Sagarmatha National Park Permit: What You Need to Know Before You Go

When you plan to trek through the Sagarmatha National Park, a protected area in northeastern Nepal that includes Mount Everest and the surrounding Khumbu region. It's also known as Everest National Park, and it's one of the most visited natural sites in the Himalayas. You can't just show up and start walking. A Sagarmatha National Park permit, a mandatory entry pass required for all foreign visitors entering the park is the first thing you need to secure. Without it, you won’t be allowed past the checkpoint in Monjo, and rangers check regularly. This permit isn’t optional—it’s the legal key to walking through one of the most breathtaking mountain landscapes on Earth.

The permit ties directly to two other important documents: the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry fee, a local fee collected at the park entrance to support community conservation and the Timed Entry System, a recent rule introduced to manage tourist flow and reduce environmental strain. These aren’t separate trips—they’re part of the same process. Most travelers get all three at the same place: the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or at the park entrance in Monjo. The cost for foreign nationals is around $30 for the national park permit, and $20 for the local fee. That’s it. No hidden fees, no confusing paperwork. Just show your passport, pay, and you’re good to go.

What you won’t find here is a long application form or a waiting period. Unlike some countries that require permits weeks in advance, Nepal lets you get this done on the day you arrive—so long as you’re flying into Kathmandu first. Many trekkers handle it the morning before their flight to Lukla. Some even get it in Pokhara if they’re coming from the west. The system is designed to be simple, because the goal isn’t to block people—it’s to protect the trail. The park manages waste, funds trail repairs, and supports Sherpa communities through these fees. You’re not just paying to walk—you’re helping keep the mountains alive.

You’ll also notice that most posts here talk about trekking routes, food safety in Nepal, or how to prepare for high altitude. That’s because the Sagarmatha National Park permit isn’t the end of your prep—it’s the start. Once you have it, you’re officially entering the world of high-altitude trekking, where weather changes fast, oxygen thins, and every step counts. The posts below cover what to pack, how to avoid altitude sickness, where to eat safely, and how to choose the right guide. All of it matters once you’ve got that permit in hand.