Trekking in Nepal for Nepali citizens
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A Nepali citizen can trek across Nepal for far less than a foreign visitor pays, because permits, teahouse rooms, food and transport are charged at local rates. Permits are NPR 100 per person per entry at most national parks and conservation areas, against NPR 2,000 to 3,000 for foreigners (Nepal Tourism Board, checked 21 October 2026). The table below shows room and food per day and round-trip transport by region. We found no verified restricted-area fee for Nepali citizens, so we publish none. Nepali citizens do not need a TIMS card. On guides: A licensed guide through a registered agency is required in restricted areas (Department of Immigration) and, under the Nepal Tourism Board rule of April 2023, in national parks and conservation areas. Follow the rule everywhere, although 2026 operator reports say Khumbu uses a trek card instead (checked 19 October 2026). Post a trip in 30 seconds to find partners, or join one open at Nepali rates. Last verified: October 19, 2026.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
What does a trek cost a Nepali citizen?
The table uses the local room-and-food and round-trip transport ranges we hold for each region, not the dollar prices written for foreigners. Add permits, a guide where one is required and any gear you need to buy or rent.
Transport is the biggest swing. A shared jeep to a road-head costs far less per person than a flight, and a group of five splits a private jeep five ways. Our cost calculator splits the total across your group.
Typical Nepali costs by region
Ranges in NPR at Nepali (local) rates. Room and food are per person per day; transport is round trip from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
| Region | Days | Room and food per day | Transport round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest (Khumbu) | 12-20 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | NPR 10,000 - 20,000 |
| Annapurna | 4-18 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | NPR 1,400 - 4,200 |
| Langtang | 7-14 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | NPR 15,000 - 29,500 |
| Kathmandu Valley | 1-3 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | - |
| Makalu | 14-20 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | NPR 34,200 - 45,600 |
| Pokhara | 3-4 | NPR 2,000 - 3,000 | - |
Figures are estimates and change by season. Regions without a figure are left out.
Permit fees for Nepali citizens
The Nepal Tourism Board park fee page, checked on 21 October 2026, lists these per person per entry. Children under 10 enter free.
- NPR 100 at Annapurna, Manaslu, Gaurishankar and Kanchenjunga conservation areas, and at Sagarmatha, Langtang, Makalu-Barun, Rara, Shey-Phoksundo and Shivapuri-Nagarjun national parks.
- NPR 150 at Chitwan National Park. Foreigners pay NPR 2,000 to 3,000 at most of the same places.
- Annapurna: reports conflict, from free with a national ID to NPR 200, so confirm at the counter.
- Restricted areas: we found no verified fee for Nepali citizens, so ask the Department of Immigration or your agency in writing. Nepali citizens do not need a TIMS card.
Do Nepali citizens need a guide?
A licensed guide through a registered agency is required in restricted areas (Department of Immigration) and, under the Nepal Tourism Board rule of April 2023, in national parks and conservation areas. Follow the rule everywhere, although 2026 operator reports say Khumbu uses a trek card instead (checked 19 October 2026).
The written rule concerns the licence of the guide, not nationality, and we found no notice that exempts Nepali citizens. Confirm with your agency or the Department of Immigration before you pay for permits.
Post a trip in 30 seconds
Pick a region and a start month, add your budget and pace, and your trip appears to other trekkers without your name or exact dates. Choose "No guide, trekking on our own" as the guide plan and the trip carries a Nepali trekkers badge. Joining is free and contact details stay hidden until both sides agree.
Open trips at Nepali rates
Live trips with the Nepali trekkers badge, which have no hired guide planned, shown by start month only.
Trekking for Nepali citizens: questions answered
Sources
- Department of Immigration, Nepal (issues restricted-area trekking permits)
- Nepal Tourism Board (TIMS, trekking rules and notices)
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (national park entry rules)
- National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP) (manages the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and checkpoints)
- Diplomat Nepal: Department of Immigration reinforces mandatory guide rule for trekking in restricted areas (13 June 2026) (news report on the June 2026 reminder)
- Kathmandu Post: Everest region, Nepal Tourism Board dispute over solo trek ban heats up (3 April 2023) (the Khumbu municipality opts out of the NTB guide rule)
- Himalayan Times: solo travellers allowed to trek without a guide in Everest region (27 March 2023) (Khumbu trek card instead of a guide)
- Annapurna Guide Requirement 2026: What the Rules Mean in Practice (Awesome Holidays Nepal, operator report) (2026 operator report on checkpoint enforcement in Annapurna)
- Is a Guide Mandatory for Langtang Valley Trek 2026? (Trekkers Nepal, operator report) (2026 operator report on checkpoint enforcement in Langtang)
- Kantipur: restrictions on trekking for foreigners in controlled areas of 13 districts (6 May 2026) (news report on controlled-area permits)
Figures are estimates and change by season and agency. Always confirm permits, fees and rules with your registered trekking agency, the Nepal Tourism Board and the Department of Immigration.
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