Quick answer: You need two permits for the Langtang trek: the Langtang National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000 for foreigners). Together they cost about US$40. Since 2023, a licensed guide is required, so you must book through a registered agency.
You need two permits for the Langtang trek: the Langtang National Park entry permit and the TIMS card. Together they cost about US$40 for foreign trekkers. Since 2023, you also need a licensed guide. So a solo, guide-free Langtang trek is no longer allowed.
Key Takeaways
- You need the Langtang National Park permit (NPR 3,000, about US$25).
- You also need a TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about US$15).
- The two permits total roughly US$40 per person.
- Since 2023, a licensed guide is required in national park trekking areas.
- Spade Himalaya arranges both permits and the guide for you.
This guide covers each permit, the cost, and how to get them. For the full trip, see our Langtang Valley Trek package. For the wider picture, see our Langtang region guide.
What permits do you need for the Langtang trek?
You need two papers for any Langtang trek: a park permit and a TIMS card. Both are simple to get through a registered agency. So you do not have to queue at government offices yourself. For the full picture across every Nepal region, see our Nepal trekking permits and rules guide.
Langtang Valley Trek 10-Days
Here are the two permits at a glance:
| Permit | Cost (foreign trekker) | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Langtang National Park entry permit | NPR 3,000 (about US$25) | Entry to the protected park |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000, or NPR 1,000 for SAARC (about US$15) | Trekker safety and records |
So the total is roughly US$40 per person. The Gosaikunda route also passes Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park at the end, which has a small extra fee. We cover that below.
How much is the Langtang National Park permit?
The Langtang National Park entry permit costs NPR 3,000 (about US$25) for foreign trekkers. It lets you enter the park, where the whole trek takes place. This is the official rate on the Nepal Tourism Board park-fee list (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-23). The park was Nepal’s first Himalayan national park, set up in 1976.
You buy this permit once, and it covers your whole trek. For SAARC nationals, the fee is lower. For Nepali citizens, it is lower still.
A park ranger checks the permit at the Dhunche gate. This is on the drive in from Kathmandu. So keep it handy in your daypack with your passport.
How much is the TIMS card?
The TIMS card is the Trekkers’ Information Management System card, and it keeps a record of you on the trail. It helps with safety and rescue. So you need one for almost every trek in Nepal.
The TIMS card costs NPR 2,000 for foreign trekkers, about US$15. For SAARC nationals, it is NPR 1,000 (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-23). Your agency files your details, so the process is quick.
The card lists your route, your guide, and your emergency contact. So if there is ever a problem, the right people can find you fast.
What is the guide rule for Langtang?
Since 2023, foreign trekkers must use a licensed guide in national park trekking areas, and Langtang is one of them. The Nepal Tourism Board introduced this rule on 31 March 2023, and it lists the Langtang routes among those that need a guide (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-23). So you cannot trek Langtang alone or without a guide. You must book through a registered trekking agency.
This rule is about safety. A guide knows the trail, the weather, and the signs of altitude sickness. So they keep you safe and help in an emergency. The rule also supports local jobs in the mountains.
Langtang is a national park, not a restricted area. So the rules are simpler than on Manaslu or Upper Dolpo. Still, the guide and the two permits are required. Spade Himalaya is a registered agency, so we handle all of this for you.
Is there an extra fee on the Gosaikunda route?
If you trek Langtang Gosaikunda and exit through Helambu, you also pass Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. This park has its own small entry fee. So budget a little extra for it.
The Shivapuri fee is low, usually around NPR 1,000 for foreign trekkers. You pay it near the end, on the walk out to Sundarijal. So the classic Langtang Valley Trek does not need this fee, but the Gosaikunda route does.
For the full route, see our Langtang Gosaikunda Trek package.
How do you get your Langtang permits?
The easiest way is to let a registered agency arrange them, and that is what Spade Himalaya does. So you do not have to deal with the paperwork yourself.
Here is what you need to provide:
- Your passport. The agency needs your details and a copy.
- Passport photos. Bring two or three spare photos to be safe.
- Your trek dates. The permit covers your travel window.
Then the agency does the rest. They buy the park permit and the TIMS card before you set off. So all you carry is your passport and your documents. In short, the permit process is simple when you book a guided trip.
Permit cost summary
Here is the full permit cost for a Langtang trek in 2026, for one foreign trekker. Prices are estimates, so confirm them at booking.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Langtang National Park permit | NPR 3,000 (about US$25) |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (NPR 1,000 SAARC), about US$15 |
| Shivapuri fee (Gosaikunda route only) | about NPR 1,000 |
| Total (Langtang Valley Trek) | about US$40 |
| Total (Langtang Gosaikunda Trek) | about US$48 |
So the permits are a small part of the overall cost. For the full trip price, see our Langtang Valley Trek cost guide.
FAQs
Do you need a permit for the Langtang trek?
Yes. You need two permits: the Langtang National Park entry permit and a TIMS card. Together they cost about US$40 for foreign trekkers. Spade Himalaya arranges both for you.
How much is the Langtang National Park permit?
It costs NPR 3,000 (about US$25) for foreign trekkers. The fee is lower for SAARC nationals and lower still for Nepali citizens. You buy it once, and it covers your whole trek.
Do you need a guide for the Langtang trek?
Yes. Since 2023, foreign trekkers must use a licensed guide in national park areas like Langtang (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-23). So a solo, guide-free trek is no longer allowed. You must book through a registered agency.
Is Langtang a restricted area?
No. Langtang is a national park, not a restricted area. So the rules are simpler than on Manaslu or Upper Dolpo. Still, you need the park permit, a TIMS card, and a licensed guide.
Where do you get the Langtang permits?
The easiest way is through a registered trekking agency. They buy the park permit and the TIMS card before you set off. So you only need your passport, photos, and trek dates.
Do you need an extra permit for Gosaikunda?
The Gosaikunda route exits through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, which has a small extra fee of about NPR 1,000. The classic Langtang Valley Trek does not need this fee. Spade Himalaya includes it for the Gosaikunda route.
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 Langtang region.
