepal mid-trek, go to the nearest TAAN checkpoint immediately and report the loss. Officers can contact the main office to verify your registration using your passport number and receipt number. In some cases, a temporary endorsement is issued so you can continue your trek. This is why keeping a photograph of your card on your phone is strongly advised.
Is the tims price the same year-round?
The TIMS card cost Nepal is set by the NTB and TAAN and is reviewed periodically. The fees do not change seasonally; they apply equally in peak (October, March) and off-peak months. Always confirm the current tims price at the office before paying, as fees have been revised multiple times since the system launched.
Do children need a TIMS card?
Children accompanying trekking parties are generally expected to have their own TIMS card Nepal, though checkpoint enforcement can vary. It is safest to obtain cards for all members of your party, including children, and to check with your trekking agency for the most current guidance on minors.
Your Nepal Trek Begins With the Right Permits
The TIMS card Nepal is not just bureaucratic paperwork. It is your safety net in the mountains, your contribution to trail infrastructure, and your formal entry into Nepal’s extraordinary trekking network. Understanding the TIMS permit requirements, knowing the TIMS card cost Nepal, and knowing exactly how to apply tims takes less than an hour of preparation but can save you days of stress on the trail.
Nepal’s mountains are among the most spectacular on Earth. The Annapurna massif, the Everest corridor, the Langtang Valley: every route rewards those who prepare well. The trekking tims is your licence to explore them safely and legally. Sort it out before you head to the trailhead, keep your copy in a waterproof sleeve, and then focus entirely on the mountains ahead.
Ready to start planning? Explore our complete Nepal travel guide and map out the perfect Himalayan adventure from your first permit to your last summit view.
