TIMS Card in Nepal: Cost, Requirements & How to Get
With the objective of ensuring the safety and security of the trekkers and to control the illegal trekking operations in Nepal Himalaya, the provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) came into effect on January 1, 2008 after signing the MoU between the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
The information collected from the trekkers are used to trace the locations of the tourists at the trekking destinations and provide any emergency rescue services that may arise while on the trek. As a trekker entering in a protected area of Nepal, you will be asked to provide some information about your trekking trip, dates itinerary and an agency or your contact number. These data will be inserted in the visitors’ database, where they can be accessed for park management purposes or in case of accidents and/or natural calamities, in order to inform the concerned institutions about the trekkers inside the park at anytime.
TIMS cards should be obtained by both Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) and trekkers taking the services of government-authorized trekking agencies. The cost of the TIMS card is included in our package cost. The cost of an FIT TIMS card is NPR 2,000 (approximately $15–$18 USD) per person, while a GIT TIMS card costs NPR 1,000 (approximately $8–$10 USD) per person.
Where and how to obtain a TIMS Card?
Free Individual Trekkers:
Free Individual Trekkers can obtain TIMS cards at the offices of the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the TAAN Secretariat at Maligaon, Thamel (Saatghumti), and the TAAN Pokhara Secretariat in Pokhara by filling out the TIMS application form.
Organized Trekkers:
Trekking companies will collect trekkers’ data and enter it in the central database and will provide trekkers with a TIMS card after paying fee prescribed above.
Opening Hour/s:
The TIMS card counter at TAAN follows regular working hours (10:00 am–5:00 pm) and is open 365 days a year. The TAAN Thamel Counter (Saatghumti) has extended hours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Nepal Tourism Board offices follow government working hours and days.
Documents Required:
To obtain a TIMS card, you need a photocopy of your valid passport, two (2) passport-size photographs, and a completed application form.
