The world's highest mountain, Everest, and the other three, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Lhotse, lie in Solukhumbu District in Nepal. More specifically, Everest lies inside Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. To preserve the essence of accessibility and support the development of trekking trails, locals' lifestyles, and more, foreigners are mandated to buy permits to access the Everest region including Everest base camp.
In this blog, we'll discuss all the necessary permits for the Everest Base Camp trek and tour inside the Khumbu region for foreigners. You'll also get an idea of the cost of each permit, where you can get one, and the proper documents you need to submit to get the permits.
Let's dive into the content.
Different routes and different EBC trek permits
There are two ways to reach Lukla before starting the hike on the classic Everest Base Camp trek Route.
First, the much faster, more convenient, and more affordable Kathmandu to Lukla flight. The flight to Luka takes only 40 minutes, which saves multiple days of a hike from the Jiri route. If you take the flight and start hiking, you must have two permits, Sagarmatha National Area Conservation Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. We'll discuss later in this blog where you can get these permits.
Second, those who skip the flight and want to hike via the traditional Everest route, Jiri or Salleri, need one additional permit, Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project Permit (GCAP). The hiking trails via the classic Route ascend via this conservation area.
Types of Everest Base Camp Permits
Essentially, there are two significant permits and one optional for Everest Base Camp Trek. They are :
- Sagarmatha National Conservation Area Permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project Permit (GCAP) (only if you plan to hike via Jiri/Salleri)
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
UNESCO declared Sagarmatha National park as the world's heritage site in 1979. The vast traditional Sherpa cultures, religions, unmatched natural scenery, and the tallest mountains like Everest made this place an authentic site on the world's heritage list.
The landscape extends a massive 1,148 km square and sits on the borderline to Tibet in the North. Inside it, 118 species of exotic birds, countless mammals, and rare animals like snow leopards, red panda and others live. The specials, mountains, four 8,000 metres, couple 7,000 metres, 6,000 metres, and countless peaks make the Sagarmatha National Conservation Area a protected area.
Therefore, for every foreign national, the Government of Nepal has mandated Sagarmatha National Conservation Area permit to trek and travel inside it.
Trekker's Agency Association of Nepal, TAAN, regulates the Everest Base Camp trek permit fee and updates it yearly. But on average, Sagarmatha National Conservation Area Permit permit costs around Rs 3000/USD 30.
Trekkers can get this permit from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or the Trekkers Check-post at Monjo. There won't be any challenges for independent trekkers to get one of these permits from either place. But, if you book Everest Base Camp Trek with Dream Heaven Adventure, our representative will make this permit ready for you before you depart for the trek.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
Nepal decentralised in 2018 A.D and changed the local governance form of VDC to Municipality. The Khumbu region was renamed Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. The name Pasang Lhamu is a homage to a bold first Nepali Everest climber, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, a permanent resident of Solukhumbu District.
Since 2018, the local government has introduced this special permit as mandatory, making it a new licence for foreign trekkers. Those who fly to Lukla can get this permit at the check post and permit office at Lukla. Those trekkers who hike from Jiri/Salleri route can obtain this permit at Monjo Trekker's Check Post.
There is no office in Kathmandu that provides Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
The standard cost of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit is Rs. 2000/ USD 20. However, the update in this fee is possible for various reasons.
Individuals and groups joining trekkers from the agency won't have any issue getting this permit. However, if you are on Everest trekking with us, our representative will purchase this permit for us even before we reach Lukla.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project Permit (GCAP)
Many trekkers prefer hiking to Lukla via the Jiri/Salleri route for two days with a day of drive from Kathmandu. You must pass through Gaurishankar Conservation Area, entering from Shivalaya and exiting the conservation area at Kinja. Even though the route is short and lasts 8 hours on a drive, you must purchase this permit as a part of the Everest Base Camp Trek Permit.
The standard fee for this permit is Rs. 3000/ USD 30. There are two places where you can get this permit, one at Shivalaya Trekkers Checkpoint and another in the Tourist Service Centre at Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC counter.
Documents needed for getting Everest Trekking Permit
Getting these permits is easy when you have all the necessary government-issued documents, such as valid passports, photos, and personal forms, at the permit offices.
If you're trekking to Everest solo, you must arrange all the permits yourself. You have to visit the office on your own and make arrangements.
If you book Everest Base Camp with us, we'll manage the necessary permits, all inclusive, in the package you buy from us. This way, you won't have to take the extra burden of buying tickets and managing itineraries.
In a nutshell, you must have:
- Valid Passport
- Personal forms filled up at permit centres
- Nepalese currency
No TIMS Card Required for Everest
In the past, trekkers had to purchase a Trekkers Information Management System Card, TIMS Card, for trekking. The government used the card and information to record a number of trekkers on each route. Still, many trekking destinations like Annapurna Base Camp Trek require a TIMS card.
But, in recent years, TIMS Card is no longer needed for classic Everest Base Camp Trek. Trekkers with Sagarmatha National Conservation Area Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit can roam around the Everest Base Camp trek. However, deviating to other routes rather than the Everest Base Camp Trek route requires a TIMS Card.
Why Everest Base Camp Permit?
- To contribute economically to Everest region tourism that supports the development of trekking routes.
- Royalty goes to the Nepal Government and Tourism Ministry to make the trekking routes safe and sound.
- To keep track of trekkers and their information for safety and security purposes.
- Search and rescue the trekkers in case of injuries, loss, and mishaps.
The Trekking Permit in a nutshell.
Permit | Where to get from? | Cost of Permit | Validation |
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit | Nepal Tourism Board & Trekkers Checkpoint at Monjo | USD 30/ Rs. 3000 | Throughout the trek |
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit | Lukla & Monjo | USD 20/ Rs. 2000 | Throughout the trek |
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project Permit (optional) | Nepal Tourism Board & Trekkers Checkpoint at Shivalaya | USD 30/ Rs.3000 | Throughout the trek |
Final Thoughts
Find this blog useful and planning for Everest trekking ?
Everest Base Camp Trek in Autumn 2022 is selling fast. Autumn, one of the best treks, is a favourite time for Everest trekking.
If you plan this trip for autumn 2022, we recommend you enquire about the fixed departures. We operate Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return with the best guides and a limited number of clients for the best trekking experience.
Call us at 9851176782 or send an email at [email protected] for further information.
