Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permits: Cost, Requirements & How to Get Them

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek requires a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP), and TIMS Card for the routes covered by the current regulations. Foreign trekkers must also travel with a licensed guide and arrange the trek through a registered trekking agency.

The circuit can include both Kanchenjunga North Base Camp at Pangpema and South Base Camp at Oktang, so the permit application should match your complete trekking itinerary.

What Permits Are Required for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?

The main permits and registrations for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek are:

The RAP costs USD 25 per week after the first four weeks. The Nepal Tourism Board currently lists Kanchenjunga routes under the mandatory guide and TIMS provision.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The Restricted Area Permit is required for the designated restricted sections of the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek in Taplejung.

The current Department of Immigration fee is:

• USD 20 per week for the first 4 weeks
• USD 25 per week after 4 weeks

The Taplejung restricted area covers parts of Phantanglung Rural Municipality, Mikwakhola Rural Municipality and Sirijunga Rural Municipality.

The RAP is processed through a registered trekking agency, which submits the trekker’s details and trekking itinerary to the Department of Immigration.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit (KCAP)

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit is required to enter the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.

The current fee for foreign visitors is NPR 2,000 per person per entry. SAARC nationals pay NPR 500, while Nepali citizens are not charged an entry fee.

The KCAP is separate from the Restricted Area Permit and applies to the conservation-area sections of the Kanchenjunga trekking route.

TIMS Card for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The current Nepal Tourism Board information lists several Kanchenjunga routes under the mandatory guide and TIMS requirement, including Kanchenjunga Base Camp routes and Kanchenjunga Base Camp via Sele La and Nango Pass.

The current TIMS fee is:

• NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals
• NPR 2,000 for other applicants

The TIMS Card is issued through a trekking agency, and trekkers on the listed routes must be accompanied by a licensed trekking guide.

Do You Need Separate Permits for Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp?

A Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek that includes both North and South Base Camp is arranged according to the complete route in your trekking itinerary. There is not a separate standard permit category called a “North Base Camp Permit” and another called a “South Base Camp Permit.”

The two main base camps are:

• Pangpema (North Base Camp), reached from the northern side of Kanchenjunga.
• Oktang (South Base Camp), reached from the southern side.

If your itinerary includes both sides, the trekking agency provides the complete route when processing the required permits. The applicable restricted-area and conservation-area requirements are therefore based on the route you are actually undertaking.

Because route combinations can vary, your agency should confirm the permit coverage for your exact North and South Base Camp itinerary before departure.

Who Arranges the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permits?

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permits are arranged through a registered trekking agency in Nepal. Restricted-area permit applications are handled through the agency rather than as an ordinary individual application.

Bold Himalaya can arrange the required Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permits on your behalf, including the Restricted Area Permit, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit and TIMS Card. The permit paperwork is prepared according to your trekking itinerary, including routes covering both North and South Base Camp.

Documents Required for Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permits

Your trekking agency will generally need:

• Valid passport
• Nepal visa details
• Recent passport-size photograph or digital photo
• Trekking itinerary
• Travel insurance details
• Personal information
• Emergency contact details

Additional information may be requested depending on the current permit procedure and your route.

How Much Do Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permits Cost?

For a foreign trekker staying within the first four weeks of the restricted area, the main permit and registration costs are:

• RAP: USD 20 per week
• KCAP: NPR 2,000
• TIMS: NPR 2,000

That puts the starting permit and registration cost at USD 20 + NPR 4,000 per person, excluding guide, transportation, accommodation, meals, insurance and other trekking expenses. The RAP increases to USD 25 per week after the first four weeks.

The amount included in a trekking package can be higher because agencies may combine permits with guide services and other trek arrangements.

Can You Do the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Alone in 2026?

The previous two-trekker minimum for restricted-area permits was removed in March 2026, so an individual traveler can now obtain a restricted-area permit.

However, this does not mean independent solo trekking without a guide. The permit still needs to be processed through a registered agency, and the current Nepal Tourism Board rules require a licensed guide for the listed Kanchenjunga routes.

In practice, one traveler can arrange a private Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek with a guide instead of needing to join another trekking group.

Do You Need to Carry the Permits During the Trek?

Yes. Keep your passport and trekking permit documents with you throughout the trek, as they may be checked at designated points along the route.

Your documents should match the approved trekking itinerary, particularly when your circuit includes restricted sections and both North and South Base Camp.

Conclusion

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permits cover the restricted and conservation-area sections of this remote trekking route. For foreign trekkers, the main requirements are the RAP, KCAP and TIMS Card, along with a registered trekking agency and licensed guide.

When your itinerary includes both Pangpema North Base Camp and Oktang South Base Camp, make sure the complete route is provided during the permit application so the documentation matches your planned circuit.

Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek Permits FAQs

What permits are required for the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek?

You need the Restricted Area Permit, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit and TIMS Card for the Kanchenjunga routes covered by the current regulations. A registered trekking agency and licensed guide are also required.

Do I need separate permits for Kanchenjunga North and South Base Camp?

No separate standard permit categories are listed specifically as North Base Camp and South Base Camp permits. For a full circuit, your agency arranges the required permits according to the complete route stated in your itinerary.

How much does the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permit cost?

The RAP costs USD 20 per week for the first four weeks, while the KCAP costs NPR 2,000 for foreign visitors. The TIMS Card costs NPR 2,000 for non-SAARC applicants.

Can one person get a Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permit in 2026?

Yes. The previous two-trekker minimum for restricted-area permits was removed in March 2026. However, the trek still needs to be arranged through a registered agency, and a licensed guide is required on the applicable Kanchenjunga routes.

Who arranges the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek permits?

A registered trekking agency in Nepal arranges the required permits and trekking registration. Bold Himalaya can handle the permit arrangements for your Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, including itineraries that cover both North and South Base Camp.