What permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek ?

Good news has finally come for the restricted areas of Nepal in 2026! Nepal Government has lifted ban on solo trekkers to do trekking in these areas like the Manaslu and Upper Mustang region. This means that we will see lots of trekkers in these places which are raw, remote, and untainted by modern tourism activities. Among several restricted areas for trekking in Nepal, the Manaslu region is slowly becoming the commercial trekking region. Therefore, interest in this region is comparatively high than others. This blogger has published several blogs related to Manaslu Treks and others. Today’s blog is important to travelers as it is related to permits. What permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek? The concept of permit is high in this trail than others due to the fact that the trail is inside the restricted zone.

Getting permits for the trek is very significant task unlike regular trekking trails of Nepal. There are lots of requirements and process involved to obtain Manaslu Trek permit. So, what permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek? This is the normal and frequently asked question about the trek. The blogger tries to provide answer to this question in detail way. Moreover, the blog will also include the concept of getting permits for the trek according to the new 2026 rule set by Nepal Government.

Table of Contents

What Permit is Required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Total 4 trekking permits are required for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. These trekking permits are either the conservation area permits or the local rural municipality entry permits. Similarly, you also need to obtain the special restricted area permit from the immigration department of Nepal in Kathmandu. The northern border of Nepal with Tibet (autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China) are listed as the restricted regions due to geo – political issues and unique cultural – natural heritages. Moreover, these restricted regions are specially designed and they are possible to visit after special permission only.

Major restricted areas of Nepal are Upper Mustang, Manaslu region, Nar Phu Valley, Kanchenjunga, and Upper Dolpo. Besides these regions, there are special places in the Far – Western region of Nepal too. However, these mentioned regions are considered as the popular and commercial trekking destinations. As mentioned above, you need special restricted area permit to visit these places. Therefore, this blogger has tried to provide answer of the question “what permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek?” in best possible way.

Types of Permits Needed for Manaslu Circuit

Unlike in other trekking regions, the Manaslu Circuit Trek requires you to obtain four permits for the trek. Similar to the Everest Base Camp Trek, the journey of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal is comparatively expensive in terms of permit cost. Trekkers must obtain the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, special restricted area permit, and local Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality entry permit. These are the basic permits that you must obtain to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. It’s similar to the Manasu Tsum Valley Trek or the Manaslu Base Camp Trek in Nepal.

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Seasonal Variations in Permit Fees

Special restricted area permit is obtained in Kathmandu’ immigration office. Trekking agency’s office staff visits the immigration office with your Visa, official documents, and travel itinerary to obtain the restricted area permit. The cost of the special restricted area permit depends upon the trekking season. Autumn season permit costs 100 $ per week per person with additional 15 $ per extra day. Similarly, the cost of the spring, monsoon, and winter season is 75 $ per week per person with additional 10 $ per extra day.

Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) & Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek traverses through the villages of the Manaslu region and Annapurna region. Therefore, you must obtain the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit. Conservation area permits cost NRs. 3000 to foreigners and NRs. 1500 to SAARC citizens. Note down that you need to allocate NRs. 6000 to foreigners and NRs. 3000 to SAARC nationals to obtain these conservation area permits.

Tsum Rural Municipality Entry Permit

Nowadays, trekkers must also obtain the Tsum Rural Municipality entry permit for this trek. While writing the blog about what permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek, this blogger is delighted to say that local permit is helpful to all. Local permit helps to boost the local economy and uplift the overall standard of trekking route. The Tsum Rural Municipality entry permit costs NRs. 1000 per person per entry. Please note down that the permit is single entry permit and it is needed if you are doing the Tsum Valley Trek in Nepal too.

Where to Obtain Manaslu Trek Permits? Permit Checking Points Along the Trail

The conservation area permits are prepared by the trekking company. Every registered trekking company in Nepal is given the online permit printing portal. Therefore, the company can print the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permits. Similarly, you can also obtain the special restricted area permit (SRAP) in Kathmandu’s Immigration office. The local rural municipality permit is obtained from Jagat Village. Additionally, you also need to know about the places where you have to present your permits. Samdo, Samagaon, Jagat, Machhakhola, Shyala, and Dharapani are the places where your permits are checked during the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal.

Rules for Trekking in Restricted Areas

The requirement for any kinds of trekking activities inside the restricted areas of Nepal remains the same except the rule of solo trekking. You must travel with the help of a trekking guide and you must buy the travel package from the registered trekking company. Similarly, you must also obtain permits with the help of travel company and you must be accompanied by the trekking guide. One should note down that you must travel with a trekking guide even if you are trekking solo which has been lifted by Nepal Government. Trekking alone is not accepted and it is also not recommended due to the nature of the trekking route.

Importance of Licensed Guides for Manaslu Trek

One thing you should know that there is a rule of mandatory trekking guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal. The blog about what permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek must also include the importance of trekking guide. Moreover, hire a local registered trekking guide to enhance the overall trekking experiences. The trekking company like the Nepal High Trek always deploys the local but experienced and registered trekking guide. Therefore, the best tip that I can give you is to buy the trekking package only with the reliable trekking company.

If you are trekking with the experienced trekking guide, then you can surely enjoy hassle free trekking. Moreover, the guide can help you to know more about the cultural and traditional side of the Tsum and Nubri people living around the Manaslu Circuit Trek route.

Group Trekking Requirement: Consequences of Trekking Without Permits

Before 2026, trekking was allowed only to a group of at least two trekkers. In order to get the special restricted permit in Nepal for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, they must be in a group headed by the registered trekking guide. The itinerary must be prepared by the registered trekking company. All the rules are still the same but solo trekking is allowed from the previous rule.

Don’t ever think of doing the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal without trekking permits. There are lots of permit check posts along the way. Therefore, you should refrain from any idea of skipping permits for the trek. If found that you don’t have permit for the trek, then you may be deported, fined, or halt your trekking trip. Therefore, don’t skip the trek. Remember that the permit helps in conservation efforts and to improve local economy. Furthermore, permits help the local authorities to improve the condition of the trekking trail.

Tips for Hassle-Free Permit Processing

The best tip that this blogger can give you for hassle – free permit processing is to find the best trekking company to manage your trekking activities. Furthermore, the journey of the Manaslu Circuit Trek becomes safe and amazing if you have a proper trekking itinerary. Perfectly prepared itinerary can help to knit a momentous travel tale full of memories from the home of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu. Choose wisely! Plan meticulously! Prepare well for a successful trekking journey.

Recent Updates on Manaslu Permit Regulations: Solo Manaslu Trek is now Possible

In the beginning of the blog, I have already mentioned that the Manaslu region and restricted areas are open for solo trekking. Don’t misunderstand about the fact that you are allowed to do solo trekking but you must hire a trekking guide. Therefore, solo trekking without a guide is not possible.

Answering the question “what permit is required for Manaslu Circuit Trek?” is simple! Just contact the travel planners of the Nepal High Trek! The company will handle logistics professionally.