TIMS Card Fee for Mardi Himal in 2026

Planning the Mardi Himal trek means understanding the full permit system before you start budgeting or applying. The route lies inside Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area, so trekkers must follow official permit rules set by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and related authorities. For most travelers, the key question starts with the TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System card) fee for Mardi Himal in 2026, but the real cost also depends on the required ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) permit, trek format, and nationality. Solo foreign trekkers pay more than group trekkers, while SAARC nationals receive reduced rates, making permit planning an important part of trek preparation.

The complete permit process for Mardi Himal in 2026 includes more than just checking the fee table. Trekkers need to know whether TIMS is still mandatory, how much the combined TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System card) and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) cost will be, where permits are issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara, what documents are required, and what happens at trail checkpoints if permits are missing or incorrect. This guide explains the latest permit costs, eligibility rules, application steps, payment methods, agency support, fines, and common mistakes so trekkers can arrange Mardi Himal permits correctly before departure.

Do You Need a TIMS Card for Mardi Himal in 2026?

Every trekker on the Mardi Himal route requires a valid TIMS card in 2026. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal (TAAN) jointly enforce this requirement at 3 mandatory checkpoints along the trail, starting from the Kande entry point near Pokhara.

The TIMS card, formally named the Trekkers' Information Management System card, is a government-issued identification document that records each trekker's entry into regulated trail zones in Nepal. NTB introduced the TIMS system in 2007 to replace fragmented trekking permit records with a centralized digital database. The system now covers 22 trekking routes in Nepal, including the Mardi Himal trail in the Annapurna region.

Why Is a TIMS Card Required for This Route?

The Mardi Himal trail falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected zone administered by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). Trekking inside this area without a TIMS card is a permit violation under Nepal's Tourism Act, and checkpoint officers confiscate passports until the fine is paid.

The TIMS card serves 3 operational purposes on the Mardi Himal route:

• Trekker registration at entry and exit points for emergency search-and-rescue coordination

• Revenue collection that funds trail maintenance and porter welfare programs

• Data collection for the annual trekker census published by the NTB

Who Can Issue a TIMS Card for Mardi Himal?

2 authorized bodies issue TIMS cards for Mardi Himal in 2026: the NTB office and registered member agencies of TAAN.

The NTB Tourist Service Centre in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, and the NTB office at the Pokhara Tourist Service Centre issue TIMS cards directly to individual trekkers. Any trekking agency registered with the Nepal government and holding TAAN membership issues TIMS cards on behalf of group clients.

How Much Does the TIMS Card Cost for Mardi Himal in 2026?

The TIMS card cost for Mardi Himal in 2026 is USD 20 for individual foreign trekkers and USD 10 for trekkers joining a registered group. SAARC nationals pay 50% of the standard foreign rate. Nepali citizens trek without a TIMS card fee.

The following table shows the complete TIMS fee structure for the Mardi Himal route in 2026. Fees are denominated in USD and apply per person per trek.

The Blue TIMS applies to trekkers who travel independently without a registered agency. The Green TIMS applies to trekkers booked through a TAAN-registered agency with a minimum of 2 members per group.

What Is the Fee for SAARC Trekkers?

SAARC trekkers pay USD 10 for a solo Blue TIMS and USD 5 for a group Blue TIMS on the Mardi Himal route in 2026.

SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, includes 8 member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Trekkers holding passports from any of these 7 countries (excluding Nepal, where trekking is free) present their passport at the NTB counter to receive the SAARC-rate TIMS card.

What Is the Fee for Other Foreign Trekkers?

Foreign trekkers from non-SAARC countries pay USD 20 for a solo Blue TIMS and USD 10 for a group Blue TIMS on the Mardi Himal route in 2026.

This rate covers trekkers from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, China, and all other countries outside the SAARC bloc. The NTB accepts payment in USD, Nepalese Rupee (NPR), and major credit cards at the Kathmandu and Pokhara offices.

Are Solo and Group Fees Still Different in 2026?

Yes, 2 separate TIMS fee tiers remain active in 2026: the USD 20 solo rate and the USD 10 group rate for foreign trekkers. The NTB confirmed the dual-tier structure in its updated 2026 trekking permit schedule. Trekkers who depart as a solo trekker and later join other trekkers on trail still pay the solo Blue TIMS rate, because group classification applies only at the time of permit issuance. Trekkers comparing the full financial picture between trekking formats will find the solo vs guided cost breakdown more comprehensive.

What Other Permit Fees Should You Budget for Mardi Himal in 2026?

The Mardi Himal trek requires 2 permits in 2026: the TIMS card and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. Both permits are mandatory. The combined cost for a solo foreign trekker is approximately USD 42.

Do You Also Need an ACAP Permit?

Every trekker on the Mardi Himal trail requires a valid ACAP permit in 2026, issued by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) sits entirely within the Annapurna Conservation Area, a protected reserve spanning 7,629 square kilometers in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. ACAP checkpoints at Kande and Lwang Ghalel verify the permit.

How Much Is the ACAP Fee for Foreigners and SAARC Travelers?

The ACAP permit fee for foreign (non-SAARC) trekkers is NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22) in 2026. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,500 (approximately USD 11).

The NTNC sets ACAP fees in Nepalese Rupee. The USD equivalent fluctuates with the NPR–USD exchange rate, which stood at approximately NPR 135 per USD in March 2026. Children under 10 years of age are exempt from the ACAP fee.

What Is the Total Permit Cost for Mardi Himal in 2026?

The total permit cost for a solo foreign trekker on the Mardi Himal route in 2026 is USD 42, USD 20 for the TIMS card plus USD 22 for the ACAP permit. Group trekkers spend USD 32 in total (USD 10 TIMS plus USD 22 ACAP). SAARC solo trekkers pay USD 21 total (USD 10 TIMS + USD 11 ACAP).

No additional restricted area permit or National Park entry fee applies to the Mardi Himal route, as the trail does not pass through the Annapurna Sanctuary or any restricted zone. Trekkers building a full trip budget can use our 5-day Mardi Himal itinerary guide to slot these permit totals into a complete cost breakdown.

Where Can You Get the TIMS Card and ACAP for Mardi Himal?

Trekkers obtain the TIMS card and ACAP permit from 2 primary locations: the NTB Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) and the NTB office in Pokhara (Tourist Service Centre, Lakeside). Both permits are available at both offices. TAAN-registered trekking agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara also issue TIMS cards on behalf of clients. Trekkers who prefer permits, guide assignment, and logistics handled together can explore our licensed Mardi Himal trek packages for departures from Pokhara.

Can You Apply Online or in Person?

Current official NTB guidance says TIMS is issued through the online TIMS system used by trekking agencies, while NTNC’s conservation-area permit can be completed online or by counter payment after online form submission. The NTB has not deployed a fully self-service online TIMS portal as of March 2026. The e-TIMS pilot, which NTB announced in 2023, remains under review. Trekkers complete a paper-based or digitally-assisted application form at the counter.

ACAP permits are issued in person at the NTNC counters located inside the NTB offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and at the ACAP checkpoint in Kande (the Mardi Himal trailhead near Pokhara), though applying at the checkpoint adds 30–45 minutes of processing time.

Should You Get Permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara?

Pokhara is the optimal location for obtaining Mardi Himal permits in 2026, as the Mardi Himal trailhead at Kande is 7 kilometers from Pokhara city. The Pokhara NTB office, located in the Lakeside tourist district, opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, Sunday through Friday. The office is closed on Saturdays and Nepali public holidays.

Kathmandu's NTB office at Bhrikutimandap serves trekkers who transit through the capital before flying to Pokhara. Processing time at both offices averages 15–30 minutes during off-peak hours and up to 90 minutes during peak trekking season (October–November and March–April).

How Early Should You Apply Before the Trek?

Apply for TIMS and ACAP permits at least 1 day before the trek start date. The NTB does not issue same-day permits at trailhead checkpoints for the full TIMS application. Trekkers who arrive at Kande checkpoint without permits pay the standard fee at the checkpoint ACAP counter but face delays. The TIMS card is not issued at any Mardi Himal trailhead checkpoint, only at NTB offices or through trekking agencies.

What Documents and Details Do You Need for the Application?

A complete Mardi Himal TIMS application in 2026 requires 3 documents: a valid passport (original), 1 passport-sized photograph (35mm × 45mm), and a completed NTB trekking registration form. For ACAP, the same 3 documents apply. TAAN-registered agency clients submit documents through their agency.

Do You Need a Passport Photo and Passport Copy?

Yes, the NTB requires 1 passport-size photograph (35mm × 45mm, white background, taken within 6 months) and a photocopy of the passport bio-data page for each TIMS application. The NTB office retains the photocopy. Trekkers traveling through a trekking agency submit 2 copies, 1 for the agency and 1 for the NTB database.

Photo printing shops adjacent to the Pokhara Lakeside NTB office produce passport photos in 10 minutes at NPR 150–200 per set. The Kathmandu NTB office area on Bhrikutimandap Road has similar services within 50 meters of the entrance.

Do You Need a Guide or Agency Booking for TIMS?

A registered guide or trekking agency is not mandatory for the Blue TIMS (solo) application, but a TAAN-registered agency booking is required to access the lower-cost Blue TIMS (group) rate. The NTB verifies agency registration at the counter. Solo trekkers present their own documents. Group trekkers present the agency confirmation letter alongside their individual documents.

Employing a licensed trekking guide on the Mardi Himal route is not a legal requirement in 2026, as the Government of Nepal's mandatory guide regulation applies specifically to restricted trekking areas, and Mardi Himal is not classified as a restricted area. Trekkers with questions about Mardi Himal without a guide will find updated 2026 checkpoint enforcement detail and TIMS implications covered in full.

How Do Payment Methods and E-Permits Work?

The NTB accepts payment for TIMS and ACAP by cash in NPR or USD, and by Visa and Mastercard credit cards at both the Kathmandu and Pokhara offices. Mobile payment via eSewa and Khalti is accepted at the Pokhara NTB counter as of January 2026. The NTB does not accept American Express. Trekking agencies issue an agency receipt alongside the NTB permit; both documents serve as proof of payment.

The NTB issues physical TIMS cards with a QR code that checkpoint officers scan to verify authenticity. The QR code links to the trekker's registration record in the NTB's central database.

What Mistakes Can Increase Your Mardi Himal Permit Cost?

3 avoidable mistakes increase the total Mardi Himal permit cost in 2026: trekking without permits, relying on outdated fee data, and misunderstanding refund and transfer rules. Each mistake results in fines, delays, or non-recoverable expenses.

What Happens if You Trek Without the Required Permits?

Checkpoint officers on the Mardi Himal route confiscate passports and issue a mandatory fine of NPR 2,000–5,000 (USD 15–37) per missing permit, plus the standard permit fee, for trekkers caught without valid TIMS or ACAP documents. 3 checkpoints verify permits on the Mardi Himal trail: Kande, Lwang Ghalel, and Australian Camp. Trekkers without permits at any checkpoint are escorted back to Pokhara to complete the application process before continuing.

The NTB also flags the trekker's passport number in the national database, which affects future visa-on-arrival eligibility assessments at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Can Outdated Permit Advice Cause Problems in 2026?

Yes, outdated permit information causes 2 specific problems for trekkers in 2026: incorrect budget planning and reliance on discontinued permit categories. Blogs and travel forums published before 2023 reference the old TIMS fee structure (USD 10 for group, USD 20 for solo), which remains current, but some sources incorrectly state that the ACAP and TIMS are consolidated into a single permit. This is inaccurate, both remain separate documents issued by separate agencies (NTB for TIMS, NTNC for ACAP).

The Government of Nepal periodically revises permit fees at the start of each fiscal year (mid-July). Trekkers verify current fees at the official NTB website (ntb.gov.np) or the NTNC website (ntnc.org.np) before departure. Trekkers deciding between routes can also read our Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp comparison for a side-by-side view of how permit costs, duration, and crowd levels differ between the two most popular Annapurna treks.

Are Refund and Transfer Rules Important to Know?

TIMS card fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once issued in 2026. The NTB does not issue refunds for unused permits, permit date changes, or trek cancellations regardless of reason. ACAP permits are also non-refundable under NTNC regulations. Trekkers who cancel due to illness, weather, or flight delays lose the full permit cost.

Travel insurance policies with "trek cancellation" coverage, such as those offered by World Nomads and True Traveller, reimburse non-refundable permit costs when cancellation results from a covered event. Purchase insurance before applying for permits.

How Should You Arrange Mardi Himal Permits With a Trekking Agency?

A TAAN-registered trekking agency handles TIMS and ACAP applications on the trekker's behalf within 24 hours of receiving complete documentation. The agency submits the application to NTB, collects the physical TIMS card, and delivers it alongside the ACAP permit before the trek departure date. Agency service fees for permit processing range from NPR 500–1,500 (USD 4–11) per person, separate from the permit fee itself.

Can a Registered Trekking Agency Help With TIMS and ACAP?

Yes, any trekking agency holding active TAAN membership and Nepal government registration (Department of Tourism license number beginning with "R") processes both the TIMS card and ACAP permit for Mardi Himal clients. The agency acts as the authorized representative of the trekker in the NTB database. Group clients benefit from the USD 10 Blue TIMS rate through an agency booking, saving USD 10 per person compared to the solo Blue TIMS rate.

Trekkers verify agency legitimacy by requesting the Department of Tourism registration certificate, which all legally operating agencies display at their offices. The TAAN member directory at taan.org.np lists all currently registered agencies by city.

Key Takeaways About Mardi Himal TIMS Fees in 2026

The TIMS card fee for Mardi Himal in 2026 is USD 20 (solo foreign trekker) or USD 10 (group foreign trekker). SAARC nationals pay USD 10 (solo) or USD 5 (group). The ACAP permit adds NPR 3,000 (USD 22) for foreign trekkers and NPR 1,500 (USD 11) for SAARC nationals, bringing the total permit cost to USD 32–42 for most foreign trekkers.

5 facts every trekker confirms before the Mardi Himal trek in 2026:

• Both the TIMS card (NTB) and ACAP permit (NTNC) are compulsory, neither replaces the other

• The solo Blue TIMS costs USD 20; the group Blue TIMS costs USD 10 for foreign trekkers

• Permits are collected in person at the NTB offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara, no full online portal exists in 2026

• TIMS and ACAP fees are non-refundable regardless of cancellation reason

• 3 checkpoints on the Mardi Himal route verify permits; missing permits result in fines of NPR 2,000–5,000 plus the standard permit fee