Permits & Visas — Complete Hub
Every permit, visa, and entry requirement for trekking in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Accurate for 2026. We handle all permits on your behalf — this guide tells you exactly what that means.
At a Glance — Three Countries, Three Systems
India, Nepal, and Bhutan each have entirely separate entry and permit systems. There is no overlap. Read the section for your destination — or all three if you are combining countries.
- Tourist e-Visa — applied online before travel
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) — Ladakh and restricted zones
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) — certain border regions
- National Park permits — route-dependent
- No mandatory guide requirement for most routes
- Permit costs: low to moderate
- Tourist visa — on arrival or e-Visa online
- TIMS card — Trekkers' Information Management System
- National Park / Conservation Area permit — route-specific
- Restricted Area permits — Upper Mustang, Manaslu etc.
- No mandatory guide for standard routes
- Permit costs: low to high (restricted areas)
- Visa — arranged exclusively through licensed operator
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) — $100 USD per night
- Trekking permit — included in official tour package
- Mandatory licensed guide — required by law at all times
- Independent trekking is not permitted
- Permit costs: highest of the three countries
What Summit Routes Handles For You
On all our bookings we arrange every trekking permit, national park entry, and conservation area fee on your behalf. The only document you must arrange independently before travel is your entry visa for each country. Everything else — TIMS cards, Inner Line Permits, restricted area permits, Bhutan trekking permits — is included in your itinerary and handled by our ground team. You will receive copies of all permits before departure.
India — Visas & Permits
India operates a layered permit system. The tourist visa gets you into the country. Inner Line and Protected Area permits get you into the specific mountain regions where we operate.
Tourist Visa — e-Visa (Required for All Visitors)
Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in
The Indian e-Visa is available for most nationalities. Apply a minimum of 4 days before travel — we recommend 2 weeks to allow for any processing delays. The tourist e-Visa (e-Tourist Visa) covers all our India routes.
Select the correct visa duration
Tourist e-Visas are available in 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year variants. For a single trek, the 30-day e-Visa is sufficient and cheapest ($25 USD for most nationalities). The 1-year multi-entry is worth it if you plan to return.
Print your ETA and carry it with your passport
You receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email. Print it. Immigration at Indian airports asks for a physical copy. Do not rely on a phone screen — this has caused delays at Srinagar and Leh airports specifically.
Pakistan Passport Holders — Important
Pakistani passport holders cannot obtain an Indian e-Visa online and must apply through the Indian High Commission or Embassy in their country with a standard visa application. Processing times are longer and approval is not guaranteed. Contact us before booking any India route.
Inner Line Permit (ILP) — Ladakh Routes
An Inner Line Permit is mandatory for all foreign nationals visiting the Ladakh region, including Leh city, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and all routes in our Ladakh portfolio (Kang Yatse II, Markha Valley, Chadar Trek). Without it, you will be turned back at the first checkpoint.
| Area Covered | Required For | Cost (Approx.) | Who Arranges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leh city & general Ladakh | All Ladakh visitors | ₹300–500 per person | Summit Routes |
| Nubra Valley | Any route north of Khardung La | ₹300 per person | Summit Routes |
| Pangong Tso Lake | Pangong area visits | ₹300 per person | Summit Routes |
| Dah Hanu (Aryan Valley) | Cultural visits to Dah Hanu villages | ₹300 per person | Summit Routes |
How the ILP Works in Practice
We submit your ILP applications as a group before departure from Leh. You receive printed permits before the first checkpoint. Checkpoints are manned by Indian Army personnel — carry permits in an accessible pocket, not buried in your pack. Our guides carry the group set and will handle all checkpoint interactions.
Kashmir Route Permits
Kashmir Valley — including Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and all our Kashmir trek routes — does not require an Inner Line Permit for foreign nationals. Your Indian tourist e-Visa is sufficient for all our Kashmir routes including:
- Kashmir Great Lakes Trek ✓ — tourist visa only
- Warwan Valley Trek ✓ — tourist visa only
- Majestic Kashmir Tour ✓ — tourist visa only
- Explore Kashmir Tour ✓ — tourist visa only
- Mount Harmukh Expedition ✓ — tourist visa only
India Permit Cost Summary
Nepal — Visas & Permits
Nepal has the most structured permit system of the three countries. Every trek requires a minimum of two documents — the TIMS card and the relevant national park or conservation area permit. Some restricted routes require additional special permits.
Tourist Visa
Nepal offers visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and at major land border crossings. An e-Visa is also available online at evisa.immigration.gov.np. For most nationalities the on-arrival process is simple — bring a passport photo and USD cash for the fee.
| Visa Type | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa — 15 days | 15 days | $30 USD | Single entry. Available on arrival. |
| Tourist Visa — 30 days | 30 days | $50 USD | Most common for trekkers. Covers all standard routes. |
| Tourist Visa — 90 days | 90 days | $125 USD | Expedition seasons. Multiple re-entries. |
| e-Visa (online) | 15 / 30 / 90 days | Same as above | Apply at evisa.immigration.gov.np — faster queue at airport. |
TIMS Card — Trekkers' Information Management System
The TIMS card is mandatory for all foreign trekkers on standard routes in Nepal. It is a safety and tracking document — in the event of a mountain rescue or emergency, TIMS data is used to locate missing trekkers. It is checked at trail entry points on all major routes. We arrange TIMS for all clients on our Nepal bookings.
TIMS — Key Facts
- Cost: $20 USD per person (group trek) or $20 per person (individual — same rate since 2020 fee revision)
- Valid for: One trek only — a new TIMS is required per trekking route
- Issued by: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) offices in Kathmandu or ACAP/TAAN offices — we handle this before your trek departs
- Carry it always: TIMS is checked at multiple checkpoints on EBC, Annapurna, and Langtang routes. It will be stamped going in and again on exit.
National Park & Conservation Area Permits
In addition to TIMS, every trekking route in Nepal passes through a protected area that requires its own entry permit. The permit varies by route.
| Route | Protected Area | Permit Type | Cost (Foreign National) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Sagarmatha National Park | National Park Entry | $30 USD per person |
| Annapurna Base Camp | Annapurna Conservation Area | ACAP Permit | $30 USD per person |
| Annapurna Circuit | Annapurna Conservation Area | ACAP Permit | $30 USD per person |
| Langtang Valley | Langtang National Park | National Park Entry | $30 USD per person |
| Poon Hill Trek | Annapurna Conservation Area | ACAP Permit | $30 USD per person |
| Mera Peak | Sagarmatha National Park | NP Entry + Climbing Permit | $30 + $250 USD per person |
Restricted Area Permits — Special Routes
Certain regions of Nepal are classified as restricted areas requiring special government permits in addition to the standard TIMS and national park permit. These routes are more expensive to permit but significantly less crowded as a result.
| Restricted Area | Key Treks | Permit Cost | Mandatory Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mustang | Upper Mustang Trek | $500 USD / 10 days then $50/day | Yes — required by law |
| Manaslu | Manaslu Circuit | $100 USD / week (Sep–Nov) · $75 other months | Yes — required by law |
| Dolpo | Lower / Upper Dolpo | $10/day (Lower) · $500/10 days (Upper) | Yes — required by law |
| Kanchenjunga | Kanchenjunga Base Camp | $10 USD per day | Yes — required by law |
Restricted Area Permits — Timing Matters
Restricted area permits must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency — independent foreign trekkers cannot obtain them directly. Permits for peak season (October–November) should be arranged at least 6–8 weeks in advance as quotas apply on some routes. We handle all restricted area permits for our Nepal clients as part of the booking process.
Nepal Permit Cost Summary — Standard Routes
Bhutan — Visa & Entry
Bhutan operates a unique controlled-tourism model. It is the only country in our portfolio where independent travel is not permitted by law. Every foreign visitor must be booked through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator — which is us, through our local partner. Your visa, SDF fee, and trekking permits are all arranged as part of your package.
How Bhutan's Entry System Works
Book with a licensed operator (mandatory)
You cannot obtain a Bhutan visa independently. It must be applied for by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator on your behalf. Summit Routes works with our licensed Bhutan partner to process all visas and permits. This is built into your booking — no separate application process is required on your part.
Visa clearance — issued as a letter, not a sticker
The Bhutan visa is not a physical sticker placed in your passport before travel. You receive a visa clearance letter by email, which you present on arrival at Paro Airport or at the land border. Immigration then stamps your passport on entry. The clearance letter is typically issued 1–2 weeks before travel — we send it to you directly.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) — paid per night
Since September 2022, Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee of $100 USD per person per night for most nationalities. This replaced the former minimum daily package rate. The SDF is collected by the government through your operator and is included in your Summit Routes Bhutan package pricing — it is not an additional charge you pay on arrival.
Trekking permit — included in your package
All trekking in Bhutan requires a trekking permit in addition to the standard tourist visa. For routes like the Snowman Trek and Jomolhari Circuit, restricted area permits are also required. All permits are arranged by our Bhutan partner before your trek begins. You will receive copies before departure from Paro.
Bhutan Entry — Country Exceptions
India, Bangladesh & Maldives Nationals — Different Rules
Citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are exempt from the Bhutan visa requirement and can enter with a valid passport or Indian national identity card. However, the Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per night still applies to Indian and Bangladeshi nationals (reduced from the full rate). Maldivian nationals may have different conditions — confirm at booking stage. All other rules (licensed operator, mandatory guide, trekking permits) still apply regardless of nationality.
Who Cannot Enter Bhutan
Nationals of some countries face visa restrictions for Bhutan. At the time of writing, nationals of Iraq, Bangladesh (land border via Assam), and stateless persons may face additional screening or restrictions. If you hold a passport from a country with complex international relations, contact us before booking and we will confirm current entry status with our Bhutan partner.
Bhutan Cost Summary
What the SDF Covers
The Sustainable Development Fee is a government levy — it goes directly to Bhutan's national budget, funding free healthcare, free education, and environmental conservation. It is not a service fee to your operator. It is the reason Bhutan remains one of the least-crowded and best-preserved trekking destinations in the world. Think of it as the price of exclusivity — and of a country that has consciously chosen depth of experience over volume of visitors.
Combining Countries — What to Know
Many of our clients visit two or three countries on a single trip. Here is how the permit systems interact.
| Combination | Visa Complexity | Key Watch-Out |
|---|---|---|
| India + Nepal | Straightforward | Apply for both visas independently before travel. Nepal visa on arrival is fine. Indian e-Visa must be applied online before departure. |
| Nepal + Bhutan | Straightforward | Nepal visa on arrival. Bhutan visa through us. Allow 2 weeks minimum between booking Bhutan and travel date for visa clearance. |
| India + Bhutan | Moderate | Indian e-Visa required first. Bhutan entry from India (Phuentsholing or Jaigaon land border) requires separate Bhutan visa — not the same as Paro airport entry. Confirm routing with us at booking. |
| India + Nepal + Bhutan | Plan carefully | Three separate visa applications. Allow 3–4 weeks lead time from booking to ensure all clearances are in place before travel. We coordinate the full document timeline for multi-country bookings. |
The Most Common Permit Mistakes
Avoid These — They Have Ended Treks
- Arriving at Srinagar or Leh airport without a printed e-Visa ETA. Immigration regularly asks for a physical printout. A phone screen has caused missed connections at both airports.
- Assuming a Ladakh ILP is not needed. Every foreign national requires an ILP for Ladakh — including for Leh city itself. There is no grace period or on-the-spot option at checkpoints.
- Booking a Nepal trek without TIMS. TIMS is checked at the first checkpoint on every major route. Trekkers without it are turned back and must return to Kathmandu to arrange it.
- Entering Bhutan without prior visa clearance. You cannot obtain a Bhutan visa on arrival. Without clearance, you will not be permitted to board your flight to Paro. Airlines check before boarding.
- Using an expired Nepal visa for re-entry. The Nepal 30-day visa clock starts from the date of first entry, not from the date of issue. Trekkers who exit to Tibet or India and re-enter sometimes find their visa has expired mid-route.
- Not carrying permit copies separately from your main bag. At checkpoints you need instant access. Keep copies in a shirt pocket or day pack hip belt pocket — not buried in your duffel with the porter.
We Handle Every Permit For You
Every Summit Routes booking includes full permit and visa coordination — TIMS cards, Inner Line Permits, national park entries, Bhutan clearances, and restricted area permits. You arrange your entry visa. We handle everything else.