What are the best restricted trekking routes of Nepal?

Nepal is a country full of multi-ethnic people and diverse natural heritages. There are many places that have numerous unique cultural and natural features. Therefore, Nepal Government has kept these places as a restricted zone. The main objective to keep these places under the restricted category to preserve its unique cultural and natural heritages. Moreover, the places bordering Tibet the autonomous region of the Republic of China are always sensitive. The political reasons, cultural reasons, and natural reasons are behind the categorization of these places as restricted regions. Treasures are always kept hidden. Therefore, many people wish to explore these hidden gems! In this blog, you will get information about various popular restricted trekking routes of Nepal. So, find an answer to the question “What are the best restricted trekking routes of Nepal?” by reading this blog.

Are you in search of trekking route that is tranquil and less trekked? If yes, then this blog titled “What are the best restricted trekking routes of Nepal?” is very helpful.

Things to remember while trekking in restricted regions of Nepal

Trekking in Nepal requires lots of requirements including physical, mental, and legal issues. Before going on a trek to Nepal you must know various things. Following are the things to remember while trekking in restricted regions of Nepal:

• Trekking Permits are necessary for any kinds of trekking activities in Nepal. These permits are mandatory and normal even if the trekking route is not listed as the restricted trekking zones. For example, you need Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit to do the Everest Trek or any trek inside Nepal. The provision of TIMS permit is not in existence as of now (2025) but it may again needed in future.
• Rural Municipality Entry Permit is common these days. Some trekking routes of Nepal don’t require you to buy this permit but for some it is mandatory! For example, you must get the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit to do the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.

• National Park Entrance Fees

  are needed in some trekking regions. For example, you need Langtang National Park entry fees to do any kinds of trekking inside the Langtang region of Nepal.

• Conservation Area permit is required to do any kinds of trekking activities inside the designated conservation areas. For example, you need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to do any kinds of trekking activities inside the Annapurna region of Nepal.
• A restricted Area Permit is a special permit which is issued by an immigration office of Nepal based in Kathmandu. It is mandatory permit to do any kinds of trekking activities in restricted regions of Nepal.
• Travel Insurance is mandatory! Get a proper travel insurance plan from your home country before traveling to Nepal.
• Solo traveling is not allowed inside the restricted trekking regions of Nepal. Therefore, you must trek in a group of at least 2 persons.
• Independent traveling is restricted! The trekking trip must be managed by Nepal Government registered trekking agency based in Nepal.
• Be in proper physical and mental fitness conditions.

What are the best restricted trekking routes of Nepal?

Here is the list and details of the top 6 restricted trekking routes of Nepal:

Manaslu Circuit Trek

Among many restricted trekking routes of Nepal, the Manaslu Circuit Trek is the most popular! In fact, since 2023 trekking season the trekking route is getting lots of trekkers from across the globe. The chance to reach the base camp of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) is not an ordinary travel activity.

The journey of Manaslu Circuit Trek is considered as one of the most enticing walking activity to do in Nepal. The trekking route is slowly competing with many commercial trekking routes of Nepal like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, and Annapurna Circuit Trek. Before it is too late, trek in this trekking route and relish the chance to experience serenity, tranquility, spirituality, and wilderness adventure in less trekked enchanting trekking route of the Manaslu Trek.

 Tsum Valley Trek

The Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal is a hidden gem of the Manaslu region. There are two recognized trekking routes inside the region. The first one is the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the second one is the Tsum Valley Trek. The journey of Tsum Valley is shorter than Tsum valley with Manaslu Circuit Trek. It offers unique chance to reach the Ganesh Himal Base Camp as well as gives you chance to immerse into the culture of Tsumba People. These people are from Tibetan origin and practice Bon or Buddhism.

There are many ancient monasteries in this trekking route. The monastery like Mu Gompa was built centuries ago and is the home of more than 20 monks and nuns. It is in the remote parts of Gorkha district and offers a quintessential enchanting Himalayan environment mixed with the cultural significance. The journey of Tsum Valley requires less number of days in comparison to the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You can choose to do both the trekking in one single trip as a Manaslu Circuit Tsum Valley Trek.

Upper Mustang Trek

Do you know that you can visit the Upper Mustang region via road as well? Yes, it is possible to reach Lo Manthang the capital town of Upper Mustang region of Nepal. The road network has reached Upper Mustang region. You can do either motor bike tour to the Upper Mustang with Luri Gompa Trek or do Jeep drive to Upper Mustang. In order to experience the real Upper Mustang, you have to do trekking either from Beni or from Jomsom. The most popular trail head for this trek is Jomsom the windiest town of Lower Mustang located at the shores of Kaligandaki River. The Upper Mustang Trek is a nice joyous trekking route where trekkers can experience the unique culture and traditions of people. These people still practice monarchy system even if the country is republican state. Therefore, it is called the forbidden kingdom of Nepal.

Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar and Phu are two unique villages located in the vicinity of the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. Even if it is nearby Nepal’s oldest and most famous trekking route the journey of Nar Phu is majestic and mythical. These two villages represent the essence of Manang region of Nepal. One village is famous for landscape whereas the other is famous for observing the Himalayan lifestyle including the knowledge how people stay in the high altitude places. Make sure to visit these two villages and keep the Nar Phu Valley Trek in one of your bucket list of destinations for a remarkable holiday moments.

Dolpo Trek

Dolpo Trek is located in the Far Western region of Nepal and it is one of the most remote regions in the country. The Upper Dolpo Trek is often referred as the journey inside the forbidden kingdom of Nepal like the Upper Mustang Trek route. The trail was opened to trekkers in the late 1990s. The place is knwon for its rugged terrain and landscape. The Tibetan influenced culture and pristine beauty of nature liest beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges and endows a unique experience that is both culturally rich and physically challenging. The major highlight of the Dolpo Trek is the Shey Phoksundo Lake. The Lake is turquoise gem set against a backdrop of towering cliffs and green lush forests.

The lake is sacred to Nepalese people and is considered as one of the most beautiful destination of Nepal. In fact, the destination is still untouched as very less number of people travel to this destination. The trek takes you through ancient Tibetan villages, where you can witness traditional life and experience Buddhist practices. The journey encompasses monasteries adorned with centuries old wall paintings and prayer wheels. The trek to Dolpo is relatively long and requires good physical fitness due to its high altitudes, crossing passes like Numa La which is at an altitude of 5190 m . The isolation of the region ensures that the trekking route is less crowded, providing trekkers with a more tranquil and intimate experience with nature’s beautiful allures.

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

The Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek is a jewel of Nepal’s Eastern Himalayan region. The trek, on the other hand, takes trekkers to the eastern border of Nepal, near the border with Sikkim, India. The trek centers around Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain of the world, and offers a completely different trekking experiences. The Kanchenjunga region is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, green lush forests, and dramatic yet majestic mountain vistas. The journey of Kanchenjunga is famous for its remote villages and cultural diversity, as it passes through lowland villages as well as high altitude villages full of communities influenced heavily by the Tibetan culture and traditions.

The trail leads through dense rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and high mountain landscapes, offering trekkers a wide variety of terrain. One of the highlights is the view of the Kanchenjunga mountain itself. Moreover, the view of cascading hills and traveling through green lush forests of rhododendrons, alpine meadows and high mountain landscapes will definitely captivate you.  At high altitude, trekkers have to cross the challenging mountain passes and they can experience breathtaking views of some of the world’s tallest mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and off course the Kanchenjunga the world’s 3^rd tallest mountain.

I hope that this blog titled “What are the best restricted trekking routes of Nepal?” has provided you the best information about hidden gems of Nepal. Embark today to explore Nepal’s best kept secrets!