Everest Base Camp lies inside the protected zone in the Sagarmatha region. So, for any trek into the Everest region, you need an entry permit. And those Everest Base Camp Trek Permits include permits from Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality (Trek Card), Sagarmatha National Park, and the Gauri Shankar Conservation Area (Optional).

These Everest permits are available for everyone with a small cost attached to them. Back then, TIMS was necessary too. But, with decentralization, a new permit system has displaced the old ones for Everest.

Thus, it has created confusion among the adventurers. As a result, we get a lot of queries about the new Everest Base Camp Trek permits and their costs.

Notice:

• You don’t need TIMS Card for any treks to Everest region.
• The Everest Base Camp Trek now requires a Trek Card. The cost of the Trek Card by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality is the same as the Municipality Permit, and it displaces the old municipality permit system.

Everest Base Camp Trek Permit Details | Ultimate Guide

Today, we will dig into each EBC Trek Permit (including Three Passes, Chola Pass, and the Gokyo Lakes Trek), required documents, and costs associated with them.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit is a newly introduced permit that is issued by the local government in the Khumbu region.

Cost

The cost of an Everest entry permit is NPR 2000 per person for the first four weeks and NPR 2500 per person for stays longer than four weeks. No VAT applies to the permit fees. 

Note: The cost of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is the same for everyone outside of Nepal, including SAARC nationals and NRNs (Non-Resident Nepalese). Further, its fee is payable only in the Nepalese currency. Therefore, make sure you have some money to pay for the permit.

Required Documents:

You will require your passport copy or passport details to issue the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit.

Where can we get the permit? 

In Lukla or Monjo at the Sagarmatha National Park counter.

Most people get this permit at Lukla. The permit-issuing authority has an office on the trails in Lukla. So, you won’t have a problem finding them. However, if you forget to get the permit at Lukla or you’re starting your trek from Phaplu, you can get it at the Sagarmatha National Park counter in Monjo.

Kindly note that you can’t get the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit in Kathmandu.

Everest Trek Card Implementation Notice

According to the updated rule effective from 23rd September 2022, visitors trekking to EBC will require a Trek Card. It’s a digital permit to enter the Khumbu region and a visitor safety monitoring system. One of the major benefits of the card is that you can scan or tap the card to know about the region via your mobile phone.

How to register for the trek card on Everest?

To get a Trek Card, visitors must submit a color copy of the valid passport and have a photo taken at the Trek card registration center in Lukla.

How does the Everest Trek Card work?

You can tap your card at the rural municipality checkpoint. It will save you time as you won’t have to wait in long queues at each entry point.

Cost: The new Everest Trek card won’t have any extra fee but you must pay the entrance fee of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.

Everest Base Camp Trek Permit to Enter Sagarmatha National Park

Everest is one of the most precious regions in Nepal. Thus, the flora, fauna, and mountains are all under the protection of the national park. So, whenever we visit the area, we need to issue a license called the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Permit.

The national park committee itself issues SNP permits under the supervision of the government of Nepal. Unlike above, this Everest Base Camp Trek permit has a different price for foreigners, SAARC nationals, and Nepalese.

The cost of a Sagarmatha National Park Permit:

Foreigners: NPR 3000 per person + 13% VAT.

Residents of SAARC: NPR 1500 per person + 13% VAT

Nepalese: NPR 100 per person + VAT of +13%

Note: The National Park Permit for Everest is free for children under 10 years of age. And, fees are payable in Nepalese currency.

Where can we get the permit?

You can get Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permits at Monjo at the entry gate or the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter in Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu.

Sometimes, there will be a long queue outside the counter in Monjo. Thus, to avoid trouble, you can get the SNP permit in Kathmandu before your flight to Lukla. Also, if you are trekking to Everest Base Camp for the first time, getting permits in Kathmandu is a lot better.

Kathmandu Permit Counter Contact:

Tel: +977-1-4256909

Fax: +977-1-4256910

E-mail: info@ntb.org.np

Website: www.ntb.gov.np

Necessary Documents: Passport Details

The above two permits (Rural Municipality and National Park Permit) are enough to enter the Everest region. However, if you are starting your trek from the traditional route of Jiri, get an additional conservation area permit.

Additional Permit for Jiri to Everest Base Camp

When you are starting your trek from Jiri, the trail passes through the protection area. You will enter it from Shivalaya and get out of it in Kinja, which is about an 8-hour-long journey. Henceforth, get an additional permit for the Everest Base Camp trek, i.e., Gauri Shankar Conservational Area Permit (GSCAP).

GSCAP costs NPR 2000 per person plus 13% VAT for 30 days.

Where can we get the permit? In Shivalaya at the Conservation Area Permit Checkpoint or the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu (DNPWC Counter at NTB office).

Required Documents: two passport-sized photos and passport details

You may have to fill out a form, too.

Most Popular Questions about permits for Everest Base Camp Treks

What are the permits required for the trek to Everest Base Camp from Lukla?

– Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit (Now changed into Trek Card) and Sagarmatha National Park Permit

Either you trek to Gokyo Lakes with Chola Pass or the Three Passes, these permits will govern their movement and keep track of their progress on the route. The local and central governments of Nepal issue these authorizations. Also, it’s all single-entry permits.

What is the total cost of the Everest trekking permits?

– The total cost of the Everest Base Camp trekking permit from Lukla is around 50 USD.

Can I pay Everest entry permit fees in Foreign Currency?

No, you can’t pay the permit costs in USD or any other foreign currency. You will need Nepalese currency to pay for them. You can easily get Nepalese rupees from ATMs and money exchanges.

Is TIMS necessary for trekking in the Everest region?

-No, the new rural municipality permit has displaced the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) from October 1st, 2018, so you don’t need to get TIMS Card for any treks to Everest Base Camp.

Where do we get our EBC Trek permits?

-You can directly get the EBC Trek permits on the trails either in Lukla or Monjo at the National Park Counter.

Does my local guide need an entry permit to the Everest region?

No, local Nepalese guides do not require permits to trek in the Everest region.

In the end,

These were the Everest Base Camp Trek Permits necessary to get into the Khumbu region. It only costs around 50 USD. So, make sure you get them all as required. Otherwise, you may get into trouble and also be fined and caught by the police.

After you get the permit, keep it safe with you. So whenever you are asked by the officials at different points, you can show it to them. These permits will be useful for any tours to Mt. Everest and are like the licenses to enter the region.

If it’s an organized trek, then your agency will get those for you so that you don’t deal with them yourself.