Everest Base Camp trekkers must complete the required permit process before continuing through the Khumbu region and entering Sagarmatha National Park. The exact permits depend on the route. Trekkers flying to Lukla and those beginning by road through Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke normally require the same two permits. The traditional Jiri approach requires one additional permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation Area. This guide explains the current costs, checkpoints, and practical requirements for each route.
For the standard Lukla route, permit fees total NPR 6,000 for most foreign nationals, NPR 3,500 for SAARC nationals.
Quick Permit Overview for Everest Base Camp
| Trekking Route | Khumbu Trek-Card | Sagarmatha National Park Permit | Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Everest Base Camp Trek via Lukla | Required | Required | Not required |
| Everest Base Camp by road via Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke | Required | Required | Not required |
| Traditional Jiri to Everest Base Camp route | Required | Required | Required |
Salleri and Jiri are different Everest entry routes. Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, and Surke are common road-access points for shorter approaches that follow the same permit requirements as the Lukla route. Jiri begins the older and longer approach through the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, which requires an additional permit.
Everest Base Camp Permit Cost
Permit costs depend on nationality and the specific route used to enter the Everest region.
| Permit | SAARC Nationals | Chinese Nationals | Other Foreign Nationals | When It Is Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit | NPR 1,500 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 | All routes entering Sagarmatha National Park |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card | NPR 2,000 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 3,000 | All routes entering the Khumbu region |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit | NPR 1,000 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 3,000 | Traditional Jiri route or another route entering the conservation area |
The following totals apply to the most common Everest Base Camp entry routes.
| Route | SAARC Nationals | Other Foreign Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp via Lukla | NPR 3,500 | NPR 6,000 |
| Everest Base Camp by road via Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke | NPR 3,500 | NPR 6,000 |
| Traditional Everest Base Camp via Jiri | NPR 4,500 | NPR 9,000 |
Permits for the Standard Everest Base Camp Trek via Lukla
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card is required for entry into the Khumbu region. For trekkers flying to Lukla, it is registered through the Tourist Information Center in Lukla before the trek begins. Carry your original passport, as registration is based on your passport details. A recent passport-size or digital photograph may also be requested during registration. The Trek-Card costs NPR 2,000 for SAARC nationals and Chinese nationals, and NPR 3,000 for other foreign nationals.
This is separate from the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and is not a TIMS card. Nepal Hiking Team coordinates the registration process and confirms the permit details with your guide before the trek begins.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is required to enter the protected area covering the trail from Monjo to Everest Base Camp. It is checked at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance near Monjo and Jorsalle, before the climb toward Namche Bazaar. Depending on the final travel arrangement, the permit can be obtained in Kathmandu before departure or at the park-entry area.
The permit costs NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals and NPR 3,000 for Chinese and other foreign nationals. Keep the permit accessible throughout the trek, as officials may check it again at later points on the trail.
For most foreign trekkers flying to Lukla, the two required permits cost NPR 6,000 in total.
Everest Base Camp Permits by Road
Everest Base Camp by road is not one fixed route. Depending on road conditions and the selected itinerary, vehicle transfers may end at Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke. Trekkers then walk toward the main Everest trail, joining the route below or near Lukla before continuing toward Namche Bazaar and Everest Base Camp.
These common road approaches normally require the same two permits as the standard Lukla route: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. Beginning by road does not automatically mean that a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is required.
For the normal flight route, the Khumbu Trek-Card is registered in Lukla. For road-based itineraries, Nepal Hiking Team confirms the correct registration point according to the final road endpoint and trail used to enter the Khumbu region.
Permits for the Traditional Jiri to Everest Base Camp Route
The classic Jiri to Everest Base Camp route is separate from the Salleri and Phaplu road approaches. This longer overland trail begins from Jiri and passes through Gaurishankar Conservation Area before reaching the Khumbu region. It adds several additional trekking days compared with flying to Lukla or driving to closer road-access points.
Trekkers following the Jiri route require three permits: the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card, and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
- SAARC nationals: NPR 4,500 in total
- Other foreign nationals: NPR 9,000 in total
The Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is not automatically required for common road approaches through Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke. It applies only when the selected route actually enters the conservation area.
Everest Base Camp Permit Checkpoints and Issuing Points
| Permit | Standard Issuing or Registration Point | Main Checkpoint or Trail Location | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khumbu Trek-Card | Tourist Information Center in Lukla for the normal flight route | Khumbu entry registration process | Road-route arrangements depend on the final entry point |
| Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit | Kathmandu before departure or the park-entry area | Park entrance near Monjo and Jorsalle | Carry the permit throughout the trek |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit | Relevant NTNC permit system or designated counter | Gaurishankar Conservation Area entry point | Required only for the Jiri route or another route entering the conservation area |
Is a TIMS Card Required for Everest Base Camp?
A separate TIMS card is generally not required for the standard Everest Base Camp Trek. Trekkers entering the Khumbu region register through the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Trek-Card instead.
There is no need to arrange a separate TIMS card for a normal Everest Base Camp itinerary. Nepal Hiking Team confirms any route-specific changes before departure.
What Documents Are Needed for Everest Base Camp Permits?
For most Everest Base Camp routes, travellers should prepare the following items:
- Original passport
- Clear passport copy for advance arrangements where requested
- Recent passport-size or digital photograph for Khumbu registration if requested
- Final trekking route and entry point
- Nepali rupees if any permit payment is made on the trail
Nepal Hiking Team will advise you before departure if your chosen route has an additional document requirement.
Are Everest Base Camp Permits Included with Nepal Hiking Team?
Nepal Hiking Team checks each traveller's nationality, route, and road or flight entry point before confirming which permits apply. Requirements can differ between the standard Lukla route, road approaches through Salleri, Phaplu, Thamdanda, or Surke, and the traditional Jiri trail. If permits are included in your confirmed itinerary, Nepal Hiking Team arranges them before the trek begins. Please provide a clear passport copy when requested so the registration process can be completed correctly.
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