One of the best treks in the world, the Everest Base Camp Trek centres Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Trekking to the Everest Base Camp presents you with incredible experiences that match the heights of the alpine regions you will conquer.
Set out on a tour from the culturally rich valley to the vast and uncharted territory of Sagarmatha National Park. In addition to offering the benefits of the Himalayas, the Everest Base Camp Trek offers the best perspectives of the courageous Sherpas who climb mountains.
Adventurers and mothers who love the outdoors have always coveted EBC Trek. You will be able to enjoy nature, culture, adventure, peace, and tradition as you set out on your journey. Trekking in this region requires two types of permits: Sagarmath National Park Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit.
All foreign nationals, including citizens of SAARC countries, must have this authorization. Many checkpoints along the trekking route will need you to show these permits. Besides, permits also ensure your safety and protection under the Sagarmath region. Make sure to have these permits before you venture on this journey.
Types of Permits
Sagarmatha National Park Permit
Sagarmatha National Park, an area with strict protection intended to preserve unique plant and animal species, contains the base camp. When organizing a trek in the breathtaking Everest region, having the Sagarmatha National Park Permit on hand is imperative.
You can pick it up at the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu. This permit is also available at the Monjo Sagarmatha National Park Entry Gate. However, there’s a chance you’ll have to wait a long time in line during the busiest trip season.
Cost of Permit
| Types of Citizen | Cost |
| SAARC Citizen | NPR 1500 per person + 13%VAT |
| Foreign Citizen | NPR 3000 per person + 13%VAT |
| Nepali Citizen | NPR 100 per person + 13%VAT |
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
On October 1st, 2018, the old TIMS Card was replaced with this new permit. It is the most recent permit to be introduced in Nepal following the decentralized system. Hence, the responsibility of collecting the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality approval expenses will fall on the local administration.
Note that it is not possible to obtain these permits in Kathmandu. You can obtain your permit at Lukla if you’re starting your trek by plane from Kathmandu. You can still obtain a permit at the Monjo entry gate if you are trekking from Jiri or Phaplu or if you forgot to get one in Lukla.
Cost of Permit
| Number of Weeks | Cost |
| First Four Weeks | NPR 2000 per person |
| More than Four Weeks | NPR 2500 per person |
Note: All trekkers, regardless of country, must pay the same permit cost.
Trekking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp Requires an Additional Permit
You will require an extra permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area if you are doing the traditional Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek. Trekkers typically trek from Lukla to Base Camp, via the usual route through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche.
However, some trekkers choose to go straight from Jiri to the base of Everest. So, It is an essential document that permits you to follow local regulations and travel the trails along the Jiri route.
You may obtain the permit from the Nepal Tourism Board headquarters in Kathmandu. However, you can get it directly from the Conservation Area Permit Checkpoint in Shivalaya.
Cost of Permit
The cost of obtaining the Gauri Shankar Conservation Area Permit (GSCAP) is NPR 3000 plus 13% VAT per person for 30 days.
Required Documents for Obtaining Permits
- Nepali Currency to pay for the form.
- 2-4 passport-size photos for the permit papers.
- Evidence of insurance for trekking and travel.
- Detail of trekking itinerary and trekking area.
- Evidence of insurance for trekking and travel.
- Valid Nepali tourist visa and valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
Importance of having a Permit
- To ensure the legal rights and safety of the trekkers during their journey.
- To verify the established local norms and regulations by the authorities.
- If an earthquake, landslide, or other emergency occurs, the information will help the authorities help you.
- To gather data on visitor demographics, preferences, and numbers.
- The permits reduce the number of walkers, which helps to maintain cleaner trails and less crowded pathways.
- The development and maintenance of the tourism sector in the Everest region is financed in part by the earnings from the permit.
Trek Card
A new digital entrance system called Trek Card has been implemented in the Khumbu Valley. It functions as a digital entry permit for all hikers and foreign visitors entering the Khumbu region.
The purpose of the “Trek Card” is to
- improve security protocols
- efficiently oversee tourism
- advertise the Khumbu region as a desirable travel destination.
It has a QR code on it that provides additional information about the tourists, including their passport information and the nature of their trek. Six checkpoints have been thoughtfully positioned across Khumbu to guarantee thorough coverage.
After landing at Lukla Airport, this card is issued at the Tourist Information Center building located at the main gateway to Mount Everest.
Final Say
As we draw closer to the conclusion of our in-depth introduction to Everest Base Camp trip permits, this paperwork may initially seem like an administrative burden. But they are also the keys to one of the most amazing excursions you will ever have.
Trekking through stunning high-altitude landscapes, traditional Sherpa communities, high-altitude flora and animals, and snow-capped mountains will give you a natural thrill. It requires good physical fitness and a strong mentality to finish the journey.
We have taken care of all the details involved in getting these permissions, including knowing how much they will cost, where to get them, and what paperwork is required. Now that you know this, you may start your Everest Base Camp journey with confidence.
FAQS
Which permits are required for the traditional trek to Everest Base Camp?
The Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit are needed for the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek.
Can I pay the Everest trekking permit fees in foreign currency?
Regretfully, payments for Everest trekking permits cannot be made with foreign currencies. The official regulations stipulate that these payments have to be made in Nepali rupees.
Does a local guide who goes with me have to get a permit?
No, neither the Sagarmatha National Park Permit nor the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit are required if a local guide goes with you. While local guides are exempt from this requirement, trekkers typically need these licenses.
Does the Everest Base Camp Trek require a Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card?
For the Everest Base Camp Trek, a Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card is no longer required. It has been replaced by the new rural municipality permission as of October 1st, 2018.
