Quick answer: The Everest Base Camp Trek needs two permits in 2026. First, the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000). Second, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (NPR 3,000). That is about US$45 in total. There is no TIMS card in the Everest region.
You need two permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek, and together they cost about US$45. The first is the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit. The second is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. You do not need a TIMS card here. So the paperwork is simpler than many trekkers expect, and far cheaper than the climbing fees you may have read about.
Key Takeaways
- You need two permits: Sagarmatha National Park (NPR 3,000) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality (NPR 3,000).
- The total is about US$45 per person, paid in Nepalese rupees.
- There is no TIMS card in the Everest region. The local permit replaced it.
- You can buy both at the gate, but a guided trip arranges them for you.
- The famous US$15,000 fee is for climbing Everest, not for trekking to base camp.
This guide explains each permit, the exact 2026 fees, and where to get them. For the full trip plan, see our 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek. For the wider budget, see our Everest Base Camp trek cost guide, and for every route, our Everest region trekking guide.
Do you need a permit for Everest Base Camp?
Yes. You need two permits to trek to Everest Base Camp, and there are no exceptions. Rangers and local staff check them at gates along the trail. So you cannot skip them, even on a solo trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek 14-Days
The good news is that they are cheap and easy. Neither permit needs a long application. You do not need a sponsor or an agency to buy them. Still, on a guided trip we handle both for you. So you walk straight through the checkposts while we deal with the counters.
Both permits are paid in Nepalese rupees only. Both are non-refundable. So buy them once you are sure of your dates.
What permits do you need for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
You need the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. That is the full list for the classic route in 2026. Here is what each one covers.
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit. This covers the protected park that holds Everest and the Khumbu peaks. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1979.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. This is a local entry fee. The local government collects it, and the money supports trails and services in the region.
You do not need any extra permit for the standard Everest Base Camp route. The 16-day Kala Patthar route and the 19-day Gokyo route use the same two permits. So for the viewpoint itself, from sunrise timing to the two hour climb, see our Kala Patthar guide. The 20-day Three Passes Trek does too.
How much is the Sagarmatha National Park permit?
The Sagarmatha National Park permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals in 2026. That is about US$23. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,500, and Nepali citizens pay a small fee (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-29).
You can buy this permit in two places. First, at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. Second, at the park checkpost in Monjo, on the trail above Lukla. So if you arrive without one, you can still get it on the way in.
Keep the permit safe and dry. You show it at Monjo, and you may be asked for it again higher up. On our trips, your guide carries the group paperwork. So you do not need to worry about it.
How much is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit?
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals in 2026, about US$23. The local government raised this fee from NPR 2,000 to NPR 3,000 in September 2024, and the higher rate holds through 2026.
This permit is collected by the local municipality, not by the national government. You buy it at Lukla when you land, or at the Monjo checkpost. The money goes to trail repair, waste management, and local services in the Khumbu.
So when people ask about “the Everest local fee,” this is it. It is simple, and it replaces the old TIMS card on this route.
Is there a TIMS card for Everest Base Camp?
No. There is no TIMS card in the Everest region anymore. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit replaced it for this route. So you do not pay for a TIMS card on the way to Everest Base Camp.
This often confuses first-time trekkers, because other regions still use TIMS. For example, the Annapurna and Langtang routes use a TIMS card. The Everest route does not. So if a checklist tells you to buy TIMS for Everest, it is out of date.
In short, two permits cover you here, and neither is TIMS.
Do you need a guide for Everest Base Camp in 2026?
No, a guide is not required by law in the Everest region in 2026, though we strongly recommend one. This is an important point, because the rules differ across Nepal.
Nepal’s 2023 rule lists the Everest region among the areas needing a licensed guide (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-29). However, the local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality rejected the rule and allows solo trekking (The Himalayan Times, 2023-03-28). So independent trekking to Everest Base Camp is still allowed.
Even so, a guide adds real safety at altitude. A licensed guide watches the weather, sets a safe pace, and checks your health each day. So most trekkers still hire one, and we include a licensed Sherpa guide in every package.
Where and how do you get your Everest permits?
You can buy both permits on the trail, but a guided trip saves you the queues. Here are your options, in order of ease.
- On a guided trip. Spade Himalaya buys both permits for you before you set off. So you never wait at a counter.
- In Kathmandu. You can get the Sagarmatha National Park permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office. Bring your passport.
- On the trail. You can buy the national park permit at Monjo and the local permit at Lukla. So solo trekkers often pay as they go.
Bring cash in Nepalese rupees, because the checkposts do not take cards. Also bring your passport, since staff check your details against the permit. So keep both handy on the first two days.
Permit cost summary (2026)
Here is the full permit cost for the Everest Base Camp Trek, in one table. These are the per-person fees for foreign nationals.
| Permit | 2026 fee (foreigner) | About (US$) | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park entry | NPR 3,000 | US$23 | Kathmandu (NTB) or Monjo gate |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality | NPR 3,000 | US$23 | Lukla or Monjo |
| Total | NPR 6,000 | about US$45 | Paid in rupees, non-refundable |
So the permits are a small part of your overall budget. The bigger costs are the Lukla flight, your guide and porter, and food and lodging. For the full breakdown, see our Everest Base Camp trek cost guide.
Myth-buster: the US$15,000 Everest fee is not for trekkers
You may have read that the Everest fee is US$15,000. That fee is for climbing to the summit, not for trekking to base camp. It is a royalty for mountaineers with ropes, oxygen, and a full expedition.
Trekkers walk to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. They do not climb the peak. So they never pay the climbing royalty. Your only permits are the two listed above, for about US$45 in total.
In short, the trek is far more affordable than the headlines suggest.
FAQs
What permits do I need for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
You need two. First, the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000). Second, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (NPR 3,000). Together they cost about US$45. There is no TIMS card on this route.
How much do Everest Base Camp permits cost in 2026?
About US$45 per person in total. That is NPR 3,000 for the national park and NPR 3,000 for the local municipality. Both are paid in Nepalese rupees, and both are non-refundable.
Do you need a TIMS card for Everest Base Camp?
No. The Everest region does not use a TIMS card. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit replaced it. So you only need the two permits listed above.
Do you need a guide for Everest Base Camp?
Not by law in the Khumbu. Nepal’s 2023 rule lists the Everest region (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-29), but the local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality rejected it and allows solo trekking (The Himalayan Times, 2023-03-28). So independent trekking is allowed. Still, a guide adds real safety at altitude, so we strongly recommend one and include a licensed guide in our packages.
Where do I buy the Everest Base Camp permits?
You can buy the national park permit in Kathmandu or at Monjo, and the local permit at Lukla or Monjo. Bring cash in rupees and your passport. On a guided trip, we arrange both before you start.
Is the US$15,000 fee part of the trek?
No. That is the royalty to climb to the summit of Everest. Trekkers walk to base camp and never pay it. Your only permits cost about US$45 in total.
Accuracy note: official fees, rules, and hard facts in this guide are cited inline from their sources; trail and price details are Spade Himalaya field research; route details reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience leading treks in the Everest region.
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