Permits Required for Gosainkunda Trek

Gosaikunda is an exotic lake on the Langtang region which is an epitome of pristinity. To trek to this lake, you will enter the Langtang National Park and walk through the Langtang valley. So, you need two different permits for Gosainkunda trek. They are TIMS Card and Langtang National Park Entry Permit.

These permits are the most important factor that determines Gosainkunda trek costs. You need both these permits for legal purpose as well as to check on your safety during the trek. Plus, the revenue from these permits help authorities maintain and rebuild the safer trails.

Both these permits are available in Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Plus, TIMS card is available at Trekkers’ Agencies Association of Nepal. You can get both these permits at Dhunche, the starting point of your Gosainkunda trek as well.

Permits Required for Gosainkunda Trek

Gosainkunda lies within the Langtang region. So, the permits needed are like the permits required for Langtang trek. But, if you combine Helambu Gosainkunda with Langtang trek, two permits along with payment of entrance fees is necessary. Here are the details you need to know about the permits for your Gosainkunda trek.

TIMS Card

It is a paper card that carries all information about the trekkers. The card also has the details of your trekking destination. It is a must-have document before you go on any treks in Nepal.

The information you provide on your TIMS card helps in the maintenance of your safety on your trek. In case of an emergency, authorities can use it to track you and send you a rescue team. TIMS card also helps in controlling any illegal operations in the trekking trails.

TIMS card is of three types, i.e., blue, green and pink. The blue one, which costs $10, is for the foreign trekkers who travel in a group. If you are an individual foreign trekker, you get the green TIMS card after paying $20. The pink TIMS card is for citizens of SAARC nationals and costs $6.

There are a few cases in which you may not need a TIMS card.

• If you are a guest under the invitation of Government of Nepal
• If you are an expedition member and have a permit to climb a mountain
• If you have restricted area permits from the Department of Immigration
• If you are an authority in a diplomatic mission
• If you have a residential visa in Nepal
• If you are a visitor on a mission under the Government departments

If you do not fall under these conditions, you will need TIMS card to trek in Nepal. Please take a photocopy of your passport, and two passport-sized photographs with you. After filling out the application form, you can obtain the card from Nepal Tourism Board or TAAN office.

UPDATE:

After decentralization, giving basic rights to local authorities, TIMS has become invalid in the  Everest region. Now, you need a local area permit to go trekking in the Everest region.

Likewise, from October 2018, TIMS has also become invalid for Gosainkunda trek. You now need to get a Local Area Permit to trek in this region.

Langtang National Park Entry Permit

Gosainkunda lies in the Langtang National Park. And, to trek to this region, you will enter the Langtang National Park. So, you need to get the Langtang National Park entry permit for the Gosaikunda trek. You can get these permits at Nepal Tourism Board office, Kathmandu or at Dhunche.

For foreign nationals, this entry permits costs $30 whereas for SAARC citizens it costs $15. If you are trekking with children under the age of 10, you will not need to pay for their entry permit. Both these costs do not include 13% VAT (Value Added Tax).

Magical Nepal can help you get both these permits before your trek. Do provide us with your copy of the passport and the passport-sized photograph. We can help you with your trekking permits for any trekking destination in Nepal.

How Is The Revenue from The Permits Used?

The revenue from TIMS card goes in for three causes. One part of the income helps in the management of counters, printing TIMS card, holograms, etc.

Another part of the revenue goes into buying insurance for workers in the trekking trail. A third of the income goes in the development of the tourism sector in Nepal.

The money you pay for the Langtang National Park Entry Permit is used in managing and developing trekking trails in the region.

Other than that, it also goes in managing the issuing counter, printing the permits, etc. This revenue has helped a lot in the rehabilitation of the area after the earthquake 2015.

What Happens If I Don’t Have a Permit?

You have to carry the required permits while you trek in Nepal. Trekking without the permits is illegal. If you travel without the permits required for Gosainkunda trek, you will have to buy it on the spot. Plus, you will also have to pay fines.

So, if you do not find the time to get it in Kathmandu, make sure you get them at the starting point of the trail i.e., Dhunche.

FAQs

How many permits do I need for Gosainkunda trek?
You need two permits for Gosainkunda trek. One is the Local Area Permit, and the other one is the Langtang National Park Entry Permit. We can help you get both these permits without any hassle.

Do I need to affiliate with a company to get the permits for Gosainkunda trek?
No, you do not need to affiliate with any company for the permits. They are available at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also get it at the starting point of your trail.

Can I get permits in off seasons?
Yes, you can get permits in any season. Despite the trekking season, you can easily get the permits for Gosaikunda trek at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you could not manage the permits at Kathmandu you can get them at the starting point of your trail. We can help you get your permits in all the seasons.

Will I face any difficulty in getting permits in peak seasons?
No, you will face the least difficulty in getting the permits in peak seasons. Once you pay the cost, fill out the application form and submit the required documents, you can get it without any problems.

Is the cost of permits high in peak seasons than in off seasons?
No, the cost of permits is the same throughout the year. But, if you trek without permits, you will have to buy them on the trail after paying fines. In such cases, you will pay more for the permits.

Do I need a restricted area permit for Gosainkunda trek?
No, you do not need a restricted area permit for Gosainkunda trek. Gosainkunda does not fall in the restricted regions. You can even get a solo permit and trek on your own in this region.

You can drop by Magical Nepal with a copy of your passport and two passport sized photographs. We will arrange your permits required for Gosaikunda trek.