February 27, Kathmandu.
Trekkers will no longer be required to attend the immigration department for the permits. Nepal adopted a digital trekking permit system last week. The new development comes a month after introducing the online visa application system.
However, trekkers can pay fees for the permits only in Nepali rupees, implying the use of Nepali payment systems such as mobile banking apps and other local payment service providers. Trekkers should obtain route permits through local trekking agencies.
Most of the trekking routes in Nepal do not require a permit. Trekking in the parts of districts bordering Tibet, namely Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Rasuwa, Gorkha, upper Mustang, Manang, upper Dolpa, lower Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Bajhang, and Darchula, requires government permits from the immigration department. Trekking started in Nepal in 1949, but the government introduced permits for the selected districts in the 1970s, owing to the activities of the armed Tibetan rebellion in the area.