Planning your Everest Base Camp trek? Start by setting aside NPR 6,000 for the two main entry permits if you’re in the standard foreign-national category. SAARC nationals, including travellers from Bangladesh and India, pay NPR 3,500, while Chinese nationals pay NPR 5,000.
These fees cover entry to Sagarmatha National Park and the local Khumbu Trek-Card. They’re separate from your flights, accommodation, guide and other travel expenses. For a full breakdown of how much the Everest Base Camp trek costs in total, including permits, flights and lodging, see our cost guide.
One detail needs extra attention before you go: TIMS and guide requirements. Nepal Tourism Board’s published guidance and the arrangements commonly reported in Khumbu do not fully align. Below, we explain what to budget, where to arrange your permits and what to confirm before departure.
Table of Contents
Everest Base Camp Permit Costs at a Glance
For the standard Nepal-side trek from Lukla, the published adult entry fees are:
| Permit | Most Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals Other Than Nepalis | Chinese Nationals |
| Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,500 | NPR 3,000 |
| Khumbu Municipality Trek-Card | NPR 3,000 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 2,000 |
| Total for Both Entry Permits | NPR 6,000 | NPR 3,500 | NPR 5,000 |
The standard foreign-national category excludes SAARC and Chinese nationals. Separate rates or exemptions apply to Nepali citizens and children.
It’s best to plan your permit budget in Nepali rupees. A fixed dollar estimate can be misleading because exchange rates change.
These totals cover the two entry fees only. They do not include TIMS if required, agency service charges or additional permits for a different approach route.
Which Permits Do You Need?
The standard Everest Base Camp route through Lukla involves two main entry documents:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card
They serve different purposes, so one does not replace the other. The park permit covers entry into the protected area, while the Trek-Card is the local Khumbu entry and registration arrangement. With how many people hiking to Everest Base Camp each year, these two permits help manage conservation and local infrastructure.
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Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
The published park-entry fees are:
- Foreign nationals outside SAARC: NPR 3,000 per person, per entry
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,500 per person, per entry
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100 per person, per entry
- Children under 10: Free entry
If you’re travelling from Bangladesh or India, make sure your booking reflects the SAARC rate.
Where to Get It
You can arrange the park permit at:
- The Tourist Service Center at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu
- The national park entrance at Monjo
Kathmandu is a useful option if you’d like to handle some paperwork before heading to the mountains. Monjo is convenient because it lies along the standard EBC trail.
Bring your passport, and check current counter hours if you’re planning a visit to the Kathmandu office. Learn more about how to get Everest Base Camp trek permits in Kathmandu and on the trail.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card
The municipality publishes these Trek-Card fees:
- SAARC and Chinese nationals: NPR 2,000
- Other foreign nationals: NPR 3,000
This means the local fee is not the same for every nationality, despite what some older guides suggest.
Where to Get It
The municipality lists the Tourist Information Center in Lukla as the issuing office. A passport is the listed required document.
If you’re walking into the region on a route that skips Lukla, confirm where to register before you start. It’s better to know your collection point in advance than assume the next checkpoint can issue the card. For complete details on regulations, TIMS status and where to apply, see our permits, regulations, exact costs guide.
Do You Need a TIMS Card or a Guide?
This is the part of permit planning that can feel confusing and the conflicting advice online doesn’t help.
Nepal Tourism Board’s published revised TIMS guidance, effective from March 31, 2023, lists Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and Three Passes among routes requiring:
- A licensed trekking guide
- An agency-issued TIMS card
The published TIMS fee is NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC foreign applicants and NPR 1,000 for SAARC applicants.
However, reports of local arrangements describe Khumbu as using its own Trek-Card system and allowing independent trekking. That difference is why you’ll find articles giving opposite answers. If you’re unsure whether you need one, check do you need a guide for Everest Base Camp trek and can you trek Everest Base Camp solo.
The practical next step is to confirm the requirements for your route and travel dates. Check with Nepal Tourism Board, the Khumbu Tourist Information Center and your registered trekking agency before making final plans.
If your agency includes or excludes TIMS, ask it to explain the current requirement behind that decision.
Allowing for TIMS in Your Budget
If TIMS is required for your trip, the combined document costs would be:
| Category | Two Entry Permits | TIMS, If Required | Combined Cost |
| Most foreign nationals | NPR 6,000 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 8,000 |
| SAARC nationals other than Nepalis | NPR 3,500 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 4,500 |
Guide fees are separate. Even apart from the paperwork, a qualified guide can help with route decisions, recognising altitude-related problems and arranging assistance when needed. This is especially important given why Everest Base Camp is famous and why it draws so many trekkers.
Can You Arrange the Permits Online?
You can begin the Khumbu Trek-Card registration process through the app link or registration QR code provided by the municipality.
Just remember that completing a registration form may not mean you’ve paid the fee or received final entry clearance. Follow the instructions carefully and check whether you still need to visit the issuing counter.
For the national park permit, the published payment options include Kathmandu and park entry points.
If an agency handles the arrangements for you, ask what has already been issued and what still needs to be collected on the trail.
What Should You Bring?
A little preparation makes permit stops easier. Keep these items somewhere accessible:
- Your original passport
- A paper or offline digital copy of your passport identification page
- Enough NPR cash for your fees
- A small amount of extra cash for unexpected expenses
- Your itinerary and agency details, if applicable
- Any registration confirmation you’ve already received
You may see advice telling every trekker to bring two passport photographs. The municipal Trek-Card listing specifies a passport but does not list photographs as a universal requirement. Check the requirements for the documents you’re arranging.
For payment, bring Nepali rupees rather than relying on US dollars being accepted. It’s also wise not to depend on card payments or internet access at trail checkpoints.
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Will a Different Route Need Extra Permits?
The prices in this guide apply to the standard Everest Base Camp approach through Lukla, which is where the Everest Base Camp trek starts.
If you choose another route, check the areas you’ll pass through. An itinerary that enters Gaurishankar Conservation Area, for example, needs the relevant conservation-area permit in addition to the Everest-region documents.
Standard Gokyo and Three Passes itineraries generally use the same national park and Khumbu entry permits. However, both routes also appear in Nepal Tourism Board’s TIMS and guide guidance. If you’re comparing Everest Base Camp vs Gokyo Lakes, the permit requirements are largely the same, but confirm for your exact itinerary.
Share your full itinerary when checking requirements especially if you’re adding another protected area or a climbing objective.
What Isn’t Included in Permit Fees?
Permit costs are only one part of your trek budget. You’ll need to plan separately for:
- Nepal visa fees, where applicable
- Flights and ground transfers
- Guide and porter services
- Accommodation and meals
- Travel insurance suitable for your planned altitude – see our Everest Base Camp insurance guide
- Trekking equipment – check our Everest Base Camp trek packing guide
- Charging, internet and personal spending
- Any separately quoted agency service charges
These aren’t hidden permit fees; they’re separate travel expenses.
If you’re booking a package, ask the operator to name the permits included. A clear breakdown helps you compare packages and avoids surprises later. For help staying on budget, read our guide to Everest Base Camp on a budget and the ultimate cost breakdown.
Simple Ways to Avoid Overpaying
You usually won’t find a discount on an official entry fee. The best way to save money is to pay the correct amount and avoid unnecessary or duplicate charges.
Check Your Nationality Category
Make sure your quote uses the right rate. The national park and municipality have different pricing categories.
Compare Quotes in NPR
Rupee-based quotes make it easier to see whether a price difference comes from the official fee, a currency conversion or an agency charge.
Ask for a Breakdown
Your quote should separate the park permit, Trek-Card, TIMS if applicable and any administration fees.
Keep Your Receipts
Store your permits and payment receipts safely. Offline photos are useful backups, but keep the original documents too.
Check Before Paying Again
If your agency has arranged a permit, confirm its status before buying another one at a checkpoint.
Reconfirm Close to Departure
A quick check before travelling can help you catch changes to fees, registration procedures or document requirements.
Final Thoughts
For the two main Everest Base Camp entry permits, budget NPR 6,000 for most foreign nationals, NPR 3,500 for SAARC nationals other than Nepalis, or NPR 5,000 for Chinese nationals. Keep your passport and NPR cash handy, check which permits your trekking package includes, and save your receipts.
Before you leave, confirm the current TIMS and guide requirements for your itinerary, as these may affect your total budget and arrangements. With the paperwork sorted, you’ll have one less thing to worry about when you reach the trail. And if you want to extend your trip for the best sunrise view over Everest, factor that into your permit validity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Children Pay the Same Permit Fees as Adults?
Not always. Children under 10 receive free entry to Sagarmatha National Park under the published fee schedule. Check the municipality’s child policy separately. The national park exemption does not automatically apply to the Trek-Card.
How Long Are the Permits Valid?
A typical trek’s length is not the same as a permit’s validity. Sagarmatha National Park publishes its fee per person, per entry, rather than as a 12–16-day pass. Read the conditions on your documents and ask about re-entry or longer stays if you plan to change your route. Most trekkers complete the hike to Everest Base Camp in 12-14 days, but your permit conditions are separate from your itinerary.
Do Permit Prices Increase During Peak Season?
The published park and municipality schedules do not list separate peak-season entry rates. Fees can still be revised, so check before departure. Flights, accommodation and other trek expenses may change independently of permit prices. Check the best time to trek Everest Base Camp to understand seasonal cost differences.
Are Permits Included in Guided Trekking Packages?
Many packages include them, but inclusions vary. Ask your operator which documents it will arrange, whether the official fees are covered and whether there are any separate processing charges.
Do You Need a Climbing Permit to Visit Everest Base Camp?
No. A standard trek to Everest Base Camp does not require an Everest summit climbing permit. If you add a climbing objective to your trip, check its separate permit and equipment requirements. The distance from base camp to the summit is a completely different expedition.
Should You Bring USD or Nepali Rupees?
Bring Nepali rupees for permit payments. Smaller notes can make transactions easier. Don’t rely on checkpoints accepting US dollars, cards or online payments.
