Langtang Valley Trek Permit - Cost & Information

Langtang Valley Trekking Permits

Langtang Valley Trek is an easy, short and accessible trek from Kathmandu which lies in Langtang district of Nepal. This popular trek passes through beautiful trails, ancient villages, glacial valleys with magnificent views of Langtang Lirung (7,227m) and surrounding peaks. The rich biodiversity of Langtang National Park also provides another aspect of beauty to the trekking trails.

While in the Langtang region, you need to have Langtang Valley Trek Permits with you to ensure safe and legal trekking. Trekkers only need two permits for Langtang Valley Trek which are Langtang National Park Entry Permit and TIMS Card. As the trekking trail lies within the protected region, the Langtang National Park permit is your entry ticket.  Similarly, the TIMS Card permit helps the authorities and officials to track and monitor trekkers for safety purposes. The National Park permit is required by the protected region itself whereas TIMS permit is jointly issued by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and TAAN.

It is very important to trek with the essential permits required for Langtang Valley Trek for more than just legal purposes. Having Langtang Valley Trekking permits, you directly contribute to the conservation of the fragile ecosystem, trails and exotic flora and fauna of the Langtang National Park. Additionally your permit costs help in the sustainable development of trails and contribute to the local economy of the Langtang trekking region. For the trek, you can obtain your permits in Kathmandu or Syabrubesi.

Trekking without required permits is prohibited and a legal offence if you do so. So, let’s learn about Langtang Valley Trek permits, cost and how you can get them with this detailed guide.

What are the Permits Required for Langtang Valley Trek?

There are two permits that trekkers require for the Langtang Valley Trek which are the Langtang National Park Entry Permit and the TIMS Card. These permits ensure that trekking activities are carried out legally which helps in environmental conservation as well as safety of trekkers.

Langtang National Park Entry Permit

During Langtang Valley Trek, you need to walk through the trails which fall under the Langtang National Park. Langtang National Park permit grants you legal entry into the protected region to carry out your trekking activity.

It is not just an entry ticket to the national park but the funding from it helps in conservation of Langtang’s diverse and exotic biodiversity and wildlife. Moreover, the fee helps in developing the trails and infrastructures of the Langtang region. Such development encourages sustainable tourism practices conserving nature and environment.

Type: Single entry

Valid For: Complete duration of the trek

Cost: NPR 3,000 per person (non-SAARC) & NPR 1,500 per person (SAARC) 

Purpose: Funds the conservation of environment, sustainable tourism and development of trails and infrastructure

TIMS Card (Trekker’s Information Management System)

TIMS is an abbreviation for Trekkers’ Information Management System. You will require a TIMS card along with a national park ticket as your Langtang Valley permits. NTB and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) jointly issue the TIMS Card with the main purpose of safety of trekkers.

The TIMS card on the Langtang trek records details of trekkers, routes and itinerary for safety. It helps the authorities to track, monitor and rescue trekkers in case of emergencies.

NOTE: Previously, you could obtain the TIMS card independently which has been discontinued as of now. At present, TIMS cards are only issued by a registered trekking agency and as part of the e-TIMS. Please verify the latest TIMS card requirement with an agency or the tourism board office before your trek.

Type: Single entry

Valid For: Complete duration of the trek

Cost: NPR 2,000 per person (non-SAARC) & NPR 1,000 per person (SAARC)

Purpose: Tracking, monitoring trekkers and their routes for safety as well as rescue purposes

Why do I need Permits for Langtang Valley Trek?

Everyone needs to obtain essential and valid permits for Langtang Valley trek to ensure legal and environmentally responsible trekking by abiding the laws of Nepal. You need permits because the trekking trail lies within a protected region in Langtang National Park. Without proper permits you will be entering a regulated area illegally.

In short, trekking in Langtang requires permits because:

• It is your legal entry ticket into the Langtang National Park.
• It funds environmental conservation, development of trails and infrastructures.
• It monitors your details as well as route for safety reasons and potential rescue.
• It helps in boosting the local economy as well as sustainable tourism practices.

Always make sure to have necessary permits when you trek. Failing to do so is illegal and you may be sent back from the trails or charged with heavy fines.

How much do the Langtang Valley Trek Permits cost?

The Langtang Valley Trek Permits costNPR 5,000 per person for both national park entry permit and the TIMS card. The final cost of NPR 5,000 includes all applicable VAT fees and government taxes. 

Due to the coalition between South Asian nations, trekkers of SAARC nations receive a discount on the cost of Langtang Valley Trek permits. The permit cost for Langtang Trek for a SAARC trekker is NPR 2,500 in total. Again, this final cost is inclusive of all applicable taxes and VAT fees.

Also, you do not need to pay a single rupee for the permit of children below the age of 10. They are exempt from the permit fee.

Langtang Valley Trek Permit Cost for Foreigners

Langtang Valley Trek Permit cost for foreign trekkers is NPR 5,000 per person in total for both Langtang national park permit and TIMS card. When it says for foreign trekkers, it refers to individuals who are not the citizens of SAARC nation. Langtang Valley Trek permit cost for a foreigner is:

Langtang National Park Entry Permit

NPR 3,000 per trekker

TIMS Card

NPR 2,000 per trekker

Langtang Valley Trek Permit Cost for Indian

Langtang Valley Trek Permit cost for an Indian is NPR 2,500 which is a total of both permit fees and inclusive of all taxes and VAT fees. They pay less due to the discount in permit cost for SAARC nationals. For both Langtang National Park permit and TIMS card, Indians as well as other SAARC nationals enjoy discounted prices. Langtang Valley Trek Permit Cost for Indian is as follows:

Langtang National Park Entry Permit

NPR 1,500 per trekker

TIMS Card

NPR 1,000 per trekker

Langtang Valley Trek Permit Cost for Nepali

Langtang Valley Trek Permit cost for Nepali is NPR 100 per trekker in total. The cost is extremely low compared to what tourists have to pay. Nepalese citizens usually do not need to obtain special permits like the TIMS for trekking. For the Langtang Valley Trek, a Nepalese citizen only needs the Langtang National Park entry permit to enter the regulated area. The Langtang Valley Trek Permit cost for a Nepali citizen is:

Langtang National Park Entry Permit

NPR 100

Where can I get Langtang Valley Trek Permits?

When you trek with a registered agency, your trek package includes all the permits required for Langtang Valley as well as a guide. You won’t need to do anything except provide your agency with your passport and visa copy and some passport sized photographs. They will have your permits ready before the day of your trek. 

However, if you are planning to trek on your own without an agency, you can get the Langtang Valley permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or the local permit office in Dhunche. Because Dhunche is a village, services can be slow and unreliable.

Offices remain closed on public holidays and may be closed earlier during the day which causes delay and can even set you back an extra day just for obtaining permits. To avoid any hassle and risk, you should get the permits for Langtang trek from Kathmandu.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Office

Address: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu

Issues: Langtang National Park Entry Permit

How can I get Langtang Valley Trekking Permits?

You can get the permits for Langtang Valley Trek in an easy way with a convenient process in two ways. You can either get your Langtang Valley trekking permits through a trekking agency or from the tourism office yourself.

The most convenient way of getting the trek permits is through a licensed trekking agency. You can find tons of such travel and tour agencies in Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu. But be sure to research and select the best trek operator for the most efficient and reliable service. It is the fastest, safest and most reliable way of obtaining your permits for Langtang Valley. All you need to do is provide the agency with your passport copy, visa copy and pp-sized photos and they will issue permits and hand them to you. For this, agencies will charge a small service fee but the cost is worth it due to the convenience.

You can also get the permits yourself from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. When applying for the permits yourself, you need to bring your original passport for verification, a copy of your passport and Nepal visa along with 2 recent PP sized photos. Next you have to fill the application form. After that, present the form at the counter and pay using cash in Nepali rupees. If your documents are correct, your permits will be ready within 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Some trekkers choose to obtain the permits at Dhunche, the entry point of Langtang national park. Although it is possible, services may be unreliable. We advise you not to take any risk and obtain your permits here in Kathmandu in a convenient way before your trek begins. 

Is Obtaining Langtang Valley Trek Permit Online Possible?

No, you cannot obtain the Langtang Valley Trek permits online from an e-permit portal yet. Application and processing of the permits for Langtang Valley is not possible till this date. You have to get your permits physically through NTB offices or trekking agencies located in Thamel, Kathmandu. At present there is no option of e-permit for Langtang Valley so you have to obtain them in person. 

However, you can inquire with trekking agencies online and get them to issue your permits with an extra service fee. But you still need to obtain the physical copies of both Langtang National Park Entry permit as well as TIMS Card before you begin the trek. Verification of the permits at the checkpoints on the trail is also done physically. 

What Documents do I Need for Langtang Valley Permits?

To apply and receive your Langtang Valley Permits, you need to provide your documentation for identification and legal purposes. Also, the information on your documents is important while issuing the trek permits. Therefore, you need the following documents for Langtang Valley Trek permits:

• Passport copy (must be valid for over 6 months)
• Passport-sized photos
• Nepal Visa copy
• Permit fee in Nepalese currency

Are there any Langtang Valley Trek Permits Checkpoints on the Trails?

Yes, there are several checkpoints on the trail that verify your permits. While hiking, you will come across mainly three Langtang Valley Trek Permit checkpoints on the trails at Dhunche, Syabrubesi and Ghoda Tabela. The authorities and park rangers will verify your permits at these checkpoints.

Other occasional checks by army rangers may also happen en route while trekking so keep your permits safely in your daypack. It is even better if you keep a digital copy of the permits and keep them in a waterproof bag. 

Dhunche - Main entry checkpoint into the Langtang National Park

Syabrubesi - Police checkpost for logging in details of the trekkers entering Langtang trail from Syabrubesi onwards

Ghoda Tabela - Army checkpoint before you enter the upper Langtang valley

Is Langtang Valley Trek Permit Cost of Fixed Rate or Seasonal?

The cost of Langtang Valley Trek Permit remains the same throughout the year. The price of the permits do not change seasonally. Whether it is the peak season of spring or autumn or non-peak season of winter and monsoon, Langtang Valley Trek Permit cost is the same. This makes purchasing permits easier for budget trekkers too. 

Unlike the Manaslu circuit trek permits whose cost varies by seasons, Langtang Valley permit cost remains constant. Trekkers have to pay the fixed amount along with the discounted rates by SAARC nation trekkers. 

Although the permit cost doesn’t change according to months, it may increase or decrease due to new prices set by the government. It is usually a regulatory update on the cost. You should consult an experienced trekking agency to get the latest price quotations and to be up to date.

How to Get Langtang Valley Trek Permits in a Convenient way?

The simplest and most convenient way of getting permits for Langtang Valley Trek is through a registered trekking agency. They complete the entire paperwork and issue permits on your behalf while you can relax and be worry free. There won’t be any hassle of getting to the permit offices, standing in queues and carrying your documents with you when you get Langtang Valley Trekking permits through an agency. The agency hands you your Langtang National Park Entry Permit as well as TIMS Card.

If you want to apply for permits and get them yourselves, it is better to do so in Kathmandu from the Nepal Tourism Board office. The whole process only takes around an hour and after that you will have the permits with you. Keep these tips in mind if you are planning to get the permits yourself.

• Do not forget your documents like original passport for verification, passport copy, pp-sized photographs and visa copy.
• Carry cash in Nepalese rupees for payment.
• Visit the Tourism Board office in early hours to avoid any queues.

FAQs Related to Langtang Valley Trek Permits

1. What permits do I need for Langtang Valley Trek?

Langtang National Park Entry Permit and the TIMS Card are the permits that you need for Langtang Valley Trek.

2. How much is the price of Langtang Valley Trek Permit?

In total, the Langtang Valley Trek Permit price amounts to NPR 5,000 per person for foreigners and NPR 2,500 per person for SAARC trekkers.

3. Is the Langtang Valley Permit cost different by nationality?

Yes, the Langtang Valley permit cost differs by nationality. The trekkers of SAARC nations pay a lower price for the permits whereas non-SAARC trekkers have to pay the full price. To be precise, the national park permit costs NPR 3,000 for non-SAARC and NPR 1,500 for SAARC trekkers. Similarly, TIMS permit costs NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC whereas NPR 1,000 for SAARC trekkers.

4. Can I get the permits required for Langtang Valley Trek online?

No, online application and processing of Langtang Valley Trek permits is not possible up to this date. You need to obtain the permits physically in person before your trek begins.