How to Get Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Permits: 2026 ACAP and Fees Update
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek (3210m) is the most popular village trek in Nepal, offering the best sunrise view over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas. Thousands of trekkers visit every year to trek this trail because it has spectacular views, is moderate in difficulty, and allows the hiker to really experience Gurung and Magar village life.
But, before you leave for any hike on the legendary trail, it is best to check on-site permits; I will provide updated fees below. In this post, we will be guiding you on how to acquire the trekking permits (the likes of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permits and trekking fees.
Facts About Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. It usually takes 5 to 7 days and starts from Nayapul/ Tikhedhunga, walking uphill through thick rhododendron forests, farmlands with small Gurung hamlets. Poon Hill, 3,210 meters, is the best place to see the sun rise in the Himalayas. The hiking trail is not only perfect for beginners, but also for experienced hikers with friends, solo, and adventure travelers soaking up the destination. The journey also offers accurate knowledge about the culture and lifestyle of the Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. Even an opportunity for a visit to the local villages and experience traditional Nepalese culture at its best!
But popularity aside, trekking in Annapurna has become increasingly regulated to avoid ruining its fragile ecosystems. This isn't just to safeguard the environment, but also for the local economy and conservation." All have altered their rules and fees, etc., for ACAP and TIMS permits as of 2026, so you must provide up-to-date information on each at every stage of your trek.
What Are Trekking Permits?
Trekking permits are government-issued pieces of paper (literally) that allow Non-Nepali citizens to hike in some areas of Nepal. Hiking Permits for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek GPT. For the best trek of Ghorepani Poon Hill, you require 2 permits, unlike most other treks: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit and a Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS card). These permits are necessary for entry into the conservation area and also for records of safety, conservation, and trekking patrol.
The ACAP permit is meant to regulate entry into the Annapurna Conservation Area and protect its fragile ecosystem from the negative impacts of trekking. The TIMS card, meanwhile, is an overall trekking permit that you need in order to go on any trek around Nepal; it enables officials to monitor trekkers and come to their aid with any necessary assistance. Both are add-on permits; all foreign trekkers must have them throughout the trek.
TIMS Card: Another Important Permit
You also need to have a TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) card, which is another essential permit for trekking the Ghorepani Poon Hill trail in Nepal. The TIMS system is reported to help the authorities track and monitor trekkers so they are in a better position to manage rescue efforts if an accident occurs. TIMS card costs have seen a slight change in 2026, considering operational costs and inflation. There are two types of TIMS cards: the individual (little green book), meant for independent trekkers, and the group (big green paper), which your leaders are responsible for getting.
Requesting the (TIMS) card while applying for the ACAP permit also has its merits, as it reduces the extra work and saves some time. Hikers will need to supply a passport copy, photo, and information about themselves, like their address and an emergency contact number. Don’t forget to take your TIMS card and your ACAP permit with you when trekking, as officials regularly check these to ensure trekkers are abiding by the law.
How to Apply for Permits in 2026
The process is similar to getting the Ghorepani Poonhill trek permits in 2026, with fresh revised charges as used before. Applications may also be submitted at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. For those who are early risers or very short on time, some trek companies can help tourists take the permits themselves – it's been a natural fit for someone who needs assistance (as they may not yet be familiar with Nepal’s complex bureaucracy) or folks visiting from overseas.
You may need to take your passport with slightly fewer photographs and 3 filled application forms. The permit is given at the ACAP office in Pokhara, and for a certain number of days, which depends on how many days your trek is going to be. At this point, the TIMS card is also issued; hence, trekkers can directly go to the registration counter of their starting point and proceed with the process, which shouldn’t take too long, and can be done within a few hours if all paperwork is in order. But when it comes to peak tit'sing season, it’s best to apply in advance. Don't let your plans get held up.
Updated Fees for 2026
And we will start to update the ACAP and TIMS in 2026 on sustainable tourism for trekking while protecting the environment. Some things are new and interesting. The fee for the ACAP permit is a bit more now for foreigners, but SAARC nationals continue to receive lower rates.
The cost for a TIMS card has been marginally increased as well. These fees are generally paid in cash at the time of the application, but some offices will also accept credit cards and online payments. Providing the revised cost in advance, before booking, helps our guests won't budget and won’t be hit with surprise costs when they are in the country. Continuing visitors should also bear in mind that fees are not refundable, and so you need to be sure of your travel plans before applying! Permits are also time and area-specific, so if you're hiking outside the scope of your permit zone without one, you can be fined or charged for this. Hence, planning carefully through the date and following the permit fee is essential in order to trek without much hassle.
Navigating the Permit Process Smoothly
Enjoy hassle-free Trekking permits collection of Ghorepani Poon Hill trek permit Nepal 2026, meaning it takes foresight. Trekkers are suggested to check current fee updates, keep several copies of identification papers with them, and perhaps even consider getting one through established trekking don'ties if they don’t have experience with the system. If you are visiting permit offices, there is much less queuing if you go early, especially for the busy trekking season in October and November, and again in April/May. It's also a good idea to keep your permits and copies of your passport in a waterproof bag; mountain weather is totally unpredictable.
It would also be useful to know the trekking restrictions as well as the regions that are included in your ACAP permit. Specific trails and conservation areas even have their own requirements around camping, littering, and engagement with wildlife. Not only are these about our rules, but it's also about making your experience, as well as being a responsible tourist (eco-traveller).
Benefits of Having Permits
There are more pros to having absolute trekking permits than the law, however. It provides you with easy-to-follow trail directions, support systems, and conservation programs in the Annapurna region. The income generated from ACAP fees is reinvested in the local community for the creation of infrastructure, preservation of wildlife, and community development programs.
This is your trekking holiday helping the local villagers develop a sustainable homestay business. The line that really got me was when he said, " You'd have thought you’d get thrown off a horse or something, and then no one would know who the hell you are because some stupid didn't volunteer didn’t pay"for a TIMS card,” referencing why this is important.
Permits give you peace of mind as well as confidence. And with the local officials officially acknowledging and watching your trek, you’re free to soak in those iconic views of culture and that legendary Poon Hill view of sunrise without the added stress.
Final Thoughts
Trekking the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek features a traveller's bucket list. But that road begins with a handle on — and adherence to — the proper permitting. The ACAP and TIMS rates for 2026 are already out, which is a testament to the effort Nepal puts into sustainable tourism and conservation. Getting these permits in advance and carrying them with you will allow you to abide by the rules, give back to local preservation , and have peace of mind while trekking through the stunning Annapurna.
And now you can pre-plan your trek without the hassle while also experiencing a trip of a lifetime with the latest permit information, fees, and the application process or not it’s for the riot of rhododendron forest, time-honoured hospitality in our mountain villages, or that postcard-perfect sunrise from Poon Hill, they also make a wonderful journey sting that little bit less and more responsible as well as eco-friendly. Start your journey right, and the Himalayas will give back to you in spades.




