To enter the Sagarmatha region, home to Everest Base Camp, you are required to have a permit to enter the protected zone. There are actually two. The first option is a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit, which was recently introduced and costs NPR 2,000. It is possible to acquire this in Lukla, and it is valid for four weeks.
You can also obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3000) at the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. This permit can also be obtained in Monjo.
A photograph of your passport and two photographs that are the same size as a passport are required to obtain a TIMS card, which you will also need to obtain. The Tourist Service Center in Bhrikutimandap, as well as government-registered trekking firms in Kathmandu and Pokhara, are the places where you may get this item for a price of NPR 1,000.. The cost of the permits will likely be included in the price of the trip since good trip hosts will prepare and apply for all of the permits that you require.
There are high mountain peaks, glaciers, deep valleys, and Sherpa towns in the Everest/Sagarmatha National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Everest is located within this park.
There are hundreds of hikers, people who are interested in nature, and those who are adventurous who travel to this region every year to observe the beautiful geography. Almost all of them make it to Everest Base Camp (also known as EBC). permissions from the Khumbu Rural Municipality and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit are the two permissions that you will need in order to enter Everest Base Camp.
1. Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit
The Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit can be obtained by foreign nationals, including inhabitants of SAARC countries (India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Pakistan), by paying a charge of NPR 2,000 per person for the first four weeks of the permit.
At the end of the first four weeks, the price of the permit will increase to Rs. 2,500 per individual (VAT is not applicable). In order to obtain this permit, you will need to bring your passport with you.
Cost
The cost of an Everest entry permit is NPR 2,000 per person for stays of up to four weeks, and NPR 2,500 per person for visits that are longer than four weeks. Permit fees are not subject to value-added tax.
N.B: It is important to note that the fee for obtaining a permission from the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality is the same for all those who are not citizens of Nepal, including SAARC nationals and NRNs (Non-Resident Nepalese). Additionally, the cost can only be paid in Nepalese currency from the beginning. As a result, you should make certain that you have the funds to pay for the permission.
Required Documents:
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit will be issued upon presentation of a copy of your passport or your passport details.
Everest Trek Card Implementation Notice
In accordance with the revised regulation, which will take effect on September 23, 2022, trekkers who wish to enter EBC will be required to provide a Trek Card. In addition to being a tourist safety monitoring system, it is a digital permit that allows entrance into the Khumbu region. The fact that you may use your mobile phone to scan or tap the card in order to obtain information about the region is one of the most significant advantages of the card.
How to register for the trek card on Everest?
At the Trek Card registration center in Lukla, travelers must present a color copy of their valid passport and have their photo taken in order to receive a Trek Card.
How does the Everest Trek Card work?
When you go to the checkpoint for the rural municipality, you can use your card. You will not have to wait in lengthy lines at each entry point, which will save you a significant amount of time.
Cost:
There won’t be any additional costs for the new Everest Trek card, but you will need to pay the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance fee.
Where can I get Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit?
After you have arrived in Lukla, you will be required to obtain this permit if you are traveling there by airplane. This permit can be obtained in Monjo at the Sagarmatha National Park Counter by trekkers who are traveling to the Khumbu region from Jiri or Salleri throughout their journey. Please keep in mind that there are no other offices in Kathmandu that are able to grant this permit.
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%
N.B: To bring to your attention, children under the age of ten are not required to pay for the Everest National Park Permit. Moreover, payments for fees must be made in Nepalese currency.
Where can we get the permit?
In Kathmandu, you can obtain Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permits at the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) counter in Bhrikuti Mandap. Alternatively, you can obtain them at the entrance gate of Monjo National Park.
In Monjo, there are occasions when there is a lengthy line of people waiting outside the desk. For this reason, you can obtain the SNP permit in Kathmandu prior to your flight to Lukla in order to avoid any complications. Additionally, if this is your first trip trekking to Everest Base Camp, it is highly recommended that you obtain permits in Kathmandu when you are there.
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 two permits mentioned above, namely the Rural Municipality Permit and the National Park Permit, are sufficient to enter the Everest geographical area. Take note, however, that you will need to acquire an additional conservation area permit if you are beginning your hike from the traditional path of Jiri.
Where in Lukla do I get the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit?
Located on the trail pathways at Lukla is the office that is responsible for providing this permission. There is no reason for you to be concerned about the location.
2. Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
To enter Sagarmatha National Park, visitors from other countries are required to pay a fee of NPR 3,000 per person. The cost, on the other hand, is NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals and NPR 100 for Nepalis. In addition, there is an additional 13% VAT in addition to the cost. Children who are younger than ten years old are eligible for free admission as well. In order to obtain this permit, you will make use of your passport.
Where can I get the Sagarmatha National Park Permit?
Through the Nepal Tourism Board Office, which is located at Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu 44617, you will be able to receive this permit. They have a website that may be found at https://ntb.gov.np/.
Obtaining this permission is also possible at the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Gate, which is located in Monjo. There is a possibility that you will have to wait in line for a considerable amount of time during busy trekking seasons. As a result, we strongly suggest that you acquire this permit in Kathmandu as quickly as you can.
Note: Here at Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we want your journey to be as stress-free and enjoyable as it possibly can be. As a result, we will get these permits on your behalf.
Additional Permit for Jiri to Everest Base Camp
Beginning your journey from Jiri, the trail will take you through the protected region as you make your way through the area. It will take you around eight hours to get from Shivalaya to Kinja so that you can exit it. You will enter it from Shivalaya. It is recommended that you obtain a Gauri Shankar Conservational Area Permit (GSCAP) in order to participate in the Everest Base Camp trek starting from this point forward.
GSCAP costs NPR 2000 per person plus 13% VAT for 30 days.
Where can we get the permit?
It can be acquired at 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, just incase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) permit for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
As of the first of October in 2018, visitors to Everest Base Camp Trek are no longer required to have a TIMS Card. In its place, you will be required to have a permit to enter Sagarmatha National Park as well as the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.
Can I pay the EBC permit fees in US dollars, or do I need Nepali Rupees?
If you want to pay for EBC permits, you will require Nepali Rupees. Please also be aware that the only currency that is respected in the Everest region is the Nepali Rupee.
If I have a local guide with me, does he need Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit?
No, local guides are not required to have permits to trek to Everest Base Camp.
What documents do I need for EBC permits?
You only require your passport copy for your details.
What are the permits required for the trek to Everest Base Camp from Lukla?
Both the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit, which has since been amended to become the Trek Card
These permits will govern their movement and maintain track of their progress along the route, regardless of whether you hike to Gokyo Lakes with Chola Pass or the Three Passes since they will govern their mobility. Both the federal government and the local governments of Nepal are responsible for issuing these authorizations. Also, all of the permits are for a single admission.
What is the total cost of the Everest trekking permits?
The estimated cost of the Everest Base Camp trekking permit from Lukla is about 50 USD.
Can I pay Everest entry permit fees in Foreign Currency?
No, you are not permitted to pay the permit fees in any currency other than the United States Dollar. In order to pay for them, you will need to use Nepalese cash. Money exchangers and automated teller machines are both good places to receive Nepalese rupees.
Is TIMS necessary for trekking in the Everest region?
Nope, It is no longer necessary to obtain a TIMS Card for any treks to Everest Base Camp as of October 1, 2018, as the Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) has been replaced by the new rural municipality permit.
Where do we get our EBC Trek permits?
The National Park Counter in Lukla or Monjo is where you can directly obtain the EBC Trek permits for the trails.
Does my local guide need an entry permit to the Everest region?
No, local Nepalese guides do not need permits to trek in the Everest region.
Can you trek Everest Base camp without a permit?
Climbing Everest Base Camp without a permit is not only illegal but also highly discouraged for several reasons:
- Legal Consequences: Climbing in the Everest region without a permit is against the law in Nepal. If caught, you could face fines, deportation, or even legal action by the authorities.
- Safety Concerns: Permits are not only a legal requirement but also a means for the authorities to track climbers and ensure their safety. Without a permit, you won’t have access to essential services like rescue operations, medical assistance, or emergency communication.
- Environmental Protection: Permit fees contribute to the conservation and management of the Everest region’s fragile ecosystem. Climbing without a permit could lead to environmental damage, including littering, pollution, and degradation of natural habitats.
- Ethical Considerations: Climbing without a permit disregards the rights and interests of the local communities, including Sherpa guides, porters, and lodge owners, who rely on tourism for their livelihoods. It also undermines the efforts of responsible trekking agencies that abide by the regulations and support sustainable tourism practices.
Climbing Everest Base Camp without a permit not only puts your safety at risk but also has legal, environmental, and ethical implications. It’s essential to respect the rules and regulations set by the Nepalese government and obtain the necessary permits before embarking on any trekking adventure in the Everest region.
In the end,
These were the Everest Base Camp Trek Permits that were required in order to enter the Khumbu zone. It is only about fifty dollars in price. Therefore, make sure that you obtain all of them as required. In that case, you run the risk of getting into problems, as well as being punished and caught by the authorities.
Maintain a secure location for the permit once you have obtained it. Therefore, you are able to present it to the officials whenever they ask you to do so at various times in time. These permits are similar to licenses that are required to access the region, and they will be useful for any tours that head to Mount Everest.
In the event that it is a planned excursion, your travel agency will bring such items to you so that you do not have to deal with them on your own.
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