Travel Day 1008 – Kathmandu, NEPAL
At this point it was quite clear already that I would use my time in Kathmandu to do the Langtang Trek, only when exactly I would leave and how long I would go for was still in question…
Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu
Well, it was also still in question where exactly I would go, as the Langtang Trek could be combined with a couple of other treks and furthermore, if a friend of mine would be able to join me was also still in question. So far the plan was that she would come to Kathmandu by tomorrow and that we would leave one or two days later for possibly the cultural Tamang Heritage Trail in combination with the classical Langtang Valley Trek…
So, even if there were still a lot of ifs and whens involved in our planning, one thing seemed at least for sure: We would need to get a TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System) and a Langtang National Park Entrance Permit. Both could easily be obtained at the Nepal Tourism Board (Tourist Service Center) in Kathmandu, the same place where I had been two years ago to get my ACAP Entry Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card for my Annapurna Circuit Trek…
TIMS Card Application for Nepal Treks
I remembered correctly that the Nepal Tourism Board wasn’t really conveniently located in relation to Thamel, but it was still within walking distance, just one street south of Ratna Park, the local bus station. I guess the whole idea of the office location was to ensure that individual trekkers, who would not go through an agency to organize their trek, were actually fit enough to do the walk that lay ahead of them. For me personally, having to organize a lot of other things it was simply an inconvenience, but at least the process within the Service Center itself was quick and easy…
To obtain the TIMS Card for Individual Trekkers, a lengthy form had to be filled out for one trekking area only (I made the mistake once to combine two areas and had to start all over again). For me the area was Langtang and luckily I brought my map along as the form actually asked for all the stations along the trekking route. Since the purpose of this card was to ensure my own safety and to track me down if I would get lost, I made sure to fill it out as precisely as I could…
ACAP and Parks Entry Permit Counter
Additionally needed was my passport and visa information, as well as my insurance details and emergency contacts back home and within Nepal. After filling out everything, gluing a passport photo on the top, I finally received my blank TIMS Card after paying the 1750 rupee fee. Afterwards all the information had to filled-in again, this time directly into the TIMS Card and another photo had to be attached to the top. After the official sign off, I was finally on my way next door to receive my Park Entry Permit…
As it turned out, for the ACAP 2000 rupees were needed plus another passport photo, while the Langtang National Park Entrance Permit even cost 3000 rupees, but no photo was required. Luckily the process itself was really quick and pain-free, only the fact that all permits had cost me about 5000 rupees (60 dollars) in total, before I even left for a trek seemed a bit annoying…
What to bring to the Nepal Tourism Board
Getting the TIMS, ACAP and National Park Permit was very straight forward and didn’t require any travel agencies. Just remember to bring:
- Passport with visa (I also took a photo copy with me just in case)
- Passport photos (6 photos in 10 minutes cost 300 rupees in Thamel)
- Map or guide-book with all the trek details and station names
- Emergency contact information (home and Nepal)
- Calendar (or know all your exact dates beforehand)
- Insurance information (Name, number and contact info)
- At least 5000 rupees (depending on the trek)
Thank U Dennis !
Very helpful information for individual travelers. I would like to add few thing to above notes:
-> ACAP (Annapurna conservation Area Project) permit costs only RS 2,000/- . Permit for Langtang and Everest costs Rs 3,000/- .
-> ACAP permit must be issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara. One can buy permit for Langtang and Everest at the entrance of National park as well. If you go to ACAP without permit, you need to pay double (Rs 4,000) for the permit.
-> TIMS should be issued from Kathmandu or Pokhara and costs US $ 20 for individual traveler.
Regards
Rabi
Thank you very much for your additional information Rabi, I am sure it will be helpful for someone…
Hi Dennis,
Thank you very much for this helpful information.
I will be doing the annapurna circuit trek by my own on October, I will be in Kathmandu for only one day before taking the bus to Besisahar. Giving this fact I would like to ask you a few questions, if you can guide me.
1) Do you think that one day should be enought to get both permits, the bus ticket to besisahar and some trekking gear that I have to buy upon arrival?
2= Do I need to buy the bus ticket to besisahar one day in advance or I can get to the microbus counter the same day early in the morning without any ticket.
2) Which area should I fill out in the form if I´m trekking by the route of the Annapurna circuit?
I really appreciate the help.
Best regards.
Gino
Hi Gino, it’s great to hear that the TIMS and ACAP information was useful for you!
It’s a shame that you only have one day in Kathmandu since there is so much to see in the city and especially in the entire valley. But if you don’t have more time, then can sure make everything work. Just have all the things I mention prepared before you arrive and go to the Tourist Service Center as early as possible to get the permits straight.The bus ticket you can usually just buy at your hotel or a travel agency for a small extra charge. Normally you can just buy it at the bus as well, but if it’s full then you might be in trouble…
You just need the form for individual trekkers and then you can specify the trail and the route on the form. Buy a good map beforehand at home or in a shop in Thamel, that gives you a much better idea of the route and the stations.
Enjoy your trek and your time in Nepal!
Cheers
Thanks Dennis, you really help me out with this information you just gave me. I´ll do exactly what you just said.
I know, I don´t wanna miss the beautiful city of Kathmandu, I´m hoping to get a couple of days off after the trek to walk around and get to know as much as I can.
I had already printed a big map that I had posted in my wall with the route and stations, as you just said, that give me a much better idea of the travel.
Thanks again Dennis, keep on the good work!
Of course Gino! It is great to hear that my information was helpful to you. Enjoy your time in Nepal…
You´ve helped me*
Sorry for my english, still in construction.
No worries, I am glad that I could help! Enjoy Nepal…
Hi Dennis,
Thank you for all these information, I wonder however if insurance is really required to obtain TIMS and ACAP permits. Also, if the NTB office is open on Saturdays?
Thanks!
Angel recently posted…Buntot Palos Falls, Laguna’s Hidden Grandeur
Thanks for the info, made for an easy 20 minutes in and out of the office.
-Additional note Everest Park Entrance is now 3390npr as of 23/9/15 (TIMS still 2000npr)
It is really great to hear that the info was helpful to you, David! Thanks so much for the update on Everest and enjoy your time trekking through those incredible mountains…