Restricted Area Treks in Nepal

Restricted Area Treks in Nepal, provide unique culture and marvelous scenarios of the Himalayas. The Restricted  Trek would be a perfect destination for all travelers. There are many restricted treks Around Nepal and find the trek as per your liking. Furthermore, before starting the journey to isolated areas you should obtain the required permit. However, any trekkers easily soak into the natural beauties and culture too.

The term restricted area is tagged due to the close border with Tibet/China. As well as to conserve and protect the pristine environment. The restricted area is also protected by the Nepal Tourism Board and the local government.

Taste the natural beauty & multi-ethnic culture

A great way to enjoy various adventures with spend a memorable time in the mountains.  It is acceptable for all age groups of trekkers to have the opportunity to venture around a restricted region. Restricted area treks in Nepal, a various region where one can explore in the harmony of complete natural surroundings.

The government of Nepal and the Tourism Department have listed the following destinations of Nepal Himalaya, as restricted areas. Restricted Areas are the following regions Far North West Upper Mustang, Upper/ Lower Dolpo, and Humla-Limi Valley. Furthermore, In the Mid-West is Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley includes Nar-Phu.

Experience off beaten Journey in Nepal

Where trekkers require special permits to enter the above-restricted area, in some regions the cost for the permits is higher. However, all restricted area offers trekkers delightful moments, few areas have nice lodges for an overnight stay on route treks. But in places like Upper / Lower Dolpo and Humla-Limi Valley, trekkers have to spend overnights in tented camping.

The only way to venture around Restricted areas for trekking is to join reliable local trekking companies. Besides, a single traveler cannot trek solo or an individual has to be in a group of a minimum of 2 people. The local company will arrange and organize all logistic backup with the necessary arrangements, like obtaining special permits, and camping equipment. As well as providing expert licensed guides, trekking staff, and porters with transportation either for an overland journey or domestic flight.

Upper Mustang Trek

Upper Mustang Trek is one of the popular restricted and thrilling journeys in Nepal. It’s located between Far North West beyond Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalaya. For this trek to Upper Mustang, one must reach first to Jomsom by air. Jomsom is a large headquarters town of the Mustang district. It is the gateway of the Upper Mustang Trek and is situated around the Kaligandaki River Valley.

Upper Mustang is an isolated north plateau located between Nepal and Tibet.  Start the walk from Jomsom heading far north-west, as the trail follows the old Trans-Himalaya Salt Trade and Caravan Route to Tibet. Walk to Kagbeni a nice Tibetan-style village, the starting, and end-point of Upper Mustang. The journey continues to Lo Manthang the former forbidden walled kingdom of Mustang, heading into dramatic landscapes. Walk past Chele and Gelling to Charang village surrounded by large fields of buckwheat and visit the old monastery.

Himalayan Royal Palace With Sophisticated Tibetan Culture

Finally, the walk takes you towards the main highlight of the adventure to enter the former walled kingdom Lo-Manthang. After a climb over a few passes and on a wide windy valley to reach Lo-Manthang, here with time to explore around. The old typical roral palace with Tibetan authentic village with an awesome trans north part of Himalayas. Lo Manthang is charming and filled by culture with natural beauty. It’s one of the attraction places of the Mustang Trek.

Enjoy a tour of the main monasteries Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and the great Entrance Hall. Additionally, After a wonderful time around Upper Mustang head back to Jomsom for a flight or drive to scenic Pokhara. At this time there is road access to Lomanthang but we highly recommend walking and exploring the wonderous Himalayas. p

Nar-Phu Trekking

Nar-Phu Valley Trek is in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It was open since the 1990s for foreign travelers but it has required a special permit to complete the trek. Besides, After obtaining a special permit to enter into high far hidden corners of the Manang district. Walk lead on the same popular trail of the Annapurna circuit for some days to the village of Kodo. It’s located in the massive Annapurna region of Nepal in the Manang district.  From Kodo, the trail has diverted to many places like Nar Phu Valley, Kangla Pass, and Anapurna Circuit Trail.

The walk follows a river gorge covered in pine, rhododendrons, and fir trees, then enters a wide-open area to Phu. Enjoy a rest day at Phu for acclimatization and explore the windswept village and monasteries Tashilkhang and SamduCholing. After an interesting time at Phu, walk towards Na villages, which is almost similar to Phu, but quite smaller. Enjoy the moment in this last village around the hidden corners of Western Himalaya, as well as the least visited region.

Slowly route takes you to cross the high Kang-La pass at above 5, 322 m high to reach Manang Lower Valley. On the main trail of Annapurna Circuit, here with choices on leaving the restricted area of Nar and Phu. Either continue towards Jomsom crossing the high Thorang-La Pass or return on the same route via Pisang and Chame town.

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Manaslu Circuit Trek is an amusing journey in the Manaslu region of Nepal. It has been listed as a restricted area and it was open to foreigners since,1991. The Manaslu Trek offers mirthful scenarios of mountains, unique diverse cultures, and various landscapes with enjoyable walking.  The trek route incorporated the challenging and beautiful  Larke-La Pass 5160 m. It’s the high elevation throughout the trek.  Besides, Mount Manaslu is the world’s 8th highest peak at 8,163m and it’s open for climbing too. At present Manaslu circuit gaining more flow of trekkers, due to its awesome beautiful scenery and local impressive culture.

The adventure involves an exciting drive from Kathmandu to Sotikhola or Arughat. The journey towards a low warm region of Gorkha district, and then walk towards high green hills. The walk enters the high country around the scenic Manaslu Valley, with the local culture of Buddhism.

Lastly, the Manaslu Circuit Trail has combined the popular Annapurna Circuit Trek, and if you have ample time you can towards the Annapurna Himalayas.

Relish the nature & culture of the Manaslu Region

Enjoy trekking and spending overnights in the nice villages of Jagat, Namrung, and Lo-Gaon then at the main village of Sama-Gaon. The valley is enclosed by an array of high snow peaks of the Manaslu range, a great place to spend an extra day. At Sama Gaon enjoy a rest day an opportunity to witness the local immense traditional life and customs of great interest. Further from the Sama-Gaon route leads to the base of Larke-La Pass via Samdo village, at the end of Manaslu Valley. The next morning leaving the Gorkha district towards the Manang area, a steep climb to reach on top the highest point.

The Larke-La pass, a barrier between Gorkha and Manang district, from here on the long downhill to Bhimthang around Manang. Slowly walk follows on the lovely forest path to reach at the end of the trek in Dharapani village. Located on the mid-way of the popular Annapurna and Manaslu Circuit route, where a long drive brings you to Kathmandu.

Tsum Valley Trek

The journey to Tsum Valley is brilliant and acceptable to all types of travelers. It has many hidden beautiful elements along the trail. that Tsum Valley, located within Mid-West Nepal, is in between the massive Himalayan range of Mt. Manaslu and the massive Ganesh Himal. Manaslu Tsum Valley was closed to outside visitors and then opened for interested travelers to venture into in the late 1990s. One of the very special areas around the Himalayas is listed as a restricted region, and worth a visit to this new Shangri-La. In the beginning, the walk takes you on the same route of Manaslu, after a few days from Jagat and Deng villages.

Where the trail diverts from main Manaslu circuit to head further east on the backside of massif Ganesh Himal. Then enter the picturesque and wonderful country within Tsum Valley, as the walk leads past Chokan-Paro and Nile villages. As the walk leads you to the main highlight at Mu Gompa, situated above 3,700 m /12,139 feet high. Enjoy your moment around the remote and isolated country and visit the interesting old Buddhist monastery Mu-Gompa. Visit Rachen Gompa and then back to the low warm farm village at Sotikhola.

Lower Dolpo Trek:

An interesting and marvelous adventure towards Nepal Far West, due to its remote location, where both-way flights are involved. When you visit the restricted areas of far west Nepal then you will back to Jhupal airport of Dolpo district. The main feature of Lower Dolpo Trek is its beautiful turquoise-colored Phoksundo or Ringmo Lake. A wonderful trek takes you to a beautiful country in harmony with the local colorful culture. The villages of Dolpo are interwoven with both Buddhism and the ancient Bon religion. Walk within a high country, where the route leads to cross some passes of Baga and Numa-La above 5,000 m.

Offers grand dramatic scenery with views of magnificent landscapes and snow-capped peaks, as far as Dhaulagiri Himalaya. The adventure continues by visiting the lovely villages of Tokyu and Tarakot at the end of a trek to reach Jhupal. Taking a flight next early morning back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj city, after a memorable time around Lower Dolpo.

Upper Dolpo Trek:

The Upper Dolpo Trek includes both scenic and cultural areas of the whole Dolpo region, taking a swift flight from Kathmandu. To reach Nepalgunj City Airport, and then another short flight to land at Jhupal in Dolpo. The walk leads past the large headquarters town at Dunai, following rivers and streams to the beautiful emerald-colored Phoksundo Lake. Located close to the nice village of Ringmo, here with time to get acclimatized as well as explore the beautiful area.

The adventure then heads to the high Kang-La pass at 5, 200 m offers grand views of Dolpo’s beautiful country landscapes. Includes a majestic Himalayan range of western Nepal, then reaches a remote and isolated small settlement at Shey Gompa.

This is also called the Crystal Monastery, as the monastery is located close to Crystal Mountain nearby. Enjoy amazing moments around this lovely remote spot, truly a place out of this world. The return route takes you windswept villages of Saldang and at Tokyu, interesting settlements adorn with a bright beautiful culture. As the walk continues on scenic Dho-Tarap valley to the historical village of Tarakot and then at Dunai to end the trek. From Dunai drive to Jhupal for a flight to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj, after a most marvelous adventure on Upper Dolpo Trek.

Humla and Limi Valley:

Humla and Limi Valley, one of the most remote destinations of Nepal close to South West Tibet near holy Mt. Kailash. A scenic flight from Kathmandu and Nepalgunj City Airport reaches you to the mountainous airstrip of Simikot. The main hill town of Humla district where this trek around Humla and Limi valley begins and ends.

Walk follows off the beaten path, where very few Western travelers seldom visit this isolated region of Nepal. As trek follows on the old caravan trade route of Nepal and Tibet, which is still active to this day. The local people still trade and barter on the border town of Tibet and Nepal.

One of few unspoiled restricted regions, trekkers on this Humla and Limi valley will certainly enjoy the pristine surroundings. Apart from scenic landscapes and mountain views, the colorful culture and ancient customs are equally fascinating exploring impressive villages. The walk takes you to Kermi, Yalbang, Muchu, Yari, and Mane-PemeTil with Halji, visit monasteries of great religious significance.

The whole trip is a lovely scenic and cultural circuit, walking to Hilsa the border village of Nepal and Tibet. Finally walk ends at Simikot for an exciting flight back to Kathmandu, after a remarkable adventure on Humla and Limi Valley.

The best time to do the treks in Nepal

The most preferable times for restricted area trekking are mid-spring from March to May and September to November months during the autumn season.

Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Limi Valley can be trekked during monsoon wet months, as this region falls within a rain shadow. Where all heavy black clouds are blocked by the great Himalayan range and that is why the area is dry and arid and receives few showers. As this trek leads to high altitudes, it is not recommended during winter times with heavy snowfall on route trekking. The Nepal High Trek & Expedition team highly recommends the Restricted Area Treks in Nepal for 2023/2024. We are here ready to explore the beauty of Nepal.