Everest Base Camp Trek Permits: Complete 2026-2027 Guide

Summary: Permits Required for the EBC Trek (2026)

1. Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979) covers the entire Khumbu region including the EBC route. The entry permit is required for all foreign nationals. Indian nationals pay a lower rate. Children under 10 are exempt.

Cost (2026): NPR 3,000 plus 13% VAT, totalling approximately NPR 3,390 (around USD 28).

Where to get it: The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu is the recommended place to obtain this permit before departure. It can also be purchased at the Monjo checkpoint (the first park entry point on the trail), but the Monjo queue during peak season can be significant. Buying in Kathmandu eliminates this delay.

What you need: Passport, passport-size photos (bring several copies), cash payment (NPR or USD equivalent).

2. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

This permit replaced the TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card in the Everest region in 2020. It is a local government fee paid to the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the administrative body governing the area that includes the EBC route.

Cost (2026): NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 23).

Where to get it: Lukla airport (there is a permit office at the arrivals area) or at Monjo. Cannot be purchased in Kathmandu in advance - it must be obtained in the Khumbu. Your trekking agency can coordinate this as part of the guide's first-day logistics.

The Mandatory Guide Requirement (2023-present)

Since April 1, 2023, all foreign trekkers in designated restricted trekking areas including the Everest region are required by Nepal government regulation to be accompanied by a licensed guide. Solo trekking without a guide is no longer permitted and can result in fines and being denied access at checkpoints.

This regulation was introduced following several incidents involving unsupported foreign trekkers, and to support the local guiding economy. A licensed guide must carry their guide license (issued by the Nepal Tourism Board) and present it at checkpoints alongside your permits.

The guide requirement applies even to experienced trekkers who have previously done the EBC trek solo. There are no exemptions based on experience or nationality.

Permit Checkpoints on the EBC Route

Permits must be carried in original at all times - not just photos on a phone. Park rangers conduct spot checks on the trail and at lodge registration points.

How a Trekking Agency Handles Permits

If you book through Getaway Nepal Adventure, all permit procurement is handled as part of the package. We obtain the Sagarmatha National Park permit in Kathmandu before departure, coordinate the Khumbu Municipality permit in Lukla on Day 1, and ensure your licensed guide carries their official documentation. You carry your own permits (we advise waterproof document cases) and present them at checkpoints with your guide.

For solo trekkers who want to arrange permits independently: the Sagarmatha permit requires a visit to the NTB office in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap, Thapatthali) during office hours before departure. Allow one full working day for this process.

Permit Cost Summary (2026) and What's Changed

The TIMS card that was previously required alongside the National Park permit was replaced in the Everest region by the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipal permit in 2020. This reduced paperwork but not total permit cost. The 2026 total remains approximately USD 51-57 per person, unchanged from 2025. Green environmental fees in some areas of Nepal have been introduced elsewhere but are not yet added to the EBC specific permit structure as a separate line item in 2026.

For the full cost context of permits within the overall EBC budget, see our EBC trek cost guide.

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