What permits do you need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
There are four required permits to trek the Manaslu Circuit in 2026:
- Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) – the main one
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit – new for 2026
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
The RAP is the most important and the most expensive permit. The Manaslu region was closed to foreign trekkers until 1991, when it was opened under a restricted-area system. The Manaslu remains classified as a restricted area today, which is why the RAP exists.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit Cost (2026)
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Season
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First 7 days
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Each additional day
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Autumn (Sep to Nov)
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USD 100
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USD 15
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All other months (Dec to Aug)
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USD 75
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USD 10
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Where it’s checked
The first checkpoint is Jagat (1340m). Your guide will hand over the original permit, and the check post will stamp it. You need to carry the original permit, not a photo on your phone. Further checks happen at Philim and Sama Gaun.
The new 2026 rules update
Until 2025, you needed a minimum group of two trekkers to obtain the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP). Solo travelers were not allowed.
From March 2026, solo travelers can trek in the Manaslu Region. A solo traveler can now obtain the Manaslu RAP accompanied by a licensed guide.
This move makes Manaslu a more accessible restricted area trek in Nepal for solo travelers.
Can you apply yourself?
No, the RAP cannot be issued to individual trekkers. The process must be processed through a registered Nepali trekking agency. You need to provide:
- A passport scan copy
- A copy of your Nepal visa
- Two passport-sized photos
- Travel insurance details
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
The MCAP is required for entering the Manaslu Conservation Area, the protected zone that covers most of the restricted region.
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Cost
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NRP 3,000 (approx. USD 22) per person
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Where checked
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Same checkpoints as the RAP
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Issued by
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Nepal Tourism Board / National Trust for Nature Conservation
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The fees go toward conservation work, anti-poaching patrols, and community development in the region. Unlike the RAP, the MCAP cost is fixed regardless of season or trip duration.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Yes, you need an Annapurna permit even though this is a Manaslu Circuit. This catches most first-time Manaslu trekkers by surprise.
Why do you need ACAP?
ACAP is required because the Manaslu Circuit ends at Dharapani, which is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. From Bimthang, you are technically in Annapurna territory. Without an ACAP, you can be turned back at the Dharapani check post or fined.
- Cost: NPR 3,000 (approximately USD 22) per person
- Where checked: Dharapani
- Validity: Single entry, no expiry within trek duration
Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit (new for 2026)
Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit is a local government permit issued by the Chumnubri Rural Municipality. The collected fee is used for local trail maintenance, suspension bridge repairs, and check post staffing of most of the upper Manaslu villages – including Lho, Sama Gaun, and Samdo.
- Cost: NPR 1,000 per person (approx. USD 8)
- Where it’s checked: At the local check post between Jagat and Philim.
An all-inclusive trek package typically covers every permit along with the licensed guide, porter, accommodation, meals, and transport. See the full 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, and you can explore the Comfort Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Why these matters
You'll see other websites still listing "three permits" for the Manaslu Circuit. As of 2026, that's out of date. If you're booking through an operator who doesn't mention Chumnubri, ask them about it before you pay.
Other 2026 rule changes
Mandatory licensed guide (still required)
You cannot trek the Manaslu Circuit without a licensed guide, even with the solo-trekker rule update. This rule applies to all restricted areas in Nepal. The guide must be:
- Government licensed (Nepal Tourism Authority)
- Employed through a registered trekking agency
- Carrying their license card during the trek
The TMS card is no longer required for Manaslu
TMS is not required for the Manaslu region because the Manaslu RAP supersedes it.
The permit cannot be backdated or extended on the trail
Your RAP is issued for specific dates. If you start late, the unused days are lost. If you stay longer than planned, your guide must process an extension before your current permit expires — which means contacting the agency office in Kathmandu, not the local check post.
How to get your Manaslu Circuit Trek permits
Here’s the practical step-by-step:
Book with a registered Nepali trekking agency: Verify your trekking agency is TAAN and Nepal Department of Tourism license registered.
Send your documents at least 7 days before your trek start date:
- Passport scan (the photo page)
- Nepal visa copy (or arrival flight details if you will get a visa on arrival)
- Two passport-sized photos (digital is fine)
- Travel insurance certificate covering altitudes up to 6,000m
You can also send these documents after you arrive in Kathmandu — but plan for an extra 1–2 days in the city before your trek starts, since permit processing takes that long.
Your trekking agency processes the permit application with the Nepal Department of Immigration. This takes 1-2 working days.
Pick up your permits in Kathmandu the day before you start the trek, during your pre-trek briefing. Your guides carry them throughout the trek.
Don’t lose them. If a permit is lost on the trail, it cannot be replaced at a check post. You need to contact the agency, and have a new permit issued- usually a 1–2-day delay.
Plan your Manaslu Circuit Trek
You’ll find many trekking routes in Nepal, but the Manaslu Circuit has it all: restricted-area wilderness, the chance to experience a true Tibetan culture and its people, plus the opportunity to cross over the very high Himalayan pass without being crowded by other hikers. With the 2026 rule change allowing solo trekkers to join with a licensed guide, it’s an excellent opportunity to hike the Manaslu Circuit.
- Best season: March-May and September-November
- Group size: Solo trekkers welcome under new 2026 rules
- Permits: All four arranged before the trek begins
Book the Manaslu Circuit Trek or Comfort Manaslu Circuit Trek
Book the Short Manaslu Circuit Trek if you have limited time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit on arrival in Kathmandu?
Yes, but only through a registered trekking agency, and it takes 1-2 days of processing time.
Do I need the permit if I’m only doing the lower portion (Machha Khola to Jagat)?
The RAP is enforced from Jagat onwards, so technically, you can walk to Jagat without one. But there is almost no reason to — the real scenery of the trek begins above Jagat, and turning around at the check post is a wasted week.
What happens if I’m caught trekking without a permit?
A heavy fine (USD 500–1,000), immediate deportation to Kathmandu under escort, and a likely ban on future Nepal trekking permits. This isn't a hypothetical — Nepal Police and immigration officials staff check posts, not casual rangers.
Can I do the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley with the same permits?
You will need a separate Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit (USD 40 for 8 days) in addition to the four Manaslu permits. We cover this in our Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek.
Can my permit be extended if I want to stay longer?
Yes, but extensions must need to plan ahead before your trek begins. The cost is the per-additional-day rate (USD 10–15). Extensions can't be processed from a teahouse.
