Travel Guide Dolpa, Nepal  ·  10 min read  ·  2025/2026

Complete Nepal Visa & Permit Guide to Travel Dolpa (2025/2026)

Everything you need — from your first tourist visa to restricted area permits — to make your journey to Dunai and the heart of Dolpa smooth and stress-free.

Travelling to Dolpa, Nepal is one of the most extraordinary adventures on Earth — but it does require some paperwork. Don’t let that put you off. This complete guide walks you through every step, from getting your Nepal tourist visa to securing the special permits needed to trek in the restricted Dolpa region. We’ve updated everything for 2025/2026 so you arrive prepared and confident.

01

Do You Need a Visa to Enter Nepal?

Almost all international visitors need a tourist visa to enter Nepal. The good news: Nepal offers a Visa on Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and major land border crossings — no advance embassy visit required for most nationalities.

Indian citizens are exempt entirely and may enter with a valid Indian passport or voter ID card. Citizens of SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka) receive a free 30-day visa on arrival.

Citizens of over 180 countries are eligible for Nepal Visa on Arrival — making Nepal one of the most accessible Himalayan destinations in the world.

A small number of nationalities (including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe) must obtain a visa in advance from a Nepalese embassy. Check the official Nepal Department of Immigration website to confirm your eligibility.

02

Nepal Tourist Visa — Fees & Durations (2025/2026)

Nepal tourist visas are issued for three durations. You choose at the time of arrival or online application:

Duration Fee (USD) Entry Type Notes
15 Days USD 30 Multiple entry Best for short visits & transit
30 Days USD 50 Multiple entry Most popular for trekking trips
90 Days USD 125 Multiple entry Best for extended Himalayan adventures

You can stay in Nepal for a maximum of 150 days per calendar year. Visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara before expiry.

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Pro Tip Pre-fill your visa form online at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np before flying — you’ll get a barcode receipt that speeds up the queue at the airport significantly.
03

What You Need at the Airport (Documents Checklist)

Arriving prepared means no delays. Here’s exactly what to have ready for your Nepal Visa on Arrival:

1
Valid Passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry. Immigration will check this strictly.
2
Passport-sized photograph Bring 2–3 spare copies. You’ll also need them for trekking permits, so extras always come in handy.
3
Completed visa application form Fill online at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np before flying, or use the kiosks at Kathmandu airport on arrival.
4
Visa fee in USD (cash) USD 30, 50, or 125 depending on duration. Carry USD cash — QR code payment is also accepted but cash is most reliable.
5
Onward travel proof (if requested) A return or onward flight ticket may occasionally be requested, though it is rarely enforced for tourists.
04

Trekking Permits Required for Dolpa

Trekking in Dolpa Shey Phoksundo National Park Nepal

Trekkers require special permits to enter Dolpa’s restricted zones, including the area around Phoksundo Lake

Once you’re in Nepal, travelling to Dolpa requires additional permits beyond your tourist visa. The exact permits you need depend on where in Dolpa you plan to go.

Permit Required For Cost Where to Get
Lower Dolpa Restricted Area Permit Lower Dolpa (incl. Dunai area trekking) USD 10/week (first 4 weeks)
USD 20/week after		 Through registered trekking agency
Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit Phoksundo Lake & national park USD 30 + 13% VAT (foreigners) Park entrance gate or Kathmandu agency
Upper Dolpa Restricted Area Permit Upper Dolpo region only USD 500 for first 10 days
USD 50/day after		 Only via registered trekking agency
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Important Rule All restricted area permits must be obtained through a registered Nepalese trekking agency. Individual trekkers cannot apply directly. Solo trekking in restricted areas is also not permitted — a registered guide is mandatory.
05

Lower Dolpa vs Upper Dolpa — Which Permits Do You Need?

Lower Dolpa (which includes Dunai, Phoksundo Lake, and the surrounding valley trekking routes) is far more accessible. It requires only the Lower Dolpa Restricted Area Permit and the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit — with a total cost that is very reasonable. A typical Lower Dolpa trek costs USD 2,000–3,500 all-in for permits, flights, guide, and accommodation.

Upper Dolpa (Shey Gompa, Dho Tarap, Crystal Mountain) is where the serious permits kick in. The USD 500 per person restricted area fee for the first 10 days is intentionally high to limit visitor numbers and protect the fragile ecosystem and culture. For a 24-day round trip from Kathmandu, permit costs alone can reach approximately USD 570 per person.

The higher cost of Upper Dolpa permits is a feature, not a bug — it’s what keeps this extraordinary region pristine, uncrowded, and extraordinary.
06

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Dolpa Permits

1
Book a registered trekking agency Only licensed Nepalese agencies can process restricted area permits. You cannot apply independently. Your agency handles all permit paperwork.
2
Provide your documents to the agency Submit your original passport, valid Nepal tourist visa, 2 passport-sized photos, and your planned trek itinerary.
3
Agency submits to the Department of Immigration The Immigration Department office in Kalikasthan, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu is open Sunday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Permits are typically ready within 2–3 working days.
4
Collect your permit cards Carry all permit cards throughout your entire trek. You’ll pass multiple checkpoints where they will be inspected. Keep them safe — they must be returned after your trek.
5
Get your Shey Phoksundo National Park permit This can be collected in Kathmandu through your agency, or at the national park entrance gate near Suligad. Cost is USD 30 + 13% VAT for foreign nationals.
07

How to Get to Dunai — Flights & Travel Tips

Getting to Dunai, the gateway to all of Dolpa, follows a standard route: Kathmandu → Nepalgunj → Juphal (Dunai). There are no direct flights from Kathmandu to Dolpa.

From Nepalgunj, small propeller aircraft (operated by Tara Air and similar carriers) fly to Juphal Airport, which is a 15-minute walk from Dunai town and Hotel Murmur. Flights to Juphal are weather-dependent — always plan 2–3 extra buffer days in Nepalgunj to account for potential cancellations, especially in monsoon season.

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Flight Tip Book Nepalgunj → Juphal flights in advance, especially October/November peak season. Seats are very limited and fill quickly. Your trekking agency can usually arrange these alongside your permits.
08

Quick Summary — Everything You Need to Visit Dolpa

ItemDetailsCost (approx)
Nepal Tourist Visa30-day on arrival at Kathmandu TIAUSD 50
Lower Dolpa PermitRequired for all Dolpa trekkingUSD 10/week
Shey Phoksundo Park PermitRequired to visit Phoksundo LakeUSD 30 + VAT
Upper Dolpa PermitOnly if visiting Upper DolpoUSD 500 / 10 days
Registered GuideMandatory in all restricted areasVaries by agency
Flight (KTM–Nepalgunj–Juphal)Book well in advanceUSD 200–350 approx

Plan Your Dolpa Adventure from Dunai

Hotel Murmur is perfectly located in Dunai — minutes from Juphal Airport and the gateway to all of Dolpa’s wonders. Our team can connect you with trusted local guides and agencies. Book directly via WhatsApp.

Book Your Stay — WhatsApp
Nepal Visa Dolpa Permit Upper Dolpo Lower Dolpa Trekking Nepal Nepal Travel Guide Dunai Nepal Hotel Murmur Phoksundo Lake