Every trekker heading to Langtang needs two permits before leaving Kathmandu: the Langtang National Park Entry Permit and the TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System). Together, they cost around 35 to 40 USD for most foreign nationals and take under an hour to arrange at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Syabrubesi.
Miss them and you'll face a fine or get turned back at one of the checkpoints on the trail; neither is a good start to a trek. This guide covers exactly which permits you need, what they cost in 2026, where to get them, and what to do if you're trekking as part of an organized group versus going independently.
Trekking in Nepal without the right permits is illegal. That's the short answer. But there's more to it than just compliance. Nepal's government requires permits to track trekker safety across mountain regions. If something goes wrong on the trail, like a sudden snowstorm or an injury, search and rescue teams use permit records to know who's out there.
Permits also fund conservation inside Langtang National Park. The park covers over 1,710 sq km of Himalayan ecosystem, including habitat for red pandas, Himalayan tahr, and snow leopards. Entry fees go directly toward protecting that biodiversity and maintaining trails.
Lastly, permit revenue reaches local Tamang communities whose villages sit along the trekking route. After the 2015 earthquake flattened much of Langtang village, tourism income became critical to the region's recovery.
You need exactly two permits for the Langtang Valley Trek:
No additional restricted area permits are required, unlike Mustang or Manaslu. This is one reason Langtang remains one of Nepal's most accessible major treks.
Recommended Read: Highlights of Upper Mustang Trek
The Langtang National Park entry permit is issued by Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. You need it because the entire Langtang trek route from Syabrubesi to Kyanjin Gompa runs through protected national park land.
Cost breakdown:
You can get this permit at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office in Kathmandu before you leave the city or at the park entry gate near Dhunche if you're arriving directly by road. Getting it in Kathmandu saves time and is strongly recommended; the gate queue on busy mornings can be slow.
The TIMS card is Nepal's national trekker registration system. It logs your name, nationality, trek route, emergency contacts, and insurance details. Every trekker on a designated trail in Nepal is required to carry one.
TIMS card cost for Langtang:
The card is issued through the Nepal Tourism Board or the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) office in Kathmandu, both located in Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu. You cannot get a TIMS card on the trail itself; get it before you leave the city.
Note: TIMS rules have changed several times in recent years. As of 2026, the TIMS card is still required for Langtang. Always verify with NTB or your agency before your departure date.
Here's a clear picture of what Langtang Valley Trek permit fees actually cost in 2026:
| Category | National Park Permit | TIMS Card | Total |
| Foreign National (FIT) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 5,000 (~USD 37) |
| Foreign National (Group) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 4,000 (~USD 30) |
| SAARC National (FIT) | NPR 1,500 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 3,500 (~USD 26) |
| Nepali Citizen | NPR 100 | Free | NPR 100 |
No hidden charges apply to the standard Langtang Valley route. If your itinerary extends into Gosaikunda or Helambu, additional fees may apply for those sections.
The permits for Langtang Valley Trek can be obtained from the following places:
Get your Langtang trek permits with Fooprint Adventure.
The documents required for Langtang Valley Trek permits are
Here are the updated rules of the Langtang Trek Permit:
No. There are multiple staffed checkpoints along the Langtang route where permits are physically inspected:
At each checkpoint, rangers record your permit number and passport details. Trekkers without valid permits face:
There is no workaround. The checkpoints are thorough and staffed year-round.
The processes to get Langtang Valley trek permits are:
Ready to trek Langtang without the permit headaches? Contact Footprint Adventure today.
A few tips to prevent you from permit issues:
The Langtang Valley Trek permit process is one of the simpler ones in Nepal's trekking permit system. Two permits, one office visit, under USD 40 for most foreign trekkers. Plan for it the day after you arrive in Kathmandu, and it's done before your acclimatization day is even over.
Permits aren't just paperwork; they're your legal authorization to be on the trail, your safety record if something goes wrong, and your contribution to the communities and landscapes you're there to experience. Get them right, carry them safely, and the rest of the trek will be exactly what it should be: one of the finest Himalayan walks in the world.
Let Footprint Adventure handle your permits, guide, accommodation bookings, and full trip planning. Contact us and we'll take care of everything, so you can focus on the mountains.
Yes. Every trekker, regardless of nationality, needs two permits: the Langtang National Park Entry Permit and a TIMS card. Both are required by Nepal's government and are checked at multiple checkpoints along the route.
Foreign nationals pay approximately NPR 5,000 (around USD 37) in total for both permits combined; NPR 3,000 for the national park entry permit and NPR 2,000 for a TIMS card if trekking independently. Group trekkers pay NPR 1,000 for the TIMS card instead.
Yes, the TIMS card is required for Langtang Valley Trek as of 2026. It must be obtained in Kathmandu before your trek; it cannot be issued at any point on the trail. The cost is NPR 2,000 for independent trekkers and NPR 1,000 for group trekkers.
No full online permit issuance system exists for foreign trekkers on the Langtang route as of 2026. Permits must be obtained in person at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or through a registered trekking agency. Some agencies can start paperwork remotely, but in-person collection is still required.
Yes. Nepal currently does not require a mandatory guide for the Langtang Valley Trek. Independent and solo trekking is permitted. That said, hiring a local guide improves navigation, safety, and your understanding of the route, especially for first-time trekkers in the region.
