Permit Required for a Langtang Trek — 2021 Updated
Before you leave for the trek in the Langtang region you should be well aware of the two different permits required for a Langtang trek. They are TIMS card and Langtang National Park Entry Permit.
There are many trekking options in the Langtang Region. Langtang region in Nepal is located to the north of Kathmandu and bordering Tibet and It is the closest trekking region from Kathmandu.
Some of the famous treks are Gosaikunda Lake Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Helambu Trek.
Permits Required for the Langtang Trek
Here are the complete details
TIMS Card
For safety all trekkers in Nepal must acquire the Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card before trekking. TIMS Card is mandatory to ensure the safety and security of trekkers in the general trekking areas. Travel insurance is essential to acquire permission for trekking in Nepal and for obtaining the TIMS Card.
Update Feb 13, 2020: TIMS check post is now in SyapruBesi. TIMS card is required for this trek.
There are three kinds of TIMS card
Green TIMS Card: for individual trekkers, costs $20
Blue TIMS Card: for group trekkers, costs $10
Pink TIMS Card: for SAARC country citizens, costs $6
Fees, photocopy of your passport, and passport size photographs are required to obtain TIMS Card from Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, and Trekking Agencies’ Association Nepal (TAAN) Office in Maligaon and Government registered trekking companies in Kathmandu
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
You need to get a special permit- the Langtang National Park Permit- It costs $30 excluding 13% VAT (Value Added Tax).
Though, any resident of the SAARC nations can get the license for $15 excluding VAT. Be that as it may, the kids younger than 10, if are trekking in this area, don’t have to pay any charges the licenses.
Langtang National Park Permit is available in Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu. Or you can buy them at the entry point in Dhunche.
Shivapuri National Park Entrance
The starting point of the Langtang trek is at Syabrubeshi after around a 6–7 hours drive from Kathmandu. But many trekkers prefer to follow the Helambu trail starting from Shivapuri National Park. And, to walk through the Shivapuri National Park you need to pay certain charges ie. $5 excluding VAT.
Important FAQ’s
If I am a solo trekker, do I need to affiliate with a company to get a permit?
No, you do not need to affiliate with any company to get a permit. You can get both permits required for a Langtang trek from the Nepal Tourism Board or at the trailhead.
Do I need a restricted area permit for this trek?
No, you do not need a restricted area permit. Langtang region does not fall under the restricted areas. So, you can buy the permits by yourself and do solo trekking as well.
Is the cost of the permits high in peak seasons than in off-seasons?
No. The cost of permits is same throughout all the seasons. However, if you trek without a permit on the trail, you will have to pay for the fines as well as the permit. This will cost you more than the actual permit cost.
