NMA Trekking Peak Permits & Costs 2026 (Island, Mera, Lobuche)
Climbing a Nepal trekking peak needs an NMA permit, a registered agency and a guide. Here's how the permits and costs work for Island, Mera and Lobuche East in 2026.
Trekking to a base camp needs a simple entry permit. Actually climbing a Himalayan peak is a step up in paperwork. Nepal's "trekking peaks" — like Island, Mera and Lobuche East — are administered by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), and you cannot climb them independently. Here's how the permits and costs work in 2026.
The essentials
- Trekking peaks need an NMA climbing permit, arranged through a registered agency
- A licensed climbing guide is mandatory — no solo climbs
- Permit fees are seasonal: highest in spring, lower in autumn, lowest in winter/monsoon
- You'll also need the national-park entry permit for the region (e.g. Sagarmatha for the Khumbu)
How it works
Because trekking-peak permits are issued to registered operators rather than individuals, your climb is organised end-to-end: the agency secures the NMA permit, assigns a government-licensed climbing guide, and handles the regional park permits and logistics. For the popular Everest-region peaks, expect an NMA royalty in roughly the US$250 range in spring, less in autumn, and lowest off-season — confirm the current rate when you book, as the NMA reviews fees periodically.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| NMA climbing permit | Via a registered agency (seasonal fee) |
| Climbing guide | Mandatory, government-licensed |
| Park permit | e.g. Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu (Everest region) |
| Solo climbing | Not permitted |
We handle the permits
Every permit, guide and park fee is included when you climb with us — Island Peak, Mera Peak or Lobuche East. New to peaks? Read the first 6,000m peak guide.
Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal; Nepal Mountaineering Association permit framework. Confirm current fees before booking.
Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal
Planning a trek?
We handle the permits, logistics & guides
NMA-certified local guides, transparent pricing, 5,000+ treks since 1998. Tell us your dates and we'll sort the rest.
More in Permits & Rules
Permits & Rules
Nepal's Remote & Restricted Trek Permits Explained (2026)
Heading off the beaten path — Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Api, Manaslu or Upper Mustang? Here's what permits you need, the rules, and why you must trek with a registered guide.
Permits & Rules
Nepal just put trek permits online — and trekking without a guide now costs you
From March 2026 you can apply for Nepal's restricted-area permits online before you even land — and the fine for trekking without a licensed guide is now NPR 12,000. Here's the new system.
Permits & Rules
Free Nepal visa for Chinese travellers in 2026 — and the one-week way to see Everest
Chinese passport holders still get a gratis visa on arrival in Nepal in 2026. Paired with the new direct Shenzhen flight, a short Himalayan trip has never been simpler.