Langtang Trek is an ideal short yet beautiful trek which is Nepal's most accessible and visually rewarding trek. Situated in the midst of the Himalayas, this trek offers stunning mountain vistas, rich cultural immersion and variety of landscapes.
Before embarking on this unforgettable journey of a lifetime to the remote land of Langtang Valley, you should be aware of permits that are required and how to attain it. This is where a reliable team like us; Ammonite Adventure, is here to help you arrange all the necessary permits to make your preparations hassle free.
These permits are mandatory to all the foreigners (including people of the SAARC country) who want to hike anywhere in the langtang region.
Why are permits required for the Langtang Trek?
Every year thousands of people visit Langtang region for various purposes. The permits help to manage the resources and ensure effective consumption at the same time. The Langtang Trek permit for National Park has mainly two purposes:
Ensure safety during emergencies such as earthquakes, landslides, accidents etc.
To keep track of tourist moments in the national park and to balance the carrying capacity of the location.
Also, it gives the rules and regulations to be followed in the national park to maintain the environment quality of the region for the local people and flora & fauna. The future of Langtang Valley will be positive and healthy for trekking in upcoming years.
I just want you to know that the prices for your permits are for good purposes.
What are the permits required to trek the Langtang Valley?
Let me give you details about the required permits for Langtang Valley trek.
- Langtang National Park Permit
- TIMS Card
- Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park Entry Permit
Langtang National Park Permit
In Nepal, there are 12 different National Parks and all of them require a special permit for visit. Similarly, Langtang National Park also requires a special permit to stroll in many areas of the most diverse national parks in Nepal.
Langtang National Park is a home to diverse flora and fauna including wildlife like musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, red panda, snow leopard, and over 250 species of bird. These permits are to support the conservation efforts within the park and maintain environmental sustainability.
This permit can be obtained from the Nepal tourism board (NTB) in Kathmandu or at the entrance of the park, a common starting point to trek Langtang Valley at Dhunche or Syabrubesi.
The cost of Langtang valley permit per person is NPR 3000 (vat excluded 13%) for foreigners and NPR 1500 (vat excluded 15%) for trekkers of SAARC nations. For Nepalese, the permit only costs NPR 100 per person. Young trekkers under the age of 10 do not require a permit.
Reminder : This is the same permit that you require for the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek.
Trekkers Information System Card- (TIMS) Card
The TIMS card is a mandatory trekking permit that is essential for all the trekkers in Nepal. The concerned authority is able to keep track of travelers to ensure their safety and provide necessary assistance in case of an emergency to all the people moving forward towards the Langtang Valley.
You are given different type of TIMS card according to your different circumstance i.e. There are three types of TIMS cards: green, blue and pink. If you are an individual trekker, you will have the green one for $20. For organized group trekkers, they will have the blue card for $10. If the trekker belongs to a SAARC nation, they will get the pink card for $6.
The TIMS card is often issued by a travel agency where you book your Langtang Valley Trek but if you are an independent traveller, to obtain a TIMS card, you have to visit Nepal tourism board (NTB) in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can also obtain this permit from Trekkers’ Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Secretariat in Kathmandu or Pokhara. After you fill out the application form, your TIMS card will be available.
Who does not require a TIMS Card?
There are few exceptions to people who do not require a TIMS card while visiting the Langtang Region.
- Controlled areas visitors who have permits from the Department of Immigration.
- Foreign guests of the government of Nepal.
- Foreign nationals having residential visa in Nepal
- Authorities with diplomatic missions or own official letters.
- Expedition members with the permits to climb mountains.
- Visitors on a mission operated by Governmental departments.
Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park Entrance Permit
If you are trekking from Syabrubesi, you do not require this permit. However, if you want to take an alternative path through the Gosaikunda-Helambu route then you require this entry permit to hike through the Shivapuri National Park.
This permit costs you about NPR 1000 for foreigners, NPR 600 for SAARC citizens, and NPR 50 for locals. This permit is also not necessary for young trekkers under the age of 10.
You can obtain this permit at the same place where The Langtang National park permit was obtained i.e. from Nepal Tourism Board at Kathmandu or at the entry point in Shivapuri.
Total Permits Cost Required for Langtang Trek:
| Permit Type | Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals |
|
TIMS Card (for organized group)= $10 |
USD 20 ~ NPR 2000 | USD 6 ~ NPR 600 |
| Langtang National Park Entry Permit (VAT excluded) | USD 30 ~ NPR 3000 | USD 15 ~ NPR 1500 |
| Shivapuri National Park Entrance Permit | USD 10 ~ NPR 1000 | USD 6 ~ NPR 600 |
Where are the permit checkpoints for Langtang Region Treks?
Here's a list of checkpoints you will come across during your Langtang Trek.
- Kathmandu: To issue the necessary permits for trekking, Nepal Tourism Board.
- Dhunche: The checkpoint of Langtang National Park permit.
- Kutungsang: Another Langtang National Park permit checkpoint.
- Sermathang: The Langtang National Park permit is checked here as well.
- Sundarijal: The permit checkpoint for those trekking through Chisapani.
Reminder : When you book your trek through a trekking agency, all the necessary permits are usually included in the package.
What are the documents required for Langtang region trek permit?
Before you are headed to obtain your permits in the designated location you will require a few things to complete the process.
- Your original passport
- 4-5 photocopies of the passport
- 2 passport sized photos for each license so, 6-8 pictures in total.
- Take your visa documents when you go to issue the permit.
Once the bill is paid and the form is filled out the Langtang Trekking permit license will be issued within a few minutes.
Can I get my permits online for the Langtang trek?
It is mandatory for you to be present in person to obtain these permits from the designated location. Although a few restricted areas might allow online permits. So if you're planning to trek in the Langtang region, make sure you visit the appropriate office to obtain the necessary permits.
If you don't want to go through all of this hassle, just reach out to a reliable travel agency like Ammonite Adventure who makes sure that you have all the necessary documents and permits to complete your journey smoothly.
Can I do the Langtang Valley trek without a permit ?
No, it is not possible to do the Langtang Valley trek without a permit. Since the Langtang Valley falls right within the Langtang National Park, a protected area, It is considered illegal and not recommended to trek here without required permits.
If you are considering to trek Langtang Valley without permits you might face some serious consequences including deportation, fines, legal issues, helplessness during emergency situations in the trek and will be regarded as an irresponsible traveler who does not respect the host community and impacts the natural environment.
Are you looking to venture into the mountains of the Langtang region? Let us help you!!!
If you have some inquiries regarding your travel decisions for your next trekking adventure, feel free to reach us at ammoniteadventure.com where we make your travel arrangements effortless.
Happy Trekking!!!
