Annapurna Circuit Permits:
ACAP Card Explained (2026)
Updated for 2026. TIMS has been removed from the Annapurna region. Here is what you actually need before you set off.
TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) is no longer required for the Annapurna region. As of 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board officially discontinued the TIMS card requirement for treks within the Annapurna Conservation Area. Many older blog posts and guidebooks still list it as mandatory. Ignore them. You do not need a TIMS card for the Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, or any trek inside the ACAP boundary.
What you do need is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). This is the only permit required for most foreign trekkers in the Annapurna region as of 2026. The rest of this guide explains exactly what it costs, where to get it, and what documents to bring.
What is the ACAP Permit?
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and grants entry into the Annapurna Conservation Area - Nepal's largest protected zone and home to the Annapurna Circuit, the Poon Hill trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek, and dozens of other routes.
Permit fees fund conservation, trail maintenance, and local community programs managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The permit must be carried throughout your trek and shown at checkpoints along the trail.
Permit Cost (2026)
Figures current as of 2026. Permit fees are set by the Nepal Tourism Board and may change. Verify the current rate at the NTB office or ACAP counter before your trek.
Where to Get Your ACAP Permit
ACAP permits are issued by the Nepal Tourism Board at two main locations. You cannot obtain the permit online in advance - you must collect it in person.
NTB Office, Kathmandu (Bhrikuti Mandap)
Located near the Tourism Board complex in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu. Open Sunday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Processing is typically same-day. This is the best option if you are flying into Kathmandu and starting your trek from there.
NTB / ACAP Counter, Pokhara
Located in the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pokhara, near Damside. Open Sunday to Friday. Most trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit collect their permit here on the day before travel to the trailhead at Besisahar. The counter is straightforward and usually quick.
Documents You Will Need
Bring the following to the NTB office or ACAP counter:
- Passport (original) - needed for verification and to record your permit number against your passport details.
- Two passport-size photographs (4x3 cm). Some counters can take a photo on the spot, but carrying your own avoids delays.
- Payment in Nepali Rupees (NPR). Most offices do not accept USD or card payments, so withdraw cash in advance from an ATM in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- One permit per person - permits are individual and non-transferable.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your ACAP Permit
The process is simple. Most trekkers complete it in under 30 minutes.
The Mandatory Guide Rule (April 2023)
As of April 2023, the Nepal government requires all solo foreign trekkers in designated trekking areas, including the Annapurna Conservation Area, to be accompanied by a licensed Nepali guide. Independent solo trekking without a guide is no longer permitted for foreign nationals.
This rule applies to solo foreign trekkers. Groups of two or more foreign trekkers may still trek independently, though hiring a guide or porter is strongly recommended regardless.
In practice, your licensed guide will often know permit checkpoint locations, the best acclimatisation schedule, and local tea house recommendations better than any map. Pair that with EkTrek's offline trail data and you have both real-world local knowledge and accurate, always-with-you digital maps - even when the signal drops.
Licensed guides can be arranged through trekking agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara, or through the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Permit Checkpoints on the Trail
There are several ACAP checkpoints on the Annapurna Circuit and related routes. You will be asked to show your ACAP card and record your details in the trekker register at each one. Keep your permit accessible - not buried in the bottom of your pack.
The main entry checkpoints for the Circuit are typically at Besisahar (start of the classic circuit) and Jagat. Additional checkpoints are located at Dharapani, Manang, and at Thorong La pass.
Offline Annapurna maps and permit checkpoints in your pocket.
EkTrek maps every permit checkpoint, tea house, and waypoint on the Annapurna Circuit, cached offline so you always know where you are, even at 5,000 m with zero bars. Plan your stages before you leave, then navigate without a signal.