Everest Base Camp Trek requires special permission to enter the region and embark on the beautiful journey. It is one of Nepal’s most rewarding trekking experiences, but it is important to notice that trekkers can’t just approach the Everest Region and continue the journey. The base camp lies at the lap of Mount Everest, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park. So, trekkers are usually not allowed to enter the area without permission.
No matter what, most trekkers are determined to relish the Himalayan experiences filled with the beautiful vistas of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Nuptse. The Everest Base Camp Trek takes trekkers to the most diverse destination, offering cultural significance, natural richness, remote experiences, and snow-capped mountains. The gompas, fast-flowing rivers, green forests, and traditional villages are some of the plus add-ons of this trek.
Despite having one of the most mesmerizing scenes, Everest Base Camp Trek requires high preparation and strategic plans. While preparing for this trek, physical, mental, gear, and equipment are some of the core areas that trekkers should concern the most. But there is one important preparation that every trekker must do, and that is none other than Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek. In this blog, we will discuss what permits are essential for this trek and why they are important. Let’s explore them in detail and learn where trekkers can get them and what charges they must pay to acquire them.
Types of Permits Needed For Everest Base Camp Trek
Currently, two types of permits are required for trekking to Everest Base Camp. Trekkers have to obtain Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit to embark on this beautiful journey to the Northern Himalayan region of Nepal. Obtaining these licenses will allow trekkers to reach their destinations without legal hassles and inquiries. Let’s explore the information regarding these two permits for Everest Base Camp Trek:
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
The first and most important permit required for embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek is Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. This is because the base camp is a part of Sagarmatha National Park, a restricted and protected area to conserve endangered plant and animal species. Once you reach Lukla and head towards Phakding and the upcoming destinations, Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit will come to your use.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be obtained at Nepal Tourism Board in Kamaladi, Kathmandu. If you are already in Lukla, you can hike up to Monjo Village and acquire it from the checkpost available.
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit costs around NRs. 3000 for foreign trekkers [Outside Nepal and SAARC Nations]. If you are from SAARC Countries, you only have to pay NRs. 1000 per person. Similarly, Nepalese Trekkers have more privileges regarding the price of this license – the cost of Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit for Nepalese Trekkers is only NRs. 100 per person. Trekkers below 10 can obtain this license without any charges or fees.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit is another license trekkers require for Everest Base Camp Trek. It is the newest permit introduced after the decentralized system existed in Nepal. It replaced the TIMS Card and became prominent on October 1, 2018. So, the permit fees of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality will be collected directly by the local government.
The charge of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit is NRs. 2000 per person. Similarly, trekkers under the age of ten should not be entertained with paying the license fees. You can obtain this permit from Tourism Board in Kathmandu. If you are already in the field of the Everest Region, you can get it either from Lukla or Monjo Checkpost at the entrance of Monjo Village.
Optional Permit | Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is the optional license required to embark on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Usually, trekkers tend to hike from Lukla and follow the standard Base Camp route via Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche. But some trekkers opt to hike from Jiri to Everest Base Camp. Here, Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit is mandatory since trekkers have to traverse through another restricted and protected area, Gaurishankar Conservation Area.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area was established in January 2010, and it is a sanctuary of 565 species of plants, 35 species of mammals, 16 species of fishes, 9 species of amphibians, 22 species of reptiles, and 235 species of birds. It is home to many flora and fauna, so the conservation mindset is optimum. So the Government of Nepal brought this permit into action to conserve the wide array of flora and fauna.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit costs around NRs. 3000 per person. After submitting the required documents and testimonials, you can get it at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
How to Obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permit?
The first step to obtaining permits for the Everest Base Camp trek is arriving in Nepal and approaching the Tourism Board of Nepal. You must visit the office with the required documents, including passport-sized photographs, valid visas, passports, and permit fees. Your guides can also aid you in going through the process of acquiring the permits. You might need to fill out an online application form as well. Be ready for that too.
Here are the steps to obtain Everest Base Camp Trek Permit:
- Arrive in Kathmandu
- Visit Nepal Tourism Board
- Prepare with essential documents [passport-sized & digital photographs, valid visas, passports, and permit fees]
- In case of online application, make sure you fill an online application form
- Pay permit fees
- Acquire permits
If you are already in Lukla, you can get the permits for Everest Base Camp Trek in Lukla or at Monjo Checkpost in Monjo Village. The process is same as you need to go through in Kathmandu.
Why Is Permit Necessary For Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek can be completed successfully only with the help of required permits. Without permission to enter the Everest Region, trekkers can’t embark on the beautiful trek to Everest Base Camp. While preparing for the journey to this beautiful destination, permits also come along the way. But why is a permit so necessary for this trek? A permit is necessary for the Everest Base Camp trek for several reasons. Here are some reasons:
Safety and Security
Nepal Government and Tourism Board always try to monitor the trekker’s whereabouts throughout the trek. And the only reason for this is to ensure their safety. While Everest Base Camp Trek involves strenuous hikes through challenging terrains, rugged trails, and high-altitude locations, safety is prioritized since they pose significant risks to trekkers. So, if emergencies occur, the authorities can locate trekkers without any hassles and provide aid immediately.
Conservation and Environmental Protection
We all know that Everest Base Camp lies within the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was established on July 19, 1976, in the Everest Region of Nepal. To those unaware of Sagarmatha National Park, it is home to thousands of diverse flora and fauna, including the most endangered animals like Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Danphe Munal, and Musk Deer. So to help conserve these species and contribute to maintaining the ecological balance, trekkers must acquire permits for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Resource Management
The total number of trekkers hiking to the Everest Region, including Everest Base Camp, is all under the statistics of the Tourism Board in Nepal. The data on obtained permits help in regulating the number of people entering the Everest region at a time. It eventually prevents overcrowding, which helps in minimizing the impact on natural resources.
Revenue Generation
A permit is also a major source of the local economy in tourism in Nepal. While trekkers purchase the required permits for Everest Base Camp Trek, they have to pay a certain amount of money fulfilling the needs of mandatory rules in the Everest region. This will directly impact local people’s growth, lifestyle, infrastructure, and other edges of development.
Do I Need TIMS Card for This Trek?
TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card is an official trekking document required for most of the trekking destinations in Nepal. The main reason for having TIMS cards in the trekking sector is to ensure the safety and security of trekkers. Similarly, it regulates the databases of trekking activities in the country.
Despite its compulsion in many destinations, Everest Base Camp Trek does not require it. But why is that? Let’s learn in detail.
Nepal recently entered the decentralized system after renovating the constitution in 2072 BS. After that, the Constituent Assembly fell apart, and many things changed quickly. In the meantime, many VDCs changed into municipalities, and some came under the supervision of municipalities. Everest Region was one of them, and with the change in the political structures and demographics, the law and policies changed too.
Previously, there was a provision for TIMS cards to enter the Everest Region. But with the change in the laws after the decentralization, TIMS Card was replaced with the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit. Now, the Pasang Lhamu Municipality directly handles the permit, and the fees also go under the treasure department of the area.
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Required Documents To Grab These Permits
There are several processes for obtaining permits for Everest Base Camp Trek. But on top of that, submitting the essential documents and testimonials is the most important thing. So what are the required documents to grab these permits? Let’s see in the list below:
- Passport: Trekkers must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity.
- Valid Visa: Trekkers must submit copies of valid visas while getting the required permits for Everest Base Camp Trek. They can get visas from the Nepalese Embassy or after arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport. Remember, the validity of your visa should cover the duration of your Everest Base Camp Trek.
- Copies of Photos: Trekkers must have both physical and digital copies of their passport-sized photographs. They are needed while filling up the permit forms online or physically.
- Fees: Trekkers must pay the designated fees for each permit they purchase for Everest Base Camp.
Do I Need a Guide For Acquiring Permits for Everest Base Camp?
Yes, you need a guide for purchasing permits for Everest Base Camp. Your trekking agency also can help you purchase the required permits for your trek.
Previously, guides were only mandatory when obtaining climbing permits in Nepal. But after Nepal Government and Tourism Board made a compulsion to hire guides for remote treks in Nepal, it became mandatory for trekking as well. From April 1, 2023, the law for hiring professional and certified guides for trekking in Nepal came into action. This law was passed by both Nepal Government and Tourism Board after intense research on the trekker’s journey in Nepal. Since most of the trekking destinations are remote and feature off-beaten trails and dangerous routes, trekkers’ safety and security were the main priority.
Similarly, the compulsion of this policy impacted the cases of missing, getting injured, lost, and being unable to seek immediate medical attention during emergencies. While most trekkers have applauded this move, some are against it since they will need certified guides to obtain the permits and get to their destinations. It is justifiable since most professionals would not need any guidance and help from the guides after having the permits. But since safety is the priority here, it is recommended to have guides for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Learn More About Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek features a remote and off-beaten hike to one of the most beautiful destinations in Nepal. Nestled in the lap of the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, this trek takes you from the lower altitude of Lukla to the highest altitude base camp, situated at 5,364 m (17,598 ft) above sea level.
Everest Base Camp is a heavenly place in the Solukhumbu District of Nepal. It is home to diverse flora, fauna, people, culture, tradition, and, most importantly, natural resources. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including peaks like Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Nuptse, Makalu, and many more. Similarly, the diverse lifestyle, Buddhist Culture, Sherpa communities, traditional villages, lush green forest, and remote trails offer additional spice to the trek.
Everest Base Camp begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing Norgay Airport. Upon arriving at Lukla Airport, trekkers will hike to Phakding, a local Buddhist village, and make their first stop. From Phakding, the remote trail follows the green forest of Rhododendron and pine that stretches to Namche Bazaar, the Gate of Everest. Namche Bazaar is a vibrant town with mixed culture, logistics, and tradition. If you miss the Western culture, cuisine, and vibes, Namche Bazaar will surely quench your thirst. The trail continues via a remote trail to Tengboche, where trekkers can visit Tengboche Monastery. The mani walls, prayer flags, wheels, chortens, and gompas will add cultural immersion to your trek.
Similarly, the trail continues to Dingboche and Gorakshep, the last Sherpa Settlement in the Everest Region, before heading towards the Everest Base Camp. Trekkers can visit Kalapatthar, one of the highest viewpoints from where they can have 360 views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse. After the successful completion of the Everest Base Camp Trek, trekkers follow the same trail to descend to Lukla Airport and fly back to Kathmandu.
